WINTER CHALLENGE (L)

RACE 9 - 1500m

GENERAL SALUTE / MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE / WHINCHAT

Love the way in which GENERAL SALUTE picked up to win the Winter Stakes at Randwick last start, chasing hard to find the front at the 150m with the victory never in doubt from there. The RUSSIAN REVOLUTION gelding rushed home late in the Bob Charley but only battled in the Civic Stakes, although now in peak shape and a positive ride by Nash has him going close to a repeat.

☆☆☆☆

MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE has consistently delivered like an ATM machine for Bjorn Baker throughout this campaign, demonstrating exceptional performance in both Sydney and Queensland. The trick is whether this fine PIERATA gelding has come to the end of his run and is now lost that edge after a 3rd at Rosehill five runs into the campaign. Just a fantastic galloper with slick turn-of-foot and we won't be counting him out for one more big effort. Could in fact blow them away.

☆☆☆

WHINCHAT hasn't been terrible the last two and only needs to find slightly more grunt after fighting a forlorn battle for 2nd to MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE in the Civic Stakes fresh up at Randwick. Led early in the Winter Stakes before weakening at the 1400m, but a balanced ride holding something in reserve might be wise from this wide gate. Odds suggest the gelding can't win but could fill a placing.

☆☆

JULY SPRINT HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1100m

ICE KOOL / AVIATRESS / WAY TO THE STARS

Impossible to go past ICE KOOL down on the minimum based on just what he has achieved winning 4 from 5 starts and the ZOUSTAR gelding can probably easily handle this class of horse with few issues. Kept coming to prvail at Randwick last start with Pfieffer holding him to the flame with a tune up jumpout win here on the 10th July. Looked perfectly poised to continue on.

☆☆☆☆☆

AVIATRESS is a sturdy sprinter who can give this a red hot go as a strong fresh up performer now with the Liam Ruddy yard after transferring from team Jolly. A SMART MISSILE mare with a fine strike rate, she is highly consistent and did manage an 1100m win at Caulfield last November. If able to get back to her best quickly then consider the stable change as positive move.

☆☆☆

WAY TO THE STARS is a dynamic fresh up performer and with a winning Randwick trial win behind him trainer Matty Smith has no doubt prepped well-forward. The seven-year-old gelding has carved out a fine career record thus far and is the type to fire up over this trip while in this state of condition.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1300m

SIR ARTIE / ELOUYOU / ROMEO'S CHOICE

SIR ARTIE, representing Team Archibald, is considered a strong contender on the current program. His recent performance two weeks ago at Rosehill was particularly notable, as he demonstrated significant closing speed and impressive late sectionals from the rear of the field. Given his current fitness level, he presents a compelling wagering opportunity.

☆☆☆☆

ELOUYOU has been pretty solid in the wet since resuming, with a third at Caulfield and Flemington but tracked behind the pace with no cover last time at Caulfield and not given much hope. This SO YOU THINK gelding went through a quiet patch before spelling and does appear more focused and stronger. Can aim up nicely with Berry aboard although this gate is a bit awkward.

☆☆☆

ROMEO'S CHOICE was run down late over 1200m at Randwick two starts back and couldn't find any extra nearing the line when finishing a tidy 3rd to SUNSHINEINMYPOCKET. Had no favours trapped out on a limb three wide at Rosehill last stsrt, an easy forgive and from this gate 3rd-up we could expect a much stronger sprinting performance.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 10 - 1200m C&G

STARDEEL / READY TO SHINE / SNACK BAR

STARDEEL came out fresh up and delivered a strong effort chasing hard to prevail for trainer Bjorn Baker before weakening at the 300m at Rosehill last start. Win before was on the course in August when crossing to the lead and did well racing away.

☆☆☆☆

Nothing wrong with the two runs back of READY TO SHINE this prep, running 2nd at Canterbury Park fresh up charging home late before kicking at the 300m to defeat a fairly handy field. The Matt Smith trained gelding was last seen in the autumn of 2025 and ran some ridy races but seems to have returned with mucho confidence.

☆☆☆

SNACK BAR is scheduled for a race in three weeks apart following a prior performance at this track and distance where the horse secured a favourable position off the pace and appeared poised for victory, ultimately finishing behind READY TO SHINE. While a source of some frustration, the horse is demonstrating consistent progress and can produce his best from the draw.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 2400m

LE TROISIR / BELLE DETELLE / GOLDEN CENTURY

Waller has a very genuine type in LE TROISIR who will jump down on the minimum with Zac Lloyd aboard and appears well-primed to play a major role. Won over 2200m at Warwick Farm in June, and chased hard for 3rd over 2000m at Rosehill last start so seems competitive enough. Key may be this soft weight which will aid late in the contest.

☆☆☆☆

Pretty happy with these odds on BELLE DETELLE who ended up three wide at the rear and played no part at Rosehill. Scrub that and go on the second here in May in a Heavy 9 as this Waller-trained ZED mare has some staying nous and only needs to flick the switch and discover that winning attitude.

☆☆☆

GOLDEN CENTURY demonstrated a commendable performance two weeks ago, following ANYTHINK GOES. Despite being positioned unfavorably, he exhibited significant progress, ultimately closing the gap. The increase in distance to 2400m is anticipated to be advantageous; while he can be challenging to predict, his recent outing suggests he is a strong contender.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1200m F&M

SEQUISTA / TICKLEBELLY / COUPLE'S RETREAT

We like the look of SEQUISTA in this who ran a much improved race over 1300m at Rosehill but ultimately was no match for the winner. Has been a tough nut to crack at times and not fully reliable, however, the talent is there and Braith Nock just has to get the D'ARGENTO filly into some clear air late with room to move to bring out the best in her.

☆☆☆☆

TICKLEBELLY is anticipated to perform strongly, having previously demonstrated a commanding lead several weeks ago before being narrowly overtaken by BELLA CORAZON over 1300m here. Her racing style suggests she will be a prominent contender with the 3kg claim sure to assist.

☆☆☆

COUPLE'S RETREAT jumps from the ace gate and is still on the up after two plain runs, but won here at Rosehill in May over 1100m travelling well to the turn before pressing on to the line. Bit plain in the next before being badly held and ahuffled up returning to the course last start and that run needs to be set aside.

☆☆

BEST BET: ICE KOOL

NEXT BEST: SEQUISTA

BEST VALUE: SIR ARTIE

WILDCARD: STARDEEL