Track Good 4 and rail True.
RACE 1
6. Portofino is a well-bred three-year-old resuming for a second prep as a gelding, and much stronger galloper for the Chris Waller stable. Has been strong through the line in two trials, and finds a race where he can settle back off a solid speed and be strong late. Big watch on debut colt 7. Rhetoric, by boom sire Harry Angel from the Michael Freedman stable. Starts behind two progressive trials, and drawn to get the right run. 2. Zoysia is a big market watch returning for his second start off a long break as a gelding for the Waller yard. Naturally gear changes are in play, and comes off two quite trials, so difficult to get a line. Watch for any market move at big odds around 3. Copycat, a colt by Street Boss on debut for the Gary Portelli stable. 9. Royal Corporal is the best of the rest first-up from the inside draw.How to play it: Portofino to win.
RACE 2
10. Kumbaya is a progressive filly, one of seven accepted Waller-trained runners, and primed to open her account at her fourth start. Liked the way she hit the line from well back at the provincials, and is screaming for this longer trip under a suitable set weight scale. The one to beat. 9. Tutto has enough ability to win this fourth-up in his first full prep over more ground with blinkers replacing winkers, but threatens to go around a shade under the odds from a wide draw. 5. Precise Star has had two fair runs back, but can peak here over further with a key jockey change. 4. Menthon improving into his fourth start can run into the minor money.How to play it: Kumbaya to win.
RACE 3
10. Raskol is an emerging filly from a leading stable well placed to pounce at her second start. Made up plenty of late ground on debut at Gosford as a rock-solid favourite, and while this is tougher, she settles closer in the run and will relish the extra furlong. 1. Artgirl is at peak fitness now coming back a shade in trip after hitting the line hard a fortnight ago. 2. Capdiva is a tough filly that stuck on OK from the front three weeks ago. Form from that race is strong with the winner then beaten narrowly in the listed Gosford Guineas, and the second horse winning next start on Boxing Day. Gets in well at the weights after the claim. 16. In Limbo, first up off two progressive trials, goes in all exotic plays.How to play it: Raskol to win.
RACE 4
10. Lull is a progressive filly, best placed to score here second up from an ideal draw in a tactical sprint reduced to just seven runners. Hadn’t raced since her two-year-old days in early winter when just even through the line for the new metropolitan stable in a provincial class 1, but naturally fitter and drawn to get a far more economical run. 2. O’invincible was in and around the money in similar fields last prep. Given two trials, gets a 3kg weight claim and normally comes to hand early in a campaign. 5. Vanessi is another one with knockout claims resuming under a 3kg allowance behind two soft trials, while 9. Vanlee, resuming off two improving trials, and 12. Hazel Jean, back in grade second up, can both add value into exotic plays.How to play it: Lull to win.
RACE 5
9. Monopolistic is an emerging three-year-old and the one to beat from a low draw, aiming to make it two from two for the Waller camp. Too strong from off the pace on the Beaumont track when making his debut and bred to get further. Will be difficult to hold out late in what is now a weakened race. Big watch on stablemate 8. Michelangelo, which also chases a second straight win after finishing hard to claim his maiden at Wyong. Another Waller-trained runner, 2. Botanist, led all the way to land his maiden at only his third start and has been given four weeks between runs. Gap to the rest.How to play it: Monopolistic to win.
RACE 6
8. Just In Time is a sparingly raced provincial mare set to resume with a bang. Won two straight in easy fashion up to BM 64 in early winter before outclassed in much tougher metropolitan company, and spelled. Fitted with two improving 1000m trials. 4. Zulfiqar is a tough improver coming off a dominant third-up win here in a race of less quality against the older gallopers. 5. Cassiel is in the mix third-up over a bit further from the inside gate. Examined by vets after failing to finish off last time, and while he still lacks conviction, gets some much-needed weight relief. 2. Sydney Bowler hasn’t won for a long time, and naturally is hard to catch, but given a lengthy freshen-up behind a solid trial, and importantly blinkers go on. Both 1. Hellfire Express resuming off two trials, and 6. Oakfield Duke second-up, are both drawn low and can run into the money.How to play it: Just In Time to win.
RACE 7
9. Spywire is a talented four-year-old, and terrific value down sharply in weight third up from a nice trailing draw in an open listed race. Missed narrowly three weeks ago in a good quality Wyong feature when luckless late, and is up to this class at good odds on ideal speed map. 1. The Instructor is a smart five-year-old well placed first up since early winter for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott yard. Won two black-types races in NSW and Victoria through late autumn before beaten just over two lengths in the group 1 Stradbroke at Eagle Farm. Won the second of two lead-up trials, and from a handy draw, he can claim an eighth win from just his 19th start. 13. King’s Secret is a high-class four-year-oild gunning for a sixth win at only his 11th start. Steps up from a dominant BM94 Saturday win, although threatens to go around under the odds in this line-up. 4. King Of Roseau is a tough sprinter, and also unlucky not to win that same Wyong race as the top selection when badly held up at a crucial stage. Draws wide, but over the odds third up. 5. Barber, drawn inside fourth up, can finish in the minor money.How to play it: Spywire to win.
RACE 8
10. Lunar Lover is a real improver that can strike third up off a lengthy break over more ground in yet another tough battle. Won two straight over 2000m in autumn, and proved he is desperate for this journey now after doing his best work late over the mile in two runs back. Drawn to get plenty of cover around midfield. 3. Liberty Park is well over the odds back in grade fourth up with a 3kg claim. 20. De Louviere is a stablemate of the top selection, and will also need a few withdrawals to gain a start. Has shown plenty in two runs back, and also wants more ground. 1. All Hunky Dory, fourth up, heads the rest.How to play it: Lunar Lover to win.
Best bets
Race 2: (10) KumbayaRace 5: (9) Monopolistic
Best value
Race 8: (10) Lunar Lover
Supplied by Racing NSWFull form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
