Doomben (Heavy 9/chance of improvement to slow)
Race 1 - Grey Countess (2) ran a close 2nd last start over 1200m on slow going. On that occasion she drew wide and had to work hard to take up a front position. She draws perfectly in barrier 2 here and gets the services of Michael Cahill. He'll be able to park her close to the front with minimal effort. Given the way she's finished off her last 2 starts, she'll be awfully hard to beat given the run I see her getting. Won over this distance 2 starts ago. Other hopes to Very Convincing (14), Agitate (5) and Mishani Gladiator (3).
Race 2 - Black Magic (9) doesn't have the most impressive wet track stats with just the 1 win from 5 starts on slow going. However her last 2 starts where she has finished off well for 4th placings against good opposition show that she is no mug on rain affected tracks. To be in the mix with horses like Gatineau River, Viking Heart and Show Affection puts this horse in a great position to get a win in this race. Other hopes to Sunset Showdown (5), Dr Barnard (1) and Easy Game (6).
***With the scratching of Easy Game, I'll promote Zekeza (7) to the other hopes***
Race 3 - Volkhere (2) looks well placed to win here. This guy has a great record on wet tracks, never being out of the placings (2 wins) in 4 starts. He has been running on with great conviction in his past 3 starts. Drops back from 2000m to 1600m after a freshen up which will suit. Gets 2kg off for Anthony Allen which will be of great benefit in the conditions. Will get the run of the race. Other hopes to Epic Terra (1), Hold Me Tight (5) and Run With Me (6).
Race 4 - It's hard to argue with an unbeaten record and I won't be here, putting my support behind Carmora (2). This guy has had the 2 starts and has won both convincingly. Last time out he stepped up to 1600m and won by 2.3 lengths. Not a bad effort in your 2nd race start. Both wins were on slow going so wet conditions won't concern him. I can see him getting a cheap lead here and proving hard to run down. Gets the services of Michael Cahill. Other hopes to What A Gal (8), Congo (1) and Fiesty Belle (6).
***With the scratching of Congo, I'll promote Kentaur (4) to the other hopes***
Race 5 - Secret Garden (4) enters this race on the back of a tough 2000m win over Volkhere. Hopefully that form will be franked earlier in the day. This mare loves a wet track as shown by her 5 wins or placings from 6 goes on wet tracks. She gets the services of Michael Cahill and will carry 54kg which was what she had last start.
Race 6 - I won't be getting carried away with this race and see it as a danger leg for quadrella players. I'm going with a horse that has been kind to me in the past in Transporter (3). He is 2nd up here and the 1350m is short of his ideal distance. However there really doesn't seem to be a lot of strong opposition. He races particularly well at this track and being a Commands should be able to get through the ground adequately. Gets the services of Michael Cahill who has ridden the horse to 4 wins from 5 starts. Others hopes to Verdasco (4), Achievements (8) and Joint Chiefs (5).
Race 7 - Show Affection (4) flew home last start to win over this distance on slow going. I don't see a reason to get off here. She goes particularly well in the conditions and has won 2 from 2 at this track and distance. Gets in with just 53.5kg after the claim for Anthony Allen. She should be suited by a solid pace and will be able to unleash her trademark strong finish. Other hopes to Bymonashee (14), Beseech (1) and Angusroy (7).
Race 8 - Headless (8) has put in 2 cracking runs since resuming. She won 1st up after racing 3 wide and then ran on strongly from last to go down by the barest of margins. The step up to 1200m here should suit as should a solid speed. She failed on her only attempt on heavy going but hasn't been out of the placings in 3 starts on slow. In a tough race, she should be in the finish. Other hopes to Sir Knox (11), General Jackson (1) and Auchenflower (13).
Race 9 - Good luck if you're alive going into the final leg as you'll need it! This is a race of many chances. Gatineau River (15) has been racing well this year with a win and 2 2nds. 2 starts back she won narrowly over this distance on slow going and then narrowly lost last start in the same conditions. She's drawn barrier 11 but I think she can hustle early to take up a decent position. She has finished off nicely in her past 2 and a repeat of that will see her in the finish. Other hopes to Time To Plunder (17), Alcania (18) and Fitness Fanatic (6). However the list doesn't end there.
***With the scratching of Fitness Fanatic, I'll promote Pattie's Mate (1) to the other hopes***
Fairly keen to have an all up with Carmora and Secret Garden and tossing them in with Grey Countess and Show Affection in another.
Flemington
Race 1 - Anatina (6)
Race 2 - Angelic Light (4)
Race 3 - Weinholt (6)
Race 4 - Puissance De Lune (1)
Race 5 - Norzita (1)
Race 6 - Better Than Ready (13)
Race 7 - Green Moon (1)
Race 8 - Hi Belle (3)
Race 9 - British General (10)
Warwick Farm
Race 1 - Tremec (8)
Race 2 - Whittington (1)
Race 3 - Steps In Time (4)
Race 4 - Under The Sun (1)
Race 5 - Riva De Lago (7)
Race 6 - Shoot Out (3)
Race 7 - Bennetta (3)
Race 8 - Emotional Circus (5)
