Track: Soft5 Weather: showers

Intriguing race for the stayers. Plenty to like about Shock ‘Em Ova returning. Showed a big turn of foot to win with ease and sets up nicely in this. Adelaide River has strong Irish form and gets Gibbons doing the riding. May just be too classy for this lot. Just Folk maps for a good run but looks short enough. Luncies is a tricky horse to catch but capable of taking this out and the same can be said about Sibaaq.

1. Cleveland (18)

Tough draw and I tried to catch him all last prep. He is good enough to win but may want further.

2. Just Folk (7)

Far too short here. Has been racing in good fashion but leaning to the 2 market elects. Found Numerian and Detonator Jack too good in its past 2 starts which reads okay but keen on the main 2 chances.

3. Adelaide River (16)

Classy import who has some very strong Irish form. Big market watch and gets Gibbons to ride. Keep an eye on race day fluctuations.

4. Luncies (4)

Hard to catch but does have the ability on its day. Maps well and Shinn is a big booking.

5. Lion’s Roar (1)

Classy runner who has plenty of runs on the board. Barrier 1 doesn’t suit its pattern but has bounced back to form this prep and is good enough to take this out.

6. Desert Icon (2)

Can’t have.

7. Knight’s Choice (8)

Nice return behind there promising Gringotts. That form should hold up here and will roll forward from the draw. Good chance.

8. Zoumon (9)

Can’t have.

9. Torrens (14)

Leaning to others.

10. Converge (12)

Hasn’t shown much lately.

11. Jimi Hendrix (10)

Can’t have.

12. Waterford (13)   – scratched

Scratched.

13. Sibaaq (3)

Doesn’t win out of turn but honest competitor who will be in the finish and maps well from barrier 3. Place hope.

14. Territory Express (17)

Racing well and has been subject to a stack of early market support. Has the speed to offset the wide draw and this race is within reach.

15. Shock ‘Em Ova (5)

Resumed with a superb win beating First Accused, showing off a neat turn of foot. Harder here but on the up and will prove very hard to hold out.

16. Magnaspin (19)

Can’t have.

17. Eaglemont (6)

This looks too tough.

18. Military Gambler (11)

Prefer others.

19. Nikau Spur (15)

Leaning to others.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Bryce Parker’s Tips
1 Cleveland
3 Adelaide River
4 Luncies
15 Shock ‘Em Ova

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	2 Just Folk
2nd	10 Converge	1.4 lengths
3rd	14 Territory Express	1.93 lengths
4th	7 Knight’s Choice	2.1 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 6.

Scratchings: 9. Torrens, 12. Waterford, 13. Sibaaq, 18e. Military Gambler, 19e. Nikau Spur.