Track: Soft Weather: Fine

Intriguing race. Bermadez is a bomb fresh, should plonk on the speed and give a good sight. Pinstriped has class but will need a bit of luck from the draw. Scallopini has plenty of ability and will be hard to beat with Lane in the saddle and from the nice draw. Blue Army creates intrigue off a big break.

1. Lightsaber (10)

Classy galloper that needs another win. 3/6 over this trip and 1/1 over the track and trip so it can give this a shake.

2. Our Playboy (6)

Hit and miss last prep but contested some hot races. Just the one win fresh from 6 goes so the market is the best guide to its chances.

3. Scallopini (2)

Racing in super form and a bit of juice in the track is ideal, 6 runs on the soft for 4 wins. Lane will get a beautiful run in transit and this is a winnable stakes race.

4. Pondus (4)

Prefer over further.

5. Hi Stranger (13)

18 goes at this track for no wins. Can’t have.

6. Media Award (3)

Unbeaten on soft and has won fresh. Media Award will probably be better with another run under the belt but it does get a soft draw and Thornton is 1/1 aboard. Can win.

7. Fourhometwo (15)

Can’t have.

8. Bermadez (11)

Went up a big price in futures markets but has been well found now. Unbeaten fresh and loves racing at this track, Bermadez ticks plenty of boxes and has the early gate speed to offset the wide draw. Hard to beat.

9. Romancer (9)

Too tricky to catch.

10. Pinstriped (16)

Unbeaten fresh and a moral beaten a few times last prep. Clean air and it looks a massive hope of wining this but barrier 16 on this track is something for those that like a risk. Hard to beat but will need luck in running.

11. Viral (8)

Monitor any market moves. Hasn’t run for a long time but has won fresh.

12. Blaze A Trail (12)

Racing well. Took out the Mildura Cup and just doesn’t go an inch on soft ground. Conditions will be the key to its chances, keep an eye on them.

13. Blue Army (5)

Good hope here at odds. Kept on ice for a long time and the stable are in good form. Loves this trip and maps well, can certainly win this at good odds.

14. Surreal Image (1)

Can’t have.

15. Chartres (14)

Hasn’t been in amazing form lately but has been racing with little luck. Tough draw but can figure in this at odds. Top 4 contender.

16. El Rocko (7)

Racing super and has come back really well this prep. Just needs a little luck from the draw. The wetter the better for El Rocko and didn’t have much luck last run. Big hope.

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

Bryce’s Tips	Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
8 Bermadez	8 Bermadez	8 Bermadez
3 Scallopini	10 Pinstriped	16 El Rocko
13 Blue Army	1 Lightsaber	1 Lightsaber
10 Pinstriped	16 El Rocko	10 Pinstriped

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	3 Scallopini
2nd	10 Pinstriped	2.25 lengths
3rd	16 El Rocko	2.45 lengths
4th	2 Our Playboy	3.95 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 7.

Scratchings: 4. Pondus, 7. Fourhometwo, 12. Blaze A Trail, 13. Blue Army.