Doomben Race 8 Tip #6 Royal Hale $3.40
This Tony Gollan trained gelding put the writing on the wall last start, after finishing second at this level behind Metson.
The winner had favours with an inside run in the straight while Royal Hale had to work three wide over the final 500m.
The son of Snitzel stuck to his guns on the line, which suggests that the step up to 1350m here would suit.
He gets a 1.5kg claim with Georgina Cartwright in the saddle, which gets him down 2.5 kgs less than his last run at 53.5kgs.
Cartwright is starting to find her feet in Queensland after moving from Victoria, riding 5 winners from her past 24 mounts at a healthy 21% strike rate. She may well be a sought after hoop in the coming months.
With no natural leaders in this race and with the step-up in trip, expect her to bring the gelding across from the wide gate early in the race and then take a sit just behind the speed.
With fitness on his side, look for him to kick clear half way up the straight and fight off any challengers that come his way.
Ascot Race 3 Tip #6 Secret Plan $2.40
I’m not one to venture out of my comfort zone in WA often, however this son of I Am Invincible debut effort was off the charts and he could be an absolute star in the making.
He drew barrier 10 of 12 over the 1000m at Belmont on a Soft 6 in that first-up effort. Chris Parnham instantly took him back and let him relax off what was a moderate tempo.
He looked as though he had too much to do when approaching the turn, however Parnham knew exactly what he had underneath him as he roared past all 11 of his opponents to score a soft 1-length win.
In doing so, he ran the fastest last 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m sectionals of the race and easily the entire meeting.
His last 200m of 11.52 was just over 4 lengths faster than any other horse that day.
He has had a 6 week freshen up into this run and steps up to the 1200m for this clash, which will suit him down to the ground.
He draws an outside gate once again, but that should pose no problems as Parnham will ride him cold once again.
I’m expecting Parnham to blend into the race from the 600m and let the gelding unleash down the outside of the track, as he storms over the top of rivals late!
Caulfield Race 1 Tip #2 Skiddaw $5.00
He's a talented galloper who didn’t have a lot of luck at Flemington last start, when finishing 3.6 lengths behind Affair To Remember.
He's only had one start on a heavy track, when he was flattened in the ATC Derby so forget about that.
Looks good value at the quote.
Caulfield Race 7 Tip #6 Alfa Oro $2.10
This bloke is a winning machine who looks well in on the weights in the Caulfield Sprint.
He handles all conditions so if the rain comes, he won't have any issues.
Look for him to push forward from the inside draw and prove too good.
Ascot Race 6 Tip #2 Condor Heroes $4.20
Condor Heroes was brave first-up when carrying 61kg and absorbing pressure from This'll Testya.
He never shirked at the task, but was just beaten by a horse who the race was set up for.
After posting back-to-back victories to begin his WA career, his second to Long Beach holds no shame.
Six weeks between runs sees him go into this off a freshen-up, but he has a good fresh record so that poses no concerns. Furthermore, McGruddy has built a good association with the horse.
Condor Heroes is a speed machine and should find the front quickly. If he can do so without spending too much petrol, he will be extremely hard to catch.
If something really wants to take him on for the front, it will be to their own detriment.
Randwick Race 1 Tip #2 Bacchanalia $13.00
I think both Godolphin runners can be competitive on debut in the opener at Randwick.
I've opted with Bacchanalia at the bigger odds.
He's done everything under his own steam at both trials and looks to have plenty to offer at each effort.
He looks a classy type and he possesses a turn of foot. Expect him to be very competitive at nice odds.