Ipswich Race 3 Tip #2 Shadow Of Time $2.60
Trained on the Sunshine Coast in the small stable of Stewart Barr, this gelding has notched up a good record to date (11: 4-1-1).
Two of his wins have been at this distance range, which suggests he is up for the 1350m trip now third-up.
Last run at the Sunny Coast over 1300m. he led them up until finally being worn down by the eventual winner Chapelco. He stuck to his guns well up the big straight and fought it out all the way to the finish to go down by a neck
Drawing gate one on this occasion means Michael Cahill will just need to get him away to a steady start, so he can lead early without spending too much petrol or at the very least have him box seating.
Up the shorter Ipswich straight, he'll be fit enough to stave off any challenges that come his way and get the job done.
Hawkesbury Race 1 Tip #2 Feel the Knight $3.40
I'm keen to start the day off on the right foot with the Matthew dale trained Feel the Knight, who looks very well placed to edge his way back into the winner’s circle.
The five-year-old gelding presents off a three week freshen after a very good performance when second beaten 2.3 lengths behind the progressive Belluci Babe. That runner has since gone on to finish second in metropolitan grade, franking the form line.
Prior to that run, he was very well acquitted in Saturday Highway grade when running 2.1 lengths off Absolute Trust before finishing in the placings behind Girls Are Ready on a wet track.
He arrives here in top form and strikes a very winnable mid-week race with exposed form lines. He relishes the 1000m short course (7:2:3:0) and gets in-form Jason Collett to take the reins in what is an astute booking.
He handles wet conditions, maps for a perfect run in behind a solid tempo and will be very hard to hold out late.
Bendigo Race 1 Tip #5 Nantucket $2.10
I can’t see this gelding being a maiden for too much longer. He has form around some Group horses from last season and finds a very winnable race today.
The booking of the in-form Jamie Kah suggests he's flying at home and from barrier 9, Kah can roll across and find a spot in the running line before proving too classy late.
He's one of the best bets I've seen for some time. The odds are short but sweet!
Bendigo Race 2 Tip #7 Manaajim $2.40
This filly looks really hard to beat here.
She's building up a record of seconds but I still feel she attacked the line well enough last start and only found one better in Violinist, who was dropping in grade.
Violinist then went to Flemington and was only beaten 2.3 lengths in a Listed race and should have finished much closer.
From barrier 1, expect Luke Nolen to stalk the speed before proving this gelding proves too strong late.