Sunshine Coast Race 3 Tip #5 Palladas $3.40
In what is an open card at the Sunny Coast, I've settled on this son of I Am Invincible to get the job done.
Trainer Tony Gollan pairs with star jockey Ryan Maloney here and the combination has a strong 29% winning strike rate and an excellent 36% ROI.
Palladas finished off well last start at Doomben for third behind Starosa, after laying in over the concluding stages.
In that clash, he had the measure of four of the runners he squares off with again today so there's no reason he can't repeat the dose today.
At the run prior, he was positioned in the box seat and sprinted too quickly for them to easily win his maiden.
Maloney may elect to go back from gate 7 or alternatively settle in the first 4 or 5 if he jumps well enough.
Expect him to stamp his authority over his three-year-old rivals here and out-sprint them in the go to the line.
Ballarat Race 9 Tip #3 The Astrologist $3.70
This Zoustar gelding has returned to racing in great form, winning first-up before being narrowly defeated down the Flemington straight second-up.
He’ll enjoy the fast speed here and from barrier 9, look for Craig Williams to position him in the running line where he'll be poised to strike.
Ballarat Race 8 Tip #10 Affair To Remember $5.50 each-way
Flew home to win the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes, recording a faster time than Arcadia Queen in the Mackinnon Stakes.
She drops to listed grade today and only goes up 1kg.
There looks to be enough speed engaged to see her fly late.
Ascot Race 5 Tip #12 Western Empire $2.40
If Western Empire doesn't gain a start in the Group 2 WA Guineas, then he has this race at his mercy.
On debut he got well out of his ground in an 1100m maiden on a very speed dominated day, but still worked home well.
Then second-up, he was no better than four wide without cover the trip and still kept coming before just missing on the post.
Western Empire gains the services of William Pike for the first time here and is drawn to do no work in the run.
Butterlea Lad should ensure we get some tempo in this event, along with Sophies Song and Sweet Dreamin' who like to be handy.
From barrier 6, the equation for Pike should be simple. Look for him to land three or four pairs back, one off the fence and just be too good for them.
Ascot Race 7 Tip #1 Flower of War $2.90
Flower of War has been racing better than the runs suggest on paper.
Chasing speedster Mervyn is no easy task and she was run off her feet over the 1000m in her first two runs this prep. However, she stuck on well on both occasions and was not far off in what were quality races.
For this clash she drops out of Group 3 company back to Listed grade, returns to her favoured distance of 1200m and gets the services of Chris Parnham for the first time.
I expect Flower of War to lead from barrier 8, with Londsdale Lady taking a sit to his outside. If Londsdale Lady wants to pour on the pressure for the lead, Parnham will be able to take a sit and avoid getting in a speed battle.
She's very tough mare who has been placed perfectly by Simon Miller and looks extremely hard to beat.
Tatura Race 2 Tip #6 Plenty to Say $2.60
This gelding has shown enough at the jump-outs this time in to be competitive here.
Most of these have had plenty of chances to break their maiden, but have failed to do so.
This guy has not been asked for much of an effort in each of those jump-outs and against limited opposition here, he can breakthrough for a victory.