Doomben Race 5 Tip #5 Shooting For Gold $2.45
A sharp trial win indicates the O'Dea-Hoysted stable have this gelding ready for this first-up assault.
They easily ran the quickest 840m trial on the day, with Shooting For Gold having the measure of both Kavak and Acrobatic who he meets again here.
In his first prep he didn't finish further back than second (4:2-2-0).
He looks to have improved off that spell and retains the services of regular rider for this assignment, apprentice Justin Huxtable.
From barrier 4 he should take up a forward position and prove too strong late, before going on to bigger things this preparation.
Pakenham Race 5 Tip #8 Tavidance $2.50
He has a touch of class as demonstrated with his six length victory at Flemington in August before heading for a spell.
Not much went right for him first-up and then second-up, he made up solid ground over the mile after being restrained from the wide barrier.
Third-up and staying at 1600m is ideal, as is the booking of Damien Oliver who retains the ride from his last start.
Ascot Race 6 Tip #5 Western Empire $2.20
Western Empire just simply looks too brilliant for this field, as he aims to break his maiden at start four in the Listed 3YO Lee Steere Stakes.
Despite the fact he's still a maiden, he has the superior form on the board.
He put in a brilliant run in the G2 WA Guineas coming from the rear in a leader dominated race for a fast finishing fourth. That was after his luckless second when four wide the trip in the Fareitha Stakes.
The horse has finally drawn a gate to get a far more economical run and should do no work throughout in this 1400m event.
Kissonallforcheeks looks the likely leader, with Chantorque and Empire Reign sitting handy.
Pike will ride his typical race in the Cerise and White and stalk midfield with cover and come with one powerful finish.
This looks an exciting horse for Bob Peters and should just be too good for them today.
Rosehill Race 7 Tip #1 Royal Witness $26.00
This is a race which lacks tempo, with noted backmarkers Pandemic, Express Pass and Hulk taking up a large percentage of the market.
Given the map scenario, I’m happy to be with the Joe Pride trained war-horse, Royal Witness.
First-up he drew barrier 10 of 10 over the notorious 1000m at Moonee Valley in Listed company and quite simply didn’t have the speed to cross competitors.
In that clash, jockey Craig Williams was forced to ride him conservatively and against his natural racing pattern.
Despite this, he was still able to make up plenty of ground coming from last and widest and only to go down by just over 4-lengths.
He’ll enjoy returning to Sydney and running clockwise, he draws well in barrier 6 and can cross these to lead.
Louise Day takes 2kg off his back and he’s a bulldog who loves a fight.
I’m convinced he is going much better than what his odds suggest.
Great Knockout hope!
Stawell Race 2 Tip #13 Polina $2.00
Polina looks incredibly hard to beat here.
She ran a strong third at Pakenham last start and that form has since been franked.
The winner Field of Roses went on to notch up another victory up in grade, while the fourth placed Loveplanet and runner-up Dragon Time have also gone on to salute.
She only has to run up to her last effort to be winning this!