A number of key runners have firmed up in early betting this week at both key venues.
At Flemington, a Patrick Payne runner is of particular interest and looks well suited coming out of a fast run race last start.
Whilst at Rosehill a number of key betting stables including the Ryan and Baker yards, have entered runners that appear ready for a bet in their first-up assignments.
Direct
High-priced yearling who looks to have come good following a number of moderate performances early in his career.
He was very impressive last prep when he returned to win three straight, hence there is high confidence he will be ready to fire first up here.
The rider is in great form and should have all favours launching from gate 4, where they can find an ideal smother just in behind.
Shaiyhar
He was ultra-impressive winning at this track over 2000m last start when he came from a long way back to get up on the post.
He looks ideally suited by the step up to 2540m and based on how strong he was late last time out, should simply eat up the extra distance.
Shinn does jump off, however that looks like a longer-term play for him and Yendall is no huge downgrade.
Jimmy The Bear
The Patrick Payne yard is starting to hit top form and make an art of picking off these weaker Winter season races.
He comes out of a fast run race here last start (2 of 13) over 1400m, which sets him up nicely for the 1600m now.
He will be peaking here and one of the strongest late. Yes.
Legio Ten
Has been in white-hot form winning his past three starts in impressive fashion, his latest here over 1100m.
He stays at the same distance and clearly must enjoy the Flemington straight.
At his last start, he charged home back along the inside which was likely the worst going.
Although sharply up in weight now to 60kg, this will again be offset by the apprentice's 2kg claim.
Cap Ferrat
Waller 2YO colt who got home hard last start (3 of 12) at Eagle Farm over 1500m in stakes company.
He drops back to 1400m here and should be rock hard fit coming out of a fast run 1500m.
Being the fit horse, they may opt to ride him further forward on this occasion and can pour on the pressure from a long way out.
Smashing Eagle
Is from the right Camp (Gerald Ryan) to set them up for a first-up “sting” and the early money could suggest this is the case here.
He does enjoy racing fresh (3:2-0-0) and they will have poured the work into him to be ready to win.
With Arrowfield in the ownership, they will be looking to impress and the booking of Tim Clark is an excellent guide that there will be intent shown.
Space Tracker
Annabelle Neasham import who showed enough at his Australian debut (3 of 11) to suggest he is above average.
He was also well fancied by the market last start when he started favourite over a possibly unsuitable 1400m
Now out to 1500m we could see sharp improvement, and he looks perfectly placed to win.
*Note this market move has been affected by scratchings.
Cosmic Minerva
The stable are flying and when they combine with Josh Parr it can often be for the purposes of betting.
He has been readied with two solid trial hit-outs (winning both) and they can find the moving line midfield with cover, before storming over the top late.
If they are using the wider lanes at this late stage of the day, he looks very well suited.
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