1. Extreme Merger can strike here has hit the line impressively from midfield in two runs back against slightly thinner CL1 opposition, the latest when backed from $3.00 into $2.60, and the extra furlong is right up his alley. Hits peak fitness now.
Dangers: 2. Arctic Legend will be hard to hold out if he gets any decent cover in the first half of the race. Mixed his form in tougher fields up to the mile last prep before resuming with a dominant maiden win at this track 18 days ago. 10. Lonhro’s Queen reloads 16 days after claiming her maiden as a short-priced favourite at Mudgee and as trialled well since.
How to play it: Extreme Merger to win
Race 6 MORNINGTON HCP (2100m)
4. Zoffany’s Gaze finished hard right behind the placegetters in a BM 58 before twice hitting the line to beat all bar the winner, including the Mornington Prelude here 18 days ago. Draws to do no work back on the inside under the limit weight, and just needs to get clear of traffic and out rolling past the 500m before steaming over the top. Has only missed a place twice from 10 starts here.
Dangers: 1. Gulf Of Tomini has been in and around the money all prep, and comes off a dominant Midway BM 64 win at Gosford on heavy ground. Just as effective in firmer going, and also well treated only 1kg over the rest of the field parked on the limit. 3. Aimpoint is also building a nice record and led for a long way in provincial BM 64 company last start, but does have to get across from the outside gate.
How to play it: Zoffany’s Gaze to win
Race 7 TAMWORTH CUP (1400m)
9. Willinga Freefall looks ideally placed from a low draw. Has charged home, often without luck, from near the tail in all three runs this prep, including being beaten a long neck in a Provincial Midway Wildcard, and more recently that Provincial Championship Final at Randwick where he finished two lengths from the winner. Will find this easier and gets in on the limit 54kg.
Dangers: 8. Gringotts aims for a sixth career win at just his 12th outing for the Ciaron Maher stable. Demands favouritism after powering home late to claim a BM 88 at Rosehill four weeks back when first up since mid-November, and traditionally holds form into the next run. 2. Coin Toss took advantage of a clear on-speed bias at Canberra to claim thelisted National Sprint over this distance two starts back before finding the G3 Doncaster Prelude too rich. Much better placed here back 100m in trip, and on a smaller and more suitable course. 3. Kinloch made up terrific ground in that same Canberra race as the former before again rattling home late in the Muswellbrook Cup run at Newcastle.
How to play it: Willinga Freefall to win
Race 8 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000m)
8. Harbour Gold led all the way to win easily on debut last spring before close-up in consecutive Class 1s. Given an easy time in a recent trial and can return with a bang racing on or just behind the speed.
Dangers: 11. She’s Exotic returns for her second start after a dominant debut win from well off speed last December. 2. Sacca resumed with an impressive Toowoomba win at BM 60 level, and draws to get a soft run midfield.
How to play it: Harbour Gold to win
BEST BETS: Race 2 (2) DREAMBENDER; Race 8 (8) HARBOUR GOLD
BEST VALUE: Race 6 (4) ZOFFANY’S GAZE
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
