Video Stars
Race 2 – 9 DRACO
He would arguably have won the race last time out had he not been held up between the 400m and 300m. Once seeing daylight in the concluding stages, he finished powerfully to go down by just a neck in fourth over this track and distance.
Remaining well weighted this week, he shapes as a leading contender to break through for his maiden victory.
Race 5 – 1 LUNAR DASH
His last-start unplaced effort is best overlooked after he raced wide and hung out throughout from an outside draw, leaving him unable to make an impact in the straight. Prior to that, he closed off well to finish seventh in a slowly run Class 3 contest, with the form since being franked.
The drop back to 1200m, the distance of his sole career victory, is a positive, and he could surprise at odds with a more economical run in transit.
Sectional Stars
Race 4 – 2 RISING PHOENIX
He has likely found the competition a touch too strong in Class 3, but still produced a fast-finishing fourth over a mile three starts ago, recording the second-fastest final 400m of the race in 22.71 seconds. The drop back to Class 4 and return to 1400m are both positives, making him one to watch this week.
Race 6 – 2 PRESTIGE ALWAYS
He was disadvantaged by racing on the speed off a strong tempo last start, and it was no surprise to see him weaken late and finish 10th, beaten 7.5 lengths over 1400m. Two starts ago, he produced a creditable fifth behind the in-form MOTOR in Class 3. Having trialled well leading into this week’s race, he is expected to show improvement.
