Paddock yard is having a Purple patch

Trainer Grant Paddock has had a good start to the season and it could get even better if his charge, fi lly Inthepurplerain, can pull off victory in Race 8, a FM 62 Handicap over 1200m today.

This Querari mare may have found the 1000m a bit sharp last time out but did win nicely over the course and distance in her penultimate run.

An inside draw should allow jockey Luyulo Mxothwa to get a lead and she could make all the running and win - at decent odds.

It is a difficult card and bankers for the exotics will be hard to find but we will be going with Palo Alto in Race 3 and Miss Jacksonville in Race 6.

Jockey Chase Maujean has been doing well on Tara Laing-trained Palo Alto and this Silvano gelding was a very easy winner last time out over the track and distance. He proved too good for Okavango Delta that day and the runner-up has run some decent races this season so the form should hold up.

Jumping from pole position should allow Maujean to place Palo Alto wherever he wants to.

Since joining trainer Alan Greeff Miss Jacksonville has been very consistent and she looks ready to win her second race, in Race 6. The Polytrack is certainly to her liking and she has been finishing off her races very nicely.

Her only win so far was over the course and distance and Greg Cheyne has been seen to good effect on Miss Jacksonville the times he has ridden her.

She won in July and was only beaten 0.35 lengths last time after being far back early on.

Miss Jacksonville is better drawn this time so there is no excuse for Cheyne not to have her closer to the pace.