THE QUADDIE
RACE 5: QTIS 3YO MAIDEN PLATE 1100M
Tricky maiden. Tarps has indicated good ability in three career starts in much tougher races than this. He returns from late December without a public trial and draws poorly which are obviously negatives, but I keep coming back to his race form being better than most here. Pretty As has solid form solid and trialled well. Apple Cider has had trial at Randwick behind his stablemate and subsequent Doomben winner, Richon. The Peter Robl team have hit the ground running since the relocation to the Coast.
SELECTIONS: 5 Tarps, 9 Pretty As, 1 Apple Cider, 2 Canyoufeelit
RACE 6: CLASS 1 PLATE 1200M
Looks astute placement from the Ryan/alexiou stable to send Boston City north for this Class 1 Plate. A good winner in maiden grade at Gosford three runs back, this 4yo hasn’t been too far away at his next couple of runs in solid benchmark races. Back in grade here with the key booking of Callow, I think he wins this. Better Than Booze was very good scoring here first-up. He raced right away late to win by over three lengths. He’s a genuine threat despite the rise in class. Boardie is mixing distances but continues to race well on this surface. Chayse ‘N’ Artie creates interest fresh.
SELECTIONS: 2 Boston City, 1 Better Than Booze, 5 Boardie, 6 Chayse ‘N’ Artie.
RACE 7: BENCHMARK 70 HCP 1200M
Reality comes back to the Coast after failing at Eagle Farm last start. His prior form on this surface had been very good and in a very even race I’ve lent his way to bounce back today. Quiet Riot draws poorly, which on paper, makes for a tricky map for him. The positive is that he has found form again and is racing well here on the poly. Pretty Devine sneaks in with no weight first-up and the trials have been more than okay. Collay’s Spirit is on a quick back-up from last week. It was a decent run and the Tyrell/ Button team are airborne presently. SELECTIONS: 1 Reality, 4 Quiet Riot, 8 Pretty Devine, 2 Collay’s Spirit.
RACE 8: BENCHMARK 62 HCP 2000M
The $50k race of the day is very competitive. Vivenzo scored in a similar type of race here three runs back, his turf runs since have been solid. I think Callow will look to be positive from a wide draw. Readily Availabull also draws out, but he might get a drag across from Vivenzo early. He’s a very consistent type and despite no poly experience I can see him running very well here. Other chances down the page – Texas Storm big class drop, and Saint Martin probably should’ve beaten the inform Galifianakis last start. SELECTIONS: 3 Vivenzo, 1 Readily Availabull, 5 Saint Martin, 2 Texas Storm.