Racing from four territories on Thursday with action at Northam, Townsville, Wyong, Wangaratta and Warren making for 40 contests across the day.
Our fancies for Thursday both failed as favourites in their most recent starts, but they didn't run badly and it looks as though the markets have read too much into those defeats.
Cataratas worth another shot
Winner of a trial at Randwick in April, the Peter Robl-trained Cataratas might be worth another chance in this 1600 metre maiden handicap at Wyong after finishing as beaten favourite last time out.
That was his third start on the racetrack proper and he continued his theme of race-by-race improvement, despite only managing second of nine at Wyong earlier in the month over 1350 metres.
Kerrin McEvoy was in the plate for that race, with his mount sent off favourite in an open heat to break his maiden tag. He was close to the early pace and had every chance straightening up for home but found that Hugh Bowman and Nomoretawq weren't for passing in the stretch.
That run came on a heavy track and his Randwick trial win was on similar. The forecast soft conditions now should also be amenable.
Rory Hutchings takes over in the saddle and he knows the horse having partnered him in another barrier trial at Randwick in April. This longer distance should suit and Cataratas is also fitted with a pair of first-time blinkers in his attempt to get off the mark.
The Milkybar Kid just missed out last time at Gosford and comes here having won a trial since. He's the likely short-price favourite for this contest, with the consistent Count On Me also prominent, and perhaps the odds-makers have underestimated Cataratas on this occasion.
Sumdeel taken to redeem herself
The Wayne Carroll-trained mare Sumdeel is on something of a recovery mission after failing to get the job done at Albury in May when the market suggested she would take beating.
That came on the back of a promising run at Wagga earlier in the month and she was placed just off the leaders as the field turned for home in a Class 2 handicap over 1510 metres.
Nick Heywood may feel he was a touch unfortunate having had to work off the heels of runners in front of him, and the mare really did respond for him on the run to the finish line, but they came up a half-length short behind Serenaur at the post.
Already a winner at Albury this preparation, Sumdeel will find the soft conditions at Wangaratta no issue and covering an extra 80 metres shouldn't pose any fears.
Trodaire for Lloyd Kennewell drops back to a race at country level and has a clear chance after finishing midfield at Sandown last time, while Coralee was a beaten favourite at Mornington last month over a similar trip and will have claims, but it's a mild surprise to find that Sumdeel trades bigger than the pair of them in the betting.
