We have three meetings for punters today with action on the synthetic surface at Pakenham in Victoria plus two meetings in New South Wales at Corona and Scone to get stuck into.
Will to triumph
With no fewer than six last start winners engaged in the seventh race on the Pakenham card it looks to be a highly competitive affair.
Champions League, a length winner over 1400m at this venue at the start of the month looks likely to jump as favourite with Luke Nolen taking the ride for handler Clayton Douglas. Returned to form on his synthetics debut that day having disappointed in three starts on turf prior.
The three-year-old has a fair barrier draw in nine but may find ALMIGHTY WILL too good for him on this occasion. Michael Walker has been on board for the picks last two starts including when a length second in that race won by Champions League earlier this month. Did well having missed the break that day and is taken to reverse the form turned out quickly following a fifth place finish at Ballarat three days ago.
Cascade for shock success
Earlier on the Pakenham card a field of 18 are set to line up for a 1400m contest set to jump as the third race of the day.
Regal Amazon showed improved form when finishing runner-up in a similar race to this here earlier this month and is expected to go well with Jamie Mott up.
At bigger odds however the experienced RED CASCADE may prove capable of delivering a shock victory for handler Alex Maurer.
The four-year-old was spelled for 125 days following a sixth place finish over 1000m at Stony Creek at the start of February and acquitted herself well when delivering a fourth place finish when having to overcome a wide draw on her synthetics debut here three weeks ago.
The extra 200m here should prove no issue having placed over the trip at Berrigan last August and with a better draw in three here look for her to mount a big challenge with the booking of Matthew Cartwright for the ride taking the eye.
Ruby to break maiden
With three scratchings a field of 15 maidens are set to go to post for the fourth race on the Scone card, a 1300m contest.
Pacheco heads the market following three efforts this prep including when fourth in a 1300m contest at Hawkesbury just over two weeks ago. Raced close to the pace in recent starts and is well drawn to employ similar tactics.
ROCKBARTON RUBY made her first start since December when finishing 4.1L third in a 1200m maiden at Newcastle earlier this month. The form of that effort looks solid enough with the second and third both placing since while the fifth home has since taken out a maiden handicap at Kembla Grange. Caught the eye in finishing strongly from off the pace in that Newcastle contest and is selected to get off the mark at the fourth attempt.
Spades for Corowa glory
Vayamos is sure to have his supporters ahead of the third race on the Corowa card, a 1600m contest with the going set to be a heavy 8. The four-year-old broke his maiden in impressive fashion when taking a 1590m contest at Wodonga last month. This looks a tougher affair however and he looks likely to find a few too good.
Danielle Seib boasts an impressive record with her runners here in the last year coming into this contest with a 60% strike-rate (3/5) and her representative KING OF SPADES gets a switch back to a country track here. Won over 1500m on a soft 7 track at Goulburn on his penultimate start and while he could finish only seventh at Hawkesbury next time out he can be forgiven that poor effort.
