OVERVIEW: TOUGH AINT ENOUGH (5) should be ready to strike peak form after having two starts back from a spell and is a good chance of adding to his consistent record. He ran a big race for third behind Earl of Pembroke when resuming then followed with a third behind Hot Deal in fast time. MAXY WANTS TO PLAY (10) won twice in succession at Mildura in October and will appreciate returning to his favourite track. He will find this race to be much easier than his latest ninth in the Horsham Cup. KOMODO (6) is resuming since a Maryborough victory in a fast mile rate of 1.55.4 in October. He is awkwardly drawn on the outside of the front line but he has the speed to be in the finish. RIO ROCK (11) has been racing well in the open class events at Mildura recently and this race is slightly easier so she warrants respect. 

EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 4,5

RATINGS: 5/ 6,10/ 11/ 1,2,9

OVERVIEW: PUNTO CALIENTE (8) worked home fairly well from midfield when third at Mildura two starts ago. He appears to be better placed against this line up and is worth an investment. GRENADE (9) prefers to race close to the speed so being drawn on the second line is a disadvantage but he also appears to be well graded here. He had no luck in the straight and should have finished closer than sixth at his latest performance. DAYSIE BROWN (10) began quickly but couldn’t find the lead and did well from the death seat at her latest second. She is a speedy mare and is worth an investment. DES TROY (3) and ROCKING WROXTON (11) are both worth thought in multiple combinations.

EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 3,6

RATINGS: 8,9/ 10/ 3,11/ 4/ 6

OVERVIEW: ALWAYS ON SAFARI (3) began quickly to find the lead and dominated his rivals when he scored at Maryborough last outing. He is drawn to lead again and this race is no harder so he is clearly the horse to beat again. ROCKNROLL LENNY (7) hasn’t had much luck at his two starts since coming from South Australia and looms as one of the leading chances. He recorded a handy mile rate of 1.58.9 at Globe Derby two starts ago then had no clear run at Mildura last outing. RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (1) will appreciate his best draw for a long time and has the ability to figure in the finish. He came from a rearward position and did well for second behind THE DEVIL ROLLS ON (6) at Mildura on December 03. THE DEVIL ROLLS ON (6) faces a negative swing in the barrier draw but he has been competing well against this grade and is not without a chance.

EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely leader), 1,6

RATINGS: 3/ 7/ 1/ 6/ 2

OVERVIEW: NUGGET ROGERS (3) has been competing in strong Super Series events and will find this race to be a lot easier. He was impressive in winning at the Bendigo trials on Monday night and he has the early speed to be prominent throughout. GOOD BOOTS BINDI (2) went to the line jogging with no clear run and should have finished closer when sixth behind Caulonia Terror last outing. She is a handy sprinter with a consistent record on the Mildura track so she is worth an investment. RED HOT MIKI (9) was in fine form at the end of his last preparation and performed well enough at his latest trial third to suggest he could be competitive first up. FOXY TWO GLOVES (1) will appreciate a slight drop back in class for this assignment and has claims along with AVOCA BLUES (5) and KEAYANG SHADOWBOX (7).

EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 1,4,5

RATINGS: 3/ 2,9/ 1,5,7

OVERVIEW: LEWIELEWIS (3) was held up for a run at a vital stage and finished off boldly when a game third in the Homegrown Classic at Melton on Saturday night. He is ideally drawn for this assignment and will appreciate a drop back in class so he should prove hard to beat. THEBUCKSONYOU (2) finished off well and ran a really good race when second at his first run since August. He copped plenty of pressure in the leading role when fifth at his latest attempt and is worth another chance. SHES POPPY (1) is stepping up in grade from her latest victory but she is perfectly drawn to suit her racing pattern so she is worth an investment. MASON DIXON LINE (4) performed well at the trials prior to his first up second for trainer Boris Devcic and cannot be discarded.

EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 1,4

RATINGS: 3/ 1,2/ 4/ 7/ 8

OVERVIEW: RONZEL MICKY (8) led throughout at a Mildura victory three starts ago and used energy to find the lead early before taking cover at her latest narrow second. She is a speedy mare and will take holding out in the run to the finish. APOLOGY ACCEPTED (2) settled midfield and finished off best to score at Mildura two starts ago then followed with a second behind Love To Deal, where he was shuffled back on the markers after commencing from the inside of the second line. He is racing in good form and is worth following. CALF PEN (7) finished off well from midfield and scored at Mildura two starts ago. He has an awkward trailing draw but is not without a chance. OUR MASTER PLAY (9) was driven very aggressively mid-race and sustained a strong run to win at Swan Hill last week. This race is a little harder but he is worth thought again.

EARLY SPEED: 4 (possible leader), 2,6

RATINGS: 8/ 2,7/ 9/ 3

OVERVIEW: COLMAN SIGN (6) worked forward to find the lead and set up a hectic tempo when a brave second behind Five O’clock Wave in a mile rate of 1.55.1 at Swan Hill last week. He strikes a very suitable assignment now and gets his chance to break through for a win. SHES MAGICAL (3) should be getting fitter after having several runs back from a break and has the early speed to be prominent throughout. She has been placed in four of her seven starts at the Mildura circuit to date. THE NINJA (7) was runner up at Mildura on December 03 and has been competing against stronger opposition at Globe Derby. He is awkwardly drawn on the inside of the second line but could be competitive under these conditions. ELISSAS DELIGHT (1) is a possible improver from the pole position.

EARLY SPEED: 6 (likely leader), 3,4

RATINGS: 6/ 3,7/ 1/ 4,5

OVERVIEW: CHALKNCHEDDAR (2) led throughout to win at Horsham two starts ago then followed with a third at Swan Hill, where he led early, copped plenty of pressure and ended up being behind the leader from the 900m. He is drawn to lead again and should give a bold showing. KEAYANG CRIPPA (1) is drawn to receive every chance and has been placed in two of his past three starts against similar opposition so he is worth a ticket each way. ROBERT CROCKA (3) settled midfield and finished off best to win at Mildura last outing. He has struck peak form and is a short course specialist so he should make his presence felt. ESCOBAR (8) has had a lot of chances to win a race this season but his latest third at Swan Hill was encouraging so he is not without a chance.

EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 3,5

RATINGS: 2/ 1,3/ 8/ 5,7/ 4,6