OVERVIEW: This opening event is an even field with many winning chances. DALLASCOWBOY (9) was well beaten two starts ago, but it was a heat of the Vicbred Super Series won by the talented The Niteshift. Last start, he was only beaten 7.7 metres in a fast 1.51.9 mile rate at Wagga. He’s only lightly raced and he’s racing better than his numerical form suggests. CHAINSMOKE (6) returned a winner last start at Swan Hill after 10 months on the sidelines. He flashed home powerfully in the run. This race is harder, but he will have improved with fitness. ASSIGNED (3) was retired out of the race last start with a flat tyre. He was first up in two months on that occasion. He has ability and will likely map in the running line here before running home late. OWEN THE SAINTS (8) has a great turn of foot and will be flashing home with clear running late. An interesting runner to note here is TA KALCHE (5). He’s an eight-year-old gelding having his second career start and hasn’t raced in 792 days.

BACK: DALLASCOWBOY (9) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: This is a field full of talented and progressive horses. ATUA MAGIC (2) is a very smart horse whose talent we have only seen glimpses of in his short career. He is having his third start this year and his first run this year over the shorter trip. If he is able to get forward, he will be hard to beat if he brings his best. JACCKA EVAN (9) is an ex-New Zealand horse who made his Australian debut earlier this month at Wagga. He worked forward to the front there and was too good. He will improve with fitness here. FOURTH RESPONSE (4) made a run from last last start at Melton to finish third behind Hitch To His Star and Lougle. He is racing well. The race map could be awkward for him here. FOLLOWTHEACE (7), KOSIMO (5), MITZI SAID (6) and ROYAL APPOINTMENT (8) will be needing luck here, but they are capable.

BACK: ATUA MAGIC (2) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: TEERDEE (6) was impressive last start in the Group 1 Vicbred Super Series Final won by Kahula. She finished fifth but had no clear running late and was hitting the line impressively. Barrier six is awkward as she lacks gate speed. The horse drawn inside her, SPUN SILVER (5), has brilliant gate speed. NINEDOLLA TOASTIE (9) had to work hard early last start at Geelong, leaving her vulnerable late to swoopers. But she was only beaten 9.1 metres and battled on well. Prior to that, she was consistently running well. FOUR EVER A STAR (4) is a horse I am expecting to see improvement from here. She has had two starts this month after three years on the sidelines. She would have needed those runs for fitness. THERESHEWAS (8) has a nice turn of foot when saved for one run. If she gets splits late, she may be running home well.

BACK: TEERDEE (6) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: This looks like another even contest where a case can be made for many runners. MIKI MARK (5) was stuck in the breeze last start at Cranbourne but battled on well for fourth. He’s been racing well, he’s just had a bit of bad luck. If he can overcome barrier five, he finds a suitable race to get back into the winner’s circle. GLENLINE (4) was eye-catching last start. He was last at the top of the straight but flashed home well for second. He often gets back in his runs and relies on his powerful finishing burst. CINQUANTA (3)’s last three runs have been improved and she looks like she’s ready to get back into the winner’s circle. If she can get into a forward position and have a good trip throughout, she will be a big threat. ZU HOFFEN (6) and KUTANI (7) are winning chances at their best, but they are early into their preparations and fitness could be an issue. Also respecting TREACHEROUSTIMES (8) and QUEENHIGH FLUSH (9) as winning chances.

OVERVIEW: KYVALLEY MISTY (9) had issues with her manners early in her career, but she does seem to be figuring it out now. Her three runs this preparation have been strong and if she does everything right here, she will be hard to beat. FLING IT RAINBOW (5) is a trotter who can run home nicely when saved for one run. If he can slot in somewhere and not do much work early, he’s a threat in this. CHARLIE WALKER (3) was below his best last start when dropping out late at Maryborough. His run prior to that was strong at Ballarat when he led and won. If he brings his best, he is in this. MAJOR MAX (2) has the barrier to capitalise on here if he does everything right. He is racing well when he trots throughout.

BACK: KYVALLEY MISTY (9) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: BET BET HOTSHOT (3)’s numerical form isn’t fantastic, but she has the best sectional times in this event and she has the gate speed to map positively here. BETSY ANNE (4) looks ready to get back into the winner’s circle. She was second last start at Swan Hill when getting an ideal fence trip. With luck here, this is a winnable race for her. PLAYA DEL CARMEN (2) and NUCLEAR ATTITUDE (8) are racing OK and can capitalise on good barriers here to have options.

OVERVIEW: LORD LOGAN (6) has only had the four career starts, for three ultra-impressive victories. The only time he has been beaten was when he paced under pressure in a tougher race than this one. He is still learning, but he’s progressive and exciting. KITTY CASH (5) was just too good winning last start at Cranbourne after racing in the breeze. She is a smart mare when she does everything right. I AM HARRO (4) is a nice trotter at his best, and he’s currently racing well. DEEJAY DEX (7) often gets back at the start of his races and flashes home well late. He’s likely to do the same here, but there will be talent in front of him that he will be chasing.

BACK: LORD LOGAN (6) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: FLYIN TIME (3) is consistently running well each start this campaign, not finishing worse than fourth in her last five starts. With luck here, she’s a winning chance. LOVE ME AGAIN (1) turned his form around with a win last start at this track when finding late runs through the field. He gets a good barrier to be competitive again. ALDEBARAN DENBAY (4) also got back into the winner’s circle last start, flashing home to defeat FLYIN TIME (3) last start. He can get it wrong with his manners, so if he can settle, he is right in this again. THE CHOOK (5) has been getting back and flashing home recently in his runs. Barrier five is sticky.

OVERVIEW: CHAMPAGNES (6) got well back last start but ran home well into fourth. She’s been in career-best form recently and finds a good race here. STRAIGHT TO THETOP (5) was good hitting the line into second two starts ago after being back on the fence. Last start, she tired when leading in an arguably harder race. If she can find a comfortable trip here, she should be flashing home well late. KIMBERLEYS TREE (4) is a trotter you need to take on trust. When she is at her best and trotting safely, she races well. She can get it wrong, however. CONSTANT (3) is a consistent trotter with a nice turn of foot. With a good trip here, she is a winning chance. CHANTILLY LASS (7) is a winning chance, but manners can be an issue.