OVERVIEW: Great to see the return of Group 1 winner VYTIS (3) in what is a high-quality trotting contest between some handy types. Emmett and Richard Brosnan’s star squaregaiter ran some great races last preparation and closed it off with a gallant fourth from the chair in a hot Delvin Dancer at Ballarat on Cup night. He has trialled nicely for this – including a close-up effort behind Inter Dominion champion Arcee Phoenix recently – and I like his chances. QUIRKY CHARATCER (8) has struggled to match it in free-for-all grade his last three starts, but is a definite winning hope back a notch here. He rounded up a field including three rivals that reoppose on May 2 and will be a huge threat if pole-marker IRON WOMEN (1) holds the front. MORE WANTED (9) hasn’t won since the Ararat Trotters Cup in February, but has been running some good races in strong company and certainly wouldn’t shock, while SEBASTIANS BOY (10) is hard to catch but oozes ability and shouldn’t be discounted along with MUSKEE (4), BENNIE AND THE JETS (5), IRON WOMEN (1) and New Zealand import CRACKERJACK (7).

BACK: VYTIS (3) – 2 units (win)