Best bet | Race 6 #1 The Ritz

This horse is simply airborne and should be way too good for his rivals here. I wouldn’t be surprised if he started much shorter than the current price around $4. The only slight query is the potential for a heavy track, as he’s only seen that kind of surface once in his career. That was first-up this preparation when running fourth in a good race on Sunshine Coast Cup day. On that occasion he was kicking off his preparation on a heavy track , which is rarely ideal. From that run he went on to win at the Gold Coast before being desperately unlucky in a quality Coffs Harbour Cup and then ran well in the Murwillumbah Cup. Barrier one was his undoing at Murwillumbah, and he has pole position again here at Doomben, which could be even trickier if the track is wet as it’s likely to be. But I’ll trust gun apprentice Kyle Wilson-Taylor to get it right. He should be winning.

Next best | Race 3 #1 Ice in Vancouver

I was very keen on her last start and she was well-backed to start even money favourite. She was a little plain but was only beaten less than a length and stewards found she had the thumps and likely didn’t handle the Eagle Farm track (many horses don’t). She did look uncomfortable in the going, so it was a credible effort to finish only beaten a narrow margin. She can make amends here at Doomben, with the likelihood she can lead this field or sit outside potential leader Kavak. She only carries 57.5kg after the claim for apprentice Jackson Searle.

Best each way | Race 8 #10 Deep Scieva

I’ve got no concerns if the heavens really open up, which is a strong possibility as we get later in the day. This Rob Heathcote-trained mare has won on a heavy track, and her only failure in the wet was an end-of-prep run last campaign. She was well in the market on that occasion and clearly expected to handle the wet track again. She was solid in the market first-up at Doomben last start but over-raced and got held up in the straight. From the good gate she can lead or get a perfect run just behind them. I reckon she’ll look the winner at some stage.