Best bet | Race 9 #15 Najmaaty

A talented mare who can build on the confidence-boosting win here last start. She’s unbeaten this prep with two wins in utterly dominant fashion. Last start at Eagle Farm she had a wide gate but rounded her rivals up with a devastating sprint. She’s drawn even better on this occasion, and this is no harder. I believe only bad luck will bear her.

Next best | Race 4 #2 Flying Crazy

Talented 3yo who will likely miss out on a run in the Stradbroke and defer back to trying to take out the Gunsynd Classic. I like that he gets out to the mile here. He’s tried this journey once before and failed, but it was inconclusive on a heavy track. I’m tipping he’ll appreciate the distance here this time back on a good surface. He got way too far back from a wide gate last time behind Vilana but made good ground late.

Best each-way | Race 2 #8 Charmmebaby

Looks a strong chance at nice odds in a very open race. She ticks a lot of boxes here, with Craig Williams sticking as she goes out to the mile – a distance she excels at. She also goes well third-up. Last start she ran super behind Vinco in the listed Chief Spear, beating home Kubrick who is half her price here. Barrier one is potentially tricky, but in the small field she shouldn’t be too far off them in the straight.