SHOWPERO - Speedy four-year-old mare, drawn ideally to give a huge first-up sight from coveted rails draw. Four previous run this track and distance have all been good including two wins and also ticks a lot of boxes with South Australia’s golden girl, Jamie Kah jumping aboard. Has been kept up to the mark coming into this off an easy trial and given she maps to enjoy all the favours. Expect her to be terribly hard to beat in this extremely winnable Benchmark 75 affair. Only one other genuine chance in our books with White Kaps, also expected to run well coming off a game first-up effort.
LADY OF CREBILLY - Phillip Stokes trained three-year-old filly that displayed plenty of promise when last in work. After producing two impressive local wins, this earnt her the right to be travelled to Melbourne, Sydney and finally up to the Gold Coast with the clear highlight being a Listed placing at Sandown. Appears to have again come back at least as well, firstly when impressing in a soft trial win before resuming a fortnight back with an outstanding second. Produced some sizzling final sectionals on that occasion after conceding leaders an impossible break early. Expect the widish draw to be a true blessing with Dom Tourneur able to keep her out of trouble and the rise to 1300m should suit her down to the ground. A good indication of my confidence about this filly’s ability is I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see this as a stepping stone for some richer spoils up in Brisbane over the coming weeks.
CHAVO - Chavo has a history of being a barrier rogue and was sent back to the trials after getting cast in the gates and being a late scratching at his most recent visit to the races. Stephen Lee was considering moving him on but he passed a recent trial at the Gold Coast and they are having another go with him in this Class 1 over 1350m. Chavo has had two outings for the Gold Coast trainer who inherited him from Jason Coyle after he lost patience with the Lope De Vega gelding's barrier antics. Both runs have been respectable the most recent a solid fourth in this company. Ryan Plumb takes the ride and he is not only a strong rider but a skilled horseman who can help Chavo though the gate experience. Prior to coming north he put in good efforts in much stronger class two company at Hawkesbury and if he gets in the gates and jumps will be hard to hold off in this field.
LUCY LE ROC - Brian Smith is an astute trainer, particularly of middle-distance horses, and he may have found the right race for this Captain Sonador mare. Her only win was last preparation at this distance and Andrew Spinks who rode to victory at this track takes the mount again. Lucy Le Roc has benefited from outings over 1200m and 1400m since resuming, the Benchmark 62 class suits and from gate three she should get a good run off the speed. With an even run in transit Lucy Le Roc will be hard to hold out.
SASSO CORBARO - Was impressive winning two in a row at Hawkesbury and Randwick when last in work then not disgraced when sixth in the Magic Millions Guineas before finishing in the same spot behind Alizee in the Light Fingers Stakes. Has 12 weeks off before heading to Scone where she had no hope after going back at the start to last then copping a decent bump on the turn before working home OK to be only four lengths from In Good Time. She has drawn to get a good run in transit in a race devoid of much speed. Betting with a good degree of confidence.