Meeting Overview:

Going: Soft5 (as at 13/10)

Rail: Out 3m

With showers earlier in the week, the track got out to a rating of a Heavy8 on nomination morning, fine weather since has seen it bounce back to a Soft5 and with the warm weather forecast to remain, I can see this track either starting the day as a Good4 or being upgraded after some of the early races. The rail remains out 3m as it was for the Arrowfield Stud Plate meeting two weeks ago. The track played evenly that day with, if anything, a slight bias toward horses in the first half of the field, but the rain on the day may have had an impact on that.

ROBERT LOGAN

Best Bet

Race 7 - #7 MR BULLY TEE (Each Way)

A competitive event here for the Rating 65 horses and I think it’s a chance for punters to find a nice price for one. A local runner who looks to be piecing things together smartly with each race day start, Mr Bully Tee will be a benefactor of some early speed in the event. He doesn’t have to drop right out given his nice draw and I can see Opie Bosson looking find a spot in midfield. His maiden win was sensational here over 1400m in May and as he matures, I think we will start to see a pretty smart galloper. I am happy to shop at a nice each way price in this event.

Group 1 Bet – Livamol Classic

Race 8 - #1 CALLSIGN MAV (Each Way)

He didn’t let me down last start when I was on Top 4 and I am going to stick with him here. You can guarantee he will give you his everything when he races, and it looks like he should get to a handy position early in this event without too much challenge. The drying track is of no concern and while his 2000m record doesn’t read that great, when you consider two of those three starts were in a Cox Plate and an Australian Cup, I’d say he doesn’t need to do much more than he did on those occasions to be in this finish. Back him each way because he will be in the race for a long way and give you a sight for your money at $16 & $4.

MITCH DAVIS

Best Bet

Race 7 - #3 ROCKBURN (Win)

The resuming run of Rockburn on Tarzino Trophy Day was very hard to miss, where he flashed home late after having little luck early in the straight, this being his first run since contesting the NZ Derby in March. He will likely have taken plenty of natural improvement from his first-up run, the step up to 1400m second-up looks ideal for Rockburn. This field doesn’t look to be any stronger than his first-up assignment, I expect him to be very hard to hold out with even luck in running. I had him marked as the $3.50 favourite, the $5.00 on offer is therefore well over the odds for mine.

Group 1 Bet  – Livamol Classic

Race 8 - #12 PEARL OF ALSACE (Win)

It looks a match race on paper and the price discrepancy between Pearl Of Alsace and Mustang Valley is simply far too significant for mine, which is the main reason I’m siding with Pearl Of Alsace to win the Livamol Classic. Mustang Valley is yet to win on Good or Soft going from 15 attempts, whereas Pearl Of Alsace looks much better suited to the firmer conditions. Pearl Of Alsace maps well from the inside gate, where she gets an economical run in a moderate tempo 2000m contest, which should see her have every opportunity to run out the trip. I had them both priced at $3.00 to win this, therefore will side with Pearl Of Alsace at the better price.