Looking at the conditions for today's meeting, the track was upgraded to a Good 4 yesterday afternoon and the rail is out 3 m from the 1600 m-400 m.
In the world of racing at the weekend we saw a mouth-watering contest between superior three-year-olds Alligator Blood and Catalyst in the Group Three CS Hayes Stakes.
The duo went stride-for-stride down the Flemington straight and the result — that went the way of Alligator Blood — was decided by a neck, in what was a joy to watch for many racing fans.
And there was a boilover in the Group One Black Caviar Lightning Stakes, with short-priced favourite Nature Strip and two-time Everest winner Redzel defeated by outside chance Gytrash.
Looking ahead to this weekend's racing, promising Godolphin colt Hanseatic is favourite to take out the lucrative two-year-old Blue Diamond Stakes.
Race 1. 1.30 pm — 3-Y-O Maiden (1206 m)
The first of four maiden races is for three-year-olds and it's no surprise to see Euroa-based trainers David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig have a leading hope in Sense Of Doubt (6). First-up after 47 weeks following gelding and he has impressed in recent trials, finishing second in a Geelong trial on January 30. On debut he finished almost a length back from Victoria Derby placegetter Soul Patch. Winkers go on for the first time. However, debutant runner Hard Border (1) should demand serious thought if his back-to-back trial wins are anything to go by. Gets the inside barrier and will be one to watch.
Race 2. 2 pm — 4-Y-O & UP Maiden (1206 m)
All the market money has gone the way of The Protagonist (5), who is coming back from city class after two attempts in this prep. There will be plenty of pace from the wide barriers from Jet Jackson (3), but The Protagonist finished second first-up at Cranbourne by less than a length and two horses from that race have gone on to break their maiden. Expect Andale Gringo (1) to provide The Protagonist with stiff competition, with the gelding coming off a placing at Kilmore on debut.
Race 3. 2.30 pm — 3-Y-O & UP Maiden (1606 m)
The third maiden gets out to a mile and Xtra Reward (11) has found plenty of backers after the filly's second placing at Wodonga a fortnight ago. Should be fitter here and gets a drop in weight. Watch the market on debut runner Love Hurts (6) who comes in off the back of an impressive trial at Geelong. The Patrick Payne-trained gelding tracked nicely behind the leader and pushed hard in the final 200 m.
Race 4. 3 pm - 3-Y-O & UP Maiden (1406 m)
It's a wide open race with most runners lacking any recent solid form and multiple on debut. Expect a fast tempo from Lindsay Park runner Big Boss Bee Kay (1) and Jimmy Girl (8). Payney's Punt is aiming towards the latter, who faded late last start over 1300 m, but drops considerably in weight here. Was unlucky to miss out there and break the maiden duck, looks the one to beat.
Race 5. 3.30 pm — BM64 (1406 m)
The first leg of the quaddie belongs to Robbie Griffiths-trained gelding King Magnus (3) who has had a terrific start to life at the races. From two attempts the four-year-old has a win at Moe and a third placing at Kilmore and with barrier two should find an easy run. Look wider and you can find some value for your exotics in Express Raider (6) and Raffine (7). Express Raider resumes off a 41-week spell and is having its first run with a new trainer. Has won at Benalla and at this distance. The Archie Alexander-trained Raffine put in a poor effort at Geelong when fresh, but gets an inside barrier and a familiar jockey in the saddle.
Race 6. 4 pm — BM58 (2040 m)
In the longest trip on the card, there are multiple leading hopes that come in to this deep in their preps, except for leading hope Ready By Design (1). The three-year-old gelding won on debut, but its only two jump outs have been below or at the mile. Looking for consistent type Sanctuaire (10), who has placed twice this prep from four attempts and is down in class after racing in the city. Ready to claim its second win.
Race 7. 4.30 pm — BM64 (1206 m)
The second last is shaping up to be a tight affair between Radiant Success (2) and Matador (12). The former has been in exceptional form this campaign and has won two and placed three times from its past five attempts. The wide barrier (13) is the only query. And there is value in She's Beneficial (10) who has won twice second-up and at this distance. Should get the dream run from the inside barrier too.
Race 8. 5 pm — BM58 (1206 m)
Expect last-start winner at this track Red Octane (2) to find the lead and relish these conditions. Has won twice at Benalla and placed six times in these conditions. Here De Fox (10) is another to consider, is second-up and should strip fitter here. Has placed second-up before and placed three times at this distance in his nine-race career.