Here are the articles that you will find at Racing.com this weekend.
Straddy 1400m Group 1
Probably my 2nd fav race behind the cup. Love a big handicap and this is a good edition. I want something that maps in the first half, maybe with some cover and saved for one last shot at them. War Machine looks nearly the perfect Stradbroke horse. The prep has gone perfect and the last start win was dominant. Loved the way he savaged the line last time out. Punch Lane was run off his feet last week. Was a month between runs, up to 1400m here and has a good record on the back up, he can improve. The gate is horrible. Rise At Dawn was just plain last week but over unsuitable trip. Up in trip, drops 6.5kg and maps well, can improve sharply. Golden Mile has been very good this prep. Draws inside and able to hold a spot not far off the lead. Comes out of the best form races and drops weight. Firestorm has a booming finish on her day. Different sort of lead up to this but in the top yard and she can get over them late without surprising.
Selections:
7- WAR MACHINE
17-FIRESTORM
13-RISE AT DAWN
6-GOLDEN MILE
9-PUNCH LANE
J.J.ATKINS 1600m Group 1
Main lead up to this was run on bottomless ground and this is the complete opposite, so big form reversals would not surprise. Cool Archie looks the obvious, was a dominant winner on the heavy track and has won 4/4 this prep, hard to knock. Torque To Be Sure has been well held on wet ground but could be a big improver on dry ground. Bred to get the trip and like Zahra riding. Call Da Vinci and Farnicle were both very strong in the lead up race. Feel both are winning hopes. The new horses and fresh on the scene are Hidden Achievement and Zebra Finch who were very good last start in Sydney and both well bred. Zebra Finch got the blinkers on last start and improved to win. Hidden Achievement gets the blinkers on this time around and looks to have a real sense of timing about him.
Selections:
8-HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT
1-COOL ARCHIE
3-FARNICLE
9-ZEBRA FINCH
5-TORQUE TO BE SURE
