BEST BETS – Saturday 1st August

Liked the way RUBARE picked them up and put them away last time out at Morphettville. Although this is a deeper race, the run was full of merit and she will have improved even further since then. She has raced and trialled down the straight previously so that is no concern. She should prove very hard to beat.

WAR MACHINE makes his return to the track here after finishing 4L off them in this year’s Newmarket back in March. He has jumped out well for this and has never missed a place in his six fresh runs winning twice. Blake Shinn gets the ride and a win here will kick-start the new season for him with a Group 3 victory.

DAGGERS led them a merry dance at his last appearance here and although he doesn’t get Ben Thompson today, he does get a nice 3kg claim from Leah Martyn. Daggers gets in 2kg lighter following that win & he should be able to race up on pace again. He should prove too strong for them in the run home. again and bring up two in a row.

ZOUBABY looks well suited here after winning last time out here at Doomben over the same trip. She drops 3kg for that win and although she steps up to open grade, she will enjoy having no weight on her back. She also gets Ben Thompson aboard, and from the middle draw, she will get every chance in the run.

CAPTAIN PLUTO is first-up here today after finishing out the back in last year’s Towton Plate but he has had two tick-over trials at Lark Hill and Pikey jumps on board. He has won 3 times fresh and although this distance is short of his best, he has won 3 times over 1400m, and I can see him roaring home late, especially if the pace is on early.