Expert Analysis: A quality field of fillies and mares resumes here. La Barrita placed at metropolitan level when fresh and now removes blinkers, signaling stable confidence. Bottles Of Shells returns from a 19-week spell with a dominant trial victory. Had It All gets blinkers on for the first time and should improve sharply. The track suits swoopers but early speed will be only moderate.

Finished strongly on debut at metropolitan level, hitting the line with real purpose. The removal of blinkers suggests a more relaxed racing style, allowing her to finish even stronger. Trainer has excellent stats with second-start maidens (21% win rate). She maps perfectly from barrier 4 and should settle midfield. The soft track holds no fears based on her action. Looks ready to break through.

Returns from a 19-week break but looked outstanding in a recent trial win, clocking the fastest final 600m of the session. She has a sharp first-up record and the inside draw gives jockey multiple options. This mare has been prepared with two quiet hit-outs, and the stable is confident. Expect her to be prominent from the outset and fight out the finish.

Has placed in two metro runs this preparation, including a close-up finish last start at Gold Coast. She possesses a strong finishing burst and the step up to 1200m suits perfectly. The wide draw is a concern, but her racing pattern is to settle rearward and charge late. At the quoted probabilities, she offers solid each-way value. Don’t discount her for trifecta inclusion.

Strategic Pick Win/place: 10 – 3 – 9 | Best value Our Girl Scarlett (place)

Race Insights: Open contest with several chances. Iconify ran as a market leader last start and placed at Ipswich fresh. Disparate enters with solid Gold Coast form, while Rough Cause is a well-bred first starter from an astute yard. Parading Gus has placed at metro level and gets a favorable map. The key is assessing which gelding handles the Soft 5 best.

Sent out as a favorite on resumption and ran a game second at Ipswich, only beaten a long neck. He has placed in all starts when sent out as a market leader, showing consistency. The 1200m journey is ideal second-up, and jockey sticks with him. He will settle on the speed and prove very hard to run down. The stable is having a tremendous preparation, and this colt looks primed.

Only managed a placing as a favorite last start at Gold Coast but was caught wide without cover. The extra fitness from that run will benefit him sharply. Michael Freedman trains, and his runners often improve sharply second-up. The wide barrier is offset by natural early speed. He is a major player if he can slot in with cover. Each-way claims are extremely strong.

First starter from a stable that prepares debutants to win. His barrier trials have been visually impressive, finishing second in his most recent hit-out behind a smart type. He has a beautiful action that should handle the soft going. The inside barrier gives him every chance to settle midfield and produce a strong finale. At the price, he represents great value for exotic bets.

Juvenile contest with unknowns: Holy Terror missed by just a length on debut at Ipswich and comes from a leading stable. Puharich is a first starter with market support. Nozomu returns from a lengthy break with a trial win. Sniper Boom removes blinkers first time. Two-year-old races often produce surprises, so value runners must be respected.

Only start produced a fast-finishing second, beaten just a length after being slow away. The extra fitness and race experience are massive advantages in this field. He has trialled strongly between runs and looks to have above-average ability. The barrier is ideal to settle just off the speed. He should prove too classy for these rivals.

Resumes after 11 weeks away and blinkers come off for the first time, a gear change that often sparks improvement. He has trialled fairly but the inside draw is a massive asset. Trainer has a strong fresh record with two-year-olds. He will roll forward and try to make every post a winner. Don’t underestimate at a generous price.

First-starter from the Richard Laming yard, which has an excellent 16% strike rate with debutants. Two recent trials have been full of merit, showing natural speed and a professional attitude. Wide draw is a niggle, but he possesses enough early toe to cross and find a position. Each-way value at big numbers. Watch the market for confidence.

Quality mares’ race: Damehood resumes with a solid run at Gold Coast and hails from a top yard. Voodoo Lass returns from 21 weeks with an eye-catching trial win. Hellarious surprised at long odds last start but must be respected. Bollinger Miss has a win this prep at Doomben. The step to 1350m suits those with a turn of foot.

Eighth on resumption at Gold Coast but was held up at a crucial stage and finished with plenty of merit. The second-up record is outstanding (2 wins from 4 attempts). She drops nicely in weight and the stable is confident. The 1350m journey is her pet distance. She looks perfectly placed and should prove very hard to beat.

First-up after 21 weeks but she looked sensational in a recent trial win, quickening clear with ease. The inside draw gives jockey a beautiful run throughout. She has won second-up previously and the stable has a high opinion of her. Soft track form is strong (2 placings from 3 runs). Major threat to the favorite.

Won at long odds last start at Gold Coast, proving she handles soft ground perfectly. That was her first win this preparation, and confidence will be high. She maps to sit just off the speed and launch late. The odds are still attractive, and she cannot be left out of exotics. Each-way claims strong.

Strong form reference race: Saint Aldwyn won impressively at Ipswich on soft ground and has three metro wins this campaign. Savaii placed last start at Beaudesert and has been consistent. Bluepinot returns from a spell with a solid third at Gold Coast. Smart Action drops back to city grade. This is a deep race for male gallopers.

Dominant winner last start at Ipswich, putting a gap on his rivals. He has three wins from six attempts this campaign, all at metropolitan level. The inside draw is perfect for his racing pattern. He handles soft ground with ease and looks to have found the right race. The testing material and the one to beat.

First-up run was full of merit, finishing a close third at Gold Coast on a soft track. He has a strong second-up record and strips fitter. From a leading stable, he is expected to improve sharply. The 1350m suits his strong cruising speed. He will be storming home late and is a genuine threat.

Placed last start at Beaudesert, hitting the line powerfully. He won two runs back at Gold Coast, showing he handles the trip. Wide barrier is a concern, but his racing style is to settle back and finish hard. At the price, he represents great value for trifecta and first-four plays. Include in all exotics.

Staying test for Class 4: Easy Love won first-up this prep at metro level and looks hard to beat. Addition has two placings from five metro runs this prep. Blazing Harry finished fourth at Doomben and is better suited at this trip. Wowzino placed last start on soft ground and will be fitter. The 1640m will test stamina.

Winner first-up this preparation at metropolitan level, showing a sharp turn of foot. He followed that with a close-up second at Ipswich on a soft track, beaten just over a length. The 1640m is ideal third-up, and the stable is flying. He maps perfectly from barrier 4 and will take the power of beating.

Has been racing consistently this prep with two placings from five metro outings. Last start third at Sunshine Coast was full of merit, finishing hard. The inside draw gives jockey a perfect run throughout. He is ready to win and represents strong each-way value. Major contender in the quinella.

Finished fourth last start at Doomben but was not beaten far. He won at Ipswich two runs back over 1680m, showing he handles the trip. He has drawn midfield and should get a lovely run. The class drop suits. He is a sneaky chance at a nice price for those playing exotics.

Feature race showdown: Scheherazade has won four straight including a last-start victory at Sunshine Coast. First Mission just missed at Ipswich on a soft track. Break Free finished strongly last start and Fasvara is a last-start winner in strong form. This is a high-quality sprint with genuine depth.

Incredible form with four consecutive wins, all as a market leader. Last-start victory at Sunshine Coast was dominant, quickening away with ease. She thrives on soft ground and is unbeaten at 1200m. The wide barrier is a slight concern, but her class usually overcomes. The genuine contender and the one they must beat.

Just missed last start at Ipswich on a soft track, beaten less than a length after being held up. He has a strong record at 1200m and the stable is in top form. The barrier is fair, and jockey knows him well. He will be charging home late and is the main danger to the favorite.

Last-start winner at Ipswich, making it three wins from four runs this campaign at metropolitan level. He possesses a powerful finish and handles soft ground with ease. The wide draw is a challenge, but his racing pattern is to settle back and unleash late. At the price, he is the value runner of the race.

Speed map crucial: Thankyou Henry faded late last start but draws perfectly. Esprit Du Jour is a winner this prep with consistent form. Nepravda returns to city racing and placed when fresh. Excenia has placed in all starts as a market leader. The short course demands early speed and fitness.

Faded late last start at Sunshine Coast Poly when first-up but the run was full of merit. The inside draw is a massive advantage over 1110m. He will roll forward and try to lead throughout. Second-up record is strong (2 wins from 4 attempts). Commands respect as the top selection.

Winner at Beaudesert last start and has placed in all other outings this preparation. He is racing with tremendous confidence and loves the soft ground. The wide draw is offset by his natural early speed. He will be prominent throughout and is a major threat. Strong each-way claims.

Has placed in all starts when sent out as a market favorite, showing consistency at the level. She returns to city racing where she has performed well previously. The 1110m trip suits her sharp sprint. At the price, she is worth including for value in all exotics. Don’t dismiss.