Races SR Moruya

Race-fit veteran who drops out of a Canberra Quality where he was sixth behind Keikoku, beaten four lengths after sitting close enough but failing to quicken. His Canterbury fourth two back came at big odds and included a wide run without cover, so there was some merit there. Place chance if sharper.

Resumes after three months off following a sound Rosehill fifth in Saturday company, beaten a length and a half in a 3yo+ CG Benchmark 78 after travelling on speed and being overrun late. His Randwick third two back was even stronger, beaten just over half a length in 3yo+ Benchmark 78 grade. Back to country level now and he's hard to knock on his form before the break.

Won a Canberra Quality first-up, beating My Last Hooray by a head after beginning awkwardly and settling rearward before digging in late. That followed a solid Canberra third behind Bon Frankie over 1200m, where he was held up around the home turn and still finished within two lengths. Very impressive win in the Black Mountain fresh and he can go on with it now.

Second-up after finishing second last in the Canberra Quality won by Keikoku, beaten just under eight lengths after settling back and making no impression. His Albury ninth prior was also plain, beaten just under six lengths when unable to launch a serious challenge. Class drop helps, but others bring stronger recent form.

Closed off strongly first-up at Hawkesbury in a Benchmark 64, finishing third to Lady Of The Castle despite racing wide throughout and coming from well back. The shorter 1010m is the one query, but he has placed at the distance and drops from 59kg to 58kg with a 2kg claim. Great run on resumption and he rates highly with improvement to come.

Had excuses at Newcastle when sixth in a Benchmark 64 over 900m, with early contact and being forced wide late adding context to a beaten margin of four and a half lengths. Two back at Randwick he faded in a 3yo+ Benchmark 72 over 1200m after racing handy. Back to country level and things look to work out nicely for him today.

Worked home for fourth at Newcastle in a Benchmark 64 over 900m, beaten three and a half lengths after beginning awkwardly and covering ground. That was better than his Canterbury fifth, where he was beaten seven lengths in 3yo+ Benchmark 72 company and did not finish off. Stacks right up on his recent form and can make an impression.

Returns from a five-week freshening after winning a Benchmark 58 here over 1210m, scoring by a neck from Lady Got Bling at generous odds. He had also placed over 1200m at Moruya on heavy ground the run prior, so his local form is genuine. Local record is sound, but this is a tougher Open assignment.