Races CR Northam

Has been slow away at his past two runs and again settled well back when second last in a BM52+ at York, beaten five and a half lengths by Spanish Armada. The drop back to Mdn grade helps, as does the 3kg claim, and he has placed four times from nine starts at this track. Not out of this stepping up in distance.

Returns from a six-week let-up after a strong Bunbury fifth over 2013m, beaten only a long neck by Major Magnus after covering ground and being bumped shortly after the start. He had also met trouble at this venue two back when wide from the 500m and laying in late. Trip back is the query, but the form gives him a serious winning hope.

Continues to build this campaign and went close at Belmont last week, finishing second and beaten just under a length by Bourbonontherocks despite racing wide throughout and hanging in. He was also third in a Mdn at Bunbury the run prior after interference near the 200m. First try at 1600m, but he is clearly on the up.

Scratched.

Backs up quickly after finishing sixth at this track four days ago, beaten four and a half lengths at long odds after settling back and keeping on without a clear excuse. Her York third two runs ago was better, when beaten a long neck after letting down well. Big chance despite the quick turnaround.

Was eased from Saturday company after finishing eighth in an Open at Ascot, beaten over 11 lengths by Roger when unwanted in the market. There was some early contact, but he was still well back and made no impression late. Must lift sharply.

Has put together two excellent thirds this campaign and gets his chance to break through. He was beaten just under a length at this track last start after travelling well, looming up and fighting hard, backing up a half-length third at Kalgoorlie. Brings the right form to win.

Returns from a lengthy spell after two trials since last racing, so there is at least some groundwork for the fresh run. She ended last preparation with a heavy last at this track on soft ground, beaten over 20 lengths after racing wide from the 800m, while her previous Narrogin second was sound without being close. Has to show more first-up.

Returns from a one-month freshening after an 11th at Bunbury, where she was unwanted in the market, raced keenly early and found little when asked. Her previous sixth there was better, beaten two and a half lengths after making ground from the rear, and she has placed once from two tries around 1600m. Has placed around this trip, but the recent form makes her hard to recommend strongly.

Has not fired in two runs back, most recently seventh at Belmont Park after racing keenly through the middle stages and failing to finish off. Two back at Bunbury she made some late impression after being held up early, but she was still ninth and well found only at long odds. First go at 1600m adds another test.

Worked home better than the margin suggests when fifth at this track last start, beaten four and a half lengths by Costa Del Darlo after being restrained shortly after the start and having work to do. He had been only fair at Bunbury two back, but third-up fitness can bring improvement. Third-up now and capable of running into a place.

Was safely held on debut at Ascot in NMW1Y grade, finishing last and beaten just under six lengths by Official Business at big odds after settling back and failing to make ground. He drops to Mdn grade and gets weight relief from that first run, while the pedigree has depth as a $60,000 buy and half brother to Group 3 winner Patch Of Theta. Pedigree offers upside, but he is still new to 1600m.

Was not disgraced on debut at Ascot but still finished eighth, beaten just over six lengths by Hamadryad after settling just off the lead and proving only fair through the line. She had two trials beforehand and comes from a stable with a solid record, but there was no clear excuse first-up. Untested at 1600m and has improvement to find.

Finished ninth on debut at Bunbury, beaten just under eight lengths by Dynastic Lass after settling rearward and never getting into the race. She had three trials before that first start, but the market had her at long odds and the race-day effort offered limited immediate encouragement. Second-up now, but a much stronger finish is required.