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By Neil Evans

Track Soft 5 and rail true

From an ideal draw and on a track drying out, 2. Alpine Ski can put paid to this field resuming for a second prep as a gelding, with blinkers coming off. Showed more than enough in metropolitan lineups last winter, and stable has taken plenty of time to make the right placement fresh. The one to beat. 3. Gorbachev also resumes for a fourth career start behind two improving trials, and looms as the quinella runner. Doubt the winner comes from anywhere else, but must include 5. Rare Moon fourth-up from a low draw in trifecta plays.

How to play it: Alpine Ski to win

6. Custom is a Street Boss filly who can make it two straight for Godolphin at her third start, coming back in trip 22 days between runs. Liked the way she has hit the line in both runs so far, and this is peaking time. 8. Outcast Ally, a filly by Pariah on debut for the Bjorn Baker stable, is naturally a big betting watch. Looked well above average winning the second of two trials, and drew the inside. 1. Barbarossa, by on fire sire Too Darn Hot, can peak third-up off a fair metro run. 2. Missile Magnate is a lightly raced colt & over the odds heading into his second start.

How to play it: Custom to win

5. Mercantilist is an exciting filly by 2016 Golden Slipper winner Capitalist, primed to hit the ground running on debut for the Sara Ryan yard. Won both lead-up trials at the provincials, and drew to get the right run. Very hard to stop. 1. Extremely Filly is a tough mare who did work early from a wide draw first-up at Wyong, yet stuck on fairly. Will take plenty of benefit from that run, but still has to slot in from an awkward draw. 7. Murphilly is an honest filly by Churchill and trained on the track. Was right behind the placegetters on debut here in a handy maiden, and the drying track is a big plus. Big gap to the rest.

How to play it: Mercantilist to win

3. Power Of The Brave is a tough and still improving four-year-old who can go back-to-back well into the prep. Loved the way he lengthened and dug in hard to claim a similar graded race at Newcastle after facing the breeze, and drawn to find a similar spot on speed here. 5. Bremel is a talented and progressive home track filly shooting for three straight wins at only her fourth start. Has shown a stack of tactical speed in her last two for dominant 1000m wins, and as long as she steps away okay, will take plenty of beating again. 7. Party Doll ran home well when resuming at Wyong after being well backed, and her second-up form is rock solid. 4. Wingardium resuming off a forward trial is the best of the rest at much bigger odds.

How to play it: Power Of The Brave to win

6. Maison Louis almost picks himself here off that dominant second start win at Goulburn where he swept home by more than three lengths, beating one who then performed well at Wyong on Wednesday. Even better suited pushed out to the mile, and drawn to get a soft trail inside carrying 1.5kg less. 1. Hardpoint is the clear threat drawn to either lead or park right behind, and is already a second-up winner over the mile. 5. Scoundrel hits peak fitness now, and can run into the minor money fourth-up. 7. Exclusive Artist is an improving filly who finished right behind Hardpoint at Kembla; while 4. Ilovenews third-up over further can add value into wider exotic plays.

How to play it: Maison Louis to win

4. Miss Spacegirl is a smart filly by Territories primed to start her second prep with a bang. Sailed home for an impressive debut win at Canberra last spring before two mixed efforts when climbing sharply to Group 3 company. Fitted with two trials up to 1030m, and drawn to get a soft run. 7. Mamushka like her stablemate on topper from the previous race, also comes off a tidy win at Goulburn on debut, and is drawn to get an economical run right behind the speed. 3. Let's Fly is a talented filly and stablemate of the top selection, resuming off two improving trials, with blinkers going on. Has to tuck in from the outside barrier, but if she can find any sort of cover, capable of reeling off a superior final 400m. 5. Pocket Eights is over the odds second-up from a handy trailing draw, and back on his home track.

How to play it: Miss Spacegirl to win

10. Motoscafo is a capable filly by Cox Plate runner-up Castelvecchio, resuming for just her second full prep for the John Thompson stable. Given two easy trials up to 1050m, and was only a bit over a length from the winner in Group 3 company last spring. Will be powering home. 8. Lady Zodiac is a big market watch resuming with gear changes off two improving trials from the inside barrier for the John O'Shea and Tom Charlton yard. 4. Uncle Harry is an honest type who will find this easier than a Provincial Qualifier a fortnight back, but still shapes under the odds back up in weight from a wider draw. Watch the betting on 5. Useapin, resuming off a quiet trial for the Chris Waller stable. 7. Russian Snitzel improves fourth-up from a softer draw. 1. Time Bandit second-up, and 2. Puerto Banus who comes back a furlong in trip but drawn wide, both go in trifecta and first four plays.

How to play it: Motoscafo to win

4. Rolling Magic represents terrific value second-up in the feature Qualifier. Did his best work late in the stronger Newcastle Qualifier a fortnight ago, and drops sharply in weight here. Best form is over further, but with enough speed up front, nothing will be attacking the line harder. 3. Mogul Monarch is building a very handy record, and this shapes ideally stepping up 100m in trip third-up. 8. Mailata has only been fair in two metro runs back, but drawn to park further forward, can improve sharply third-up over 100m further. 16. Let's Go Again is a lightly raced mare who closed off well over a shorter trip when resuming. Draws to find a nice on speed trail with gear changes in play, and is a knockout chance at very big odds. 1. The Extreme Cat, resuming off two progressive trials, is over the odds, although also accepted for a Midway BM 72 at Rosehill. 5. Money Team, a promising four-year-old drawn wide and gunning for a fourth straight win in tougher company; goes through trifecta and first fours.

How to play it: Rolling Magic to win

BEST BETS:
R1 2. ALPINE SKI
R3 5. MERCANTILIST

BEST VALUE:
R7 10. MOTOSCAFO

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s meeting at Gosford