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He’s caught the eye in both runs back from a spell over unsuitable distances so now is the time to jump on talented stayer Harpo Marx.

Punter’s Intelligence sectional data revealed the Bjorn Baker-trained gelding produced easily the fastest splits of the Elite Sand & Soil Handicap (1800m) as he ran into fourth place behind Steely.

The gelding clocked the race’s fastest last 600m of 34.61 but it was his last 200m of 11.59 that was most dominant, as it can be seen visually. He won third-up last preparation at 2100m and graduated through to Benchmark 78 level.

He’s starting at a higher level this time around and now he’s set to reach 2000m and beyond he should be able to break through.

Worth noting the last 200m of Berdibek in the same race, he posted 11.72 under his 66kg which was a nice clean out for Thursday’s Grafton Cup.

Beaten favourite Wicklow was far from disgraced in running third, he actually ran the second fastest last 600m of 34.64 and he’s come a long way in his first Australian prep.

It’ll be well worth forgiving first-up winners Cisco Bay and New Arrangement for their third and fourth placings respectively in the Lynette Lamphee Memorial Handicap (1500m).

The leading few established a big space on the main pack and because they didn’t burn the turf, but put on a consistent gallop, it wasn’t easy for the chasers to reel them in.

Cisco Bay ran an 11.57 from the 400m-200m, the race’s fastest, and a last 200m of 12.54 among his final 600m of 35.46, second best in the race.

New Arrangement clocked the fastest last 600m of 35.24, a last 200m of 12.31, and he was only a stride of two from snatching third from Cisco Bay.

Both horses can be followed with some confidence. Stayer Morton’s Fork posted the race’s fastest last 200m of 12.11 as he ran into six from last on the turn. He can be hit and miss but it was an encouraging return.

While it appeared that race was run quite intensely, the first 600m of 31.24 was two lengths slower than the first 600m of 30.92 in the Quayclean Handicap (1500m) over the same trip.

It evened up by the 800m and the overall time was faster in the race won by Oscar Zulu. That enhances the performances of Cisco Bay and New Arrangement.

The inaugural running of the Midway Handicap (1100m) won by Our Bellagio Miss was the slowest of the three races over the sprint trip on overall time but the fastest when it came to the first 600m.

So that allowed runner-up Just Field to sizzle home in 34.15 for her last 600m, she ran 11.17 from the 400m-200m and a last 200m of 11.70 (both also race best), and she was held up for runs.

She’s close to a win if she can find the right race. Fourth placed Catapult posted the second best last 600m of 34.33 suggesting he’s come back well and should be competitive in Midway races coming up.

From the Midway to the Highway and two runs stood out. Lady River charged into third place running a race best last 600m of 34.94, last 200m of 11.95 also the race’s best.

The hard luck story came from Anethole, who backed up his eye-catching second-up effort by finishing sixth after getting no favours at all. Somehow he managed to run 34.97 for his last 600m.

He was just winding up with a 11.36 from the 600m-400m when he was stopped in his tracks then recorded 11.52 (400m-200m) and last 200m of 12.09 when having traffic issues.

And it might have been a six horse field but Starla once again showed she’s flying but just can’t find a race shape to suit, or a barrier that might not see her settle last.

She was fastest in the final five 200m splits in the ACY Securities Handicap (1300m) and her final 600m of 34.56 was two lengths quicker than the next best.

Fastest last 600m: The Big Easy 33.76

Watch Punter’s Intelligence with Ben Way, Brad Davidson and Brad Gray at 7pm on Tuesday on Sky Thoroughbred Central.

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