RACE 1

Competitive opener from which THE BACHELORETTE could emerge victorious. She was a fast-finishing second on debut over 1000m and is open to any amount of improvement with that experience under the belt and the extra 200m likely to suit. VOLCANIC HEAT, NO DRAMA and QUEEN LEILA concede weight to the selection but have feature-race form to their names, so they are expected to pose a threat. IRISH WILMA could have a say if building on recent improvement, while ARROGANCE is a well-bred newcomer to note on debut, especially if the market speaks in her favour. Watch the betting.

RACE 2

ONWARD was a game-in-defeat second over this trip against older rivals last time so could go one better. LOLLY WILLOWES concedes 4kg to that rival but has the form and experience to expose any chinks in the selection’s armour. ANAHITA fits a similar profile but returns from a rest. SECRET LIFE, EMPRESS OF PEACE and TAKEACHANCEONME have shown enough to be competitive too. Well-bred newcomer BE ALL YOU CAN BE is worth a market check and also warrants respect before any betting clues.

RACE 3

WINDING POWER was outrun late by the winner over 1700m last time with this headgear fitted and a repeat of that effort over this shorter trip with 2.5kg off his back could suffice. He is closely matched with NEBRASKA on earlier form but better off at the weights. DOCTOR STRANGELOVE was backed on debut and with natural improvement should pose a bigger threat. SENDAI, BEACH WALKER, ONE STATE and COVER CHARGE have shown enough to make their presence felt too. Newcomer WINTER WHISPER is worth a market check.

RACE 4

WAR REPORTER confirmed the promise of his encouraging comeback by running out an authoritative winner of a similar contest last time and, with further progress likely in his peak outing, the resultant 6-point penalty may not be enough to prevent him from following up. REDLIGHTGREENLIGHT will pose more of a threat on 3kg better terms but is drawn wide. MOUNT DARWIN, REPETITION and unexposed 3yo TRACKSUIT DAVE are competitive off their current marks and could get into the picture. GUERILLA WARFARE and OKLAHOMA TWISTER also have earning potential.

RACE 5

ANGEL’S OASIS returned from a break to win going away over 1000m at this level last month and she should remain competitive under a 4-point penalty with improved fitness on her side. Top-weight MYSTICAL MISS, while probably most effective over a shorter trip, could fight out the finish dropping in class off a career-low mark. MAVERICK QUEEN and QUIET WINTER also warrant respect off slightly reduced ratings. SHE’S ALL MINE shouldn’t be overlooked back against same-sex opposition.

RACE 6

Speedy RABBLE ROUSER lost little in defeat when collared late over 1400m last time after a winning sprint debut. She will improve with experience and this shorter trip should play to her strengths. FAIR PROPOSAL, OPERA FAN and last-start winner SIGRID SWING have the form and experience at this level to trouble the selection. ADA LOVELACE and MISTY METAL appeal most of the remainder.

RACE 7

KOMATI RIVER led her rivals a merry dance in a stronger contest over track and trip last time and she will be hard to beat at this level if repeating that performance under an 8-point penalty (career-high mark). Younger 3yo rivals CAPTAIN SELVIE, SEASON’S GREETINGS and RUSSIAN NOBILITY are useful sprinters with solid form and scope to improve, and they have the means to play leading roles in receipt of weight from the selection. MAMLAMBO, UNITED OFFER and LOST FOR WORDS aren’t taken lightly returning from respective absences.

RACE 8

AFRICAN PRINCE deserves to get his head in front after several near misses, including 3 consecutive seconds recently over 1160m. The drop in class coupled with his rider’s 2.5kg claim could bring about a return to winning ways. However, last-start winners ROMILLY and TRAIL RUNNER are competitive off their current marks, as is class-dropper ANTONIO GAUDI who will make his presence felt. Well-related GEOSTORM is unexposed and open to any amount of improvement on his handicap debut so must be respected, along with ONE TIGER and DANTE’S BOND.