The benefit of a run over an unsuitable trip should assist SMART CHARADE to post his second career win and he is one of the better bets on the card. The steady tempo and 1200m made it hard for him frsh-up but he still managed to post the second-best final-400m (21.91) of the meeting. Providing Jack Wong (who doesn’t ride winners out of turn himself) can put him in the right spot in the running then he will be hard to beat. Smart Charade beat his main rivals in Race 502 on March 18 earlier this year and it was an event that saw ELECTRIC LIGHTNING, RED ELYSEES, Namjong Plus, Charity Wings and Top Score win their next start, thus highlighting it as a very strong form reference. Electric Lightning is one of the main dangers; he is a course and distance winner and was racing well up until the end of last season. Red Elysees was running well without winning towards the end of last season and he has won first-up in the past. THE FULL BLOOM peaked on his run last week but will strip fitter and might provide some value for exotic players.

From Sweet In Defeat: SMART CHARADE