This race didn’t rate well and there won’t be much to take from it, with Double Double a possible exception running okay on the wrong part of the track. 

This was literally a ‘sit and sprint’, with Rattan posting the best final-600m of the day 33.33 seconds. However, he couldn’t reel in the leader and winner Romantic Touch who was given a soft time in front. Even with a slow tempo the race still rated okay for this grade with some top notch closing splits. Rattan can be followed at this level in a race where the pace is more genuine.

The race shape here made it very hard for the backmarkers again, with the tempo increasing from the 800m mark. From that perspective, Cheerful Giggles was very good in defeat with the best 400/200m splits in the race and he clocked the 10th-best final-400m of the day. It was his first start for Millard and a solid performance.

For a low grade event this actually rated relatively highly, with the first half of the race run at a solid tempo. From that point of the view, the winner, Supreme Witness was very good. He can win again (he is up in class for his next run rating 41), and Chiu Chow Kid only needs to hold that sort of form to be winning in the short term.

A well-rated ride in front, bascially won this race for Endearing on standard time. Shining On was a touch held-up and rallied back to the inside. In an even contest, he might be one to take out of the race, with the winner likely to find it tougher up in grade.

They ran a second outside of standard here and the winner came from last. A hard race to gauge and I suspect the track was riding ‘deep’ and this might not be the case the next time.

A ridiculous tempo for a race on paper that had little expected pace. The leaders went more than 10 lengths faster than standard for the first 800m. (Smart Charade returned with blood in the trachea). There were clear excuses for any of those on-pace. Electric Lightning would have gone close had he not run in to a dead end at the top of the straight in what was a very poor ride. Stick with Smart Charade and Electric Lightning might be one to follow too. 

The winner attained a soft lead and that made all the difference. City Legend (8th-best 400m day) and Pakistan Friend (7th-best 400m day) both ran well in defeat and with any more pressure up front could have easily won. They look to two from this event and unfortuntely for our strategy, City Legend ran well and in retrospect was a great bet at a super opening price, but didnt get the breaks.

The pressure on the lead was quite high here and from that perspective, Encore Boy was quite brave. He remains in this grade on a mark of 78 and he should win a similar all-weather race. A good win to Go Public as well who sustained the best splits for the final 600m. 

We made Aerohappiness a bet here and upon further assessment following initial disappointment his effort was just even. Missing the start probably didn’t help his cause, but ultimately he should have been able to win from the run he had. That said he should improve and strip fitter for the run. Tianchi Monster stayed on well to the line and leaves the impression that up in trip will suit.