There might just be some bigger targets ahead for 3YO MAXO MIGHTY (6) who has demolished his rivals in two runs since joining the Grimson barn. With winning margins of 35m and 14m in those two starts, wide gates over the Menangle mile have been no obstacle. The threepeat is on.

SWEET DIOR (3) returns to the front line which is a huge asset after her past five have all been from the second line. Circling them last start to sit parked before fading late, she grabbed minor money in both prior starts behind LUVARESCHS and RUBY RULES. The gate helps.

MY ULTIMATE BUDDHA (1) should appreciate the options that the inside gate presents and should be able to burrow through to dictate his position. From the trail he is a podium player.

SHES CRYSTAL (8) has been kept fresh since a last start victory in a mare’s qualifier after finding the front, releasing and then finishing best to score. With the soft map, she can join in.

SELECTIONS: MAXO MIGHTY (6), SWEET DIOR (3), MY ULTIMATE BUDDHA (1), SHES CRYSTAL (8)
SUGGESTED BET: MAXO MIGHTY (6) to win

Fitter following two runs back from a break, ACHY BREAKY ARK (9) lands back at The Creek where he won his only previous attempt here as a 2YO. Now a 4YO, he was too sharp in front last start at Wagga at the sprint trip and although stepping up to 2138, finds the race to capitalise.

TULHURST TIMMY (2) was a Bathurst winner two starts back after starting from inside the second line before finishing hard, pulling clear and posting an 8m margin. Strong to the line last start at his first look at this deck and only beaten a half-neck, he can challenge.

WHYKIKAMOOCOW (1) was taking a step up in grade when tackling a qualifier last time over this trip. A wide gate did not help as RAKASANDY arrived. A winner in both prior, the gate helps.

KUZMA (7) is given no favours from this gate but should find this a shade easier than his past couple. Forced to retreat last start at Redcliffe, it didn’t go to plan, but he has claims here.

SELECTIONS: ACHY BREAKY ARK (9), TULHURST TIMMY (2), WHYKIKAMOOCOW (1), KUZMA (7)
SUGGESTED BET: ACHY BREAKY ARK (9) to win

Despite landing the outside front-line gate, MITCHELLS RUN (7) might just have the wheels to cross to the poles here and from the front give some cheek. Chasing a hat-trick two starts back when collared in the last strides at Redcliffe, he set a slick tempo last time. This is within reach.

BELMER BETTY (2) faced a double whammy last time when tackling the middle trip and slammed with the extreme second line gate. Unable to get warm over the closing stages, it followed a 2nd when buried from inside the second line. Settling closer here she can challenge.

KEAYANG MOSCATO (1) was runner-up last start after being shuffled back before making some late metres behind KASH FUND. With added fitness after two runs back, he has the options.

DEE TERROR (9) held the pocket trail from inside the second line last start and when finding space hit the line smartly for a drought breaking win. Som added confidence will help here.

SELECTIONS: MITCHELLS RUN (7), BELMER BETTY (2), KEAYANG MOSCATO (1), DEE TERROR (9)
SUGGESTED BET: MITCHELLS RUN (7) to win

A rare non-metropolitan appearance for LEAP TO FAME (7) and he will not get things all his own way here with eight opponents all fine-tuning preparations for the upcoming Inter Dominion. Stomping out a 53.7 closing half last time out when fresh up, he does have the outside gate, but with a record of 88: 69-14-3, he simply must be top pick.

THE JANITOR (6) is moving ever closer to Larry and does have the advantage of drawing inside the Great One here. An error ended his chances in Cambridge and after returning home, he was back in winning form here last time out in clinical fashion. A win would be no surprise.

MINOS (4) had a point to prove here last week following his exclusion from the Flashing Red and it was an impressive victory in slick time at this trip. He can find position and grab minor money.

ATTACHMENT (9) has been runner-up to the two Qld starts at his past two starts, finishing 8m from THE JANITOR and 3m from LEAP TO FAME at his past two starts. He can make a late raid.

SELECTIONS: LEAP TO FAME (7), THE JANITOR (6), MINOS (4), ATTACHMENT (9)
SUGGESTED BET: LEAP TO FAME (7) to win

PRINCESS ARNA (3) possesses good speed out of the machine and from this gate can fire the early bullets. Taking control last start and keeping them rolling to take a 3m margin, in her six attempts here at HQ, she has won five. This is the next step up, but she can dictate.

THE LADY DIOR (4) tried to take them all the way last start at 2138 but was unable to finish it off when fading to be unplaced. Grabbing the bronze the start prior and under 2m from subsequent metro winner RAKASANDY, tackling her own sex can see her issue the challenge.

GOLDEN SHOOZ (7) tried to issue a closing challenge here two starts back when runner-up behind NEEDBEE. Strong late behind passing lane winner TENACIOUSLY, she has claims.

BETTORS MOON (5) was making a late raid here last start to grab the silver behind HAPERVILLE. Not far away from the winner LUVARESCHS the start prior, she can get handy to feature.

SELECTIONS: PRINCESS ARNA (3), THE LADY DIOR (4), GOLDEN SHOOZ (7), BETTORS MOON (5)
SUGGESTED BET: PRINCESS ARNA (3) to win

Now back in the main draw, this will be new territory for GUS (1) who has never drawn the inside marble under race conditions. With two trials since returning from NZ where he chased home KEAYANG ZAHARA in The Trot, the second of those was a sizzling closing panel. He can start his ID quest with the perfect tune up here.

IKIGAI (5) has got her trot on in recent starts and was able to complete a hat-trick last time out when forcing the issue from gate 7, taking control and taking a 4m margin at this trip. Scoring at the mile in both prior starts, the smaller field helps and she will look to make a play.

ALDEBARANSTILINSKI (3) was full of power at this trip two starts back and from the front secured a new track record. Producing a nice effort following a starting error last time, he will be looking to join in.

 SELECTIONS: GUS (1), IKIGAI (5), ALDEBARANSTILINSKI (3)
SUGGESTED BET:  GUS (1) to win

Tackling the 2YO Breeders Heats first up from a spell, MY ULTIMATE JED (3) struck trouble and finished down the line. Runner-up in the Consolation after setting the speed, he met a much tougher line up last start when eased early. Positioning cheaply can see him stake claim.

BETTOR BE BODHI (4) rolled forward to sit parked last start and after working hard in the run was under 4m from the winner SCHOONERS. Setting the tempo two starts back and grabbed over the closing stages when 3m from WICKED SUSAN, he has the speed to challenge.

BITE THE EAR MIKE (6) needed a clearer passage here two starts back when not too far from the winner MAGIC MIKI. Scoring at Redcliffe last start, he has podium claims again here.

CRIPPA MAX (7) arrives in the Dixon stable a two-time winner on the North Island of NZ from just four starts. With a tidy preparatory trial, the wide gate hurts first up.

SELECTIONS: MY ULTIMATE JED (3), BETTOR BE BODHI (4), BITE THE EAR MIKE (6), CRIPPA MAX (7)
SUGGESTED BET:

Following a smart first up victory in a 2YO contest, AARDIES A STAR (5) stepped up against all ages last start and also to the 2138 trip. Working to the front, he was out of tickets but dug in, ultimately collared in the last strides by the 3YO SURREAL MORAN. A return to the mile suits.

LOTS OF HEART (2) was a winner on debut when working to the front at Redcliffe and running home in good style over the concluding stages in posting an 8m margin. With the benefit of added experience, he can look to bring winning form to the big deck in issuing a challenge.

BERRYLICIOUS (6) is a 6YO mare that returned from 12 months off the scene with a first up victory at Redcliffe to break maiden ranks. Added fitness can see her chase minor money.

SAINT MAHARG (3) held on for the bronze behind IDEAL BRONSKI three start back and then was too far back in the Breeders Final behind FIRE AND PASSION. This looks more suitable.

SELECTIONS: AARDIES A STAR (5), LOTS OF HEART (2), BERRYLICIOUS (6), SAINT MAHARG (3)
SUGGESTED BET: AARDIES A STAR (5) to win

INSTANT DELIGHT (6) rolled forward from gate 5 last time out and despite the tough run, was able to grind out the victory at the mile. Buried away the start prior in a standing start contest, she has worked her way back into winning form with two wins in her past four and can go again.

WHIRLWIND WILBUR (7) faced a 50m impost last time out and despite the huge advantage he was giving, was able to grab the silver behind subsequent winner FREDIDRIVSAMERCURY. Unsuited against pacers the start prior, he can defy the outside gate to throw it down here.

CASCATA (1) backs up from Tuesday where she was a winner at these same conditions. Burrowing through to lead and fend them off on that occasion, this is the next step up.

DAIMYO (5) will take further benefit from the latest start where he was second up from a spell. Leading them deep into the stretch, he was reeled in by INSTANT DELIGHT. He can feature again.

SELECTIONS: INSTANT DELIGHT (6), WHIRLWIND WILBUR (7), CASCATA (1), DAIMYO (5)
SUGGESTED BET: INSTANT DELIGHT (6) to win

Arriving from NZ with two placings, RAFFIE JAY (5) was super impressive first up to break maiden ranks. Pressing forward to taking control, she was posted an 11m margin with a further 30m back to 3rd. With added experience and confidence, she finds ideal conditions to repeat.

MULLUM DALE (7) was only a head from the winner VOLTAIN here three starts back when second up from a two-year hiatus. Making critical errors in both subsequent starts, trotting cleanly after a safe start can see him turn it around.

KYOKUSHIN BEAR (2) was safely away when the tapes released last start and set the tempo from the front, only fading in the closing stages in holding on for the bronze. He can feature here.

PROPELLED PRINCESS (1) will take further benefit from the latest outing where she was second up from a spell. Finishing 3rd behind SERENA LOVE, she is a podium chance again.

SELECTIONS: RAFFIE JAY (5), MULLUM DALE (7), KYOKUSHIN BEAR (2), PROPELLED PRINCESS (1)
SUGGESTED BET: RAFFIE JAY (5) to win

FRAZZLED (3) has been runner-up in both career appearances to date, the latest when finding the trail and finishing just 1m from the winner POZZZI TONOZZI. Safely away in both starts, he can step cleanly again and find the chance to capitalise.

MOUNT JULIET (6) was a debut winner where she was able to overcome an early error and finish over the top of them to claim victory. Working strongly to the line last start when holding 3rd, she again must give away a 10m advantage here but can be closing hard to challenge.

BENNY (5) is a colt on debut for Gemma Hewitt by What The Hill. With some sound work at the trials in readiness for the debut, he stays under watch.

SELECTIONS: FRAZZLED (3), MOUNT JULIET (6), BENNY (5)
SUGGESTED BET: FRAZZLED (3) to win