Local galloper Jeffrey Joe is worth another chance in today's Sports Sunday Handicap (race 8) at Gosford.
Prepared on the course by Albert Stapleford, the gelding drops in grade and returns home for this Benchmark 65.
Jeffery Joe finished only a few lengths form the winner fresh-up before racing in a Benchmark 70 here on slow ground and running on late to finish seventh.
In a Benchmark 60 here over 1200m he struck a heavy track and got back to last before hitting the line hard and finishing a length second.
That was a top run and it was no surprise to see him break through next start.
That was at home again over 1200m in a Benchmark 70 where he settled midfield in the small field before running on for a long neck win.
Last start, over 1300m at Scone, he had a light weight as he tackled open class.
Settling midfield, he raced tight during the run and battled on fairly for a five length 10th behind Jerezana.
Today he has a big weight again but this is a big drop in class and he returns home where he usually goes well.
He comes back in journey but that is perhaps negated by the soft conditions which he also handles well.
He'll get back in the run but should be hard to hold out.
The Joe Pride-trained Earnest Ernest was an impressive winner at his Australian debut and will be better for the run.
He had two starts in his first campaign in New Zealand and finished runner-up at both, before more than 18 months off and switching to Pride at Warwick Farm.
He made his debut for the stable in a 1000m maiden at Hawkesbury where he was heavily backed, raced on the speed and scored by almost two lengths.
He will be fitter again, he has drawn for a good run on the inside and should be in the mix again.
Two fillies down the bottom of the weights should give a big sight.
Empress Milly, prepared by Paul Perry, was a strong winner last start in a Class 1 at Scone.
This is a tougher race but she is well placed at the weights with the claim and has drawn well.
The filly has finished runner-up at all three runs on slow ground.
She has also placed two form two here.
The Peter Snowden-trained Fraganza is another filly who should run well.
On debut at Wyong the Lonhro filly led throughout for a length win then was spelled again.
She resumed in a no metropolitan win race over 1200m at Warwick Farm and after settling just off the speed early shared the speed but was no match for the winner Dollhouse, finishing third.
She has drawn wide today but will be fitter and should give a big sight.
