The Grant Williams trained Arcadia Rose takes a sharp step up in grade on Saturday but appears a nice filly on an upward spiral and is worth sticking with.
Chasing her third straight career victory the well bred daughter of Kheleyf proved ultra impressive when saluting at Belmont last start when kicking away to score effortlessly by three-and-a-half lengths.
While obviously a lot tougher on Saturday she does appear well placed under the set weights and penalties conditions as we do feel she is well ahead of her current mark at this point in time.
Drawn favourably she should be able to roll forward and find a nice spot just off the speed with her main rival Petrol Power expected to take up the running.
Given they appear the only likely leaders in the race we expect Arcadia Rose to receive all the favours in transit and given she does have a 4kg pull in the weights, she should prove too sharp for Petrol Power over the concluding stages.
Installed the 5-2 favourite does appear short for a horse who is stepping up from midweek company to Listed level however we expect her to improve a further six pounds on Saturday and thus have her rated clear on recent form.
She has already shown sharp improvement from her debut win to her second start and we expect that trend to continue on Saturday and are more than happy to take the price on offer at present.
Although both On The Ropes and Portonian appear very nice horses moving forward the fact is Amorino boasts some very impressive formlines and is expected to make his presence felt on debut for the Grant Williams stable.
While his win record isn't great his close up efforts behind Chiaramonte and Ichihara read extremely well for this affair and he does get in very well with the aid of the 3kg claim.
His trial at Lark Hill leading into this was solid enough and if anywhere near his best both On The Ropes and Portonian will have to run to new peaks to deny him victory.
We have rated closer to a 5-1 chance and the fact you can get almost triple that at present seems more than generous and shapes as a great each-way betting prospect.
The Lindsey Smith trained Woken has been racing in great form this time in however he does appear poisoned odds at his current quote.
A victor of four of his seven career starts to date the son of Heritage has shown good improvement this time in however we feel he has now reached his mark and looks well under the odds especially from the wide draw.
Both Zedspeil and Dubai Escapade appear stronger winning hopes and we are more than happy to work around them and take on the favourite.
BEST FROM THE WEST:
BANKER: Race 8 #14 Arcadia Rose @ $3.50
PLAY OF THE DAY: Race 2 #1 Amorino @ $14.00
LAY OF THE DAY: Race 9 #3 Woken @ $3.80
