An eye catching performance first up leaves the Neville Parnham trained Checkpoint very well placed to return to the winner's stall at Belmont on Saturday.
While unable to run down Magnifisio in the straight his performance had plenty of merit and he will no doubt relish the step up to 1400m on Saturday.
He has won three of four attempts racing second up and has placed in all seven prior attempts at Belmont.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings he rates clear off the back of his performance in the Group 3 Roma Cup and if you take a line through his effort in the Waroa-Lee Steere Stakes two back he does appear very hard to beat.
The Grant Williams trained Elite Belle proved most unlucky behind Magnifisio last start and has been installed the early favourite however she does appear under the odds given she meets Checkpoint two kilograms worse off at the weights having only beat him 0.4L last start.
As much as 3-1 is being offered about Checkpoint on the weekend which appears a more than fair gamble as we have him installed the 2-1 favourite and are more than happy to play that way.
The Grant Williams trained Arcadia Rose returned in good order last start and appears poised to notch up her fourth career victory on Saturday.
Having been blocked for a run early in the straight she was entitled to finish a lot closer to Chinetti on that occasion and should improve sharply with that run under her belt.
From the rails draw she is expected to find a nice spot just off the speed and does appear very hard to hold out with the in-form William Pike sticking aboard.
On career best form she rates clear of her rivals on Saturday and given as much as 2-1 is being offered about her chances, it does appear a more than fair gamble.
We can get her as short as $2.20 and hence she does present a great overlay opportunity early on in the day.
The Sharon Miller trained Takanori was well below her best last time in and while on best form she rates well, we struggle to get her as short as she is on Saturday.
Installed shorter than 2-1 seems well under the odds as if priced on her form last time in we have her rated upwards of 6-1.
The fact William Pike isn't on board also raises some eyebrows as he has ridden her in five of her six career starts to date and was aboard in her sole trial in the lead up.
At her current price we are prepared to take her on as last start winner Storm Sense continues to raise the bar and cannot be taken lightly.
BEST FROM THE WEST:
BANKER: Race 7 #4 Check Point @ $4.00
PLAY OF THE DAY: Race 3 #2 Arcadia Rose @ $3.00
LAY OF THE DAY: Race 2 #3 Takanori @ $2.80
