The depth of races on show at Betfair Park Hillside today is very strong and punters may well be rewarded with some good value on offer.
The Mimco Handicap (race 3), an RB82 over 1800m, is a case in point with three main hopes which all look better than midweek grade.
The Mike Moroney-trained Noble Park is a progressive type that was black booked on his fresh-up run and he looks well placed as he drops in grade.
In his first campaign the son of Pins won his maiden on debut over 1200m at Sale where he settled midfield but had too much on his rivals to score by over a length.
He then raced here over 1300m and after drawing wide was taken back to last.
He turned well back and ran on well in the straight, finishing fifth behind Tahitian Black.
Next start, up to a mile on the Lakeside track, he struck heavy ground but took up the running and was there throughout, lifting strongly to score by three-quarters of a length over Quadrant.
That was a good win but his next was even better.
Stepping up to 2000m at Flemington, he not only had 58kg but barrier 14 as well.
He was back early but caught wide so strode forward to improve his position and eventually settled fourth.
Turning there, he loomed up and straightened third before lifting again in the straight to edge out Turnitup in what was a top win in a strong form race.
Moroney gave the gelding a spell following the run before he resumed over 1410m at Flemington, racing in open class for the first time.
He settled midfield before edging closer and settling sixth off the speed.
Rounding the bend he found some trouble in traffic and was disappointed for a run but really found the line well, running on into third behind the race-fit Mr Griswald and Pinnacles.
Noble Park will be much fitter for the run and does come to hand quickly so the extra ground suits.
He rises in weight as he drops in grade and has drawn awkwardly but will settle midfield off a solid pace.
The long straight and soft ground suits and he will prove hard to hold out again.
There might be a decent win in him over further during the spring as he reaches peak fitness.
While Noble Park is still off his top White Universe is flying and looks the biggest danger.
The Peter Moody-trained gelding was solid fresh-up over 1200m but appreciated the longer journey second-up when runner-up here on heavy ground behind Mannopoly.
He then was too classy for an RB68 line-up over 1400m at Bendigo, settling well back before cruising away with a 3.5 length win.
Last start, to 1710m at Flemington, he raced just off the lead but lifted strongly and scored a head win over stablemate Lethal Arrow.
The trip suits today, he handles the going, is back from Saturday class and has drawn for a good run again.
He ticks plenty of boxes and at peak fitness now will be in this for a long way.
The third main hope is Galileo Gold, who is also flying and looks hard to hold out.
The Doug Harrison-trained gelding was runner-up over a mile at Flemington in the Silver Bowl Series Final, then was runner-up again next start over 1700m there when again trying to lead throughout.
Last start, ridden cold over a mile on slow ground on the Lakeside track, he turned worse than midfield but ran on strongly and away with a 3.8 length win over African Heat.
The runner-up looks one of the main hopes in a race later on today's card.
Galileo Gold rises in grade today but drops in weight, handles the ground and is versatile enough to go forward or back.
Stoneblack is honest and this is his right trip, so he'll give a big sight, while Our Serena may want further still but ran so well fresh can sneak a place here at odds.
