Honest galloper Carmine King should prove a solid each way chance in what looks a wide open race to end the night at Canterbury tonight.
The gelding has hit top form with two recent wins and with the claim comes right into this again as he returns to night racing for the Pony Express Holdings Handicap (race 8) – a Benchmark 75 over 1200m.
Prepared by John O'Shea at Randwick, Carmine King has three wins and three minors form just nine career starts.
After a long spell following his first campaign, which included a 1200m win and three placings, he resumed here over 1100m in non metropolitan winners class and had little luck, running on hard when clear to finish a close up fourth.
He returned here for the same grade next start and after settling midfield again hit the line hard, finishing fourth.
Heading out to the provincials for an easier Class 1 over 1200m at Gosford, he proved too strong with a dogged on pace win, kicking strongly in the straight to score by a head.
Last start, again at the provincial in a non metropolitan winners race at Kembla Grange, he sat third in the big field but loomed up in the straight and drew clear for a 1.5 length win.
Tonight he rises in the weights but the 58kg is offset to the tune of 2kg after the claim for Chad Schofield.
He has drawn well in barrier seven and with plenty of pace in the race he'll be camped just off them with a nice run.
The track and trip suits, he's in top form and although certainly no star is very honest.
He looks a great each way chance with even luck in the straight.
Rosehill trained Chris Waller has a strong hand in the race with the promising galloper Velrosso.
Velrosso made his debut in town as a juvenile last June and after an awkward start settled fifth.
He was set alight rounding the bend and quickly loomed up four out before striking the front and lifting strongly to hold off the challengers.
The General Nediym colt didn't race again during that campaign and has had a long break but is fitter for two recent solid trials.
From barrier six jockey Glynn Schofield will be settling back off the action and will be looking to finish hard, perhaps over the top of his son Chad who rides Carmine King.
Peter Snowden's Beltane is yet to miss a place fresh up and looks set to run well again tonight.
The gelding was thereabouts in all four runs last time in without winning, the latest a close up fifth over 1200m at Randwick.
He has trialled well for his return, has a nice gate and will be sitting just off the speed.
Five scratching will have aided the winning chances of Forward Love who looks the likely leader in the race.
The smaller field suits as the mare will be hoping for little pressure as she takes up the running.
Prepared by Gai Waterhouse, Forward Love led until the final stages last time here in this class before finishing runner up.
With the claim and a good draw she'll be out the front again here and fitter for the two runs back will take catching.
Whisperossa is likely to want a little further as he gets into his campaign but looks suited here fresh at the journey.
He resumed last campaign with a fast finishing second here and looks a strong each way chance again this time.
