The Mail For Saturday

Fusakeo seems well placed down in weights

SR 2: (7) KING USAIN - Improving Victorian gelding ran a mighty race for second at his Sydney debut when he fought gamely after a tough run to be beaten a length by Yulalona over 2000m at Randwick on May 28. The form may prove worthy as the winner and third horse are both taking on the Queensland Derby this weekend while he stays in Sydney on the limit weight for this suitable Benchmark 75 event over 1800m. He was unlucky to be beaten at Sale prior to coming to Sydney and looks nicely placed to test the local opposition.

SR 6: (10) MR ARMSTRONG - Successful north coast stable has done some travelling with this smart gelding and he should appreciate this class after his last start in Brisbane when he came back from a 27 day break to finish a close up eighth without much luck in the G2 BTC Sprint over 1350m at Doomben won by Stradbroke contender Woorim. The step up to the mile on a true winter track will suit and he is good value in this average company as he has been very competitive against some smart horses on previous Sydney visits.

SR 8: (8) FUSAKEO - Well placed to improve at his second run back from a spell after resuming with a game sixth in the heavy behind Scarf over 1200m at this course on May 28 when he was anchored by his big weight of 61kg. Hard not to see him running a big race here with a massive 7.5kg weight drop over this more suitable trip as he has been placed in all four of his second-up runs and should enjoy a perfect trail from his rails draw with the field containing an obvious leader.

ONES TO AVOID

SR 5: (1) ANYTHING - Was a beaten horse a long way out over 1600m at his last start and happy to oppose him as he will be tested to improve carrying 58kg over this extra trip.

MR 3: (1) PERFECT PECS - Rick Hore-Lacy backs up his Anabaa 3yo from last week when he ran quite well at Sandown. Obviously is a good doer as that was on a hard back up itself. More importantly he gets to 2000m and the 3kg claim brings that 58kg right down for a winning apprentice. He should be really good odds and run us a great each way race.

MR 5: (6) EPIC DRAGON - In what looks a disappointing race, this 3yo seems to have come back well. He got to the Caulfield Guineas in October but that was a bridge too far. First up, after being gelded, he ran home well at Caulfield in a decent race with the form from that translating to the Creswick on this program. His best is on slow ground which should prevail and if anything this distance is the perfect play.

ONES TO AVOID

MR 2: (1) LIMEROCK - A bit risky to lay a Peter Moody runner given his rather emphatic season. But even with the claim, she goes up in weight, back 40m strip and meets a group of in-form fillies. Her only attempt at Flemington was over a 1000m but she got towelled up on Anzac Day. Surely Moods can't win every race - surely!!!

BR 3: (11) WILLY JIMMY - Loves the mile and large tracks like Eagle Farm. Won't have to do anything in the run and just needs luck in the straight to show his best. Going so well he had a clean out trial at Rosehill after the top Scone Cup effort. Gets better longer into a prep and with the expected pace on from Our Lukas, Firebolt and others, look for him to be charging home with the light weight.

BR 5: (9) DOWAGER QUEEN - Stable, sire and jockey are flying after all combining to win the Oaks last week. Showed the mile is no drama scoring at Ellerslie in April and after that defeated older F&M with nothing on her back. Was very unlucky in the Sires as her usual pattern is to be near the speed but the Free Wheeling shenanigans saw her last. Darci Brahma won this for kiwis before and since the race went to Set Weights, fillies have a 50 per cent record.

BR 7: (10) WOORIM - Strangely for a Show A Heart, he doesn't like wet ground so we will be praying the Stradbroke is run on the dry. If it is, this horse has one of the biggest finishes in Australian racing. He unleashed that in the BRC Sprint, coming from last in the short Doomben straight to gun down the leaders. A fast pace, a senior jockey in winning form and a light weight should see him right at the business end.

ONES TO AVOID

BR 7: (5) BEADED - You'd think the 10,000 winner would be a great hope in the Stradbroke but in reality with penalties and weight raising, she is now up to 54kg. On top of that you have the fact mares have a rotten record in the race and no 10,000 victor has won this race since 1988. No possible way you'd knock her ability or how hard she tries but this event last year is the only race she missed a place in.

AR 3: (1) KISSABLE - Handy mare worth another chance. Was only fair fresh but has plenty going for her today, including easier grade, the claim, a good draw and a solid second-up record. Expected to be much improved.

AR 5: (6) PRINCE OF CAPERS - Former Sydney galloper who made his debut for this stable with a big weight at Mildura and had little luck. Extra trip suits, drops significantly in weight, is fitter and drawn for a good run. Go close.

ONES TO AVOID

AR 2: (1) SNIP 'N' RUN - Led and won well here fresh-up from a spell. Will be well fancied on that but rises in weight, grade and has a wide gate where a few of these will want the lead as well. Looks set up to be run down.