Vain Queen was perhaps a shade disappointing first-up but she had excuses there and is tipped to return to winning ways at Caulfield on Saturday.
The dreaded thumps were reported as the excuse for Vain Queen first-up when she was defeated at Sandown but her effort was hardly dreadful and a return to the pick of her form would see her returning to winning ways here.
She remains a filly with good promise, her current Timeform rating of 97 retains its 'p' despite the first-up defeat, and she is tipped to go on to better things.
$2.80 appeals as a fair price.
Griante was a good winner last time but the play in the second looks to be one from behind her there in Inishowen.
Inishowen marked herself as a decent prospect winning first time out at Geelong and nothing in the run last time suggested that that opinion is misguided.
She meets Griante a good deal better at the weights now (4kgs) and the step to the mile looks ideal.
More than happy to be playing her at around the $4 mark.
Churchill Dancer comes up favourite in race five but it is hard to see that remaining the case on the day.
His form puts him right in the mix but he could hardly be classified a regular winner and he is deep into this campaign.
Lucky Symbol has form ahead of him and looks mighty hard to topple while Hard Stride is a better horse under positive tactics and can take plenty of pegging back.
THE MELBOURNE MAIL:
Banker: Race 4 #1 Vain Queen @ $2.80
Play Of The Day: Race 2 #3 Inishowen @ $4.00
Lay Of The Day: Race 5 #1 Churchill Dancer @ $4.50
