Essay Raider drops back in class at Morphettville on Saturday and will prove very hard to beat if he can reproduce his recent form.
Winning by a commanding 6.3L at this course two starts back in similar company to this, Essay Raider went on to finish seventh in the Group 2 Yellowglen Stakes at Flemington last start, only beaten 3.1L.
The Leon Macdonald-Leon Gluyas-trained runner will only be required to carry 54kg in the McGrath Foundation Benchmark 90 (1100m) and rates very well on weight adjusted Timeform ratings.
From barrier 10, Essay Raider is likely to not be far away in the run and if he produces the form he has in recent times he will prove very hard to beat.
His current price of $3.60 makes him a good bet with Dashitude, Halle Rocks and Psychic Mick the likely dangers.
Pistolier stepped up in class last start and did not quite measure up when running 11th in open company at Flemington.
The three-year-old showed good form prior to that however in similar company to this and despite being up in the weights gets a 2kg claim for apprentice jockey.
Pistolier rates very well on weight adjusted Timeform ratings and has a solid record not only at this course but at the distance as well.
From the good draw, the Richard Jolly-trained runner is likely to push forward and settle up on the pace and should take plenty of running down.
Despite a moderate showing last start, Pistolier will find this a much easier task and at $12 looks very good each way odds.
Maccy Fields steps up in grade today having won both career starts to date. The lightly raced four-year-old mare followed up a dominant win on debut with another strong win at Gawler but is well up in grade today.
The daughter of Reset is likely to appreciate the step up to the mile but takes on a couple of runners who have solid form in this company already and Maccy Fields goes up to 56kg.
There is no doubt the Will Clarken runner has ability but this is her toughest test to date and the $2.20 is very short in this.
Banker: Race 7 #15 Essay Raider @ $3.60
Play Of The Day: Race 2 #1 Pistolier @ $12
Lay Of The Day: Race 8 #11 Maccy Fields @ $2.20
