G'day Mav,

Finally back to EF tomorrow. Will be down there, i can't wait. Hopefully the track is in reasonable shape too, we havent had rain for an eternity. Fields look pretty good quality, though they're obviously stacked...so there'll be value.

Race 1 - I'm getting sick of barrier draws. Like 3 horses here and 2 of them have drawn the carpark. I've settled on Funlove. Think she is a nice filly and can sit on pace. Can't see too much speed, but with the big field it'll probably be on. Funlove can probably sit 2 or 3 back on the outside and will be finishing on after the fitness run first up. Got a lot of time for this trainer too, think she goes OK. Teletrader is far far shorter in pre-post markets than i thought he'd be, but i still reckon hes got plenty of talent. Can figure from the perfect draw with speed on. My Son Day is the other one who has drawn the outside rail but he'll probably go back and try and run over the top of them at the death. Nikolic hasn't really been riding well lately, but im hoping that changes with this bloke tomorrow...i've got a pretty high opinion of him when he puts it all together.

Race 2 - Like a few at odds here. I've settled on Deuxieme. Meets an easier field here and Byrne has just started to get back to some form so he will ensure a good run i'd say. The speed will be on, so i can see him sitting worse than midfield and storming down the outisde. Hissy Fit will improve on the first up run, has great second up form. Best form is over a mile, but the 1500m at this start of the campaign shouldnt be a problem. Look for him to be getting home late. Prosecution was 3 and 4 deep the trip last time and did well to finish where he did. With a better run in transit he can surely go close here. Very consistent galloper. Interested to see the bottom weight here, Sphenophyta...not bad NZ form.

Race 3 - Who'd know. The barrier has got me again, but i've stuck with Mesmerising. She'll have to get back a long way from 19 but she has plenty of talent and the first up run will top her off nicely for an event like this. Like her a fair bit for better races in the future (if she can draw an alley). Princess Margaret has to be a big doubt at the 1400m but shes a game little mare and with a reasonable run in front, will be a big show at eachway odds. Coincidental has been a shade disappointing of late for mine but she gets a chance here, in a slightly easier field. Can run good time when everything goes her way.

Race 4 - Like Prend here. Finally gets back to EF, Ross reckons shes an out and out stayer. If they put the speed on up front, i can see her flying over them late. Wish she was in the Oaks. Ice Chariot can show everyone whether hes a stayer or not tomorrow. The 18 alley is awful but he'll go back i'd say and should get good speed on. I've got my doubts whether he'll stay on the last effort, but his best runs have been at EF so i'm not going to sack him completely. Master Denis was a great run last time and will only be improved by that outing. They'll probably go forward again and won't be far off. Good race, but i really like Prend.

Race 5 - Like Ghetto Blaster. I have been waiting for this bloke to get back to EF over some ground and he gets it here. The 1 alley is fantastic and Katsidis knows him well. I can see him sitting 4 or 5 back the fence and pulling out in the straight and being too strong - the big field should ensure enough speed for him. Upper Echelon is a Sydney horse with some nice form and the good alley, and won't be far off them. Hawkes knows how to win these big 2yo races too. Danleigh has drawn the carpark but has talent and could be one running on at the death.

Race 6 - I've never liked the Oaks as a betting proposition and this is no exception. Generally a roughy wins it (Mon Mekki, Zagalia, Vouvray...just off the top of my head) so its pretty tough to pick. I've settled on Kruger Valley. Has good NZ form and, importantly, has raced over the journey and seemed to handle it well. The 1 alley and Rodd is a MASSIVE plus. At 10-1, she'll do me. Upstaged has drawn well too, and the run the other day at Doomben was a good one. Definite chance. Zenarta will lead and can give a good show out in front if there isn't a lot of speed. Was a very good effort last time at Doomben after being wide. Naturally, its a matter of picking the ones which you think will stay in this grade...a very difficult task if you ask me .

Race 7 - Pretty tough race. I don't really like any of them, but i've settled on Media. She doesn't seem to win very often but this isn't as strong as the recent races she has contested. She'll do me, with Rodd aboard. Falaise has got good ability and the recent runs have been very good. EF looks at though it will suit very well. Jockey doesn't inspire confidence...which is why hes not on top. I suppose Century Serby must be given a hope with no weight and the good run behind La Montagna last time, but i can't really get excited about him. He seems to have good talent though, so hes a nice chance.

Race 8 - Pathetic. This is not a WFA race. I've settled on Art Success because hes been good to me, not because i really think he can win. Hes the perfect EF horse (perfect Brisbane Cup horse too) so i think he can put in a strong showing tomorrow and go mighty close in the cup. Haylee Baylee was trotting on the turn last week but her condition just gave out in the end. She'll be cherry ripe for this and a win for her would not surprise in the least. Meets Coalesce a lot better on the weights too. High Academy was a good run behind Above Deck in the Doobem Cup last time but i'm sick of him. He might be able to run a place, but i'll never pick him on top again .

Good days racing with my best being Prend and Ghetto Blaster with nice eachway chances to Funlove and Kruger Valley.

Good luck all,

Sven