Hey Mav,

Sorry for the late response, had a big one last night. Doesn't look a bad meeting today at the Sunny Coast, some good races and some pretty promising horses. Thankfully, the track is dead...this has to be the wettest track in Australia.

Race 1 - For some reason i like the Kiwis here. Hooker Road won well last start at this track, with a bit of weight, in good time. For that reason, and the fact that he'll be good odds, i've settled on him. The Silence Sir won well last time and the 4 alley should help him again today. Michelle Payne's a good hoop too. Maybe Soul Diva for 3rd, who will appreciate the easier grade here. Tough race to start on, but i think E/W Hooker Road is a reasonable option.

Race 2 - Now this is just bad. Maybe Chasin Tail can return to some form but i wouldn't want to be on at the price they'll be betting. He put 3 or 4 together last campaign in and around town so if he can get anywhere near those figures, he'll be tough to stop. Aerosol can lead here, and he goes very fast when the jock lets him roll. If he doesn that, he can stick on pretty well...he's generally good odds too. Natale is a horse with ability and can improve off the last run here. Having said that, he might need one or two more runs but he definately bears some watching.

Race 3 - Mesmerising gets her last chance here. If she can't beat this lot, over this distance, then she is officially sacked. She has more ability than her last few have indicated, so if she gets back to any of her better runs, then i think she wins it. That is a big if though . Tycoon Rose can run a race here too. Back in fillies and mares grade, i think shes got a massive chance to at least place. Doesn't win out of turn, but always puts in. La Danske is a chance too, from the good alley and the good hoop on board. Otto is a smart trainer too. Often these Kiwis improve at their second run over here too, so this one bears some watching.

Race 4 - Not a bad 2yo race here, though some of the interest has gone with the scratching of Go Sequalo. Nevertheless, theres nothing wrong with the rest of them. Well i think its time for Sweet As. She has had things go wrong the last few, but is starting to develop as one who has 'potential' but never shows it. This is a field she can beat if she is any good, and from the 3 alley, i think she can. The Sunny Coast track should be good too, the long straight gives the backmarkers plenty of time to wind up. Inthemix has ability too, and may derive some benefit from the last run. Maund has been having a great run lately, and this field isn't top notch, so theres no reason why this one can't do something. De Castella did look good last time and there is definately good improvement in the horse - having had only 1 start . Good chance.

Race 5 - Same as last race, some of the interest has gone out with Grecolo being scratched. I'll sit back and wait for Rumbird to win one before i fall into short odds about him. He has undeniable talent, but needs to win at this level before i take him seriously at short odds. I like Teletrader. He has been disappointing on face value lately, but he meets much easier grade here and i think he can win. He hasn't exactly had bad jockeys lately either (Beadman, Katsidis, Byrne). Well Prend is the most annoying horse on the planet, from my perspective. I've seen her put in mesmerising finishes, and then i've seen her battle to the line when she should probably have done more. Given that, as i said above, this is a slightly easier 3yo town field, i think she can improve again to go close. The Sunny Coast track suit her, with the long straight...so all she needs is some speed on. Shale Shaker is a horse i've got a bit of time for, he has ability and might be one to bob up at massive odds.

Race 6 - Well, unlike Mav and Raw, i like La Sizeranne here. Her last win was dominant and she did it against a pretty good field. Given that, and the fact that this field isn't overly strong for a Glasshouse, i think she can win. She does need the speed on, but with Mitanni engaged (and to a lesser extent, Umaprince) it should be on. Rodd is riding in great form too, you should never have any worries backing one of his in these sort of races. Mitanni tried valiantly to lead all the way way at EF last time (not an easy task, i might add). If Colless can hold him up a little bit, he can go close here. He has run some good races at this track too, so that holds no fears. Birthday Bash won well at the coast race time and while this is a massive jump in class, this horse has always had ability and won't be far off at the death i think. 20s or 30s is overs, for mine.

Race 7 - Well, i like Sphenophyta a fair bit. He dropped them in a few strides at Ippy the other day and the way he let down suggests that the distance here won't be a problem. He did get a little bit tired at the end of the race, but he was entitled to given the tough run he had. With some speed on here, i really think he can win this one. Ring of Fire has some pretty big wraps on him and the last win was pretty good, but i just think Sphen has the better gear change at this stage. Plus, i'm not sure how much the Tatts Cup has taken out of this bloke, it was a wet track and they didnt seem to be making light work of it. That said, he has obvious talent and shouldn't be taken lightly. Empyreal has followed much the same path to this race as he did last year and should be taken seriously given that he won it by 5 or so lengths. What is the world coming to? I've picked a kiwi trifecta...

Race 8 - Think Lasting Luck can improve here on her home track. The sting out will help and the 5 alley and Byrne is great. I like her at the odds. Testify has ability too and can figure in this race if there isn't much speed on. He'll appreciate not running inot Starlactic here too . Deputy Deal is a chance in this sort of race too, with the claim.

Not a bad day today, with my best being La Sizeranne and Sphenopyta with E/W chances going to Teletrader and La Danske.

Good luck all,

Sven