Hey Mav,

Back at EF this week, should be good for a change. Weather is great up here after the rain of last week...which along with the good size fields, should make for a good days racing.

Race 1 - Well all the rage is Mr Hornblower after what happened last time. Im willing to go around him for the top spot though, as i am also not completely convinced on Plumb and because he may just be one of those horses who constantly runs into trouble. I've settled on Elegant Roi because he will appreciate the drop back to 1400m and he will be on pace. Raedecker takes the 3 off which puts him in with a feather weight from a good gate. He'll do me. Mr Hornblower for 2nd. You couldnt leave him out after what happened last time. Put General Patton in this and he'd win by a margin. Phoenix Express for 3rd. Has a good finishing burst, but coming back to 1400m doesn't appear to suit....altho i can see a bit of speed here.

Race 2 - Pretty poor stayers race, as usual. Settled on Eskimo Dan with no confidence on the strength of his good performance in winning last time. He seems to be on the rise, which is more than you can say about the balance of this field. Big Mick seems to be attracting some attention here this morning, and with good reason. His effort last time was very good, and 3 kgs off his back, has to be given a big chance to knock off the fav. King Latarmiss for 3rd, who has talent but is not the most reliable bloke going around.

Race 3 - Well Sea Zulu is all the rage here. I think he'll be too strong for them here. Altho it is only Northern Queensland form, he has been winning well and in fast time. With the good alley, i think he'll be too good. Not bet race though, with the apprentices going around . Mersey Beat can improve too, in the poor field. Forgive the last run, in the hot C6 field won by My Son Day. The runs before that were very good and would see him competitive here. Private Frisco might be able to run a race here too, with some speed on - 3rd pick.

Race 4 - Well i think the top 2 are the way to go (no surprises there). I've settled on Takeitall because he will be a better price and has drawn a better alley. He was very impressive at Doomben last time and you'd think the extra ground and the bigger straight will suit even more. Given that, i'm willing to gamble on him. How Brave was good last time, but i really can't see why there is so much hype yet - he hasn't beaten anything. The drop back in distance is not ideal either. Having said that, he has been winning and these aren't the greatest set going around. Vargas Girl performed well last time and meets How Brave much better on the weights. Could sneak at place at odds.

Race 5 - Well King Of Trumps is all the rage, but i am a little worried about what Phil said on his site. Not being one who can spot problems easily yet, and knowing that Phil is generally on the mark, i'll sit up and take notice. I'm still going to tentatively put him on top because i can't see any others who are any good, but im not confident. The way he has been finishing off has been great, but its a concern that he seems field-shy. He's always so far off them at the turn, that he has to make up 10+ lengths. Not worth a bet at $3 for mine. Make Music has opened short in early markets, which is a surprise. He is still lightly raced though, and might be able to run well here. Nediym's Image needs to win one in town before i jump on, but has been racing consistently.

Race 6 - Enthusiast should be too good here. Has been racing against better horses than these, and the scratching of Spur Me On takes a lot of the speed out. He'll sit close to the speed and kick away and be too strong, i think . Cajun Steel shouldn't be underestimated though. If there is good speed and the leaders begin to paddle, this is the one to get them. Has been running some good races in Northern NSW with big weights - strong chance. Picablu for 3rd, who should appreciate the shorter trip.

Race 7 - Good race. I like Rock on Bye. Horse on the up who can run good time. Has a great alley for Pope to put her where she feels comfortable, i think she'll go close. Devil Inside is a nice mare who also can run good time - has a win over La Montagna to her credit too. The only issue i see here is the 1200m at EF. I think it might be slightly too far for her, especially with speed on. Anca for 3rd who is a quality mare and i wouldn't be at all surprised if she beat them easily.

Race 8 - Well, i don't know what is going on with Son of Dane, but they just keep scratching him. Because of his scratching, much of the interest has gone out of this race for me. Anyways, Maybe Bunsen Honeydew can get home on the back of some hot speed up front. Rashini has been racing well, but has another bad alley and will probably be trapped deep again. Funlove is in the same boat, but is a good horse and could over come it. Altho i don't think the 1000m suits her perfectly, she was racing against better ones than these during the carnival.

Good luck all,

Sven