Summer is here and things are heating up. Today we bring you a preview of three races from all around Australia. On Saturday, feature racing continues in the West and we will bring you a preview of the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic.

BUNBURY (WA) preview

Race 5 – 3yo Handicap, 1200m (6.30pm AEDST)

Trial comment: TESTY SUE sat outside the leader and absolutely booted away late in the straight and wasn’t asked for a great deal. Practically started equal favourite in her only start against Ihtsahymn and Balmont Girl, two three-year-olds who both look top class. Another who should go very well first up.

Race summary: The Bunbury track has been in beautiful condition all season and we head there today for a preview on what looks to be a good card. The rail is at three metres with a cutaway to true in the straight meaning every horse should get their chance.

While 7 RAILTRAIN EXPRESS has only placed once from seven starts, that has been in far better company than this and he should be able to jump straight to the lead here. He is a speedy type and has run his best races when leading.

The horse from the Wolfe stable, 4 DECELERATION went to Esperance for his maiden win and did it easily, as he should have. It is a big step up in class here but he absolutely bolted in at Esperance and had done well in his trials before that. He should be able to settle midfield and can make the jump up to this class.

Based on 5 GRENARDINI’s debut performance you would have to call us crazy for considering him a chance today, but he is much better than that debut run showed. He had some minor health problems when finishing tailed off behind Guardlock and either side of that run he has trialled nicely. He should get a cosy run just behind the speed from barrier 4 and this looks a much better choice of race than Saturday class that he debuted in last start.

6 MAD BRAD started a red hot favourite at his only race start back in July before managing to run into third. On that occasion he settled back as he did in his recent trial, so we imagine he will do the same again today. Normally that would be an issue from barrier 1 but there is a cutaway in the straight today and with the genius Paul Harvey piloting him, it would be no surprise to see him slide up along the fence late.

We were keen on 16 TESTY SUE first-up, however she let us down badly that day. She has been given three weeks between runs and has the blinkers on for this assignment. Although she hung in badly in the straight last time the blinkers will hopefully improve her manners and we imagine that she will settle a bit closer to the front than she did last time.

We are brave enough to forgive 16 TESTY SUE from her first up run and we have her on top today. 7 RAILTRAIN EXPRESS looks to have some ability and 5 GRENARDINI is much better than his debut showed. 6 MAD BRAD and 4 DECELERATION are the next best.

CANTERBURY (NSW) preview 

Race 1 – ATC One Metro Win Handicap 1250m (1.15pm AEDST)

Trial comment: DARCIWOOD — Three career starts. Jumped well and led. Kicked clear in the straight and sprinted very nicely when asked for an effort. A very nice trial and this gelding looks set for a good campaign.

Race summary: A small field but a good one at that. Blackbooker 3 DARCIWOOD may lead as he did in his trial before settling second first-up. The lightly raced 4yo gelding did the job for subscribers first-up albeit, claiming the prize after a protest. No doubt he should have won that race and the protest was a certainty to be upheld. His effort was very good and no reason he can’t go on with it here.

1 I GOT THE GOSS has a fantastic career record, winning 5 from 7 starts and deservedly carries top weight of 59kg here. He won three on end to start his campaign but disappointed when stepping up to 1500m in a strong field at Rosehill last start. Back to 1250m here, no surprise to see him improve and run a good race. The 3yo colt does have to concede weight to older horses including the talented 3 DARCIWOOD which looks the major concern.

Darley is in superb form and 2 PETRIFY must be respected. He too disappointed last start but that was in a good race and he had been in good form prior to that run. Hugh Bowman jumps on board and he can run well. Snowden’s other runner, 4 FRINGED, has a good career record and is down in the weights here. He drifted alarmingly first up and ran accordingly before disappointing again last start. He has the talent to be competitive here but would need to improve from what we have seen of late.

Very confident that 3 DARCIWOOD can lead and run a very good race here. Happy to back him to win.

SALE (VIC) preview

Race 2 – Maiden Plate 1205m (1.35pm AEDST)

Trial comment: ZEDI GOLD just lobbed comfortably in trailing position and travelled very nicely behind the speed. She got a split on the inside early in the straight and cruised up to the leader’s under her own steam. Very nice trial.

Race summary: 11 ZEDI GOLD should be able to lead from barrier two. 6 READY CUZ can box seat just behind the leader from the pole marker and having watched 5 PRIME HOPE trial since her first outing suspect she will press on from the wide gate.

We were really taken with the recent trial of 11 ZEDI GOLD after a five week freshen up. She was good first up when narrowly defeated by Cardinal Kingdom at this track and distance and that race has proved a strong form pointer with the third, fourth and sixth horse winning at subsequent starts. The quick backup from that recent trial to this race fills us with confidence that the filly is flying and with natural improvement for the first up run she is the one they have to beat today. She can dictate the speed to her rivals and give a big kick coming around the home turn.

5 READY CUZ resumes for the Anthony Freedman yard with the blinkers on for the first time here, suggesting she is ready to run a big race fresh. She ran third to eventual Caulfield Guineas winner Long John in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes over 1410M at Flemington last preparation — and boy does that form hold up for a Sale maiden! She had just the one run last preparation when not enjoying the best of luck over 1200M on the Geelong Synthetic and was then immediately spelled. She will likely come up short odds here but she does look hard to beat on form.

1 ARCTIC REIGN was luckless when held up early in the straight at Sale last start and she should have finished closer to the winner. The awkward draw will likely see her drift back in proceedings here but with luck in running she can figure in the multiples.

11 ZEDI GOLD should be each way odds here and we are keen to have something the win and double the place on her.

THE TRIAL FILES’ SELECTIONS 

• Bunbury Race 5 – 16 TESTY SUE (each way)

• Canterbury Race 1 – 3 DARCIWOOD (win)

• Sale Race 2 – 11 ZEDI GOLD (each way)

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