I generally try to avoid these short course sprints at Gatton, but Arrow Express does look like she will be very tough to beat. Arrow Express is a filly with speed to burn and she was far too good for her rivals over this track and distance last start. She will go straight to the front from the inside barrier draw and will prove very tough to catch.
Kris Lees has wasted no time stepping Alam Mo Na up to 2100 metres and she does give the impression that she will relish the step-up in trip. She has found the line nicely in her two race starts to date and she maps to get a lovely run in transit with Brenton Avdulla in the saddle. I think she has far more upside than the rest of this field and is deserving of her status as a short-priced favourite.
Ragazze did not handle the heavy going one bit last start at Warwick Farm and I am willing to forgive her for that performance. Her first-up win before that was strong and she had won over this track and distance in the past. She will need a touch of luck in running, but this isn’t a strong race and she can return to winning form.
Venezuela was not disgraced when he made his Australian racing debut with a sixth place finish at Ladbrokes Park and he should take good improvement from that effort. This is a genuine drop in class and it would not surprise if Anthony Darmanin elected to ride him aggressively in the early stages of the race.