There was a lot to like about the first up performance of Samphire Green.
Having his fist Australian start the Irish bred son of Zoustar didn’t see a lot of clear air in the straight but finished off nicely over the 1400 at Newcastle.
He just had the one start in the UK before heading down under and he finished a very close second over this trip.
With that run under his belt, the rise to the mile looks ideal and barrier one should see him afforded a cosy run.
Invade And Conquer was unlucky not to have won when resuming at Hawkesbury late last month.
After settling back in the field he powered home down the outside and just had to alter course as the leader shifted out.
Beaten only a nose, a protest was lodged but proved unsuccessful.
The son of Invader has now been placed in five of his seven starts and looks to have found a winnable race.
Dylan Gibbons goes onboard and barrier five can see him settle closer in the run.
Mafia returns to the races.
The Written Tycoon gelding showed nice ability early on but hasn’t quite measured up in stronger grade.
He just had the one run last campaign and looked the winner as he shot for home but blundered badly, hitting the rail and losing all momentum.
Sent for a decent break he comes here off two very pleasing trials.
He does race well fresh and gets the advantage of the inside draw.
World Alliance kicks off his campaign and is unbeaten in two first up appearances.
Only lightly raced, the Matthew Smith trained gelding has performed well in all five outings and looks very progressive.
He comes here off two trials and was very strong through the line in his most recent over 1050m at Randwick.