Proven performers again stole the spotlight last Friday when heats were conducted on the course proper but still some lesser lights to take note of.
Stakes winning sprinters Heatherly (two) and Badajoz (seven) won their respective heats comfortably while the James Cummings-trained Tarquin showed surprising speed to win heat four over the Levi Kavanagh-trained Smart Stiletto.
Friday's heats were on the outside of the course proper, starting from the 2000m.
Click here to see the 11 heats.
Racenet has listed three relatively unexposed horses it may pay punters to follow in the coming weeks.
LADY OF FLANDERS
Jumped from near the inside in heat eight and rated just off the early speed set by the Mike Moroney-trained Dilemma Fish with the Tony McEvoy-trained Concealer on her outside. Always travelling sweetly and came through to join Concealer over the concluding the stages, together through the line in 50.69 seconds and both on the bridle. A three-year-old filly by Viking Ruler and trained by Nigel Blackiston, Lady Of Flanders showed good ability in her three starts last preparation, culminating in a win over 1200m at Sale. Rated 62 and kept in the right grade she should be winning more races. Concealer is a mature mare now and if she is over her issues she is clearly stakes class. Crimson And Clover is a nicely bred, unraced daughter of Sepoy trained by Danny O'Brien and was not given a hard time in behind.
Career (3-1:2:0)
SOLO HEART
Jumped one from the outside in heat nine and travelled strongly all the way, not put under any pressure to finish second to the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained Spend Up in 51.30 seconds. Given a slap to concentrate as he approached the gap where the 1400m chute joins the course and through the line with ears pricked, beaten a neck and happy to continue on under his own steam. A four-year-old by So You Think and trained by Chris Waller, Solo Heart won his maiden at Cranbourne and was far from disgraced last time out over 2000m at Flemington in June. Only rated 62 and might need a couple of runs to get out to a suitable distance but he looks to have scope for improvement.
Career (4-1:0:1)
RED LIBERTY
Jumped from the outside in heat four under Damien Oliver and keen to go faster early. Started to get a little tired 200m out and not asked to do anything, through the line in fifth of eight behind Tarquin, beaten 1 1/4-lengths. Lovely stamp of a four-year-old by Iffraaj and trained by Danny O'Brien who has plenty to work with. Only had the one start when seventh over 1240m in June at Geelong in the maiden won by stable mate Tahi and should come on for this experience.
Career (1-0:0:0)
