SELECTIONS - 23 April 2005

Belmont 4-7 Plastered is a terrific horse and potentially the best stayer in the country. Is up to open age company for the first time here but you'd struggle to see him being beaten.

Belmont 5-5 Star Laser gets his chance under the conditions of this race to add to his consistent record. Will go to the front, as he usually does, probably with Inzaghi on his outside. He hasn't won beyond 1200m but was narrowly beaten at his only start over 1400m with 58kg as a 3YO. Lakeside Rhythm rated his socks off last time and is the obvious danger.

Caulfield 1-2 The Boot looked home before being picked up late by Shadoways last time after a strong win in a good Maiden at Ballarat. The drop back in distance will be just what the doctor ordered and he should put the boot into the rest of them.

Caulfield 2-3 Braequest looks fantastically well placed here after winning his last 5 runs in the Apple Isle including in open age Class 2, 4 & 6 races before lumping 59.5kg against his own age group last time. I'll mark the danger as Pinions who like Braequest has drawn well and comes off a nice win at Geelong. Topweight Cocinero is a nice horse but has to overcome a big weight and I can't see how he'll get a decent run from barrier 11.

Caulfield 7-1 Mummify is a multiple Group 1 winner with a trillion classes on them who ran 3rd behind Grand Armee last time, which I don't reckon any of the rest of these could do. Gets in with 62kg after the claim, which seems pretty fair and he's won a Group 2 Metropolitan under 60kg. With Perlin out of the race the main danger looks to have been removed.

Cheltenham 1-1 Davout won his first two starts nicely and was then never really in the race when 4th last time. Returns from a spell here in a small field where he'll be able to dictate the speed and then find the line. Danger is probably his stablemate, Morning Colours.

Cheltenham 5-10 Intierra is a dead set stayer in the making who is going to be very well suited at the step up to 1800m. Hasn't been able to get an ideal run at her last two runs and has enough early pace to position well from the inside in this race. The tight Cheltenham track isn't going to suit some of the favourites such as Kylikwong and Redeploy who are backmarkers that are going to be giving Intierra a start at the top of the straight.

Doomben 2-13 Decibeel was first up for over a year when finding the line well off a slow early pace over 1200m. This Zabeel filly won her first start and has obvious talent. The perfect draw and step up to a more suitable distance will suit.

Newcastle 5-3 Northfield Drive is the pick in a race in which I can't work out why John Hawkes would start the odds on favourite, Happier. That horse has come off a Listed race win in fillies' company into an open age provincial race. Disregard age and gender, put Northfield Drive into the race Happier won last time and he probably wins, as well. At the weights and odds I'm prepared to take the talented 4YO bloke against the 3YO filly.

Randwick 1-1 Hadaaf returns to racing after two wins from three starts. Comes off a trial win against a field that has form from only a couple of races, which doesn't seem up to what he was running in.

Randwick 2-8 October Son won his only start at Geelong easily. He worked to the lead that day, was taken on all the way before kicking away and scoring a good win over 1330m. Was given as easy trial, typical of Hawkes, recently and looks to have a heap of upside.

Randwick 3-1 Wasimah is a very talented mare who won nicely first up and will be even better in this. Won narrowly second up last time and the others are only average.

Randwick 4-8 So Determined hasn't got much of a strike rate but neither do most of the rest. The 1400m should be really ideal after two runs from a spell in which he's been flashing home late. Should be good odds and give us a fair run for our money.

Randwick 5-7 Stylish Bow went straight into the black book after her last start performance when off the track all the way at Canterbury yet still too good for some smart fillies. Rises in grade here but looks to have plenty of upside.

Randwick 6-1 So Assertive has a thousand classes on them, which is why he's been given 61kg. His form last preparation includes a 5th in the Epsom behind stablemate Desert War, a Canberra Cup win and a 5th in the Mackinnon behind another stablemate in Grand Armee. Is a 'high speed' staying type who will position up handy and even with the weight should be right in the finish. I expect to see stablemate Cateclipse put on a solid pace, which is its normal racing style.

Randwick 8-3 Xlerate has had two runs in Australia for two even efforts at 1200m in which he's been finding the line hard late in the race. The step up to 1600m will suit this Zabeel gelding as, I suspect, will the dead track, as in his two races he's had a slightly head high action, which is normally a sign a horse is feeling its legs or feet.

Werribee 2-6 Macris Cabin has been backed at her last two starts for two placings. Drops back a notch here to F&M grade and the in form Primmer takes 3kg off so she gets in very well.

Werribee 4-7 It's Ironic is first up from the Ellerton stable, which has been a bit off the boil lately but this one might help get the average back to where it normally is. Tom Campbell is riding well of late and the barrier is no real disadvantage.

Werribee 7-3 Air Kiwi looks well placed stepping up to the trip, as she's a get back and run home horse. Has been a beaten favourite at her last two starts but the conditions really suit today.

Werribee 9-9 La Estancia has two duck eggs beside her name since resuming from a spell however they were in $20K+ races and this is an easier race. Has run well at this trip off a break before and will be nice each way odds.