An eight-race card is scheduled for Sale this Wednesday, with more wet weather on the way.
At the time of writing, the track is rated a Heavy 9, and the rail will stay in the True position for the entire meeting.
It shapes as a challenging day, with competitive, open fields in nearly every race. For a full breakdown of each event, take a look at our Sale tips below.
HIT SQUAD (4) strips fitter second-up for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr.
The four-year-old Irish import was far from disgraced when fourth on debut at Kilmore last month, overracing early where he just lacked the fitness and conditioning to hold on for a place.
He was found to hav a slow recovering post-race, but has been givenn nearly a month between runs to bounce back. On a very wet track this time from a much softer gate, he should be running a much-improved race.
TISSEYRE (12) resumes off a freshen-up for the Keys Team.
She was forward early and set the tempo at Cranbourne last start over the mile, finding a smart debutant a touch better over the concluding stages on her way to finishing second.
Dropping back to 1400m off a break could be key to her chances and she might have a slight class edge against this lineup after competing at Group 2 level during the spring last year.
WONBOYN (2) looks one of the hardest to beat off a 12-week spell.
Michael Kent’s three-year-old shed the maiden tag by 3.2 lengths at Yarra Valley in late March, letting down with a tidy finish down the outside after racing four-wide the trip.
He’s been given a trial between runs to keep him sharp and draws to settle in behind the speed nice and early from the low gate.
THINKYAHOT (6) has the added benefit of some race day experience compared to a few of the first starters in this field.
The son to So You Think has found the money in three of his four starts without winning to begin his career, resuming to finish runner-up at Echuca a few weeks ago where he was held up badly approaching the final furlong.
He’s drawn awkwardly out wide on Wednesday but has shown he can handle a rain-affected track. Looks to have good improvement to come and it helps knowing Luke Nolen has some experience in the saddle.
MAD ABOUT MAGNUS (8) looks ready to take the next step now for the Hayes boys.
This lightly-raced three-year-old jagged her maiden in fine style last month over the track and trip, improving from midfield four-wide to prevail by three-quarters of a length in the end.
Like a few others, he’s untried on wet going, but the inside barrier might help her settle closer to the speed this time and save something for the finish.
PRINCESS MESS (5) just needs to handle the conditions again to earn herself a hat-trick of wins.
The daughter to Puissance de Lune lapped up a similar wet track at Stawell just under a month ago, winning by a decent margin over 1300m thanks to a super ride from Billy Egan.
The pair reunite again here on Wednesday and map to make their own luck up on the speed from the middle gate. Out over slightly further third-up, this girl should be hard to run down.
Hard to go past SULEK (4) dropping back a level after competing at Flemington last time out.
Dom Sutton’s gelding got back around midfield and never really improved on his position, working home only fairly to run sixth in the end.
He was a smart place-getter the run prior at Listed level in the Bendigo Guineas however, and does arrive in peak condition on Wednesday with three runs under his belt. He’ll need to handle the extra weight, but this does rate a nice race for him to prove himself.
BRILLIANTEZZA (10) is worth sticking with.
Patrick Payne’s mare was a two-length winner on debut at Wangaratta in early May before heading to Pakenham, where a slow getaway cost her in the end when beaten 2.6 lengths over the mile.
She was seen doing her best work late mind you, and it’s fair to say the inside gate probably wasn’t to her advantage.
Rock hard fit now and given a few weeks between run, this sets up nicely for her over 1700m with a bit more running room afforded from barrier five.