Cambridge Synthetic Tips & Preview | Thursday 9 July

Alezando (#5) is a 3yo Ferrando filly heading into this at start number five for the Rogerson/Isdale barn. She comes into this off a last-start peak figure, running a much improved race for 2nd here at this course and distance, and should be better again heading here third-up. Expect her to lead from the low draw in a race that looks to have an even-genuine tempo engaged. If Jasmine Fawcett can steal a cheap furlong out in front, she should take some catching. 

Lhasa (#1) heads here second-up, last seen finishing 6th at Ellerslie in much stronger company than he meets here, where he sat up on speed throughout before fading late. The drop back to 1300m looks ideal and he gets back on to his favourite track, where he’s won 6 from 9. He can take up a handy position from the wide gate, where most of the pressure looks to be drawn to his outer. He’s carried big weights to success in the past and should give a good account of himself again here. Looks a great price to find out. 

Heliosa (#7) is a 3yo Hello Youmzain filly resuming here for Lance Noble, last sighted finishing 7th at Te Aroha where she went under as a well-supported favourite. She finds a winnable maiden for her resumption, considering the calibre of 3yos she has done much of her racing against to date. Expecting Craig Grylls to be positive early from the wide draw in a 970m contest that doesn’t look to have an abundance of early pressure on paper. Should take plenty of beating. 

The Perfect One (#5) comes here first-up, last sighted finishing a long last on a Heavy track at Te Rapa back in April, where he undid himself in the run by racing very ungenerously. He looks suited getting on to even footing here despite being untried on the polytrack, and maps to get back in the field from his middle draw in a race that looks as though it’ll be run at a frantic tempo. Possesses the turn of foot to be finishing over the top late if he can find his best in a fresh state. 

El Speedy Man (#2) didn’t fire at Te Rapa last start, where he was slow away and looked to be struggling to keep up with the field throughout. He looks much better placed switching back to the polytrack, where he produced two very good 2nd placings prior to that last-start flop. Going off how he had been running out his races over 1550m prior, and being a son of Reliable Man, the step up to 2000m here looks a logical progression. Can run a vastly improved race. 

Erase (#5) was aggressively placed in R75 company at Tauranga last start off a maiden win here prior, but ran a great race for 3rd after leading at modest fractions. He looks suited getting back to the course and distance where he broke his maiden two starts back, clearing out for a 5.9L win after leading that day also. While there does look to be some speed influences drawn outside him, he should again be either leading or trailing from his handy gate. Should be thereabouts in what looks a very even field. 

Altiplano (#1) is a consistent maiden galloper who added another 2nd placing to his CV here last start, looming up to win before again finding one better on the day. He remains at the same course and distance but now finds himself drawn wide in a race lacking tempo on paper, where I expect George Rooke to push forward and have him up on speed throughout. Looks to get another great chance to get his maiden win. The horse to beat. 

Top Dollar (#7) was finding the line with good purpose first-up at Ellerslie over 1200m – a distance well short of his best. He should have taken plenty of improvement from that run and looks much better suited out over 1550m second-up. He should be able to hold a midfield position with cover from his handy draw, and Tom Wigram’s 4kg claim sees him carrying just 52kg here. Expecting him to run a bold race. 

Bertie Wooster (#1) comes here off a last-start 9th at Ellerslie that was better than it appears on paper, where he was caught very wide throughout and also ran into a dead-end halfway down the straight. He drops right back in grade for this and showed two starts back that he can let down strongly on the synthetic footing also. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him settle a couple of pairs closer from the better draw in what looks a race with only an even tempo engaged. Very happy to be with him at the price.