Mixed Spice got too far back last time out, but her inside draw tonight should be beneficial and she looms as a live chance again. The daughter of Dyna Villa produced a huge performance to win at the track and distance two runs back and her overall form from inside boxes is excellent. She just needs a bit of luck in transit to be in the finish once more.
Shield Me has been in fantastic order this time and strikes another very winnable one at Albion Park this afternoon. His dominant win at Ipswich three starts back was followed up with a rare lacklustre showing at this track and distance, but he responded with another easy win here last time out and is rock-hard fit for this assignment. Shield Me will make all his own luck from Box 1 and looks tough to beat.
Speed Star has been just that for Anakie-based trainer Andrea Dailly and will be extremely tough to beat in the sixth at Ballarat tonight. Thirteen wins and twelve minors from only thirty starts is how the ledger reads for the talented son of Fernando Bale so far and his form this time has been typically outstanding. He was luckless in running and checked at this track and distance last time out and with even luck, can atone.
Blocker Tifia has been a consistent performer throughout his racing career and is good enough to win a race of this calibre, at a nice price. The three-year-old ran on well to finish third after being caught behind early traffic at Healesville two starts back and was last seen flashing home to win over 520m at Sale. A repeat of that effort would find him very hard to beat again.