Mescaminto showed good improvement to finish midfield at Benalla a couple of weeks ago over the mile.
The Kermadec mare was three weeks between runs that day and showed some real speed from out wide to just miss out on a place.
She’s proven effective on wet tracks in the past and rates a good each-way chance in an open race.
Obfuscation looks beautifully placed coming off a couple of strong performances at Sandown.
He overcame a wide run in transit to miss out narrowly in a good go for the line a few weeks ago, a run he can only improve on dropping in class.
A little sting out of the track won’t worry him and he is deserving of his status as a short-priced favourite.
Damien Thornton has a 22% strike rate for the Freedman team and was responsible for Striking Plains’ maiden win over this track and distance last time out.
The pair unleashed with a nice turn of foot 100m from the post, fending off a late challenge to win by half a length.
This is slightly tougher, but four weeks between runs, there’s no reason he can’t go on with it.
Lunar Hero came off a three-week break to find the minors over the track and distance here last start.
He looked home and hosed at one point but was only gunned down late in his final few strides.
The decision to race on the quick turnaround warrants enormous respect, and I think a potentially soft track might help his cause.