A $7.1 million jackpot provides a little added flavour for tomorrow's Triple Trio and John Size's aptly named In The Bank can do his part for players in the final leg.
This tenacious type notched his first local success at Happy Valley over 1,200 metres on April 17 in just his second local start following a promising effort on debut. As he is still in Class Four he should prove hard to beat again.
Also successful on his last outing was Northern Rose, who prevailed over 1,400 metres in a performance that was more impressive than the bare facts suggest. He has picked up prizemoney on all five starts this term and looks good enough to take the step up to the next grade.
Check Mate defied the marked track bias when coming from near last on the turn to finish fourth behind A Plus Fit on March 27 over 1,400 metres. He had been holding his form well prior to that and is worthy of inclusion.
The booking of Douglas Whyte aboard Touch Of Class is worth noting, as always, and suggests this fellow can fill a minor placing, while Flying Kenny displayed some improvement in an all-weather trial on April 16 and must be kept safe.
The logical selection in the opening leg has to be Country Music, who looks destined to rise a good deal higher in the ratings. His second behind Always Flying over 1,000 metres looks even better now with third-placed Special King Prawn winning last weekend.
Golden Care finished seventh to Always Flying but stuck on gamely all the way to the line and should appreciate the step up in distance.
