RACE COMMENT

OVERVIEW: There are a few lightly raced, progressive horses still learning their craft heading into this event. On exposed form, SNACK LOVER (5) has the best sectional times, despite having four starts and being well beaten. He ran a personal time of 1:53.9 on debut when third at Melton in October last year. He’s been a bit unlucky since and has raced some top horses. FIVE CENT (8) produced a career-best run at Maryborough on Monday, racing three wide for most of the trip and still finishing second. If he can back up from the short turnaround and replicate that performance, he is a strong chance. MISSMALACHITE (2) is a 40-start maiden but has placed in three of her last five starts and maps well from barrier two. GOODLOOKINGDEAL (6) was third on debut when leading and being pressured last week at Melton. He will improve from that run, although the barrier is awkward here. BACK: SNACK LOVER (5) – 2.5 units (win)