Healesville Picks

SPIRIT MAKER strong in winning last start at Balnarring, major contender. WAR OF WISDOM resumes from a spell of 44 weeks. Comes to hand quickly and won at Healesville when last first-up, place claims. GONE AHEAD has placed in two attempts this campaign but disappointed when placing as favourite last start at Healesville and should race on the speed, needs the breaks. THREE PENNY OPERA resumes after a spell of 39 weeks and has had success trialling, place hope.

WINDY WHEELS on a seven day back-up and finished fourth last start at Yea, well placed. PORTUGUESE PARROT only just missed last start, finishing a neck back from the winner at Balnarring and likely to race on the speed, the real danger in the race. MY NAME IS MONTY first start and untrialled, each-way claims. FIRST VENTURE ran 11 lengths back from the winner last start at Seymour and likely to race off the speed, not without each-way claims.

MARCO SPADA strong finishing effort to win last start at Mansfield when fresh and rates highly with Grant Seccombe aboard, perfectly placed. STARLIGHT GLOW back from 26 week spell and rates well on a softer track, in with a chance. SHAHIN strong finishing effort to win last start at Balnarring and Sophie Clayfield a bonus, could threaten. PINDARI POINT short back-up of seven days and won once this prep at Alexandra three runs back, not the worst.

Impossible to go past the top pick. RUSHFORD strong finishing effort to win last start at Wangaratta, serious player. STREET SWAGGER goes well on a softer track and has three placings from four runs this prep, chance to place. SPACE COWBOY drawn ideally and should run fitter for past attempts, needs the breaks. STAR OF MATTNER first-up after 19 week spell and ran 10th at Corowa when last first-up, quinella.

Looks a toss up between the top two selections. SECOND GUESS only just missed last start, finishing a neck back from the winner at Mansfield and should run fitter for past attempts, a close top selection. SHINDIG SUNDAY on a seven day back-up and in the money last start running second at Yea, can figure. SOI COWBOY on debut and racing without trial, each-way claims. JOYAS on a seven day back-up and amongst the placegetters last start running second at Yea, looks threatening.

Hard to split the top two selections. PEPPINO ran four lengths back from the winner last start at Alexandra and likely to race off the speed, a close top selection. PORTOBELLO ROAD a winner at first outing this prep and Dylan Dean has had success aboard previously, right in this. ACHAEUS has placed in two attempts this campaign and in the money last start running second at Balnarring, not without each-way claims. MR ZIGMUND has outstanding form at this track and expected to settle off the speed, in with a chance.