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Anzac Day racing takes place today at Royal Randwick, where Extremely Tempted returns in the 2YO Handicap over 1100 metres.

Will Hudson aids us with programming and identifies who he thinks is the best placed horse each weekend. Extremely Tempted, Saturday 25th April, Royal Randwick, Race 1: Extremely Tempted couldn’t have been more impressive when winning on debut at Hawkesbury. It was a city-grade maiden and the options for two year olds that have won a race are limited, as you’re often forced into Stakes races. As such, this Saturday grade handicap is about as gentle a steppingstone as he can get. He sticks to 1100 metres but Randwick’s a stiff track and he maps to lead from barrier 7, so Regan should be able to get him travelling comfortably and set some even sectionals in the middle stages of the race. This is a lovely progression for him before he hopefully goes on to contest some bigger races up north, and I expect him to be hard to beat.  

WEDNESDAY 29th APRIL - KEMBLARail Position: +3m 1100m-W/Post, True RemainderROSA INCANTA, Race 7, 1400m, 4.45pm, R Bayliss, 58.5kg Rosa Incanta is thriving ahead of her return. She’s had three trials so she’s as fit as we can get her, and she was dominant in victory in her most recent one at Canterbury. 1400 metres is a lovely starting point for her as she’d be vulnerable to speedier types over anything shorter, and she’s drawn to do no work in barrier 1 so Regan will be positive from there to try and land on or close to the speed. From there she should be able to travel comfortably in the run over this distance, and Kembla’s an expansive track so she shouldn’t have too many excuses. She’s taking on some older horses here which isn’t easy to do, but this is still a very attractive race to start her off in before we hopefully bring her into town and we expect her to be right there at the finish.WEDNESDAY 29th APRIL - CAULFIELD HEATHRail Position: +3m EntireWISHFUL THINKER, Race 8, 1200m, 4.55pm, J Stanley, 59kg Wishful Thinker has taken everything in his stride since arriving at our Flemington stable. He’s such a professional gelding and he loves his job, so he just gets on with it with the minimum of fuss. He ran a very creditable race when finishing third at Hawkesbury last time, as the first run outside of maiden grade is always notoriously tricky but he fought on bravely and wasn’t beaten far at all. The 1400 metres seemed to see him out on that occasion, and whilst we aren’t saying he won’t be effective over it in time he’s got plenty of speed, so for now we’ve decided to drop him back in trip slightly. He’s drawn to do no work in barrier 1 so Jett will ride him with intent from the outset to try and secure the lead, as being able to dictate to his rivals around this tight track will aid his chance. This race is restricted to his own age group which is always our preference where possible, but it hasn’t been missed by other trainers as there are plenty of unexposed up and coming types in opposition so it won’t be easy. However, he’s a tough gelding who tries hard and hopefully he’ll take plenty of catching.THURSDAY 30th APRIL - WYONGRail Position: +3m EntireKNOWING LOOK, Race 1, 1625m, 12.15pm, T Clark, 56.5kg Knowing Look is doing everything right ahead of this run. On the face of it her sixth placing at Hawkesbury looks a bit disappointing, however she fought on courageously when headed and she was only 3 lengths from the winner at the line. She simply found the 1400 metres a touch too sharp for her in that grade, so she’s going to relish stretching out to 1600 metres here and it has the potential to unlock plenty of improvement. Tim got a terrific tune out of her first-up at Newcastle so we’re delighted that he can ride her again here, and he’ll be positive from barrier 8 to try and secure the lead as she’ll be well suited by a genuine end to end gallop. This is a lovely race for her against horses that have only won one race, and we’re confident she can take another step forward and feature in the finish. REVOLUTIONARY STAR, Race 7, 1100m, 3.50pm, R Bayliss, 58kg Revolutionary Star blotted his copybook when misbehaving at Gosford on Saturday which resulted in him being scratched. We’ve since had him back at the barriers at home to give him a positive experience, and our team will be alive to his quirks come race day to try and prevent a repeat. He gave us all such a big thrill when winning first-up over 1100 metres at Gosford. The leaders went hard up front so he was able to stalk a hot speed, and there was no faulting his attitude late as he took an inside run and responded gamely to the line. He’s come through that in brilliant order and he’s been full of confidence since, so he’s thriving ahead of this outing. Wyong is a similar track to Gosford so we’re confident he’ll handle its demands, and whilst he’ll probably appreciate slightly further in time he won over 1100 metres first-up so he sticks to this distance for now. He’s drawn an outside barrier in 10 so Regan will likely have to slot in and let him land where he’s comfortable in the run, much like he did first-up this preparation. The first run outside of maiden grade is never easy and this is no exception, as he’s taking on several older and more seasoned horses. However, he’s still unexposed and open to plenty of improvement so we expect him to rise to the challenge and run a big race.