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Emma Reeves aids us with programming and identifies who she thinks is the best placed horse each weekend.  Surfin’ Bird, Saturday 16th May, Scone, Race 9: I’m looking forward to this weekend because I always find it’s a very successful one for us across both states. Although Surfin’ Bird is yet to win in Stakes company, she proved that she is well and truly up to it two weeks ago when just getting her head down a stride past the post. She races the girls once again, the extra 100 metres will suit and the handicap conditions mean that she’s much more suitably weighted than she was last time.She’s such a lightly raced mare that it’s hard to tell, but she seems to race very well when fresh. I’ve heard nothing but positive comments from her foreman and riders since her first up run though, so I’m happy to overlook any concerns there. This has been a long range plan for her and I think the puzzle pieces are coming together nicely. I think she’ll be hard to beat and hopefully secure her position amongst the Queensland Carnival team. ​  

WEDNESDAY 3rd JUNE - WARWICK FARMRail Position: +3M EntireLADY INVICTUS, Race 3, 1100m, 2.00pm, R Bayliss, 56.5kg Lady Invictus is delighting us ahead of her first-up run. She has had two trials to prepare her for this race, and she took plenty of improvement from her first one to win her most recent one at Rosehill in decisive fashion which was very encouraging to see. These two hit outs have given her a solid fitness grounding for 1100 metres first-up, and Warwick Farm is a very inviting track where we have a lot of success so it’s a lovely place for her to kickstart her preparation. She’s drawn to do no work in barrier 2, so Regan will be positive from there to utilise her natural speed and make his own luck on or close to the lead. She’s firing on all cylinders and whilst kicking off in town won’t be easy, we expect her to give her a good account of herself to get her campaign off to an exciting start.GRAPHIC SIGHT, Race 5, 1100m, 3.10pm, T Clark, 59kg Graphic Sight is in great shape ahead of his return. He took significant improvement from his first trial to finish second in his most recent outing at Gosford where he relished the trip away from home, and after which Tim Clark was very complimentary about him. He was victorious when last first-up over this distance at Goulburn in July where he broke his maiden, and whilst that’s a much easier grade than this it showed he can go well fresh and that he also handles wet tracks. He’s had plenty of time off since he last raced in September, but this has enabled him to mature properly and he’s also been gelded which many deem the ultimate gear change, so Adrian and I are confident that he’s open to significant improvement this preparation. Tim will let him land where he’s comfortable from barrier 9 and there’s probably going to be a few a bit quicker than him, so we imagine he’ll settle just in behind the speed. You don’t often find Benchmark 64 races in town and for this one to be restricted to 3 and 4 year olds makes it a very suitable starting point for him, and we expect him to be hitting the line strongly to get his preparation off to an exciting start.SOLAR ARMY, Race 6, 2200m, 3.45pm, A Hyeronimus, 61.5kg Whilst his finishing position doesn’t suggest it, Solar Army ran an improved race at Scone last time. He was up in grade and managed to travel closer to the speed, and he was still only a couple of lengths from the leader with a furlong to run before just being outsprinted in the run to the line. He’s taken further improvement from the experience, and this step up in distance third-up promises to suit him down to the ground. He’s back to midweek grade so he’s got more weight on his back as a result, but Adam’s a natural heavyweight rider which ensures he’ll carry minimal deadweight in the form of lead which is always our preference. Adam will be positive from barrier 11 to try and slot him into a position where he can get some cover and travel comfortably in the run, and with the favourable forecast the track should dry out somewhat between now and race day. He’s capable of running a big race and we expect him to be very competitive.THURSDAY 4th JUNE - HAWKESBURYRail Position: TrueSTARDUST MEMORIES, Race 2, 1100m, 12.35pm, R Bayliss, 58kg Stardust Memories was disappointing on debut at Kembla and we certainly expected to see more from here following her promising trial performances. Zac felt she may not have been at her most effective on the rain affected track there, but she’s likely going to encounter a similar surface here given the vagaries of the weather at present. However, we’re hopeful that the combination of her stripping fitter with the benefit of a run under her belt and the slight drop in distance to 1100 metres see her in a better light. Regan will let her roll forward from barrier 6 to land where she’s comfortable, most likely either on or close to the speed, but hopefully she can harness her energy and relax nicely in the middle stages to leave her with plenty left in the tank over the concluding stages. This is another nice race for her against her own sex, so we’re hopeful that with the benefit of race experience she can take a step forward and feature in the finish.