Daily Double (Races 6&8) Warwick Farm trainer Peter Snowden has the lightly raced Imvula set to break back into the winners' circle in this after scoring here when second-up two starts ago. Imvula was not suited at Randwick last weekend by a wet track when not disgraced in the Craven Plate, a much tougher event than this. In the second leg of the double, the Paul Cave-trained German Chocolate looms as one of the toughest to hold out. German Chocolate struggled to gain clear running when he resumed with a third to My Vegas and Belong To Many at this track and will strip fitter for this. He can overcome the wide draw with the three kilogram apprentice allowance of Nathan Berry. The danger is the Guy Walter-trained Bobadah, which ran the worst race of his life when last in the Cameron Handicap. Before that Bobadah's form was first-class.
7/ 1,4 = 2 combinations. THE BEST BET Fist Of Fury, Race 4 The John O'Shea-prepared Fist Of Fury was on the Kensington track on debut, and the colt by Weekend Hussler's sire Hussonet attacked the line in great style to score a strong victory. Fist Of Fury was ridden by Hugh Bowman at his first start but with that jockey down to ride at Caulfield today, Glyn Schofield takes over the mount. Fist Of Fury was also an acceptor for the opening race today but O'Shea chose to take on this race in which he has drawn well in gate two. "He is a promising horse and we had a bit of a rap on him before he won at his only start," O'Shea said yesterday. "I expect him to perform well again on Saturday, although it is a step up in grade for him."
THE NEXT BEST Imvula, Race 6 Before heading for a spell following its autumn campaign, talented performer Imvula was placed behind Rockwood, which lines up as a chance in today's Toorak Handicap at Caulfield. Imvula resumed with a satisfactory effort on the Kensington track before enjoying a good run in transit from a good gate and winning here two starts ago. Imvula stepped out again but failed to handle the wet track at Randwick last weekend when unplaced behind Lorne Dancer in the Craven Plate. He is much better suited today, stepping back from weight-for-age grade to handicap company, and he gets in with 54.5 kilograms, which gives him a 1.5kg advantage over main danger Faulconbridge, which has won four in a row since resuming.
THE BANKER The Astronomer, Race 3 When debuting at Canterbury in midweek grade, the Guy Walter-trained The Astronomer scored a win that indicated he has above-average ability. The Astronomer settled in a handy position early before suffering a check that cost him ground and caused him to settle further back than anticipated. The Astronomer hit the line gamely to score a narrow but strong win, and while this is a step up in grade, he has the potential to go on with the job. "Not many horses win the way he did on debut," said jockey Rod Quinn, who takes over the mount on The Astronomer from Glen Boss, who was aboard on debut and will ride in Melbourne today. "He takes on a couple of handy and better-grade performers on Saturday but I'm sure he is up to the task." The Kris Lees-trained last-start third placegetter Silent But Deadly, which came in behind Montana Flyer at Randwick last weekend, is a chance again, while Boys Will Be Boys and Judge Me Not, as well as Rock Kingdom and Precedence, have place claims.
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