James Cummings-trained Highlands the best bet of Thursday’s Echuca races

A Godolphin three-year-old can build on a promising first-up run while the Patrick Payne stable will produce the best value runner of the day at Echuca on Thursday.

Godolphin trainer James Cummings can post an Echuca win with promising maiden Highlands on Thursday. Picture: Getty Images

Herald Sun and Racenet form analyst Brad Waters looks at Thursday’s Echuca meeting.

BEST BET
HIGHLANDS (Race 5 No. 3 – $3.20)
Highlands resumed with a sound third at Mornington and will be significantly improved for that outing. No reason he can’t break through at Echuca.

NEXT BEST
ROSA JULIET (Race 1 No. 11 – $3.70)
Rosa Juliet showed good ability at all three runs last time in and has had more time to develop. Expecting a bold first-up run from the perfect gate.

CHARGENLIKEPLUMA (Race 8 No. 1 – $6.50)
Chargenlikapluma raced well last time in and was competitive in this grade before a spell. He’ll go close at Echuca.

VALUE BET
XAPHAN (Race 2 No. 8 – $12)
The Patrick Payne-trained Xaphan is hard fit after another solid run at Mornington last time. A rise in trip will suit the filly on Tuesday.

THE JOCKEY
Jordan Childs has a book of seven rides at Echuca on Thursday. NEWZOU (Race 1 No. 10 – $9.50), SCORCHED LANE (Race 2 No. 9 – $26), SACRED INGOT (Race 3 No. 7 – $9.50), RETOURNE (Race 4 No. 7 – $61), HIGHWAY TO HELL (Race 5 No. 4 – $4.60), TUTANKHAMUN (Race 7 No. 11 – $10), ZIPPY ZOO (Race 8 No. 13 – $23).

Originally published as James Cummings-trained Highlands the best bet of Thursday’s Echuca races