Monday Rewind: State-by-state expert analysis on who to circle and who to bin

OUR experts look back at their metropolitan meetings in their respective backyards on Saturday and give us their assessment of the best and worst performers.

Damien Oliver wins the Sir Jon Monash Stakes on Wild Rain at Caulfield on Saturday.

OUR experts look back at their metropolitan meetings in their respective backyards on Saturday and give us their assessment of the best and worst performers.

Nathan Exelby (The Courier Mail)

Eagle Farm

THE TALKING POINT

The battle for the jockey premiership. As “Brissypunter” noted on Twitter on Sunday: “What a month to be backing (Jim) Byrne and (Jeff) Lloyd. Both riding so hungry and giving mounts every possible.

RIDE OF THE DAY

Travis Wolfgram, Meteorologist, Eagle Farm, Race 8: Took the punt to take the short cut and came up trumps on ground where others dared not go.

Travis Wolfgram rides Meteorologist to the win at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

THREE TO BACK

Monster Of Energy, Eagle Farm, Race 5: Had it parcelled up until the final two strides when he was gunned down by a talented, in form rival. Sure to break through in Saturday grade this time in.

Our Boy Nicholas, Eagle Farm, Race 3: Never a winning hope but worked home nicely. Will be ready for the mile next time and he’s come back well again.

Camdus, Caulfield, Race 6: Negative tactics from the wide draw rendered him no hope here and he didn’t finish off after racing wide. First up run was good. Can turn it around next time.

THREE TO SACK

Fast ‘N’ Rocking, Caulfield, Race 8: Yes, he had no luck, but there’s a reason he’s won only 5/39 and it was on show again on Saturday. He always needs luck. Madness backing him into $2.80 in the big field.

Artibai, Eagle Farm, Race 2: Had the right formline, but his poor strike rate was always a concern and he turned up the fight halfway up the running.

Thurston, Rosehill, Race 4: Had plenty of pre-race admirer, but he’s not much good and losing sequence now extends out over 500 days.

THIS WEEK

Tomorrow: Dalby, Cessnock, Pakenham

Wednesday: Gold Coast, Warwick Farm, Sandown, Morphettville, Belmont

Thursday: Rockhampton, Gosford, Moree, Sale

Friday: Ipswich, Taree, Wagga, Geelong, Broome

Saturday: Doomben, Canterbury, Flemington, Morphettville, Belmont, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Townsville, Newcastle, Lismore, Rosebourne, Darwin

Sunday: Sunshine Coast, Coffs Harbour, Hawkesbury, Bendigo, Moe, Pt Augusta, Kalgoorlie, Hobart, Alice Springs

THE QUOTE

“We were all so busy shovelling the cash on that we forgot it was Fast ‘N’ Rocking we were backing.” Timeform analyst Adam Blencowe acknowledging that superior ratings don’t always equate to success.

Michael Manley (Herald Sun)\

Caulfield

BLITZED

David Hayes and Tom Dabernig winning the first two races. First winner Sebrikka could be a top liner.

Damien Oliver - Top tactical ride to win on Wild Rain.

Damien Oliver wins the Sir Jon Monash Stakes on Wild Rain at Caulfield on Saturday.

BLUNDERED

Campus - Went back and was never in it from wide barrier. Still entitled to have finished on better.

Fast ‘n’ Rocking - Yes he was held up and finished on nicely but $2.80 favourite for a horse with one win a year and a half? Needs everything set up for him to win.

WHO’S HOT

Henry Dwyer and Beirut. Young trainer has showcased his skills getting this borderline mid-week performer to win four in a row.

WHO’S NOT

Fearless Raider - At least on Saturday’s run. In a change of tactics went forward but was beaten a long way out. Worth another chance coming from off the speed.’

HORSES TO FOLLOW

Wild Rain - Should be in for her best campaign and could end up a Group One horse. Worked forward and had the race won a long way from home.

So Si Bon -Finished off strongly in the opening race. This son of So You Think is crying out for more ground.

Lincoln Moore (The Advertiser)

Gawler

BLITZED

Wapping drew the inside and used that to full advantage in the last race at Gawler on Saturday leading throughout for a soft win.

BLUNDERED

Spinning Diamond looked ot have every chance after being backed late in the day before being beaten into third placing behind Lady Hederaj.

HOT

Ben Claridge has enjoyed a great return to race riding from injury with consecutive Saturday wins for Victorian horseman Robbie Laing.

NOT

The Gawler track was bathed in sunshine on Saturday but it wasn’t enough to distract punters from venting their frustration at the bias towards horses who raced on the inside.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

Chapel City, Rothmore, Lake Jackson, War Thunder

Originally published as Monday Rewind: State-by-state expert analysis on who to circle and who to bin