Fertpro Hcp

Bellasort resumes today off a sharp barrier trial where it was beaten only half a length into second, suggesting it's ready to race. Tony and Maddysen Sears are running 21% above expectation across their last 100 runners, which backs confidence in their preparation. Barrier 1 is ideal for getting a soft run in the early stages. The main watch: this is a first-up run from a spell with no track record on fresh ground, so how it settles and adapts to race pressure will be the key indicator.

Hen's Night resumes today off a sharp barrier trial where it ran 2nd beaten only half a length, suggesting the horse is fit and ready. Barrier 3 offers a soft run in running. First-time blinkers go on as a sharpening aid. The main watch point is its lack of a first-up record — how it handles returning from a spell remains untested.

Jet Two Mars resumes today off a promising barrier trial where it finished 2nd, beaten only half a length, suggesting the horse is track-fit and competitive. The main thing to watch is first-up form — this is the horse's debut run back from a spell, so there's no established pattern yet for how it handles the step up from trial to race day.

Inkwell resumes today off an impressive barrier trial win by 9.5 lengths, suggesting the freshening has done its job. The S W Kendrick and Ben E Thompson combination is striking 43% above expectation across the last 100 runners, a strong indicator of stable and jockey form. The main watch is that this is a first-up run with no established fresh record yet, so how it handles the step up from the trial to race day will be the key test.

Beelzie resumes today off the back of a winning barrier trial (3.5L margin), suggesting good freshness heading into the race. The Michael Nolan/Benjamin Osmond training-and-riding combination is striking at 471% above expectation across their last 100 runners, which is a concrete edge. The main thing to watch is that this is the horse's first run back from a spell with no established first-up record, so the trial form may not translate immediately to race day.

Scartoon's case rests entirely on recent speed: the horse has clocked among the quickest time figures in the field, running 8.5 seconds under track par. However, recent form and class are both concerns that offset this strength. The main thing to watch is whether that speed edge translates in a race where the form profile raises legitimate questions.

Zia Maria's case leans on a red-hot trainer-jockey combination: Barry Lockwood with Emma-Jane Vincent and Damien Boche have struck at 342% above expectation across their last 100 runners, a concrete edge. Recent form and speed are solid enough to merit consideration. The main thing to watch is the barrier draw — listed as a concern — and whether first-time blinkers help sharpen the horse's focus on the day.

Prestige Austria resumes today off a winning barrier trial (half-length margin), which signals fitness and readiness after the break. However, this is a first run back from a spell with no established first-up record to lean on, so early-race behaviour remains unproven. The horse will also need to overcome a wide barrier 10 of 11 — the main thing to watch is whether it can navigate a clean run in the early stages given its outside draw.

Lonesome Star owns the quickest recent time figure in the field at 10.2 seconds under track par and won last start by half a length at Ipswich, establishing concrete speed and momentum credentials. The main thing to watch is the wide barrier 11 of 11, which will demand a clean passage in the run to convert that recent form into a result.