Elite Sand And Soil (Bm88)

South Of India rates on the back of proven first-up form (2 wins from 5 resumptions), a sharp trial performance (2nd, beaten only a nose), and a soft-ground record of 4 wins from 9 starts that suits today's conditions. Barrier 1 gives the horse every chance to settle in a soft run, and the 33% career strike rate across 21 starts points to genuine consistency. Watch whether recent form holds up, as that is the main concern against a solid traditional case built on freshness and trial-day sharpness.

Istolea Merc resumes today with a strong fresh record of 2 wins from 4 first-up starts and is among the quickest recent time figures in the field, running 1.6 seconds under the track average. The horse has a solid 36% career strike rate (5 from 14) and is well suited to the trip with 3 wins from 6 starts over 1100m. Barrier 2 should allow a soft run into the race. Watch whether the horse's usual class profile holds up in the conditions today.

Colourful Emperor resumes today with a soft barrier 3 draw, backed by trainer/jockey combinations (G Ryan & S Alexiou/Rachel King) striking 68% above expectation across their last 100 runs, which is the core strength of this case. The horse is winless first-up (0 from 5) but has struck once into the prep (1 from 5 second-up), so watch closely for early pace and positioning in the first few furlongs. First-time blinkers suggest the stable sees room for sharpening, and a good run today could set up a pattern already favoured by the numbers. The key thing to monitor is whether Colourful Emperor can break the first-up curse and capitalise on the draw.

Barber's case leans on a recent class move upward combined with a trainer/jockey combination that has struck at 213% above expectation over their last 100 runners. The horse has placed in 3 of 8 first-up attempts and handles soft going with 2 wins from 6 starts on that surface, giving it reasonable fitness credentials for today. Watch the first-time blinkers - sharpening gear applied here - as the main thing to monitor for any immediate change in behaviour or focus.

Celui resumes today and has a strong record fresh with 4 wins from 6 first-up starts, which is the core of the case. The horse goes to Randwick where it has 1 win from 3 starts, and the track and conditions suit. A poor barrier draw is the main concern to monitor against those positives.

Torque To Be Sure won last start by half a length at Gold Coast and has trialled well fresh, winning a barrier trial by half a length ahead of today's resumption. The horse placed 2 of 3 first-up, which suggests it handles a break reliably. Jockey Aaron Bullock is riding 22% above expectation across his last 100 rides, adding a real edge to the booking. The main thing to watch is the wide barrier 16 of 16, which will need to be negotiated early.