NEXT UP

Things are not just competitive amongst the horses but also among the jockeys with Premiership leader Jamie Kah and Damien Oliver finding themselves head to head on key chances throughout the card. 

The fourth race is a prime example of that, Kah switching onto Heart Of Puissance who was unlucky in the Warrnambool Cup and Oliver rides Wyclif who improved when returned to this trip when winning in Adelaide last time and promises to improve even more based on his run/rating from Royal Ascot last season.  

His effort there in a deep handicap was terrific, the form has worked out really well as could be expected, and it all points to Wyclif being fairly smart when stamina is the order of the day. 

His first Australian run beyond 1 1⁄4 m netted a win and it surely won't be his last. Heart Of Puissance got bailed up at the 'Bool and the margin was unfair on the line. Kah going on has been a positive variable all season and his chance here is fairly obvious, but we doubt that chance is any better than Wyclifs and are happy to thow him up as a play. 

In the Straight Six we find Riding The Wave as an each way play around the $10 mark. 

He was never in play in the Wangoom last time with his return there fairly forgivable the way things panned out. He gets back to the straight course where his best effort over the summer came. Firmer footing this time surely won't hurt either. 

It's obviously very competitive stuff but he's about as good as any of them at his best and looks a worthy gamble at the odds.  

THE MELBOURNE MAIL 

Bet Of The Day: Race 4 #3 Wyclif @ $5.00

Each Way Play: Race 8 #10 Riding The Wave @ $10.00