It's hard to tip against Arbeitsam in the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury on Thursday but just as hard to come in at the $1.60 early quote so I'm going away from the feature race to find some value.
Godolphin three-year-old Catesby brings a strong formline to the Cerno Maiden Plate (1300m) after a close second to Super Ex at Kembla last start.
Super Ex wore down Catesby near the line at Kembla and went on to an impressive victory in a benchmark 73 at Canterbury at his next start.
Whilst Catesby couldn't hold off Super Ex there was a margin of over five lengths to the third horse which is generally a good sign as to the class of a performance.
And the maiden gallopers ran quicker time than the class two winner on the day Chatuchak.
Catesby gets the chance to go one better on Thursday.
I'm also happy to have something on the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Coulthard at $4 to defeat the early favourite Sassaby in the Pure Projects Benchmark 65 Handicap (1400m).
A Newcastle maiden winner over 1400m second-up in his first preparation, Coulthard worked home nicely finishing on the placegetters heels over 1200m at Kembla resuming when backed into favouritism and looks well placed stepping up to 1400m second-up.
Coulthard has a 3kg weight advantage over Sassaby which looks to be a decisive factor and is drawn to get all the favours in the run from barrier two.
With Blake Shinn in the saddle, I would much prefer to be on Coulthard at $4 rather than the $3.20 being offered for Sassaby.
