25/10/26 BOTD & ROTD - NORTHAM R2: #4 MORIKAWA - 100% Wins ($2.60/$1.30) BOTD - TRENTHAM R7: #9 OMEGA BOY - 10/90% ($13.00/$3.60) ROTD

I knew I'd need to watch this replay many times to form a follow, forgive, and forget verdict on the field. AFIREOFGIDGEECOALS No brainer. Forgive and follow. Wow. MARIA LUCIA Not entirely sure what to make of it. Tired from the hot pace, somewhat understandably, but the winner didn't. Might be better 1200m with a sit. HE'S A MACHINO Forgive and follow. Monster run wide the trip from the outside barrier. Huge. Not much else to say. My respect for this colt just grew big time. DAWN DANCER He's one-dimensional and seemingly not up to this class. Odds will be too skinny in easier races, though, so unsure what to do about this one. Love the Corver/Hill combo, though. BOY CRUSH Really good run and had some excuses, but would like to see it get out to 1400m even 1600m this prep. My record with Fernie horses is terrible, so I'll just spectate. AURUM BELLE Live, I thought it was a worse run than it was. Wide the trip, copped a bump, stuck on fairly well all things considered. I wouldn't be surprised to see blinkers go on. We know the horse is good, but it's definitely beatable, and you'd much prefer to side with AFIREOFGIDGEECOALS and HE'S A MACHINO for versatility. BIG RED ZOOM Great ride and becoming a formidable jockey/trainer combination. Can't do much more than 2 from 2, but not too sure that it's a better horse than some of these. Another I'd be keen to see over further. RAKITIN Pretty much retired from the race. Never looked to be comfortable. Will just watch it next start as there was nothing of note in the stewards report. I reckon it looks like a 1400m+ horse, and the breeding sort of agrees. MORIKAWA This was the roughest in the race and I was actually fairly keen on it off its trial. Not a ton of room/luck and finished off nicely, although it did have an economical run. Good ride by Staples. Not sure it can beat some of these over 100m, but definitely keen to follow in something a little easier or against these over 1200m for the time being at least. COS I AM Complete forgive. Unsure where it would have finished without the excuses, but simply can't do anything but rule a line through the run and if you like the horse, don't jump off next start because of the 10th of 13. IN GOOD NICC This was my tip at $20's. Last out the gates - go figure. Lap full of horse at the 200m but nowhere to go. Not just saying this because I tipped it, but shit it would have gone close. We'll take an extra 100m or 200m next start and give whatever race we're in a shake. CHIXFROMTHESTIX Feel sorry for Faithful. Not a lot went right and was just a victim of circumstances and another to completely forgive. Worth another shot against this bunch before assessing where she's actually at. Unsure of the blinkers backfired or not, but would pay to keep an eye on any gear changes too. GENTLE TOUCH Second slowest out the gates but was ordinary. Not up to this level by the looks of it, but would happily back it in something easier.

If you want to do a mini multi @ $8.18 (SB) - RICCARTON R7: #5 SO FEAR - Place - ELLERSLIE R8: #1 EXCITE - Place - ASCOT R8: #5 GALWAY SHAWL - Place

If you want to do a mini multi @ $8.18 (SB) - RICCARTON R7: #5 SO FEAR - Place - ELLERSLIE R8: #1 EXCITE - Place - ASCOT R8: #5 GALWAY SHAWL - Place