This is a competitive race. FANTASTIC WAY won in good style over the course and distance in mid-October and he meets a three of the horses he beat then again today. He goes up 1.5kg for that, but meets IMA SINGLE MAN better off (by 3kgs) and LUCKY WITH YOU (2kgs) and TORONADO PHANTOM (3kgs) worse off at the weights. There is more pressure in this event, but he should settle handy with a positive ride and appears to have come back in very good order this preparation. It is easy to make a case for Ima Single Man following that clash against Fantastic Way, and he maps to get a soft run. Lucky With You wasn’t far away in the same race and had his chance, but his best is very good, so he’s capable featuring, particularly if the leaders overdo things. ORIENTAL SMOKE is another David Hayes-trained horse and is in the game with the switch back to 1200m. Zac Purton on The Triple Trio was very open about the ride he gave him last time when wide for the entire trip, and coupled with returning with mucus, he had clear excuses. His record over 1200m is now four starts for three wins and a 2nd, which is compelling. I’ll bet Fantastic Way and Oriental Smoke at their prices here.