Bit of a heads-up for anyone building early bets for the Saturday cards — the weather and track updates are already throwing a few spanners in. A couple that looked like map-and-win jobs earlier in the week don't look nearly as comfy now if these surfaces keep chopping out.
For me the big thing isn't the obvious favourites, it's the stuff that gets ignored till late: rail position, how much sting stays in the ground by race 3 or 4, and whether leaders are getting away with cheap sectionals. Happens all the time here, a horse with lovely dry-track form gets backed in, then by the arvo it's a totally different contest.
Also keeping an eye on stable runners travelling interstate and a few jockey switches in the 1400m to mile races. That's where I reckon the market can be a touch lazy, just pricing off last-start figures and not really adjusting for track pattern or tempo.
Anyone already found a few worth following this weekend? Keen to hear what others are seeing in Sydney, Melbourne, Brissie, wherever — especially if you've gone cold on one after the latest conditions update or found one that actually improves if it comes up wet.