Brent Zerafa

Racing returns to Werribee for the first time since June and while the course proper has been utilised by international runners during the Spring Carnival, the surface should be in pristine condition. Rail is in the true position for Cup Day and the weather forecast is quite mild with a top temperature of 20 degrees and cloud, but no rain expected. General layout of the Werribee track tends to suit on-speed horses.

Fine weather is forecast for Thursday's meeting, so we can expect to be racing on a Good surface. The track was still rated a Soft 5 as of Wednesday afternoon but should improve to be a Good 4 to start and may even end up as a Good 3 later in the program. The rail was out 4m for the previous meeting on November 18 and now moves back to the 1m position.

Racing on the Heath track for the third time in six days and the rail moves out to the 6m position after being set at True for last Saturday's program. The surface itself should be in outstanding order and it can easily stand up to a lot of racing, especially at this time of year. The natural layout of the circuit can lend itself to on-speed horses, but it wasn't impossible to cover ground and win when the rail was in the 6m position for the meeting last Thursday.

Trials have been very impressive and looks capable of winning on debut.

Ethan Brown is a jockey to watch in 2025 (Image: Racing Photos)

Racing at Warrnambool for the first time since Jericho Cup Day on December 1, where the rail was in the true position and the surface was rated as a heavy 9. Rail now moves out to the 3m position, which should cover any wear from the previous meeting. Temperature is expected to be quite mild for this time of year with forecast suggesting it will be a very pleasant 22 degrees.

This meeting was scheduled to be run on the Heath track, but a late switch was forced to Mornington due to the grandstand fire at Caulfield on Tuesday morning. Mornington has been very busy of late and hosted a seven-race program on Sunday. The rail was in the 6m position for the latest meeting and stays there for Wednesday, which could mean that riders edge off the fence slightly looking for clean ground. Track was rated a Soft 5 on Tuesday afternoon, with close to 20mm of rain falling on Monday. That should have the track in ideal condition with warm weather forecast on Wednesday.

Impressive debut winner and looks well placed to win again. Scratched from Geelong on Saturday for this.

Rail out to the 7m position for racing at Werribee on Friday with warm weather expected. Track rated a Good 4 on Thursday afternoon and suspect it may get an upgrade to a Good 3 at some stage during the meeting. Last meeting was at Werribee on December 21, when the rail was out 3m.

Well placed to win first-up. Recent trial suggests he is ready to fire.