Geelong and Coffs Harbour play host to Friday racing as prepare for a big weekend.
The Wizard of Odds has analysed the best bets on each of the race programs and has settled on a maiden as his best of the day.
Geelong Race 2
#16 Prasiolite
Prasiolite was scratched from her run last week after the Ballarat meeting was transferred to the synthetic track.
She appears in what seems to be a competitive maiden but her rivals in this race are yet to have race experience nor do they have race fitness on their side like she does.
This two-year-old filly from the Chris Waller found the 1000-metre dash on debut at Gosford just a little too sharp for her liking.
She then progressed to an 1100-metre maiden at Randwick Kensington where she acquitted herself well behind Verne who has since gone to town in Sydney and won.
She can either lead or take a sit with cover from her middle barrier and she looks a nice way to start the day.
Suggested Bet: Prasiolite each-way at $5 the win and $2 the place
Geelong Race 4
#8 Zidler
The resuming run of Zidler was full of merit after finishing runner-up behind a very smart import by the name of Hosier.
He was beaten just over five lengths but given this horse got out to 2000 metres in his first preparation it was a very good first-up effort.
He jumped cleanly but was restrained and then kept whacking away in the straight in a sign that the rise to 1715 metres from 1500 metres is absolutely perfect.
Knowing how Chris Waller trains these type of horses, he will surely strip fitter after the first-up run which should see him improve by a minimum of two lengths.
He is going to be very hard to beat.
Suggested Bet: Zidler win at $2.9
Geelong Race 8
#5 Halogen
Halogen was a very expensive yearling purchase by Qatar Bloodstock but has failed to live up to the price tag to date.
He has since changed ownership but continues to be under the tutelage of Tony & Calvin McEvoy and had showed some signs that he might be able to pinch some race this preparation.
His last start effort when racing second-up at Pakenham over 1400 metres was solid enough to suggest he can win an open handicap race such as this.
He showed good early toe to lead up the field but was just overrun late by the in-form Phillip Stokes galloper Kermy who has good form lines to city performer Riot and Rose.
Suggested bet: Halogen win at $4.4
Coffs Harbour Race 5
#7 Prince Arli
Prince Arli gets every conceivable chance to win the second race of his career.
He was brave in defeat last start when running third behind Oakfield Prince and Concave after being asked to sit outside the lead of a solid tempo.
From a speed map perspective, the lead looks to be solely his if Andrew Gibbons shows the intent that Jeff Penza did on him at Port Macquarie.
Being drawn out wide at Coffs Harbour is usually an advantage when the track has some give in it as we saw at their most previous meeting.
If he finds the front easily, then Gibbons get out to the best ground first and that will be a telling factor come the business end of the race.
Suggested Bet: Prince Arli win at $4.4
Coffs Harbour Race 8
#3 Inwithachance
Inwithachance is definitely in with a chance to topple this short-priced $1.70 favourite.
The six-year-old gelding has done his racing at Newcastle thus far in this preparation and has far from disgraced himself in BM-64 level.
He drops down in class here to a much easier race and only gets in with 59 kilos after the three-kilo claim from apprentice Jayden Barrie.
From barrier five, he should be able to find a spot handy to the lead, if not, find the front without hassle and attempt to this favourite chasing him from a long way out.
The drying Coffs Harbour track will also assist his chance.
Suggested Bet: Inwithachance each-way at $7.5 the win and $2.6 the place.