NZH - Cambridge - Race 7

HILLBILLY BLUES (2) showed improvement when fourth in the Lyell Creek at Alexandra Park last start and has won two of three third up attempts so should be reaching peak fitness. Ended last campaign with a string of wins including the Flying Stakes at this circuit, which took his strike rate here to 50 per cent. Won his only try at this distance and should get his chance from the ace draw. The winning run of GUS (7) came to an end in the G1 Hammerhead Mile in Sydney last start but he was far from disgraced when fourth to glamour mare Keayang Zahara. The last time he crossed the Tasman he won the Dominion Trot/NZ FFA double so must rate very highly. OSCAR BONAVENA (6) hasn't won for a while but beat Hillbilly Blues home when runner-up in the Lyell Creek last start. YA RITE DARL (5) improved for third in that race and goes well third-up so could progress further.