The Postman ready to deliver

After a winning treble on the opening night of the new metropolitan season last week, Nathan Dawson has secured another strong book for this Saturday night.

Dawson has drives in seven of the nine races on the card, highlighted by last week’s impressive winner Captain Shuffles.

Dawson will partner all three of his winners from last Saturday again this week, with Captain Shuffles, Lara Tiara and Not As Promised all attempting to claim successive victories.

A 15-time winner, Captain Shuffles started the 2025 season in the exact same manner he completed 2024, with victory at The Creek in the same winning time of 1.50.8.

This week, the Ben Crosby trained gelding will step up to the 2138 metre journey from barrier three, however that has not deterred his supporters, trading as low as $1.35 in early markets.

Captain Shuffles

Braedos Lad has drawn gate one for Jack Butler and Shane Graham, the pacer proving super consistent when drawn the front line, with his past seven appearances off the front line returning two wins and five placings, including his entry in the sub 1.50 club.

Mr Mclaren set the tempo in last week’s mile where he was able to hold on for second place, the Turpin trained gelding to start from gate four and likely to have another shot for a forward position.

Another leading hope for The Postman is Franco Macho in the Wolf Signs Qualifying Pace which is race two on the program.

Drawn gate one over the 2138 metre trip, Franco Macho was an impressive second at his last start where he attacked the line strongly in the closing stages to get within a head of the winner.

Free Thinker is the query horse in the field, the Grant Dixon trained gelding having the first start of his five-year-old season, following a last start ninth in The Eureka behind Don Hugo.

Zipping home in a 26.6 closing quarter in a recent trail to prepare for his return, Trista Dixon will take the reins aboard Free Thinker, with Grant opting to driver Risk Taker from barrier five.

Lara Tiara steps up to Band 5 grade against the mares after successfully winning her qualifier last week where she was sent forward by Dawson to find the front from gate six.

This is a much tougher assignment, and the Sportswriter mare starts outside the smart beginner Ima Beach Babe for trainer and driver, Chantal Turpin.

Turpin holds a strong hand on the race, with four runners from her stable represented, with Miki Magic, Robyn X and Aardies Money all starting from the second line, with the mapping favours falling to Miki Magic who potentially will be on the leaders back.

Miki Magic

The open trot appears a great contest, where the Albion Park record of Not As Promised goes on the line.

Making his first appearance in over 12 months last week, the Derby winning trotter scored a dominant victory for Dawson and trainer Graham Dwyer to take his record to a perfect six from six at The Creek.

However, this week the five-year-old will find it much tougher from inside the second line as he steps straight into open class.

Golden Sunset has been in great form winning her past two from the tapes, but does appear better suited at mobile conditions, while track record holder Is That A Bid will need to overcome gate 10.

The enigmatic Hide And Seek looks the horse to beat, with the gelding trotting cleanly to record a third successive victory last start, highlighted by an impressive last 800m split, however a number of horses are capable of winning with the right run.

Race One is set to jump at 6.11pm, with the last of nine at 10.10pm

BEST BET

Darren Clayton

R9 N6 DELE ROW – “Although yet to race this season, the talented gelding can return in style. Runner-up to Bronski Zulu in the 3YO Triad at his last appearance last season, he was given a steady time in a recent preparatory trial.”