La Bucca Restaurant Handicap

Dandymaria showed a hint of promise when third two starts back but has been winless in her last four outings overall, and 137 lb from stall 17 won't make life easier; she has run over today's trip and going, at least offering some experience on these conditions.

Winless in his last six starts, Venetian Star arrives here in fair shape on a quick 12-day turnaround, has run over today's trip and going, and our rating of 78 suggests he holds more ability than his official mark of 67 implies.

Blues Emperor catches the eye as the top-rated runner in the field, and his third last time out — on a surface and trip he has experience of — marks him as a genuine threat carrying 140 lb from stall nine; the risk is that he remains winless in his last six starts.

Naoi won two starts back but has been well beaten on either side of that success, and while she has experience over today's trip and going, the 139 lb burden is a stiff ask for a filly rated 68.

Comfort Line won three starts back and was third two starts back, showing he retains ability, but a fifth last time out and a trainer who has drawn a blank in 27 recent attempts are the anchors holding him back from a confident recommendation despite carrying 137 lb from stall 12.