This race opens with a pace scenario that should terrify anyone backing a closer. No clear leaders, limited speed, and the first four in the market all settle midfield or worse. That's a tactical nightmare at 1400m on a Good track where you need to be within striking distance turning for home.

Tyga Taste is short in the market after winning a Strathalbyn maiden by half a length, but that form doesn't excite me one bit. He was fifth at Oakbank behind Flyway, beaten 15 lengths in a five-horse field. That's not a form line that screams Class One material. The maiden win was fine, but it was at Strathalbyn over 1350m, and the horse he beat, Belle From Hell, was third in a Murray Bridge maiden. I'm not convinced this form is anywhere near good enough for this grade.

Canny Defense has been placed twice at Oakbank over this trip, including a 0.68-length second behind Jura Vaudois last time. That's better form than Tyga Taste, but he's been gelded for 19 starts and only won once. The winkers go on for the first time today, which might sharpen him up, but I'd need longer odds to get involved with a horse that's shown this much resistance to winning.

Tenterk is the most interesting runner despite being third in the market. He's got a perfect placing record at Balaklava, three starts for three placings including two at this distance. He won a Strathalbyn maiden last time in, and while he was seventh there two starts back, that was in Class Two. Stuart Padman and Tala Hutchinson combine here, and the barrier three draw is ideal for settling closer than his usual pattern suggests. If there's a horse that can overcome the slow pace, it's this one with his track record.

My Crackling has run 43 times for one win, which tells you everything about his limitations. He was fourth behind Jura Vaudois at Oakbank, beaten 1.6 lengths, so there's collateral form with Canny Defense. He's had 11 starts at Balaklava for zero wins, which doesn't inspire confidence despite the local knowledge.

The pace will be crawling, and I think Tenterk is the one with the tactical speed and track nous to overcome it. Canny Defense is the danger if the winkers work, but I couldn't be less interested in Tyga Taste at short odds.

At least this maiden has a leader. Kopitim will roll forward from barrier seven and try to dictate, but he's a debutant with three barrier trial runs that don't inspire confidence. He finished seventh in a Murray Bridge trial, beaten 7.9 lengths. That's not the form of a horse ready to control a 1600m maiden.

Yarrawizardharry is the favourite after running third at Balaklava over 1400m last start, beaten 1.8 lengths behind Flying Brant on a Soft 8. That's reasonable form for this grade, and he's had six days between runs, so he's not backing up quickly. But he's drawn barrier one and maps to settle midfield in a race with limited speed. That's not ideal for a horse that needs cover and a genuine tempo.

Mikki Tango ran second at Strathalbyn over this trip last start, beaten 1.36 lengths by Pretty Perky. That horse franked the form by winning next time, which gives this effort a nice look. He's been placed twice from nine starts, both times at 1600m, which suggests he's found his right distance. The blinkers stay on, and Campbell Rawiller takes the ride. I think this is the form horse in the race.

Kikkuli ran sixth at Morphettville Parks last start, beaten three lengths in a maiden, but he was third at Morphettville two starts back behind Gazz, beaten 1.3 lengths. That's not bad form, and he's bred to run 1600m as a So You Think gelding. But he's had only six starts and hasn't won yet, which raises questions about his racing manners.

Petit Eagle was third at Balaklava over 1400m last start, beaten 1.78 lengths behind I'm A Hottie. She won a Murray Bridge maiden over 1000m before that, so she's stepping up sharply in distance. The compression hood goes back on, and Alysha Warren claims 2kg. I'm not convinced she's a 1600m horse yet.

Largs Legacy ran second at Strathalbyn over this trip, beaten 0.29 lengths by Hazy Daze. That's competitive form, but she's been freshened for 37 days and maps to settle midfield. The slow pace could hurt her.

I think Mikki Tango has the best form line through Pretty Perky, and Campbell Rawiller doesn't take rides like this for no reason. Yarrawizardharry is the danger if the favourite backers get their way, but I'd be surprised if Mikki Tango doesn't figure in the finish.

This is a 2200m staying test with a slow pace and no clear leader. Giorgi and Fox Dunnett map to stalk the speed, but neither is a genuine front-runner. That means this will be a tactical affair where positioning matters more than raw ability.

Sandpiper is drawn perfectly in barrier one and has the track form to suggest she's the one to beat. She's had three starts at Balaklava for two wins, and five starts at 2200m for two wins. That's a specialist staying mare with course form, and Stacey Metcalfe knows her way around here. She ran sixth at Strathalbyn last start over 2050m, beaten nine lengths, which looks disappointing, but she was eighth at Murray Bridge the start before, beaten 9.7 lengths in a 0-58. The form isn't flash, but the track and distance record is too strong to ignore.

Shadow Hawk is the favourite after running second at Oakbank over 1100m last start, beaten a length behind Flyway. But that was over 1100m, and this is 2200m. He's had eight starts at this distance for zero wins and zero placings. I'd be genuinely shocked if this horse won over 2200m based on that record.

Eaglelou ran third at Kingscote over 1880m last start, beaten 2.86 lengths behind Starlite Rebel in a Benchmark 72. That's stronger form than most of these, and he's had two starts at 2200m for a third placing. Caitlyn Munro claims 2kg, and he maps to settle midfield. This is a genuine chance if the pace is honest.

Cuban Lord has won twice at this track over this distance, which can't be ignored. He ran third at Gawler over 2108m last start, beaten 1.23 lengths behind Warrandyte Road. That's competitive form, and the blinkers stay on. He's a chance if he brings his Balaklava form.

Hotch Potch ran fourth at Kingscote last start over 1750m, beaten 2.24 lengths. He's never won at 2200m, which is a concern, but he's placed at the distance and maps to settle handy. I'm not convinced he's good enough.

I think Sandpiper is the class runner with the track form to overcome the slow pace. Eaglelou is the danger if the race is run to suit, but I'd be surprised if anything beats Sandpiper from barrier one at her pet distance and track.

Queen's Counsel will lead from barrier three, but she's a debutant with only two barrier trials. She finished seventh at Morphettville, beaten eight lengths. That's not the form of a horse ready to control a 1200m maiden, but someone has to lead, and she's the only natural front-runner.

Dashing Double brings NSW form to this race, and it's significantly stronger than anything else in the field. He ran fourth at Morphettville over 1050m last start, beaten 3.83 lengths, but that was a no-metro-wins race, which is stronger than a maiden. Before that, he was fourth at Nowra over 1600m, beaten a length behind Sir Tua, and third at Gosford over 1600m, beaten 1.42 lengths behind O Cara Mia. That's provincial NSW form, which is a class above country SA maidens. Aaron Bain and Todd Pannell combine, and the blinkers and tongue tie come off. I think this is the form horse in the race.

Settle Petal is the favourite after running second at Balaklava last start, beaten 0.98 lengths behind Elegant Lilly. That's competitive form, and she's been placed twice from one start. But she's never won, and the slow pace could hurt her if she settles back.

Maysoonfly ran third at Balaklava over 1050m last start, beaten 1.36 lengths behind Elegant Lilly. That's similar form to Settle Petal, and she maps to settle midfield. Taylor Johnstone takes the ride, which is a positive, but I'm not convinced she's good enough to beat Dashing Double.

Elite Thunder ran fifth at Strathalbyn last start, beaten 7.32 lengths, which is poor form. The blinkers go on for the first time, but I couldn't be less interested in this horse based on that effort.

Jewels Captain has been placed four times from 11 starts without winning, which tells you everything about his limitations. He ran fourth at Strathalbyn last start, beaten 6.43 lengths, which is nowhere near good enough.

I think Dashing Double is a class above these, and Todd Pannell doesn't take rides like this for no reason. Settle Petal is the danger if the favourite backers get their way, but I'd be surprised if Dashing Double doesn't win this.

Aztec Dancer will lead from barrier 10, which is a wide draw for a leader. She's had 17 starts at 1050m for two wins, so she's a distance specialist, but the wide barrier concerns me. She ran third at Murray Bridge last start, beaten 0.68 lengths behind Bangholme, which is competitive form.

Eclair Vitality is the favourite after running sixth at Balaklava last start, beaten 0.41 lengths behind Artissi on a Soft 8. That's a tight finish, and he was only beaten half a length. Before that, he was third at Morphettville Parks, beaten 2.75 lengths behind Over Yonder, and second at Murray Bridge, beaten 1.3 lengths behind Effusiv. He's had eight starts at 1050m for two wins, which makes him a distance specialist. Jason Holder sticks with him, and the blinkers stay on. I think this is the form horse in the race.

Reine Of Nine is short in the market after a 108-day spell. She's had 14 starts at 1050m for zero wins, which is a concern. She ran ninth at Morphettville last start, beaten 6.43 lengths on a Soft 7. That's not the form of a horse ready to win fresh.

Capitalex ran third at Gawler last start over 1107m, beaten 2.25 lengths behind Blanc Visage. That's reasonable form, and he's had nine starts at 1050m for one win. But he's been freshened for 66 days, and Jemma Gutte claims 4kg. I'm not convinced he's sharp enough fresh.

Lightly Sparkled has been freshened for 46 days and brings NSW form to this race. She ran fourth at Gundagai last start, beaten 2.33 lengths behind Vainstream in a Benchmark 58. That's stronger form than most of these, but the spell concerns me.

I think Eclair Vitality is the form horse with the distance record to suggest he's ready to peak. Aztec Dancer is the danger if she can overcome the wide barrier, but I'd be surprised if Eclair Vitality doesn't figure in the finish.

Another slow pace scenario with no clear leaders. This is becoming a theme today, and it's going to hurt closers who need genuine tempo to run into.

Royal Trapeze has the track form to suggest he's the one to beat. He's had six starts at Balaklava for one win and two placings, and 13 starts at 1200m for three wins. That's a track and distance specialist with the form to back it up. He ran seventh at Murray Bridge last start, beaten 3.31 lengths behind Gold Spirit, which is reasonable form for this grade. Before that, he was sixth at Balaklava over 1300m, beaten 2.76 lengths behind Cuban Waters. The form isn't flash, but the track record is too strong to ignore. Jackson Murphy takes the ride from barrier four, which is ideal for settling handy.

Never Surrender is a joint favourite after running sixth at Morphettville Parks last start, beaten 8.91 lengths on a Soft 7. That's poor form, and he's had 27 starts for two wins. He ran fourth at Morphettville Parks before that, beaten 1.64 lengths behind Tough Talk, which is better form. The blinkers stay on, and he maps to settle midfield. I'm not convinced he's good enough to beat Royal Trapeze.

Copper Bullet is the other favourite after running ninth at Murray Bridge last start, beaten six lengths. That's nowhere near good enough, and he's backing up in three days. He ran third at Murray Bridge before that, beaten 1.41 lengths behind Scandalize, which is better form, but the quick backup concerns me.

Miss Boom won a Port Lincoln maiden last start, which is her only win from five starts. She's stepping up sharply in class, and I'm not convinced she's ready for this grade yet.

Nadege ran fifth at Morphettville Parks last start, beaten 6.95 lengths on a Soft 7. That's poor form, and she's had 12 starts for one win. The blinkers stay on, but I couldn't be less interested based on that effort.

I think Royal Trapeze is the class runner with the track form to dominate. Never Surrender and Copper Bullet are the dangers if the favourites get their way, but I'd be surprised if Royal Trapeze doesn't win this from his ideal draw.