This weeks stakes race at New South Wales has attracted a small but competitive field of 5 runners to tackle the testing 13-furlong The Louisiana Wench Memorial. The turf is rated as firm and the track should provide a true and even surface for all runners with fine weather predicted for the weekend.

SEATTLE HABITAT- (amist). Lovely bred 6yo homebred horse by Seattle Slew out of a Fappiano mare. Has been racing in much harder company for most the year but dropped back to stakes last start to try and pick up a confidence boosting win. In that run he was sent out as favourite and faded to finish a disappointing 7th. His previous form had been top class in graded company and it may be best to forgive him that one blip. My only concern is that he hit the 40 mark in total runs last time out and farther time may be catching up with him. If he is able to keep the old man at bay and with the services of L. Fontain we should see the real Seattle Habitat stand up today.

SKY ADMIRAL- (sera). This 4yo homebred colt by Sky Classic ran in a $35000 claimer 5 starts ago but was shrewdly picked up by trainer sera and repaid him almost immediately. He has since gone on to win an allowance and place in 3 stakes races. The horse has proved a fabulous breeding point earner over the years for various owners but was unable to win in Allowance company until now. Unfortunately the horse may be starting to enter the twilight of his career as he faces the starter for the 41^st time this week. He is well placed again this week and could well earn another check but he may just be found a little short of the mark needed to win.

NXDS JOHANN ZALAZL(FR)- (osstable3). The son of Johann Quartz(FR) out of a Zalazl mare is another that has risen from the claiming ranks and discards. This his 3^rd year of racing has seen him hit new heights and rise in the long distance turf rankings to 32^nd. His specialty has been over the 2 miles but has shown versatility winning a stakes over the 14-furlongs 3 starts back. At 5/1 and with top jock P. Bangs on board he is certainly the value pick in the race if you overlook his last couple of disappointing runs.

CHARISMA DANCER-(thyquixote). A 5yo son of Charismatic out of the mare Best Hill who was only a modest performer on the track winning 4 times on the dirt and earning stakes money of $64 177. From these beginnings we somehow find a long distance stakes winning turf router. No wonder this breeding caper is so hard. He has been in good form lately racking up 4 2^nd places in stakes from 11 to 14 furlongs. Definitly has the numbers to take this out if he can buck the seconditis.

WINDBENEATHMYWINGS(GB)-(rharfbeam1). The only mare in the race she is by the good horse In The Wings(GB) out of a Polish Navy mare. Wonderful mare that has managed to earn over half a million dollars and win 13 M/C/O/S races whilst only cracking the 100sp barrier twice. Says a lot for the placement by her trainer rharfbeam1. Amazingly she has raced 15 times already this year and even more astounding she has won 10 of them. Hard to overlook her credentials in a race such as this. She should settle towards the rear of the field early and fine the line strongly.

In a very even race I think Charisma Dancer may just hold off the mare Windbeneathmywings(GB) with Seattle Habitat to fill the minors. Good luck to all owners.