The strongest first-bend rating in the field at 59 and genuine early pace that will have him prominent from the off — on a track where the best-bending dog wins a remarkable 28.6% of the time, that is the single most important factor. Won well four starts ago in a sharp 27.53 when leading throughout, and has been placed second twice at A7 since. Ran 28.03 last time out, bumped at the first bend but still finishing second. The Fader tag is a concern — his closing speed tails off — but with four bends to negotiate his early advantage should compound through each turn. The best recent form in the field with a peak of 62 in his last six runs.