Strong form but success far from assured

WITH his stable in stellar form, leading trainer Craig Cross looks set to experience another highly-enjoyable visit to Club Menangle.

Cross has a strong team engaged on Saturday night’s card with multiple runners in most events.

Despite the weight of numbers Cross stated success throughout the program is far from assured.

“On paper it should be a good night,” Cross said. “But it’s still got to turn out that way!

“The stable has quite a few in the same race against each other plus the opposition is strong.

“It’s not the normal plan to have so many of them against each other like that, but they can’t be split up at the moment given the circumstances.”

Cross has three entrants in the opening event, with Smokin By considered the best chance from barrier four.

The son of Mach Three slots into three with the removal of the emergency.

“Smokin By doesn’t have much form but has been working well and should go close based on that,” Cross said.

In the following race multiple Group One winner No Win No Feed has drawn to provide a feast from the pole.

“She’s had two runs back and will be bang on this weekend,” Cross said. “It’s not an easy race but she is fitter and has the draw in her favour.”

Although drawn the outside of the front row later on the card, Bettor Enforce shapes as the team’s best chance for the night according to Cross.

Bettor Enforce’s rivals include her stablemate Molly Kelly which is unbeaten from four starts this season.

Molly Kelly will come from gate nine.

“Bettor Enforce is pretty tough and can overcome the draw,” Cross said. “Molly Kelly is in super form and will be even better in 12 months but Bettor Enforce should prove too strong.”