It will be easy for Wong Don

WONG DON has settled down nicely as a middle-distance runner and should have this afternoon's O & S Tack Room feature at his mercy, returning better off at the handicaps after being a disqualified winner on July 29.

Shane Ellis gave the stewards a very easy job on July 29, badly hindering AKASH against the rail at the home turn before chasing down BALAZO to win by a neck.

The 1400-metre event was the second consecutive race in which WONG DON had got the better of BALAZO, beating the chestnut colt by almost three lengths on July 8 at 1300 metres.

In fact, WONG DON has had eight of the 10 rivals he faces this afternoon behind him in each of his last two races. Running with 54.0 kilos on July 29, he beat BALAZO, allowing his rival four pounds. SECRET TRAVELLER, TWILIGHT DREAMS and DANBURY were also among the horses in that event, each in receipt of weight from WONG DON.

Returning at 51.0 kilos, benefiting from apprentice Anthony Thomas' three-kilo claim, WONG DON, now seven pounds lighter, actually has an 11lb swing on BALAZO from their last race. When the pair had met on July 8, WONG DON had enjoyed a six-pound advantage and won by two-and-three-quarter lengths.

A winner without a penalty, WONG DON should deliver against old rivals at an ideal distance, 1300 metres. Had it not been for his disqualification, he would not have qualified to race among this company.

The race again has strong pace up front, which should be to WONG DON's liking, even more so with his light impost. Thomas has been winning his fair share of races and should have no problems taking what should be an easy catch.