4:05am - TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP | 1300m | | i

THE ART OF THE BAR steps back from 1400m to try and get another win on the board this prep, Waterhouse and Bott's muscular mare rolling forward and getting control (tempo: FAIR to STEADY). She wouldn't have lost any admirers when 2nd to Nicci's Gold last start and will be very hard to run down if she can hold her form getting deeper in the prep. The position SWEET SCANDAL gets to is less obvious, Waller's mare likely to try and get the spot outside the leader, which SPANISH DREAM may be firing for too. SWEET SCANDAL is worth forgiving after her 5th second-up (near strong tempo, bias against), stepping up to 1300m on a dry track ideal now. CONNEMARRA the mare with the perfect position in run, sprinting from the box seat. Godolphins' pair of HARMATTAN (one quiet trial) and GONGS (does she prefer wet?) in the mix too. A few place chances, including the tough OAKFIELD MISSILE at odds. [updated 8:03am]