PERASTA (8) is still a maiden after 13 starts. Managed to find the placings at Beaumont (Newcastle) two starts back before finishing ninth over 1450m at Quirindi last time. This looks his chance to break through. PRATT (1) is back after a break of four-and-a-half months. At the last run before the layoff he finished sixth over 1250m at Canterbury. Looks ready to run following a minor placing in a recent Beaumont (Newcastle) trial. Ready to find winning form. QUEEN OF THORNS (9) is a two-start maiden who finished seventh, beaten 6 lengths, when resuming from a spell last start over 1000m at Kembla Grange. Should progress from that last outing and poses a genuine threat. I'M OPINIONATED (7) was out of the money two runs back when fresh from a spell then again missed the frame last start over 1000m at Quirindi, beaten 4 lengths into fourth. Better than recent efforts suggest.