Overall Chris Waller has strong prospects in at least five races,  with Murder Of Crows promising to be his best in the Phillip Hughes Tribute, but other races in which he has more than one top hope are clouded.

For a Sydney Saturday the program at least has some attractive betting mediums, despite two races having fewer  than eight starters as of Friday, although just how the track plays after the recent rain will play a role.

Usually with the rail back in the normal position on soft to heavy ground, horses charging home down the centre are favoured in this era of suspect surfaces.

Alas,  early favourite Aegean Sea has been scratched from the Sire Custodians Plate  leaving only six runners, with Waller having Francais, though  two-year-olds are hardly his key category.

Ready Already, Voilier and Invincible Dame, making their debut, are recent barrier trial winners, with Invincible Dame  having the benefit of two heats.

Voilier's overall time and sections scoring at Warwick Farm on November 20 were very good but beware of  Zoutenant because of a trial effort in September. Zoutenant was second to Vancouver, a subsequent race winner, at Randwick, prompting the barrier trial publication The Midweeker to comment: "The equal fastest time promotes the performances of Vancouver and Zoutenant".

Verdict: Voilier.

Bowman's pet project

The Waller stablemate conundrum arises in the Dissident @ Newgate Farm Plate with Good Project and Redoutable  Heart.

Three races in Good Project's form, including his latest  start, are flagged with "wide – no cover". Obviously the gelding  is crying out for astute navigation and Waller has enlisted Hugh Bowman for the task. Of course, hard luck is a difficult situation to overturn and the longer-priced Redoutable Heart finished in front of Good Project last start with scope for improvement. Both have been placed on soft ground.

They take on the promising Binary while Peter Moody has scratched Roundabout, a recent Sandown winner. Binary won a Canterbury maiden last start and carries the Alan Bell colours. Bell has a knack of finding a good 'un, but the ground is a query with him.

Verdict: Good Project.

Pythagorean the right angle

You'll Never was the most favoured on Friday  of the Waller six in the HQ Of Insurance. You'll Never was downed a length when fourth to stablemate Heart Testa over the Rosehill 1350m and map makers figure over 1400m he will  take up a closer position. You'll Never is  consistent and suited by journey with eight attempts for two wins and four placings.

Beauty's Beast is expected to lead but Waller's Pythagorean should take up a handy position. Yes, the gelding is coming back from a 1600m Goulburn Cup triumph but  handles slow ground, a situation that should also suit Kaypers.

"Kaypers isn't the best horse in the race, but he might be the right one. Likes the soft going and always fights hard," commented Michael Wood (theraceguide.com.au ).

Verdict: Pythagorean.

Brewing up nicely

Generally the progeny of Commands handle the wet but is Medcaut,  early favourite in the  Horsepower Feeds & Supplements Handicap, an exception?

Medcaut has had  three runs on slow ground and one on  heavy but is yet to be placed on it.

However, Saigon Tea, prepared by Waller, has won three out of four on heavy and is very effective on slow.

A beaten favourite last start over the 2400m on the Kensington joke, Saigon Tea is coming back to 1800m but conditions could bring this well within her  ability range.

Verdict: Saigon Tea.

Cassidy will be crowing

Conditions should be made to order for Murder Of Crows, with Jim Cassidy up, in the Phillip Hughes Tribute.

Murder Of Crows is best suited when fresh and is having his first start since October 18.

Waller gave him a recent barrier trial but it was more of any easy track gallop and, by the final race, he should be able to apply his late burst effectively.

Strong opposition is expected from Forget, now with Kim Waugh, and three-year-old Mohave, unknown in the wet. Forget is flying and has a win on the heavy but faces a class test.

Verdict: Murder Of Crows.