EL FORTRESS (1) wasn't beaten far first up at Bendigo over this trip, finishing fifth. Fitter for that and will be harder to hold out with Shinn on from the inside gate. PARTY BENEFITS (8) was good fresh at Cranbourne to grab third, beaten a length. Open to improvement and is in the mix. ZOUBELLE (11) resumes having been well beaten in strong NSW maiden on debut. Now with the Julien Welsh yard, she's jumped out well and is worth keeping an eye on. TOO DARN COLD (5) resumes and has each-way claims.