Japan in pole position
G1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, $5,000,000 2040m
Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) brings outstanding international form to this race as a two-time Group 1 winner in her homeland and has travelled successfully to place twice at the top level in Hong Kong.
She handled The Valley track with aplomb in a familiarisation gallop and Damian Lane knows the mare well having already won the G1 Hanshin Takarazuka Kinen with her in June during his successful riding stint in Japan.
The 3-year-old Castelvecchio (Dundeel {NZ}) adds a good degree of intrigue and he looms as a threat with a featherweight to carry. A Group 1 winner last season over a mile, he is coming off a smart run for second in the G1 Spring Champion S.
Castelvecchio
Mystic Journey (Needs Further) has already won on the course and her run for fifth, after getting too far back, in the G1 Turnbull S. was an excellent effort. Kings Will Dream (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) was also outstanding in claiming the G1 Turnbull S. and is right in this.
Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) will need his share of luck after drawing the outside stall while Cape Of Good Hope (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) made an impressive Australian debut with a victory in the G1 Caulfield S.
An easing of the track would help Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) and Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) who are both racing well. Danceteria (Fr) (Redoute’s Choice) was only 5l off the crack mare Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) two runs back before he won a Group 1 in Germany.
Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) also comes with a glowing form line, a last-start second in the G1 Irish Champion S. behind subsequent G1 Champions’ S. winner Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Downdraft to blow hot
G2 McCafe Moonee Valley Gold Cup, $500,000, 2500m
Downdraft (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) is a proven stayer and there will be interest in his Australian debut. He has been successful at black type level up to 2800 metres for trainer Joseph O’Brien and is coming off a last-start win at 2800 metres.
Sully (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) is finding it hard to breakthrough, but his place form is sound and ran third at his latest appearance in the G2 Herbert Power H.
Mr Quickie
Mr Quickie (Shamus Award) and Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}) both missed out on berths in the G1 Cox Plate, and the former didn’t have a lot of luck in the G1 Caulfield Cup, while Humidor was a much improved last-start fifth in the G1 Caulfield S., and he loves The Valley.
Ventura Storm (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) is also a winner on the course and wasn’t far away in the Herbert Power; he has some appeal at longer odds.
Dream result beckons
G2 Schweppes Crystal Mile, $300,000, 1600m
Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) was unplaced in the G1 Epsom H. where he worked overtime from the outside barrier. His previous form was excellent and he certainly deserves another chance.
Madison County (NZ) (Pins) is a definite threat and he’s quite well-suited to the conditions of the race. He had to go back from a wide gate in the G1 Toorak H. and came on soundly for a close seventh.
Cliff’s Edge (Canford Cliffs {GB}) wasn’t far away when sixth in the G1 Toorak H. and he has showed a winning affinity for the track with two wins from three starts.
Cliff's Edge
Gailo Chop (Fr) (Deportivo {GB}) has been Group 1 placed this preparation so he rates highly in this company while Dream Castle (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was unplaced in his Australian debut, but should come on significantly with the outing.
Rox The Castle (NZ) (Castledale {Ire}) has been in terrific form in the lower grades and while he’s not well-placed at weight-for-age, his stakes form can’t be ignored.
Fascino hard to roll
G2 Antler Luggage Fillies’ Classic, $300,000, 1600m
Fascino (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) came off a fourth placing in the Listed Moloney S. to finish a bold second in the G2 Edward Manifold S. at her most recent appearance.
She hit the line strongly under Mark Zahra, who takes the reins again and looks the combination to follow again.
Asiago (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) has been in terrific form this preparation with three wins on the bounce so she is in the right order to step up to a black type challenge.
Beauty Bolt (Redoute’s Choice) wasn’t far away when fifth in the Edward Manifold and certainly a decent chance on that effort while Nudge (Fastnet Rock) has placed form behind Asiago and a chance at a minor slice of the cheque.
Bonvicini (Myboycharlie {Ire}) was disappointing last time to the races, but she had won the Listed Morphettville Guineas prior to that so she’s worth another chance.
Colt a serious hope
G2 Drummond Golf Vase, $300,000, 2040m
Serious Liaison (Zoffany {Ire})) is a progressive colt who has won twice from four appearances and he gives the impression this distance will prove no problem.
He got home powerfully from back in the field to triumph over a mile at Caulfield at his most recent start and promises to continue his winning ways here.
Serious Liaison worked well at The Valley earlier this week, as did Craftsmanship (NZ) (Savabeel) and as the last-start winner of the Listed Hill S. he has a form line that speaks for itself.
Soul Patch
Soul Patch (Shamus Award) was far from disgraced when eighth in the G1 Caulfield Guineas and this represents a significant drop back in class while Battenburg (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) has yet to win, but a third in the G1 Spring Champion S. was evidence of his quality.
Fabulanski (Polanski) was a stakes winning 2-year-old over a mile and while he hasn’t made an impression in two runs this preparation, he can show improvement at this trip and rates a longshot hope.
Condo at home on track
G3 Australia S., $200,000, 1200m
Condo’s Express (Rubick) posted consecutive wins on the course last preparation, including success in the Listed McKenzie S. over this trip.
He was then given a break and returned to trial before finishing fourth in the G3 Blue Sapphire S. at Caulfield where he made late ground. With the benefit of that run under his belt, he’s expected to go close to his third career victory.
Sartorial Splendour (Brazen Beau) is racing consistently and is third-up here so shouldn’t lack for any fitness while Heyington Station (Star Witness) looks a progressive type and ready for his first test at black type level.
Lucifer’s Reward (Reward For Effort) hit the line well enough for fourth in the Listed Poseidon S. to suggest he can get a piece of this. Three Beans (Deep Field) has done nothing wrong in two appearances and adds to the puzzle in quite an open affair.
Mare to hit winning note
G3 Powerflo Solutions S., $200,000, 1600m
Music Bay (Choisir) has placed in both of her runs this preparation and she should strip at the peak of her powers for this. The step up to a mile is ideal and she makes strong appeal.
Amangiri (All Too Hard) boasts a similar profile and is a genuine contender while the Kiwi mare Consensus (NZ) (Postponed {USA}) likes the course and as a Group 1 winner is well placed in this.
Girl Tuesday
Both Girl Tuesday (Street Cry (Ire}) and Scarlet Dream (Sebring) have been freshened since their last assignments and they have the class to make an impression over a mile.
Snogging (I Am Invincible) has been sound in her two spring appearances and has place prospects while Pure Scot (Purrealist) has been below par, but on her best form she can certainly give this a shake at longer odds.
Mildred makes sense
Restricted Listed Inglis Banner, $500,000, 1000m
Mildred (Hinchinbrook) has made the perfect start to her career with consecutive wins and her quality and professionalism should take her very close again.
Ideas Man (Brazen Beau) is the most expensive runner in the field with a $575,000 price tag and if he has inherited a good measure of ability from his mother Innovation Girl (Rubiton), who was a multiple Group winner, he should go well.
It’s A Deel (Dundeel {NZ}) looked smart in his trial win while Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) was green when fourth on debut, but all the better for the experience. Something Foxy (Foxwedge) hasn’t trialled but she galloped well on the course earlier this week.
Sky’s the limit
Listed PFD Food Services Crockett S., $175,000, 1200m
Wayupinthesky (Snitzel) has impressed in a brief career with three wins, including the Listed Cap d’Antibes S. She was doing her best work at the line when a last-start third in the Listed Poseidon S. and looks better-placed here against her own sex.
Villami (Foxwedge) gave Libertini (I Am Invincible) a real run for her money when second in the G2 Furious S. and was then third in the G3 Champagne S. Her form is hard to ignore and Lankan Star (Nicconi) wasn’t disgraced when she ran fifth in the G3 Thoroughbred Club S. so this is easier for her.
Varda (Lonhro) has been sound in all three runs this preparation and has place prospects again while Combat Order (Shamus Award) and Hint of Mint (Delago Deluxe) are two unbeaten prospects and as such deserve respect.
