Black type preview: Flemington

He can be a Derby hero

G1 AAMI Victoria Derby, $2,000,000, 2500m

Shadow Hero (Pierro) has been in commanding lead-up form with impressive wins in the G3 Gloaming S. and the G1 Spring Champion S. He will make a natural progression in distance again and he looms as the horse they all have to worry about.

Thought Of That (So You Think {NZ}) has emerged from left field to be a contender, coming off a Donald maiden win to street his G3 Norman Robinson S. rivals. A natural free-goer, he gives the impression he will run out the trip.

Long Jack (So You Think {NZ}) showed his appreciation of getting to a middle distance in the Listed Geelong Classic where he won with some authority and the bigger Flemington track will suit him.

Soul Patch (Shamus Award) posted a stylish win in the G2 Vase at The Valley and prior to that worked home well in the G1 Caulfield Guineas. If he relaxes, he’s blessed with a sharp turn of acceleration.

Warning (Declaration Of War {USA}) was well beaten by Thought Of That last time out, but he still worked home well enough to consider.

Translator (Helmet) and Sign Seal Deliver (Dundeel {NZ}) are both yet to win, but for those looking for longer prices they might not be the worst. Both finished well enough in the Geelong Classic to suggest that 2500 metres won’t faze them.

Plenty to like about him

G1 Cantala S., $2,000,000, 1600m

Land Of Plenty (Stratum) was an eye-catching fifth when he resumed in the G3 Moonga S. and in an open affair he looks a decent chance. He also has an imposing second-up record with three wins and two placings from six attempts.

Rock (Pierro) got home strongly for fifth in the G1 Epsom H. at only his ninth race day appearance. He’s a talent and as a back-runner a genuine tempo and the long Flemington straight should combine to make him a major threat.

Royal Meeting (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is an international Group 1 winner and he was third in his Australian debut in the G3 Moonga S. He wasn’t far away after a tardy start and should be given another chance.

Fierce Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was a stylish winner of the G1 Toorak H. at Caulfield and his style of racing should be suited to this course.

Epsom placegetter Star of The Seas (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) remains well-placed in the handicap to go close again. That was his first run over a mile this preparation so there might still be improvement to come from him.

Fifty Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) has been racing well without major reward and from an inside gate he should get a cheap run and appeals as a chance at longer odds.

Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) has always indicated a mile would be up his alley and so it proved when he won the Spring Mile. This is a stiffer task, but he looks ready and Cliffs Edge (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) and Night’s Watch (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) has to be respected on their last efforts.

Strong hand for Godolphin

G1 Coolmore Stud S., $1,500,000, 1200m

This promises to be fast and furious contest and a provides a gilt-edged opportunity for Bivouac (Exceed And Excel) to return to winning ways.

He took on the older horses last time in the G1 Manikato S. after an outstanding performance to triumph in the G1 Golden Rose S., but the run of the race went against him and sixth was his lot. Back against his own age group, he’s going to be a handful.

Exceedance (Exceed And Excel) is a classy type and he’s been freshened since last racing and a hot tempo will suit him while Dubious (Not A Single Doubt) has emphasised his readiness with a couple of impressive work-outs.

Cosmic Force (Deep Field) was a Group winner last season and added to his record last time out when successful in the Roman Consul. He left few excuses and a repeat performance would see him go close again.

An interesting runner is Libertini (I Am Invincible), who was given a break after participating in the Princess Series in Sydney. She’s a highly talented filly and expect her to be competitive against the colts and geldings.

Li’l Kontra (Krupt) is so consistent that she’ll give a good sight again and any improvement from Brooklyn Hustle (Starspangledbanner) would see her a genuine contender.

Kiwi mare hard to roll

G1 TAB Empire Rose S., $1,000,000, 1600m

As a multiple Group 1 winner Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) is well-suited to the conditions of this race and she promises to go close to adding to her record.

Fresh off creating history with the Triple Crown clean sweep at home, the New Zealand-trained mare has the gate speed to negate a potentially tricky gate.

Aristia (Lonhro) has been racing solidly over distances short of her best and a mile and the wide open spaces of Flemington should see her much more competitive.

Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) won the G2 Tristarc S. in fine style and that form has to be respected while stablemate Pohutukawa (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) was fourth in that race and will be better served by the extra trip here.

Nettoyer (Sebring) was impressive when claiming the G3 Angst S. and she is a quality mare who won’t be troubled by a rise in class.

Angelic Ruler (Universal Ruler) is as consistent as they come and certainly a contender for at least a minor piece of this stake while Princess Jenni (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) wasn’t a factor in the G1 Toorak, but against her own sex is capable of a much better performance.

Jewel to shine brightly

G2 GH Mumm Wakeful S., $300,000, 2000m

Vegas Jewel (NZ) (Shocking) was beaten for the first time when runner-up in the G3 Ethereal S., but lost no admirers. She was forced to cover extra ground to improve and was relentless to the line.

The G1 Thousand Guineas winner Flit (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) is obviously a class act and the only question mark on her is the distance.

It’s not an issue when assessing the chances of Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), who is better placed against her own sex following her fourth in the G3 Norman Robinson.

Magazine (NZ) (Savabeel) and Silent Sovereign (Dalakhani {Ire}) were in behind the major players in the Listed Hill S. and their efforts suggested extra ground won’t faze them.

Oriental Lily (Hinchinbrook) is racing well and her back-running style will be ideally-suited to Flemington. Foxborough (Dissident), has yet to win but she has placed behind the likes of Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) so that gives her an each-way hope, as is last-start winner Tisane (Hallowed Crown), who is bred to stay.

Renewal to add to record

G2 TAB S., $300,000, 1200m

Renewal (Dream Ahead {USA}) continues to race particularly well and with seven wins from 17 starts he boasts an excellent strike rate.

The latest of them was in the G3 Testa Rossa S. at Caulfield last time out before a solid third in the Listed Weekend Hussler S. and he seems sure to give another strong account of himself.

Zoutori (Zoustyle) has come back well this preparation and claimed the G3 Bobbie Lewis over this course and distance before placing in the Gilgai S. behind Sunlight (Zoustar) and Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega {Ire}), an excellent form line.

Order Of Command (Squamosa) has improved with each outing this campaign and likes this track while Malibu Style (Magnus) is so genuine that he can’t be discounted.

Tyzone (Written Tycoon) needs to find a few lengths on his last effort and South Australian Kemalpasa (Magnus) is hard to line up, but winning form is always good form. Viridine (Poet’s Voice {GB}) ran well in the G2 Schillaci S. and a place chance at worst on that performance

Smart colt strong chance

G3 Network 10 Carbine Club S., $500,000, 1600m

Groundswell (Fastnet Rock) is an exciting colt and to finish third in his fourth appearance in the G1 Caulfield Guineas emphasised his quality.

He’s trained by Anthony Freedman who has a strong hand in the race with Heirborn (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) also engaged. He was third when resuming in the Listed Gothic S. and should strip fitter for that.

Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) had his chance when well-fancied in the Caulfield Guineas, but his prior form was strong and he deserves another chance.

Brandenburg (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) has hardly put a foot wrong in his career and the step up to a mile will only help him. Rock Amore (Fastnet Rock) is another racing well and a contender for a slice of the cheque.

Another winning story beckons

G3 Lexus Hotham S., $300,000, 2500m

Hush Writer (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) has excellent staying credentials and has won the G3 Newcastle Cup and the St Leger from his last three starts. He likes to make his own terms and will be dangerous if left alone in front.

The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) wasn’t far away from an outside gate in the G1 Caulfield Cup and is drawn to make an impact and Downdraft (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) was sound when third in the G2 Moonee Valley Cup. The only query on him is the quick back-up.

Haky (Ire) (Muhtathir {GB}) showed considerable improvement to place in the G3 Geelong Cup and if he’s improved again can be a major player while Sir Charles Road (Myboycharlie {Ire}) is now up to a trip that he will relish.

Wall Of Fire (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) was an eye-catching fourth in the G2 Herbert Power S. and an effort to that would see him close up again.

Manicure a tidy hope

G3 Furphy Sprint, $200,000, 1200m

Manicure (Exceed And Excel) won the G3 How Now S. two runs back before she was a sound second in the G3 Northwood Plume S.

She was beaten by Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), who will be a serious threat again, but Manicure is better off in the handicap by 2kg from their last meeting.

Humma Humma (Denman) is unbeaten this campaign and in her current mood she’ll be hard to hold out and Pippie (Written Tycoon) won three in a row before a last-start failure so is deserving of a second chance.

If Prophet’s Thumb (I Am Invincible) can be saved for one run she can round off powerfully while Demerara (Commands) generally holds her form well and she is a past winner on the track.

Sweet Scandal (Sepoy) ran well in the Northwood Plume off the back of a lower grade win in Sydney and Too Good Too Hard (All Too Hard) is an interesting runner. She’s won three of her five starts and while this is a sharp rise, she is from an astute stable and not to be discounted.