Distance only query
Flemington, G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup, $7,750,000, 3200m
Mer De Glace (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) was dominant in the G1 Caulfield Cup in her Australian debut and has an ideal draw to receive an economical run.
The major question mark over the entire is the distance, as the 5-year-old has yet to run beyond 2400 metres, but his obvious class will carry him a long way.
Can Mer De Glace (Jpn) step up to 3200 metres?
Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}) looks to have had a perfect preparation, finishing fourth in the G1 Turnbull S. and then ran second in the Caulfield Cup. He is already a winner over 3000 metres and is in with an ideal weight. He won’t be troubled by a rain-affected track with the only negative an awkward gate.
Cross Counter (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) has 6.5kg more than he carried to victory last year, but he’s a class staying act and does drop 3.5kg on his last two placed runs. Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) boosted his claims when he came on strongly for third in the Caulfield Cup and an effort that suggested he can be effective over 3200 metres.
Cross Counter (GB) will carry an extra 6.5kg
Prince Of Arran (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}) is proven at the trip and looks to be in the form that saw him run third 12 months ago while Finche (GB) (Frankel {GB}) has been excellent in his lead-up and appeals as a strong each way prospect.
Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) won the G2 Adelaide Cup over this distance last preparation and has come back better than ever with a last-start victory in the G3 Bart Cummings sealing his Cup passage.
Constantinople (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was close up when fourth in the Caulfield Cup and further improvement is expected to come from him.
Surprise Baby (NZ)
Latrobe (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) showed his quality when runner-up in the G1 Mackinnon S. last year while stablemate Downdraft (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) was impressive when running away with the G2 Hotham H. and if he handles the quick back-up will be a decent chance.
Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) gave a good account of herself when fourth in the G1 Cox Plate and the Ebor H. winner Mustajeer (GB) (Medicean {GB}) was sixth in the Caulfield Cup and the extra distance shouldn’t trouble him.
Stable well represented
Flemington, G3 Darley Ottawa S., $200,000, 1000m
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace may hold the key here with debutantes Muntaseera (I Am Invincible) and Marchena (Deep Field). Both fillies come from strong sprinting backgrounds and have showed enough at their trials and jump-outs to warrant support.
Cut It Out (Kuroshio) has straight track experience when third at his first start while Aryaaf (Epaulette) and La Girl (Not A Single Doubt) have both looked good at jump-outs as did Amorisity (Spirit Of Boom).
Write The Score (Written Tycoon) did enough in her trial to consider her chances and Hard Rock Girl (All Too Hard) could bounce back after a torrid run wide on debut.
Rain dance answered
Flemington, G3 Jim Beam S., $200,000, 1400m
Jamaican Rain (Manhattan Rain) has showed her best form on rain-affected going and she should get conditions to suit. She was unplaced, but not far away when resuming and has a smart second-up record.
Sweet Scandal (Sepoy) boxed on well for third in the G3 Northwood Plume S. behind Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park), who has since won again, so her form is sound.
Bella Martini (Stratum) is a course and distance winner and with an easing of the ground is an upset chance while La Tigeressa (Street Cry {Ire}) and Dunbrody Power (All Too Hard) were last-start lower grade winners and deserving of consideration.
Runaway on target
Flemington, Listed Furphy Plate, $175,000, 1800m
Last season’s G3 Geelong Cup winner Runaway (Manhattan Rain) is getting out to a more suitable trip here. He has been out once this spring for a fifth in the Seymour Cup and will no doubt be better for that outing.
The genuine So You Win (So You Think {NZ}) is in terrific form and it’s hard to go past his credentials while Plein Ciel (Ger) (Mamool {Ire}) is a talented performer and is another back from Group 3 company.
Yulong Prince (SAF) (Gimmethegreenlight) wasn’t disgraced when out of the money in the G1 Underwood S. and again wasn’t far away in the G3 Coongy Cup. Looks Like Elvis (All American) is going well enough to pick up another cheque.
Drop-back an advantage
Flemington, Listed MMS Security Sprint, $175,000 1200m
Tactical Advantage (Bel Esprit) has a good opportunity to return to his best form here after finishing less than 2.5l from the winner in the G2 Caulfield Sprint.
Haunted (Lonhro) is a consistent character and a deserved last-start winner of the Listed Village S. and Smart Couple (Smart Missile) claimed the Listed Community S. on her seasonal return.
Milwaukee (Fastnet Rock) is fresh and has won twice before in that state while there will be plenty of interest in Royal Symphony (Domesday). He is on the way back from injury and hasn’t been seen since he finished fourth in the 2017 G1 Cox Plate.
In-form filly fancied
Flemington, Listed The Hong Kong Jockey Club S., $175,000, 1400m
Xilong (Deep Field) has won three of her four starts with her only defeat when third in the G3 National S. She has looked good in both runs this time in and from one at the barrier should give a good sight.
Xilong as a yearling
Stablemate Pretty Brazen (Brazen Beau) has also won her last two and gives the McEvoy camp a strong hand while the victory of Akari (Snitzel) in the Listed Reginal Allen was impressive and marked her as a filly for higher honours.
California Salto (Fastnet Rock) carried a big weight to win at Newcastle and in a wide open affair Betcha Flying (Uncle Mo {USA}), Mayaaseh (Exceed And Excel) and the barn mates Splendoronthegrass (So You Think {NZ}) and Excused (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) are all in-form prospects.
Hat-trick on cards
Ascot, Listed TAB Touch Burgess Queen S., $100,000, 1400m
Tuscan Queen (Fastnet Rock) is unbeaten in two appearances and she drops significantly in weight under the conditions of the race so the chances of her completing a hat-trick look very good.
Miss West Coast (Safeguard) missed out last time in the Listed Belgravia S., but her prior form was excellent and she’s well worth another look while Boomtastic (Sessions) has won both of her starts this preparation she should give another good account of herself.
Kay Cee (Playing God) is a lightly-tried filly who finished runner-up to Boomtastic last time out, but she is much better off in the weights this time and Sanabreanna (Red Hot Choice) looked handy last term and should strip fitter for her first-up outing.
Saint on song
Ellerslie, G3 OMF S., $200,000, 2000m
Saint Emillion (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) won this race last year and he opened his current campaign with a good third when resuming.
He was unplaced last time out, but had a valid reason as he blundered badly at the start. The grey is a noted front-runner and if he is left alone at the head of affairs he will be dangerous.
Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel) is a talented mare and she finished a strong fifth at Te Rapa last time out on a rain-affected track. Improved underfoot conditions will suit her, as will the step up in distance.
Peso (NZ) (Colombia {NZ}) was runner-up to Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) in the G1 Livamol Classic so that form line speaks for itself while Fiscal Fantasy (NZ) (Skilled) was unplaced in that race, but this is a step back in class and she’s got genuine place claims.
Red Sierra (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) isn’t best-placed at weight-for-age, but as the winner of two of her last three starts is entitled to consideration and Vin De Dance (NZ) (Roc de Cambes {NZ}) is a class act at best and he should be more competitive with a recent run under his belt.
