Trekking one to beat
Ascot, G1 Crown Perth Winterbottom S., $1,000,000, 1200m
Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) will be well-supported here and rightly so given he’s the reigning G1 Stradbroke H. champion and his lead-up form is also solid.
He won the G2 Schillaci S. before finishing third in The Everest and was a last-start second behind the top sprinter Pierata (Pierro) in the Redzel S.
Trekking
Trainer James Cummings holds a strong hand as he also has the last-start G3 Heffernan S. runner-up Home Of The Brave (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) and Viridine (Poet’s Voice), who won the Listed Doveton S., engaged.
Endless Drama (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is first-up after a break and he is at his best when fresh. He also has the ideal draw to get cover and be saved for the last run.
Hey Doc (Duporth) came back from an injury break to run a bold third in the Heffernan and any improvement he has taken from that run will see him competitive again.
Hey Doc
Valour Road (Frost Giant {USA}) will benefit from his resuming run for fourth and he’s a past second-up winner, while the 3-year-old Dubious (Not A Single Doubt) is a talent and from an inside gate and a pull in the weights he has to be taken seriously.
Flirtini (Artie Schiller {USA}) is chasing a hat-trick of wins so her form couldn’t be better, but the draw hasn’t done her any favours. Misty Metal (Oratorio) has plenty of speed and being third-up she should strip at her peak.
Forceful hard to roll
Ascot, Listed Magic Millions Tattersalls Cup, $100,000, 2100m
Forceful (Hard Spun {USA}) is racing well and another step up in trip looks ideal for the 5-year-old. He finished runner-up last time out in the Listed Ascot Gold Cup and is better off in the weights here.
Forceful
Taxagano (Rogano) won that race and while he isn’t so well in this time he is at the top of his game. Missile Launch (Smart Missile) was placed in the cup so he has to rate again and Spiritual Warrior (Blackfriars) missed out last time, but his previous form couldn’t be faulted.
Rippa of a chance
Doomben, G3 TAB George Moore S., $200,000, 1200m
I’m A Rippa (I Am Invincible) was a strong third in the Listed Keith Noud when resuming and he’s previously posted three second-up wins. He’s adept in most conditions and has drawn the ideal gate to turn the tables on stablemate Outback Barbie (Spirit Of Boom).
She’s a talented galloper and won the Keith Noud well, but might have to work a bit harder this time from a sticky barrier. Boomsara (Spirit Of Boom) is another one definitely good enough if he has some luck from a wide alley.
Boomsara
Chapter And Verse (Rothesay) made ground strongly last time out and he’ll be well-served if he can take up a spot closer to the pace here.
Brave Song (Your Song) wasn’t far away in both the Redzel and The Hunter and this is probably an easier assignment for the Snowden representative.
River Racer (Hidden Dragon) has yet to win off a break, but he has trialled well, while Keen Array (Bel Esprit) did enough at Eagle Farm to be a chance at odds. Crack Me Up (Mossman) is a Group 2 and 3 winner so if things go his way from a horror draw he can be competitive.
In-form filly fancied
Doomben, Listed TAB Mode Plate, $125,000, 1200m
Karaja (Zoffany {Ire}) is a course and distance winner and a recent trial win showed she’s ready to return to action, while Sugar Boom (Spirit Of Boom) has the benefit of recent racing and is unbeaten this campaign.
Vincere Volare (I Am Invincible) has drawn poorly, but will find this company more to her liking after a trip to Melbourne and expect sharp improvement from Jeweliana (All Too Hard) second-up.
Sukwhinder (Delago Deluxe) looks up for a black type challenge after winning at the Gold Coast and Longbottom (Sidestep) is genuine and it is not hard to see her in the mix.
Nipperkin a top chance
Morphettville, Listed Roadside Services & Solutions City of Marion S., $100,000, 1200m
Nipperkin (Artie Schiller {USA}) comes here in grand form with two wins from her last three starts and both on this course.
The Victorian visitor Ambleve (Hinchinbrook) is another racing well with a last-start success at Moonee Valley earning her a crack at black type, while Captain Punch (Captain Gerrard {Ire}) is fresh and has won four times first-up in the past.
Ambleve
Aiguilette (Epaulette) is a progressive type with five wins from nine starts testament to that and Colombia (Denman) is genuine and picked up cheques in both of his Victorian starts in the spring. Go The Journey (Good Journey {USA}) is effective over this course and distance so his each way chances should be taken seriously.
