3YOs major players
The Valley, G1 Keogh Homes William Reid S., $500,000, 1200m
The 3-year-olds have been ultra-competitive against the older horses through the autumn and they will be hard to hold out here with Bivouac (Exceed And Excel), Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) and Exceedance (Exceed And Excel) all leading players again.
Bivouac had Loving Gaby’s measure on a soft track in the G1 Newmarket while Exceedance finished sixth and he is more than capable of closing the gap on a firmer surface.
Bivouac
Zoutori (Zoustar) has been excellent this preparation and followed up his second in the G1 Oakleigh Plate by making late ground for fourth in the Newmarket. Pippie (Written Tycoon) won the Oakleigh and the only question mark is her running a strong 1200 metres in this company.
Mystic Journey (Needs Further) is a top-class mare who has had a few hiccups this preparation and may be more of a wait and see prospect, but the form of the G1 Newmarket H. winner Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is hard to pick holes in.
Scales Of Justice
Scales Of Justice (Not A Single Doubt) is a warrior and won the G2 Australia S. over this course and distance two runs back. He has been freshened since running sixth in the G1 CF Orr S. and, such is his record, he can’t be ruled out in an intriguing affair.
Mare on fire
The Valley, G2 Sheamus Mills Bloodstock Sunline S., $200,000, 1600m
Bam’s On Fire (Universal Ruler) is in grand touch with consecutive runner-up finishes in the G3 Mannerism S. and the G3 Matron S. She will be ridden by Hugh Bowman and a deserved win beckons.
Princess Jenni (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) resumed when third at Flemington and the extra distance will help her cause while Aristia (Lonhro) wasn’t that far away in the All-Star Mile and this represents an easier assignment.
Princess Jenni (NZ)
Irithea (Snitzel) gave a bold sight off the front to finish runner-up in the G3 Aspiration S. and her racing style will be suited to this track and Mamzelle Tess (O’Lonhro) was a solid second in the G3 Frances Tressday S. over 1400 metres.
She has yet to win over a mile, but is a strong place hope, as is Fidelia (Not A Single Doubt) who's last two performances can’t be faulted.
Mile to suit Meuse
The Valley, G3 Dynamic Print Group Alexandra S., $160,000, 1600m
Meuse (Snitzel) is a smart filly with three wins already on the board from just five appearances. She stepped up to stronger company last time out and ran a solid third in the G3 Vanity S. with the move up to a mile now ideal.
La Tene (Helmet) won the G2 Angus Armanasco S. when resuming and was then close up in sixth spot in the G2 Kewney S. She has past experience on the track when runner-up last preparation.
Snapdragon (Choisir) hasn’t been far off the better fillies in her short career and will surely improve with her resuming run for fourth at Caulfield. Betcha Flying (Uncle Mo {USA}) also has a recent run under her belt and is a second-up winner.
Paradee (Epaulette) was untested to win at Flemington where she beat Diasonic (Reset) and he has since placed in the G2 Alister Clark S. so it’s a handy form line for her at better odds. Mrs Beckham (NZ) (Toronado {Ire}) petered out when resuming in the Kewney and she should have derived benefit from the outing.
Golden opportunity
The Valley, Listed Palentino Ready To Launch Valley Pearl, $140,000, 1200m
Larimer Street (Brazen Beau) is a quality colt who was runner-up last time out in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. This is an easier assignment and provides the youngster with a gilt-edged opportunity to record his first victory.
Unanimous (Deep Field) wasn’t tested to win at Sandown on debut and he looks more than capable of making an impact here. Glenfiddich (Fastnet Rock) is a stakes performer and on that score alone entitled to consideration.
Pioneer River (Snitzel) and Montia (Vancouver) are last-start winners for Lindsay Park and should be in the mix, while Vangelic (Vancouver) has done little wrong and should be sharper for her last-start sixth in the Listed Festival S., her first outing for nearly two months.
Fun Cup fancy
Albury, Listed Commercial Club Albury Gold Cup, $200,000, 2000m
Fun Fact (The Factor {USA}) is in good form and the free-goer gave a grand sight in the Listed Canberra Cup to finish second behind the highly-regarded import Mugatoo (Ire) (Henrythenavigator {USA}).
Maid Of Ore (Duporth) was third in that race and she is better off in the handicap so her claims are hard to ignore. Attorney (Fr) (Makfi {GB}) has a middle distance outing under his belt and on that score can be more competitive.
Morton’s Fork (Ad Valorem {USA}) is racing fairly and has place hopes as he’s dropping back in grade while Pumpkin Pie (Star Witness) was third to Mugatoo a couple of runs back. He’s an outside show on that effort as there’s not an abundance of exposed form in this line-up.
