Inverloch to double up
Listed Neds Mornington Cup, $350,000, 2400m
Inverloch (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) is on the back-up after winning the Listed Victoria Cup last weekend with a smart front-running performance. Two runs back he was second to race rival Aktau (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) and does meet that runner better off at the weights.
Hush Writer (Jpn)
Future Score (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) is racing consistently and should go well again and Harlem (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) doesn’t win out of turn, but was fourth in the G1 Australia Cup and this is a step back in class.
Hush Writer (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) was unplaced in the Cup, but again an easier assignment and Stars Of Carrum (Fiorente {Ire}) might an upset chance. He ran fourth behind Inverloch last time out and as that was his first outing for a month so he could be the improver at a price.
Up and away
Listed Neds Hareeba S., $200,000, 1200m
Bons Away (Bon Hoffa) has matched better fields than this in the past and while he was out of the money in the G1 Oakleigh Plate, he wasn’t far away and looks well-placed in this.
Bons Away
Prophet’s Thumb (I Am Invincible) hasn’t raced since the spring, but has won a trial and owns a smart first-up record with only one fresh defeat in three appearances. She makes appeal as the value runner off the minimum.
Up the top of the handicap is Faatinah (Nicconi), who has the quality to go close despite his 60kg and Haunted (Lonhro) was third when resuming at Flemington and is a second-up winner. A last-start miss aside, the form of Rox The Castle (NZ) (Castledale {Ire}) has been sound.
Starfield to make impact
Ascot, G3 Furphy Gimcrack S., $150,000, 1100m
Starfield Impact (Demerit) made a good impression in her first campaign, including victory in the Crystal Slipper over this course and distance. She had a break and a trial win preceded her resuming victory.
American Choice (All American) was runner-up on that occasion and is a 1kg better off in the weights to try and close the gap between the pair.
Watch Me Dance (I’m All The Talk) has hardly put a foot wrong in her career and is a major player again while Solaia (Toronado {Ire}) wasn’t seriously tested to win on debut and should be all the better for the experience.
Too Spicy (All American) wasn’t far away resuming and won second-up last campaign and Mindari (Safeguard) has been around the mark since winning on debut and another with a chance at a smaller piece of the prize.
He’s coming for them
Ascot, Listed Seacorp Grandstand Cup, $100,000, 1500m
Tellem We’re Comin (Blackfriars) has improved with each of his runs this preparation and should be ready to show his best form now he’s getting out in trip.
Tom Melbourne (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) is having his first run from new quarters and his past Sydney and Melbourne efforts in much stronger company make him at least a place prospect.
Tom Melbourne (Ire)
Platoon (Playing God) was doing his best work late when third in the Listed Bunbury S. and has a decent record on the course. Harry Thomas (Scandal Keeper {USA}) was a tidy last-start winner and looks the best of the lighter-weighted runners.
Son of a gun
Ascot, Listed Amelia Park Perth S., $150,000, 1000m
Gemma’s Son (Snippetson) picks himself after a perfect record from three appearances and overcame a wide gate to cross the field and lead all the way to win the Magic Millions WA Classic.
Brooklyn Pier (Magnus) won his only start in mid-January and the colt indicated his readiness to resume with a trial success earlier this month. Dark Assault (Statue Of Liberty {USA}) was fourth in the Magic Millions and an obvious place chance in this line-up.
Charleton Eddie (Shooting To Win) and No Surrender (Universal Ruler) are both on debut and, with trial wins to their credit, chances to make an impact in a small field.
Class act of field
Tauranga, G2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy, NZ$100,000, 1600m
The Mitigator (Master Of Design) won the G1 Thorndon Mile and finished runner-up in the G1 BCD Sprint before failing in the G1 Haunui Farm Classic. This is a major step back in grade and he’ll take some catching from a handy gate.
Scott Base (NZ) (Dalghar {Fr}) couldn’t handle a wet surface at Matamata last time out and his prior form was sound while Go Nicholas (NZ) (Danroad) was a smart first-up winner on this track when resuming and a mile suits him better.
Polly Grey (NZ) (Azamour {Ire}) was luckless in running at her most recent appearance and looms as an each way hope. The distance is short of Vin De Dance’s (NZ) (Roc De Cambes {NZ}), but he’s fresh and trialled well.
Too precious to handle
Riccarton, G3 Valachi Downs SI Breeders’ S., NZ$80,000, 1600m
The Precious One (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) is a talented mare who had nothing go her way last time out. She has drawn well and the step up in trip should be in her favour.
The Precious One (NZ)
Belle Fascino (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) has been in fine touch during her South Island campaign and she should go close again and Excelleration (NZ) (Exceed And Excel) won well two starts back before she copped an interrupted run at Trentham.
Monrecour (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) showed improvement in her first start for a new stable last time out and she’s coped well in Group company in the past. Ticket To Ride (NZ) (Shocking) is in a genuine vein of form and Quintuple Twins (Sepoy) is in the right touch for her black type debut.
