Cover image by Morgan Sette courtesy of AAP Photos
Sunlight class act
Morphettville, G3 Furphy RN Irwin S., $120,000, 1100m
Outstanding sprinter Sunlight (Zoustar) makes a fresh start here and has won both of her lead-up trials. She is a past first-up winner and, with the exception of Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}), this represents a drop back in the company she is used to keeping.
Gytrash is the obvious threat following his G1 Lightning victory and two following placings at the top level. He has also won a trial since last racing.
Sunlight
Stablemates Viridine (Poet’s Voice {GB}) and Home Of The Brave (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) are talented sprinters with smart records off a break and Kemalpasa (Magnus) is a serious hope for a slice of the action.
He was a multiple stakes winner in the spring and is another to have trialled well recently while Parsifal (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) was unplaced when resuming at Caulfield and will appreciate a firmer surface.
Snapdancer in right form
Morphettville, G3 Schweppervescence S., $140,000, 1800m
Snapdancer (Choisir) has improved with each run this preparation and can go one better on a last-start second in the G3 Alexandra S. at The Valley.
Vegas Jewel (NZ) (Shocking) was unplaced when resuming, but is unbeaten second-up and the step out in distance will be ideal for the Group performer while the form out for the Listed Laelia S. should hold up.
It was won by Meuse (Snitzel) from Wings Of Pastrami (Supreme Class) and Realm Of Flowers (So You Think {NZ}) and all three hit the line well enough to suggest an extra 200 metres won’t be a concern.
Asiago (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) was well beaten in the G1 Vinery Stud S., but had previously won the G2 Kembla Grange Classic and in this grade her chances can’t be denied. Oriental Lily (Hinchinbrook) made late ground in the Laelia and has a hope at odds.
Group 1 performer fancied
Morphettville, Listed Winning Edge Presentations Redelva S., $100,000, 1100m
Xilong (Deep Field) produced a top effort to run third in the G1 Surround S. so she is taking a significant step back in class and that puts her right in the thick of things.
Sizzlefly (Sizzling) is unbeaten in two runs this preparation and she’s unbeaten on the course and should give a bold sight from a handy gate. Garner (Barbados) also has a good record on the track and her recent black type form is sound.
Roccabascerena (Fighting Sun) is a smart type and undefeated in both of his first-up runs. Tenley (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) and Ms Catherine (Shooting To Win) have ample ability, but will need plenty of luck from horror draws.
Filly hard to hold out
Caulfield, Listed Neds Bel Esprit S., $112,000, 1100m
Lyre (Lonhro) is a quality filly well up to giving the older horses a decent run for their money. She’s back from a Group 1 fourth in the Surround S. and enjoys this course and distance.
Eduardo (Host {Chi}) has had his issues, but if anywhere near his best will be a handful and Crystal Dreamer (Stratum) was a last-start third in the G1 The Galaxy and while that is an excellent form line, he does have his share of weight.
Lyre
Humma Humma (Denman) was never in that race and this company will be more to her liking and a chance at odds while Runson (Delzao) has been racing well this preparation and the only query with him is the distance, - he’s yet to win in seven attempts.
Achernar Star (Gingerbread Man) wasn’t far off the Group 1 action at Ascot before a break and goes well when fresh. He was a winner in his only past crack at the trip.
Watch her go
Ascot, Listed G3 Amelia Park WA Sires’ Produce S., $160,000, 1400m
Watch Me Dance (I’m All The Talk) has hardly put a foot wrong this season and has been Group placed at her last two appearances.
Em Tee Aye (I’m All The Talk) built to a strong win over this course and distance last time out and he looks open to further improvement and No Surrender (Universal Ruler) is improving with each run and looks a leading chancer again.
American Choice (All American) made up late ground in the G2 Karakatta Plate and the extra 200 metres here should suit. The White Witch (Bradbury’s Luck) was an encouraging second on debut and looks a handy place chance again.
