Race fitness edge
Caulfield, G2 PB Lawrence S., $200,000, 1400m
Streets Of Avalon (Magnus) meets a strong lineup here, but he has the benefit of a recent run under his belt when runner-up in the G3 Bletchingly S. and that may give him an edge on a number of fresh contenders.
Mystic Journey (Needs Further) is a class act and does have a proven first-up record and won her most recent trial. She is also unbeaten in three runs over this trip.
Mystic Journey
The stablemates Regal Power (Pierro) and Arcadia Queen (Pierro) are a gifted duo and due plenty of respect while this is short of Kings Will Dream’s (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) best trip, but he is such a genuine customer that he can’t be under-rated.
Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) looked sharp in a recent trial and with a bit of luck from a wide gate could be in the finish at odds while Cape Of Good Hope (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) won the G1 Caulfield S. first-up last season so warrants consideration in an open line-up.
Filly in top form
Caulfield, G3 Beck Probuild Quezette S., $160,000, 1100m
Parlophone (I Am Invincible) has improved her racing manners with each outing and she was a runaway winner of the Listed Lightning S. last time out. A repeat performance will see her hard to roll from a handy gate.
Aryaaf (Epaulette) won the G3 Ottawa S. during her first preparation and wasn’t disgraced when unplaced in the G1 Blue Diamond S. and this poses a much easier challenge on her return.
Parlophone
Stablemate Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) is genuine and certainly has place claims in this, while Miss Bosetti (Snitzel) is in good form and has race fitness on her side.
Agreeable (Sebring) got home stylishly to win at her only start and in the manner of a filly that can reach a higher mark. Her barnmate Supreme Idea (I Am Invincible) has drawn awkwardly, but has showed the talent to get her into the finish with good fortune on her side.
Bold return tipped
Caulfield, G3 Neds Vain S., $160,000, 1100m
Larimer Street (Brazen Beau) enjoyed a lucrative 2-year-old campaign with a stakes win and a Group placing and was unlucky not to have finished closer than third in the Inglis Millennium. Reports from the stable suggest he is forward to resume.
Lunar Fox (Foxwedge) won the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. back in March and has since joined Paul Preusker’s stable and he has a handy first-up strike rate with his runners.
Rulership
Rulership (I Am Invincible) was unplaced, but less than 4l off the winner in the G1 Blue Diamond S. and he recently won a trial to have him ready to shine while Hydrostar (Headwater) and Branders Rule (Brazen Beau) both won their only starts well enough to suggest they can be prominent.
Our Playboy (Sebring) won twice last term and carried 60.5kg in the most recent of them so the set weights suit him. Ranting (NZ) (Zoustar) was good enough to gain black type in his first prep. He commands respect on that score alone.
Bumper chance
Caulfield, Listed Evergreen Turf Regal Roller S., $140,000, 1200m
Bumper Blast (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) is an exciting prospect and was an impressive winner when resuming at Flemington last month. He now looks ready to add black type to his record.
Bumper Blast (NZ) (blue and red cap)
Viridine (Poet’s Voice {GB}) was a deserved winner of the G3 Bletchingly S. over this course and distance and is an obvious contender while Begood Toya Mother (Myboycharlie {Ire}) is first-up and has been effective in that state before.
Age Of Chivalry (NZ) (He’s Remarkable {NZ}) and Reykjavik (Artie Schiller {USA}) have also been successful when returning from a break.
Colt hard to roll
Randwick, G3 Quincy Seltzer Up & Coming S., $160,000, 1300m
North Pacific (Brazen Beau) finished third behind subsequent G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) on debut in the G2 Silver Slipper S. and, following a break, resumed with a dashing win at Rosehill. The colt has since trialled well and should go close again.
Smart Image (Smart Missile) will put his unbeaten record on the line here following his brace of wins last season and that form line speaks for itself.
North Pacific
Sauvestre (Hinchinbrook) and Yardstick (Criterion {NZ}) both won at their only midweek appearances and look capable of acquitting themselves well in stronger company. The latter’s stablemate Marsannay (Snitzel) also faces a step up following two easy victories.
Holyfield (I Am Invincible) is fresh, but has been given a couple of lead-up trials and will find this easier after competing in the G1 Champagne S. at his last appearance.
Dalasan class act
Morphettville, G3 Spring S., $120,000, 1200m
The reappearance of the talented Dalasan (Dalahkani {Ire}) will be of major interest and he has a tidy first-up record with the only negative being he’s been handed the outside gate.
That will give Behemoth (All Too Hard) an edge and he too has proved effective when fresh in the past. He hasn’t raced since a solid fourth in the G1 Goodwood H.
Behemoth
More Than Exceed (NZ) (More Than Ready {USA}) has recent racing on his side and he has been going well with a last-start Mildura Cup victory to his credit.
An interesting candidate is Dalasan’s stablemate Extra Time (Shooting To Win), who looked good last term with success in the G3 National S. and with 51.5kg he has a handy pull in the weights.
Strong stable hand
Belmont, Listed Heineken Belmont Newmarket, $100,000, 1200m
Chris and Michael Gangemi look to have a strong grip on this race with last-start winner Floyd (Not A Single Doubt) perhaps their top chance. He gave weight and a beating to the capable Jericho Missile (Smart Missile) when resuming.
Lockroy (More Than Ready {USA}) is consistent and Saracino (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) is another who rarely turns in a poor effort and Essential Spice (Gingerbread Man) is in excellent form and won the Listed Beaufine S. two runs back.
Free Trade (Trade Fair {GB}) hasn’t raced since he was successful in the Listed Bunbury S., in the autumn, but two recent trial wins strongly suggest he will be a threat.
Star prospect
Riccarton, G3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup, NZ$70,000, 1600m
Happy Star (NZ) (Fabulous {NZ}) is at the top of his game with success in both outings this campaign and looks an outstanding chance with 53kg to complete a hat-trick of wins.
Dez (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) won this race two years ago and any rain would boost his chances of a repeat while Rosewood (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) is an accomplished winter performance and an eye-catching last-start fourth at Awapuni.
William Wallace (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) was a sound second at his most recent appearance and has winning form on the course. Tobilicious (NZ) (Natural Destiny) has been racing well and presents as an each way chance.
Major Tom (NZ) (Red Giant {USA}) has won his last two and looks well-placed with 55kg and Who Dares Wins (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) will be improved for recent racing, but faces a stiff task with topweight of 60kg.
