O’Brien’s strong hand
Flemington, G1 PFD Food Services Makybe Diva S., $750,000, 1600m
Danny O’Brien will produce two high-profile runners in Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}) and Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).
Both will be better-suited over more ground, but as fresh runners can go well and particularly Russian Camelot who may be the pick of the pair at this stage. Stablemate Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) was sound when resuming and a hope at long odds.
Fierce Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Kings Will Dream (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) both produced encouraging first-up runs and will improve, as will Master Of Wine (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) who made late ground in the G1 Winx S.
Fierce Impact (Jpn)
Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) has the benefit of two recent outings and performed well in both so he has a fitness edge on many and Perfect Jewel (Redoute’s Choice) won the G3 Cockram S. in fine style and promises more to offer with that outing under her belt .
Levendi (Pierro) and Princess Jenni (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) both possess an abundance of talent with the former likely to need a run and the latter should appreciate the roomy course and a hope for a price.
Stay with Savatiano
Flemington, G2 Furphy Let’s Elope S., $200,000, 1400m
Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) opened her campaign in terrific style with victory in the G2 PB Lawerence S. and from a handy gate looks poised to go back-to-back.
My Gold Bracelet (NZ) (Pins) has a Group 2 success to her credit and can improve sharply off her resuming run while Arcadia Queen (Pierro) was fifth in the Lawrence and she owns a smart second-up record.
Shrouded In Mist (Exceed And Excel) beat a tidy field off the front in last season’s G2 Queen of the South S., and has twice been successful when returning from a break. Barnmate Pretty Brazen (Brazen Beau) wasn’t far away in the G3 Cockram S. and the extra distance should suit her.
One for longer odds might be Fidelia (Not A Single Doubt) as she likes Flemington and has won before with the benefit of a lead-up outing.
Class can tell
Flemington, G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality, $200,000, 1200m
Group 1 winner Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) is the class act of the field and under the conditions of the race is well-placed to add this to her record.
The Inevitable (Dundeel {NZ}) is a two-time winner on the track and as the reigning Silver Eagle champion as well deserves plenty of respect.
The Inevitable (white cap)
Bold Star (Needs Further) came on well for fourth in the G3 Heath and is yet another who has raced well here in the past.
Banquo (Written Tycoon) should be sharper for a recent run and he may present as the best value in the race.
Prague well-placed
Flemington, G2 Seppelt Danehill S., $200,000, 1200m
Prague (Redoute’s Choice) has won both of his lead-up trials and he promises to prove a handful on his return. As runner-up in last season’s G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S. he is well-suited to the set weights and penalties of this race.
Wisdom Of Water (Headwater) is an interesting runner in his first start for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. He is a smart colt with a Group 3 victory to his credit and not to be under-estimated.
Doubtland (Not A Single Doubt) was disappointing when losing his unbeaten record in the G3 San Domenico S., but his prior efforts were excellent and certainly worth another chance on those.
Personal (Fastnet Rock) is a quality filly as her third placing in last season’s G1 Blue Diamond S. emphasised. She adds quality to an open event and has drawn to make a major impact.
Extra Time’s (Shooting To Win) last-start fourth was sound and he rates a hope on that while Tydeus (Written Tycoon) has won both of his starts and obviously talented, but faces a big rise in class.
Cherry ripe
Flemington, Listed Antler Luggage Exford Plate, $140,000, 1400m
Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) looked a special talent last season when he went through his campaign unbeaten and a stakes winner on this course. Immortal Love (Snitzel) is another with a perfect record and the G3 McNeil S. winner so their clash will be intriguing.
Immortal Love (white blinkers)
Bartley (Written Tycoon) was dominant when returning at Warwick Farm and looks a threat. Khoekhoe (Turffontein) made late ground when resuming the bigger track should help him.
So You Can (So You Think {NZ}) won well last time out and drops 2kg. Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) has been freshened and brings strong form lines from his last preparation.
Storm brewing
Flemington, Listed The Sofitel, $140,000, 1400m
Windstorm (Redoute’s Choice) is a progressive 4-year-old and he did well to run fourth at Caulfield where he had a wide gate and 60kg. He is capable of going close here from an inside barrier.
A number of stayers are resuming here and among them is Furrion (GB) (Camelot {GB}). He won the Listed Warrnambool Cup to end his last campaign and has been effective when fresh in the past.
Iconoclasm (Toorak Toff) is a four-time course and distance winner entitled to serious consideration and Bumper Blast (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) flopped last time, but he is a smart type and entitled to another chance.
Minhaaj bright prospect
Flemington, Listed GH Mumm Cap D’Antibes S., $140,000, 1100m
Minhaaj (Exceed And Excel) has a tricky barrier, but looked good last season winning two of three starts while September Run (Exceed And Excel) was a sound fifth in the G2 Silver Shadow S. and should strip sharper for the outing.
Letzbeglam
Letzbeglam (Snitzel) was also only beaten once last term and that was when sixth in the G1 Blue Diamond S. and a good form reference for this. Peggy Selene (Rubick) has won her last two and will have a major fitness edge on many of her rivals.
Mildred (Hinchinbrook) has plenty of pace to put to good use and Parlophone (I Am Invincible) is unpredictable, but very good when she gets it right.
Farnan favoured
Rosehill, G2 De Bortoli Wines Run To The Rose, $200,000, 1200m
This year’s G2 Run To The Rose shapes as a vintage edition of the race with G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) to make his spring debut off the back of two superb trial wins and goes into the race as the favourite.
G1 JJ Atkins S. winner Rothfire (Rothesay) will make his Sydney debut after also winning his public trial. The Robert Heathcote-trained gelding has only been defeated once from seven career starts, but is yet to meet any of these Sydney 3-year-olds.
North Pacific
After a runaway win in the G3 Up & Coming S., North Pacific (Brazen Beau) is also featuring heavily in the market. He was dominant last start, winning by 5.3l and finished third to Farnan in the G2 Silver Slipper at their only encounter.
Dual Group 1 winner King’s Legacy (Redoute’s Choice) will also kick off his spring campaign after finishing fourth to Farnan in his last trial. The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained colt is likely to want further than 1200 metres, but he is a talented horse that can’t be forgotten.
Funstar can bounce back
Rosehill, G2 Iron Jack Theo Marks S., $200,000, 1300m
After a disappointing run in the G3 Show County Quality, Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) will be looking to get back to form here. She is a talented mare and looks a class above the rest of her rivals.
Special Reward (Demerit) was narrowly beaten in the Show County and has continued to improve throughout his career. Drawn barrier six with Nash Rawiller on board, he should get a perfect run.
G1 Stradbroke H. winner Tyzone (Written Tycoon) has made the trip down from Queensland and will kick off his spring campaign. He doesn’t have the best first-up record but trialled well.
Fasika fancied
Rosehill, G2 Schweppes Sheraco S., $200,000, 1200m
Fasika (So You Think {NZ}) returns for her first run of the spring and will make her claim for a spot in The Everest. She was last seen running third in the G1 All Aged S. and beat Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in a trial leading into the race.
Fasika
Sweet Deal (Casino Prince) was an impressive winner last start, but has drawn barrier wide and Flit (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) was good when finishing second to Eduardo (Host {Chi}) two starts back, but also has a bad barrier.
G1 Vinery Stud S. winner Shout The Bar (Not A Single Doubt) will have her first start for the spring, and while the distance is well short of her best she is fresh.
Mo’unga a threat
Rosehill, Listed Drinkwise Dulcify Quality, $150,000, 1500m
Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) was an impressive last-start winner at Newcastle and looks to be a very progressive 3-year-old. Has drawn slightly wide, but has a talented rider in James McDonald on his back to negate that.
Overlord (Sebring) was good when finishing third behind talented colt Holyfield (I Am Invincible) and has drawn nicely and Global Quest (More Than Ready {USA}) has good form around Farnan last season and resumes off the back of some solid trials.
Aim (Star Witness) should be at peak fitness following a couple of outings and his last-start fourth in the G3 Ming Dynasty was a sound effort.
Toryjoy one to beat
Doomben, Listed TAB Brisbane H., $125,000, 1600m
Toryjoy (Street Cry {Ire}) is a smart mare and an inside gate will suit her free-going style while stablemate Kaonic (NZ) (Savabeel) returned in style at Eagle Farm and he should some beating again.
Toryjoy
Skate To Paris (Bradbury’s Luck) has won two of her last three starts and will be a top chance again if she gets reasonable lucky from the outside barrier.
Supergiant (NZ) (Red Giant {USA}) wasn’t sighted when resuming, but is a second-up winner and not one to take lightly. One For Betty (All Too Hard) has been good in the lower grades and a place chance at worst while Junction (Real Saga) has a tidy record and one to consider for multiples.
Massimo top hope
Belmont, Listed Hahn Superdry Farnley S., $100,000, 1400m
Massimo (Sessions) has been in great touch with three wins from his last four appearances and looks well-placed to add another one here.
Harry Thomas (Scandal Keeper {USA}) may be better over further, but has a good fresh record Pym’s Royale (Husson {Arg}) was a strong second last time out and a serious contender on that effort.
Great Shot (Magnus) has made his mark in stronger fields than this and even with topweight of 62kg he is entitled to respect.
