Top mare to strike again
Randwick, G1 Fujitsu George Main S., $500,000, 1600m
Star mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) will look to land back-to-back Group 1 wins and become Chris Waller’s seventh winner of the race in nine years. The 5-year-old was impressive when winning the G1 Winx S. last start over 1400 metres and we know she only gets better over more ground so she should again be very hard to beat.
Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) won this race last year and was very good first-up when fourth behind Mister Sea Wolf (Ire) (Amadeus Wolf {GB}) in the G2 Chelmsford S. He is a horse that always improves with racing through his campaigns, but is yet to beat Verry Elleegant in 2020.
Verry Elleegant (NZ)
John Thomson’s Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) was very good when leading the all the way to take out the G2 Tramway S. last start, but he has never won over a mile at WFA level. He did run second to Avilius in this race last year and he has drawn the inside gate so won’t have to do any work to get to the lead.
Star Of The Seas (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) was very close to winning the Winx S. first-up, running second to Verry Elleegant by 0.1l. Fierce Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) finished third in that race, and he came out and won the G1 Makybe Diva S. last weekend so Star Of The Seas has sound form.
Intriguing rematch
Randwick, G2 Darley Tea Rose S., $200,000, 1400m
Dame Giselle (I Am Invincible) and Hungry Heart (Frankel {GB}) are set for a rematch from the G2 Furious S. last start.
The former won that battle, but they are stepping up to 1400 metres, which is ideal for Hungry Heart and she was also first-up last start so she will have improved a lot out of the run.
Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) is a talented filly who is coming off a big gap between runs but she is targeting feature races over much more ground and similarly with Thermosphere (Exosphere) who finished eighth behind Dame Giselle and Hungry Heart last start.
Hungry Heart (white cap)
Bank on Bivouac
Randwick, G2 Bowermans Commercial Furniture Shorts, $500,000, 1100m
G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner Bivouac (Exceed And Excel) is back for the spring and has trialled superbly. He has only won first-up once from four tries and as a now 4-year-old entire there will be plenty of improvement to come for him.
Also resuming for the spring is Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt), who is on a path to The Everest next month. He is another one who has trialled well and his last run was only in June so he will have plenty of residual fitness.
New Zealand raider Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) has a great first-up record, albeit against must softer opposition, and is gunning for a slot in The Everest. He has drawn the inside barrier so he won’t be able to get too far back in the run. Whether he can keep up with early speed that is likely to be set by some genuine sprinters, remains to be seen.
Eduardo (Host {Chi}) is also eyeing an Everest spot after two runs for two wins across the winter. He was out of form and dealing with some injuries for a while, but Joe Pride seems to have rejuvenated him and got him back to his best.
Distance key factor
Randwick, G3 Bill Ritchie H., $160,000, 1400m
Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) was unlucky not to win first-up when she stormed home and just missed out on winning and stepping up in distance will be ideal. She just needs to stay out of trouble to bring her sharp turn of foot into play.
Probabeel (NZ)
Reloaded (Snitzel) finished third behind Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) in the G2 Tramway S. when fresh and has a good second-up record. He is down in the weights and makes each way appeal.
Brandenburg (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) also warrants a second look with the benefit of a resuming run and he has since enjoyed a quiet trial while Roheryn’s (Lonhro) form is sound and won the G3 Show County last time out at the expense of Probabeel.
Look to Zebrowski
Randwick, G3 Schweppes Kingston Town S., $160,000, 2000m
Zebrowski (NZ) (Savabeel) has been unplaced, but not far away, in both outings this preparation and he is now up to a more suitable trip. Last season’s G1 Australian Derby runner-up looks poised for a return to form.
Paths Of Glory (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is in great touch and was a smart last-start winner of the Listed Wyong Cup. Taikomochi (Snitzel) is genuine and always a chance if left to his own devices in front.
Angel Of Truth (Animal Kingdom {USA}) is showing signs of returning to the form that won him an Australian Derby in 2019. Both of his efforts this campaign have held merit. Shared Ambition (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}) is now up to a trip more to his liking so look for sharp improvement from him.
Clear top pick
Morphettville, Listed TAB WH Wylie H., $100,000, 1100m
Kemalpasa (Magnus) has the shining form line as a last-start third in the G3 Spring S. behind subsequent G1 Memsie S winner Behemoth (All Too Hard) and should be awfully hard to hold out in this.
Prophet’s Thumb (I Am Invincible) is making a fresh start and has twice won off a break so she’s a distinct threat and Garner (Barbados) was a close fifth when resuming in the G3 The Heath and is a past second-up winner.
Ef Troop (Spirit Of Boom) has trialled well ahead of opening his spring campaign while the stablemates Shamino (Shamus Award) and Seemingly Discreet (Sepoy) have tidy records and will give trainer Phillip Stokes a decent hand.
