Draw no bother
G1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, $5,000,000, 2040m
Danny O’Brien isn’t worried about a wide gate for Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and the prospect of a solidly-run race will suit the 4-year-old.
He had no excuses when runner-up to Arcadia Queen (Pierro), who is again a strong contender, in the G1 Caulfield S. but with the speed on all the way he is more than capable of turning the tables.
Aidan O’Brien’s Group 2 winner Armory (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has strong form credentials as a last-start third in the G1 Irish Champion S. behind Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is a strong form reference.
Russian Camelot (Ire)
Aspetar (Fr) (Al Kazeem {GB}) has an excellent record and as a European Group 1 winner and is entitled to strong support while Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) comes here at the top of her game after winning the G1 Epsom H. and the extra trip won’t bother her.
Likewise, Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) couldn’t be in better touch after landing the G1 George Main S. and the G2 Hill S., while Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) is another with Group 1 form around Magical to weigh up.
Fierce Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is racing well and a proven weight-for-age performer at the top level. Grandslam (Myboycharlie {Ire}) is a controversial inclusion, but is bred to stay and with his featherweight could yet prove troublesome.
Writer to pen winner
G2 McCafe Moonee Valley Gold Cup, $500,000, 2500m
Hush Writer (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) has a free-going nature and he’s sure to take some pegging back around this course. His form is also solid with a runner-up finish in the G3 Newcastle Cup and a fourth in the G1 Metropolitan.
Sound (Ger) (Lando {Ger}) was second on this track last month and backed it up by beating all but Persan (Pierro) in the G1 Bart Cummings. This trip will suit him perfectly.
Hush Writer (Jpn)
Oceanex (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) has yet to find any form, but 2500 metres should bring some improvement while Gallic Chieftain (Fr) (Tamayuz {GB}) was much better when fourth last time out and he too has plenty of stamina.
Shared Ambition (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}) is racing well and this weight scale is to his advantage and Etah James (NZ) (Raise The Flag {USA}) will be all the better for her run in the Metrop, her first since landing the G1 Sydney Cup.
Heavenly chance
G2 Lexus Fillies’ Classic, $300,000, 1600m
South Australian visitor Ecumenical (Zebedee {GB}) finished a close sixth in the G2 Tranquil Star S. and then produced a strong effort for fourth in the G1 Thousand Guineas. Those form lines rate highly here.
Thermosphere (Exosphere) continues to race well and the set weight conditions of the race clearly favour her. She was successful in the G2 Edward Manifold S. two starts ago and backed it up with solid effort for sixth in the Guineas.
Queen Of Rocks (Fastnet Rock) was close up in a decent race at Caulfield two runs back and then ran eighth in the Edward Manifold after getting a long way back. She has drawn well and is capable of an upset.
Incredulous Dream (Press Statement) accounted for Yes Bay Yes (Dissident) at Caulfield last Saturday and if they can cope with a quick back-up should be in the mix again.
Miss Conduct (Dissident) was fifth in that race so she may need to improve to turn that form around while Miss Inbetween (Fighting Sun) is a genuine type, but does face a sterner test in this.
Coming of Age
G2 Schweppes Crystal Mile, $300,000, 1600m
In an open line-up Age Of Chivalry (NZ) (He’s Remarkable {NZ}) might be the way to go following his fourth in the G1 Toorak H., a race he finished one place better in the previous year.
Homesman (USA) (War Front {USA}) will be opening his spring campaign and he has twice won off a break in the past so he can’t be underestimated.
Homesman (USA) (rail, blue silks)
Kings Will Dream (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) has been out of the mix but far from disgraced in consecutive Group 1 outings and a drop back in class presents him with a chance to play a hand in the finish.
If Streets Of Avalon (Magnus) can enjoy an easy run in front he might be more competitive and Olmedo (Fr) (Declaration Of War {USA}) made his only Australian appearance in the autumn. He’s had two trials to fit him for a return and his best European form would make him a player.
Chief Ironside (GB) (Lawman {Fr}) wasn’t far away when sixth in the Toorak and an effort that suggested he isn’t far off his best to defend his title.
Worth support
G2 Drummond Golf Vase, $300,000, 2040m
Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) got home strongly last time out to finish runner-up in the Listed Super impose S. behind race rival Khoekhoe (Turrfontein) and the extra distance here gives him the chance to turn the tables.
Cherry Tortoni (Nicconi) was in good form before he was out of the money in the G1 Spring Champion S. at Randwick, but this presents as a much easier assignment.
Cherry Tortoni
Lunar Fox (Foxwedge) belied his long price when he made ground well to run sixth in the G1 Caulfield Guineas so is another well-placed to make an impact in this grade while Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) looks like he will be favoured by a step up in distance.
Tanker (Pride Of Dubai) won on the course last time out, but this presents as a sterner test and Captain Corelli (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) might be the best value hope following a decent run for eighth in the Guineas.
Strong stable hand
G3 PFD Food Services Red Anchor S., $200,000, 1200m
Lindsay Park is well-represented here with Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) and Rock The Ring (Reward For Effort) with the former a bold last-start third in the G3 Thoroughbred Club S. at Caulfield.
She made the running there and should be hard to catch around The Valley while Rock The Ring won two of her four starts last preparation, including a defeat of race rival Free To Move (Unencumbered), who has since won over this course and distance.
Bella Nipotina
Valaquenta (Street Boss {USA}) was a good second when resuming and then fifth in the Listed Poseidon S. against arguably stronger opposition so he looms as an each way prospect.
Mildred (Hinchinbrook) was a Group and Listed winner as a 2-year-old and while she has yet to return to that sort of form this time around, she is well-suited by the conditions of the race. Portland Sky (Deep Field) has been mixing it with some handy types and not the least of chances.
Further reward beckons
G3 Powerflo Solutions S., $200,000, 1600m
Sovereign Award (Shamus Award) continued her outstanding run of form with a most recent victory in the G3 Ladies’ Day Vase and in her current touch it’s hard to see her not proving a handful again.
Greysful Glamour (Stratum) made a bold bid to win the G2 Angst S. off the front, but was caught late to run second. If she can cross from a wide gate without working too hard to lead, the grey could prove hard to roll.
Greysful Glamour
Bonvicini (Myboycharlie {Ire}) should strip at peak here after two lead-up outings and makes appeal at longer odds while Paradee (Epaulette) was fifth and less than 1l off Sovereign Award last time out so she doesn’t need to find much to be right in the finish.
Danzdanzdance (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) has changed stables in an effort to spark her back to her best, but would have to be taken on trust and a better upset hope might be Shrouded In Mist (Exceed And Excel) if she has improved for recent racing.
