Mugatoo major hope
G1 Seppelt Mackinnon S., $2,000,000, 2000m
Mugatoo (Ire) (Henrythenavigator {USA}) was runner-up in the G1 Metropolitan and then produced a mighty effort to finish fourth in the G1 Cox Plate.
The Kris Lees-trained 6-year-old makes more appeal on a bigger track and a repeat of his last performance would take him close to victory.
Arcadia Queen (Pierro) has been in grand touch this campaign and placed in the G1 Underwood S. before she easily put away Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in the G1 Caulfield S.
She came from the tail of the field to finish a solid fifth in the Cox Plate and is another who will appreciate the roomier Flemington circuit and looms as a major threat.
Arcadia Queen
Fifty Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) made good ground for fifth in the G1 Cantala S. and the step up in distance won’t present any problems. He also has an affinity with Flemington where he has been successful on four occasions.
Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) was unlucky not to have won this race last year and she comes here with consecutive Group 1 wins at the Hawke’s Bay carnival. While this is a stiffer task, her form lines are hard to ignore.
Skyward (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) wasn’t far away in his Australian debut when fifth in the G3 Geelong Cup and will surely improve. His Group-winning form in Europe puts him right in the mix in an intriguing edition of the Mackinnon.
Bivouac hard to overlook
G1 Darley Sprint Classic, $1,500,000, 1200m
Bivouac (Exceed And Excel) is a quality short course performer and in top form following his effort for second in The TAB Everest. He won the G1 Newmarket over this course and trip earlier in the year and a feature race double beckons.
Nature Strip (Nicconi) isn’t always the easiest sprinter to follow, but there’s no doubting the talent he possesses and he’s only been beaten once at Flemington.
Libertini (I Am Invincible) was brilliant in winning the G2 Premiere S. and certainly wasn’t disgraced when eighth in The Everest from the outside gate. She has since had a quiet trial to keep her ticking over.
Libertini
Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is a past winner of the race and he did well to come from the back to finish sixth in The Everest this year. His chances can’t be discounted.
A strong case can also be made for Hey Doc (Duporth) after a commanding performance to win the G1 Manikato S. Age is certainly showing no signs of catching up with him and he’s got strong course and distance stats to consider.
Zoutori (Zoustar) and Graff (Star Witness) are last-start winners, but they will have to lift on those performances in this company.
Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) was another beaten in The Everest and also from a wide barrier and she might be the one for a price coming off a hot speed.
Sweet prospect
G2 TAB Matriarch S., $300,000, 2000m
Toffee Tongue (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) went close to winning the G1 Turnbull S. on her last visit to Flemington so she boasts a strong profile. The 4-year-old was unplaced, but far from disgraced in the G1 Caulfield Cup and this is a far easier assignment.
The lightly-tried Chaillot (Testa Rossa) was a bold fourth in the G1 Empire Rose S. and she looks the type of mare to handle 2000 metres. The only question mark on her might be the quick back-up.
Chaillot
She’s Ideel (Dundeel {NZ}) has excellent form in Sydney and was third in the Rosehill Cup last time out on a heavy surface and should appreciate the firmer underfoot conditions.
For those looking for a hope at longer odds, Affair To Remember (Toronado {Ire}) is worth a second look. She was placed in the G1 Schweppes Oaks behind Toffee Tongue last year and has won on this course.
Star effort tipped
G3 Network 10 Chatham S., $200,000, 1400m
Bold Star (Needs Further) is a two-time winner on the course and he again performed well when third in the G2 Linlithgow S. He’s drawn a handy gate and with the in-form Jamie Kah in the saddle can go one better.
Sansom (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) is a really genuine customer and capped off a run of place form with success at Moonee Valley and he’s sure to be extremely competitive again.
Harlech (NZ)
Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) failed to flatter in his first two runs, but gained a confidence-boosting win in the Benalla Cup and as a Group 1 performer last season looks well-placed. Reykjavik (Artie Schiller {USA}) will enjoy a big drop in class from the G1 Toorak H. and deserves respect.
Morrissy (Snitzel) was a close second in the G3 Moonga S. last time out and wouldn’t need to improve for a slice of the action in this.
Pondus hard to roll
G3 Queen Elizabeth S., $200,000, 2600m
Joseph O’Brien’s Pondus (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) finished runner-up in the G3 Bendigo Cup and came from a long way back to get within 0.1l of the winner. He’ll no doubt be better for the outing and a bigger track should be ideal for him.
Le Don De Vie (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) all but stole the G3 Geelong Cup with a bold front-running debut, also in his Australian debut. The step to 2600 metres doesn’t look like it will bother him.
Chapada
Chapada (Bullet Train {GB}) is a strong chance as he’s coming back in grade from the G1 Caulfield Cup following his victory in the G2 Herbert Power so his chances can’t be taken lightly.
Shared Ambition (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}) got home well to finish runner-up in the G2 Moonee Valley Cup and a drier track will suit him, while Future Score (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) is a course and distance winner and in the right form to add to that record.
