Speedsters step out
Flemington, G1 Black Caviar Lightning S., $750,000, 1000m
Bivouac (Exceed And Excel) scaled new heights last preparation when blowing away class opposition in the G1 Darley Sprint Classic. He resumes here after putting in a superb trial behind Nature Strip (Nicconi) over 900 metres at Rosehill and can again have his measure in a race that looks to shape up perfectly for those running on.
Nature Strip has trialled up strongly for his resumption, but could again be vulnerable fresh. Last year, he faded into a distant fourth in this race before showing his dominance in the G2 Challenge S. and G1 TJ Smith S.
Fabergino
There’s even more speed engaged this year with Pippie (Written Tycoon) and the fit and flying Fabergino (Maschino) challenging for the front. The former also has a a flawless first-up record with four wins from as many attempts.
Last year’s G1 Coolmore Stud S. quinella of September Run (Exceed And Excel) and Swats That (Shamus Award) put in contrasting jump-out performances behind Nature Strip last Friday, with the latter turning the tables on the Chris Waller-trained filly by a significant margin.
They will carry only 53.5kgs and both look capable of being the first 3-year-old to win the race since Fastnet Rock in 2005.
Class vs fitness
Flemington, G3 The TAB Vanity S., $160,000, 1400m
A talented bunch of 3-year-old stayers resume here with the most notable being G1 VRC Oaks winner Personal (Fastnet Rock). Despite resuming short of her best distance, the Lindsay Park-trained filly isn’t hopeless fresh, boasting multiple bold Group and Listed showings between 1200 and 1400 metres as a juvenile.
Jamie Kah is likely to get a good run with the Leon and Troy-trained Zou Dancer (Zoustar) and the filly has won twice recently, beating subsequent winners Longduan (Written Tycoon) and Sensationalisation (Written Tycoon).
Personal
A recent trial over 1000 metres at Geelong resulted in a 7.1l third behind Pinkham (Written Tycoon) and while she presents as the most suited in the race over 1400 metres fresh, stepping up from benchmark to Group level is no easy feat.
Island Joy (Hinchinbrook) was impressive when winning by 4.3l here over a mile last start and should prove difficult to hold out dropping back in trip. She maps to get a dream run up on speed from barrier five and holds a key fitness edge over her resuming rivals.
Brando crosses the Tasman
Flemington, G3 CS Hayes S., $160,000, 1400m
Star New Zealand 3-year-old Brando (NZ) (Savabeel) will be out to prove himself as a genuine G1 Australian Guineas contender here, with an impressive showing in his first Australian start.
The Jamie Richards-trained colt is yet to miss the top two in five attempts and most recently finished a narrow second behind Bonham (Per Incato {USA}) in the G1 Levin Plastics Levin Classic over a mile.
He’s drawn wide in barrier 12, but can cross and put himself in a forward position under leading hoop Jye McNeil. While this presents as his biggest test to date, race fitness looms as a key advantage.
Last start R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas winner Aim (Star Witness) lines up for his first start in Victoria and looks to be the one best suited here. Now third-up, he can reach a new peak.
Tagaloa (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and Aysar (Deep Field) step out to 1400 meters after putting in respectable first-up performances in the G3 Manfred S. behind Portland Sky (Deep Field).
Ex-Chris Waller-trained colt Mo’unga (Savabeel) steps out for the first time since joining the stable of Annabel Neasham. Expect him to settle toward the rear before hitting the line with intent late.
Western Australian galloper Dom To Shoot (Shooting To Win) ventures into enemy territory for his first start outside of his home state. He can measure up here with an effort similar to that seen when finishing third in the G1 Kingstown Town Classic behind local stars Truly Great (Dundeel {NZ}) and Inspirational Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}).
The Patrick Payne-trained gelding Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) resumes after putting in a bold showing in the G1 Victoria Derby. He is proven at this track and trip, boasting a win and third placing behind quality opposition.
Final Diamond audition
Flemington, Listed Talindert S., $140,000, 1100m
An exciting bunch of juveniles step out down the Flemington straight for a final tune-up ahead of next week’s G1 Blue Diamond S. at Caulfield and three gallopers with strong exposed form head the debate.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Frost Flowers (Frosted {USA}) returns to the scene of her debut victory on New Year’s Day, after failing to pick up the Grahame Begg-trained Dosh (Rich Enuff) when well supported over 1000 metres at Caulfiled on Boxing Day.
Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}) was far from disgraced when chasing home boom filly Enthaar (Written Tycoon) last-start at Caulfield. He can figure prominently here if he’s able to recapture his winning debut effort down the straight last October, when accounting for subsequent Blue Diamond Prelude (colts and geldings') winner General Beau (Brazen Beau) by 1l.
Ingratiating
Gulf Of Suez (Fighting Sun) maps to get a lovely run along the outside rail from barrier 10 and can improve off a brave third-placed effort in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (colts and geldings') on Boxing Day, when he was caught back and wide. He kept hitting the line with intent there and will improve immensely getting out over 1100 metres second-up.
Team Hawkes-trained debutant Greaves (Stratum Star) can figure with Craig Williams in the saddle, while Buffet Buster (Snitzel) looks the forgotten galloper in the race after clocking the fastest figures of all 2-year-olds across five juvenile heats at Cranbourne on Monday.
Jye McNeil has sided with the Peter Moody-trained Gimmie Par (Not A Single Doubt), who is a half-sister to last year’s winner Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon).
Waller’s stars resume
Randwick, G2 Apollo S., $250,000, 1400m
Superstar mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) posted three Group 1 victories between 1400 and 2000 metres in the spring. She was brave finishing seventh in the G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup and has since returned with two nice Rosehill trials over 900 metres.
Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) will benefit from his first-up second behind Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) in the G2 Expressway S. and can go on with the job on a drier track and stepping out to 1400 metres.
Rising 8-year-old Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) had Kolding’s measure in the G2 Tramway S. during the spring and can again fight out the finish. His fresh record is sound, boasting eight placings from 11 attempts and a 50 per cent winning strike rate at 1400 metres.
Verry Elleegant (NZ)
Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) is a classy type who promised the world as a 3-year-old, duelling with star New Zealand mare Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) in memorable Group 1 clashes. Her 4-year-old spring campaign was disappointing by her standards, failing to win during four attempts and subsequently extending her winless streak to six.
She does however return to the track here in good order and boasts two top two placings from as many starts.
Talented stayer Mugatoo (Henrythenavigator {USA}) was fourth in the G1 Cox Plate and resumes here in hope of proving himself worthy of a wildcard entry into next month's The All-Star Mile. He has three wins from five first-up attempts, but is yet to race below a mile.
Colette (Hallowed Crown) finished 2.2l behind Dreamforce and Kolding first-up in the spring and continued to impress at Group 1 level, prior to taking out the $7.5 million The Golden Eagle. Any rain will benefit her chances.
Iron filly to fire
Randwick, G2 TAB Light Fingers S., $200,000, 1200m
Away Game (Snitzel) has produced two solid runs in Queensland without winning and looks ready to add a second Group 2 to her resume. First-up she was nosed about by star local filly Isotope (Deep Field) and then found trouble in the R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
She presents here third-up and should prove hard to run down dropping back to 1200 metres.
Her key rival Hungry Heart (Frankel {GB}) has only won once from seven career starts and finished second by 0.5l or less in three consecutive Group races during the spring.
Hungry Heart (green silks)
She’ll be spotting the fit Away Game a big start, but if she can reproduce her flashing first-up effort in the spring behind Dame Giselle (I Am Invincible) there’s no reason to think that she can’t win.
Vangelic (Vancouver) finished within striking distance of Hungry Heart on three occasions during the spring and was also a brave second to Away Game at this track and trip in the autumn. She finished fourth behind Nature Strip (Nicconi) in her only trial last month.
Trainer James Cummings believes that Thermosphere (Exosphere) is ready to fire here second-up. She’s only won once from her last eight starts, but boasts a narrow seconds to Dame Giselle in the G2 Silver Shadow S. last preparation. She wasn’t disgraced in the G2 Furious S., and G2 Tea Rose S. either.
Crusader seeks redemption
Randwick, G3 Southern Cross S., $160,000, 1200m
Boom gelding Masked Crusader (Toronado {Ire}) will be out to make amends for a winless spring campaign. His first two runs last preparation were far from disgraceful, finishing in the minor placings after being caught back and wide in unsuitable conditions.
He returns in good order, winning a 900 metre Rosehill trial by 2l but from the wide draw he could again be vulnerable fresh.
Masked Crusader
Standout (Exceed And Excel) was labelled a star of the future after winning the G2 Expressway S. last autumn, but has only placed once in six attempts since. He’s proven first-up and if the rain stays away, he’s a genuine winning chance.
Roheryn (Lohnro) returns to Sydney after two strong showings in Queensland. First-up he accounted for the capable The Odyssey (Better Than Ready) before powering into third behind Jonker (Spirit Of Boom) and Exhilarates (Snitzel) in the R. Listed Magic Millions Sprint.
Hightail (Written Tycoon) hasn’t been far away in two attempts this time in, finishing 1.9l behind the classy Eleven Eleven (Fastnet Rock) first-up and 2l sixth in the R. Listed Magic Millions Sprint. There he was only 0.5l behind Roheryn, who he now meets 4kgs better off.
Timing right for Tailleur
Randwick, G3 Robrick Lodge Triscay S., $160,000, 1200m
Tailleur (Shooting To Win) looks to have this race at her mercy with only 53kgs and Kerrin McEvoy on her back. The lightly raced 4-year-old is yet to finish outside of the top two from seven career starts and has continued to work through her grades with ease.
This is her first attempt at Group level, but her dominant display at Rosehill last start when beating Lashes (I Am Invincible) by 3l over 1100 metres gives the impression that she’s a genuine Group horse. She’s drawn perfectly here in barrier five and can put herself up on speed and out of trouble.
Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) has trialled well for her return after being nutted on the line in the Golden Eagle during the spring. She’s a consistent type, placing nine times from 15 starts and can again run a big race fresh, despite wanting further.
Madam Rogue (Zoustar) is the proven mare in the race, but has set to lump 58.5kg first-up. She’s finished in the top three six times over 1200 metres and can’t be ignored.
Reelem In Ruby (Pierro) and Subpoenaed (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) measure up in ability and look for them to be hitting the line hard late.
