Mugatoo’s to lose?
G1 The Star Doncaster Mile, $3,000,000, 1600m
Last start The All-Star Mile Muagtoo (Ire) (Henrythenavigator {USA}) gets his chance at Group 1 glory when he steps out here. Drawn in barrier four the lightly raced 6-year-old will be spotting the lead a fair start but has the turn of acceleration and ability to prevail at a track and trip he is proven at.
Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) has recaptured his form of yesteryear, having finished within striking distance of Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) and Think It Over (So You Think {NZ}) in two Group 1s. He’s set to lump the 56kgs alongside Mugatoo but has the class and ability to be winning this at a distance where he is a proven Group performer.
Last start G1 Rosehill Guineas winner Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) will have to contest with barrier 21 to add a maiden open age Group 1 to his resume. However, with only 49kgs on his back he can settle back nearest to last and swoop on what looks to be a strong tempo.
Gun New Zealand-gelding Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) didn’t perform to expectations last start in the G1 Randwick Guineas. However, the quick back up and drying conditions may have brought him unstuck. Here he can get his toe into the ground and will appreciate stepping out a month between runs off the back of a strong trial victory.
The Team Hawkes-trained Rock (Pierro) worked home into a distant fourth last start after settling further back than desired and can improve on the seven day back up, while last year’s runner-up Star Of The Seas (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) can make amends for a lacklustre G1 George Ryder S. showing.
Montefilia to measure up
G1 Bentley Australian Derby, $2,000,000, 2400m
Lone filly Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) justified her class in the G1 Rosehill Guineas, rattling home into third after enduring a tough run in transit. There she was a month between runs and was rising sharply in trip from 1400 metres to 2000 metres. Now third-up expect her to relish the mile-and-a-half.
Sky Lab (Real Impact {Jpn}) was luckless in defeat behind Mo’unga last time out, finishing 0.2l second. There he sustained a long run after settling back and wide. He presents here rock hard fit and will relish all of the extra 400 metres.
The John O’Shea-trained Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) was arguably the run of the race in the G1 Rosehill Guineas, settling nearest to last and weaving his way through the field along the rail. There’s every indication that he will relish the rise in trip fourth-up.
Yaletown (Vancouver) presents on the quick back up after taking out the G2 Tulloch S. at Rosehill, while the Danny O’Brien-trained Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) can peak on the back up after building nicely towards this race.
Rivalry renewal
G1 Heineken TJ Smith S., $2,500,000, 1200m
Superstar sprinter Nature Strip (Nicconi) will be out to make amends for his shock defeat in the G3 Challenge S. There subsequent G1 The Galaxy winner Eduardo (Host {Chi}) had his measure after stalking the speed and producing with a blistering rails run. The former is a month between runs but is a proven victor of 1200 metres, while the latter has mixed his form at the trip.
The aforementioned pair will string the field out at a strong galloper and if they overdo it out in front, look for triple Group 1-winning Godolphin entire Bivouac late. The James Cummings-trained 4-year-old will be out the back and stalking the speed prior to unleashing out wide under Hugh Bowman. Despite his first two efforts this time in being below par he has the ability to blow this field away on his day.
The Team Hawkes-trained Masked Crusader (Toronado {Ire}) added a maiden Group 1 to his resume in the William Reid S. after being the beneficiary of a William Pike special. This is the lightly raced gelding's biggest test to date but he’s yet to taste defeat from four attempts at 1200 metres.
Libertini (I Am Invincible) closed off into third behind Masked Crusader at Moonee Valley after sustaining a wide run, while sole filly September Run (Exceed And Excel) returned to her best behind the aforementioned pair in the G1 William Reid S. flashing into fourth after spotting the lead more than 10l on straightening.
Godolphin to take gold
G1 Inglis Sires’ S., $1,000,000, 1400m
All honours the winner but Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) produced the run of the race in the G1 Golden Slipper S. spotting the lead more the 10 lengths on straightening prior to flashing home into second. Rachel King struggled to slow down the classy juvenile past the post and he will get every chance to add a well-deserved Group 1 to his resume rising in trip.
Flashy filly Four Moves Ahead (Snitzel) loomed like the eventual runner-up in the G1 Golden Slipper S. but ultimately peaked on her run and was nosed out into fourth. The 1400 metres presents a query for this talented juvenile but on ability alone she can win.
The Team Hawkes-trained Hilal (Fastnet Rock) has been set for this race. Drawn in barrier 10 he will spot the lead a start but can reel off the required sectionals to prevail.
Captivant (Capitalist) was one of the best closers in the G1 Golden Slipper and will appreciate the rise in trip, while Victorian raider Lightsaber (Zoustar) will need to scale new heights to prevail at this level.
Sacramento’s biggest test
G2 Schweppes Chairman’s Quality H., $300,000, 2600m
Sacramento (Pierro) has continued to excel despite being in work for what seems like an eternity. Drawn in barrier nine of 13 the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained gelding can cross and dictate proceedings on his own accord. The 2600 metres is the only query as he looked to be labouring over the concluding stages last start at a mile and a-half.
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was plain on face value last start, finishing a distant second last when expected to perform. The stable have opted to present the Group 1-winning gelding on the back up and have been gifted with barrier seven and the services of Damien Oliver for their efforts.
Collide (GB) (Frankel {GB}) hasn’t hit the ground running in his two Australian starts to date, having finished a disappointing 10th in the G3 Manion Cup at Rosehill last time out. He finds a more suitable trip here and can be a big improver with fitness and experience on his side.
The Chris Waller-trained Selino (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) was impressive last start finding the line with intent over 2400 metres. Expect more improvement here over 2600 metres prior to his G1 Sydney Cup grand final next Saturday, while Group 1-winning entire and fellow OTI galloper Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}) will need to improve on a disappointing campaign to date.
Paulele primed
G3 Widden Kindergarten S., $200,000, 1100m
Godolphin galloper Paulele (Dawn Approach {Ire}) was beaten 3.6l into seventh last start at Flemington after facing interference over the concluding stages. That was his first attempt over 1400 metres and dropping back to 1100 metres should see vast improvement.
The Annabel Neasham-trained Ashema (I Am Invincible) broke her maiden in slick time at Kensington last start. Prior to that she finished third as race favourite behind subsequent G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Stay Inside (Extreme Choice). Drawn in barrier three she maps to secure a lovely run with cover forward of midfield.
Vandoula Lass (Vancouver) resumes after being nosed out here on Boxing Day. She hasn’t trialled since but has the ability to be winning this if she can recapture her debut romp at Sandown last December, while well-bred debutante Bahama (Redoute’s Choice) can figure from the midfield draw under Kerrin McEvoy.
St Patrick's Day
G3 Fujitsu General Carbine Club S., $200,000, 1600m
The Irishman (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) looks ready to peak here fourth-up off the back of a strong trial placing over 1200 metres at Randwick. Drawn in barrier five, the Mark Newnham-trained colt will find himself caught back and between runners. However, he has the ability to prevail on top bearing the tempo is on and he gets the splits when required.
High Supremacy (NZ) (Savabeel) is another who is ready to peak off the back of a strong trial showing. Drawn in barrier two this backmarker will also require a wealth of luck but if the tempo is strong watch for him to be flashing down in the outside late.
The Chris Waller-trained Wheelhouse (Pierro) is the class in the race having finished within 2l of the winner in both the Randwick and Rosehill Guineas. The only knock is that he drops back to a mile, while less credentialled stablemate Kiku (Zoustar) should relish the rise in distance third-up.
Flexible filly to fire
G3 TAB Adrian Knox S., $200,000, 2000m
The James Cummings-trained Flexible (Hallowed Crown) has the ability to notch up her first black-type victory when she steps out here, despite stepping up from BM72 grade. Drawn in barrier six she maps to get a lovely midfield trail and will be given every chance in transit by Tommy Berry.
The Edward Cummings-trained Duais (Shamus Award) was a last-start victor albeit against weaker opposition. Stepping out over 2000 metres should see her improve again, bearing Hugh Bowman can find an out from barrier two.
Darling Diamond (Pierro) was brave last time out finishing second behind the fast-finishing Duais. Here she meets Duais 1.5kgs better off at the weights and can turn the tables with Rachel King taking the reins, while Salto Angel’s (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) second behind Princess Rhaenys (Iffraaj {Ire}) reads well for this.
Marboosha to bounce back
G3 China Horse Club PJ Bell S., $200,000, 1200m
Marboosha (Dream Ahead {USA}) was expected to match motors with star Queensland filly Isotope (Deep Field) last start but failed to let down. Despite her run being disappointing on face value she was only 2.8l back in fourth behind genuine Group 1 talent. This is a step back in class and she will appreciate the wide-open Randwick advances.
Victorian raider Macroura (Snitzel) was fantastic fending off high-class opposition at Moonee Valley in February. There she was first-up and was forced to work hard early to cross but continued to savage the line. She presents here seven weeks between runs and secures the prized booking of Jamie Kah who retains the ride.
Macroura
The Kris Lees-trained Never Talk (No Nay Never {USA}) flashed home to finish second in a fiercely contested G2 Light S. prior to sticking on into fourth in the G1 Surround S. A recent Newcastle trial should have her forward enough to run well over 1200 metres while Every Rose (Choisir) boasts Never Talk's scalp first-up.
