Siracusa hard to roll
G2 Travis S., NZ$100,000, 2000m
Siracusa (NZ) was runner-up in the G2 Japan Trophy and then finished a sound fifth in the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. She will relish the step-up to 2000 metres and should prove tough to beat.
Savvy Yong Blonk (NZ) (Savabeel) is a consistent mare who wasn’t tested last time out to win the G3 Manawatu Breeders’ Classic over this trip. She looks sure to give another grand sight and hard to see her not figuring in the finish.
Our Hail Mary (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) has won four of her last five starts, including the G3 Trentham S. and most recently was successful on this course so her form speaks for itself.
Travelling Light (NZ) (El Roca) is talented and the only question mark on her might be running out a strong 2000 metres. Pierina (NZ) (Savabeel) finished powerfully for third in the Listed Anzac Mile and she is one who should appreciate the extra trip.
Slick filly fancied
G3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ S., NZ$70,000, 1200m
Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard) takes on the males here and in her current form will prove a handful. She bolted in over this course and distance last time out and as a noted front-runner has drawn ideally in gate two.
No Filter (Toronado {Ire}) has won his last two starts impressively and ready for a step up to Group class while the capable El Tirador (NZ) (Shocking) has been freshened and should be ready for a bold 1200 metre showing.
Side By Side (Star Witness) has looked good with two wins on the bounce and Pazienza (Written Tycoon) resumed with victory at Hastings and there should be further improvement to come from her.
Sacred Option (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) won at Awapuni earlier this month and has since had a trial to keep her up to the mark. Tina Again (NZ) (El Roca) finished runner-up to Babylon Berlin last time out and on that effort is a definite place prospect again.
Group 1 gallopers contend
Eagle Farm, G2 TAB Victory S., $250,000, 1200m
The James Cummings-trained Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) steps out for the first time since last November when going under as a hot commodity in the G1 Winterbottom S. at Ascot. This event is no harder and he can kick his campaign off in style here against moderate opposition, bearing Hugh Bowman can find an out from barrier three. His recent 5.5l trial romp and previous strong first-up showings sees him well positioned.
Trekking
Fasika (So You Think {NZ}) made amends for her disappointing spring campaign when scoring first up over 1200 metres at Randwick. She looms as the main danger to Trekking’s chances and is every chance of finishing the better if she can can replicate her third placed effort in last year’s G1 All Aged S.
Vega One (Lope De Vega {Ire}) looks the leading local chance. Drawn in barrier five he can take up a midfield position and launch at the leaders late under star hoop Glen Boss, while fellow Queenslander Emerald Kingdom (Bryannbo's Gift {NZ}) can figure if he brings his recent trial form to the fore.
Chase him down
Eagle Farm, G2 Treasury Brisbane Queensland Guineas, $350,000, 1600m
Apache Chase (Better Than Ready) returned to the winner's stall last start scoring by 2.8l over 1400 metres. The Desleigh Forster-trained 3-year-old looks prepared to extend over a mile and can measure up against quality opposition.
The Joseph Pride-trained Private Eye (Al Maher) was back to his best last start, flashing home into third behind a nice type at Randwick. Stepping up from 1400 metres looks right up his alley and could prove a recipe for success.
Aquis-owned galloper Holyfield (I Am Invincible) wasn’t disgraced on resumption despite finishing a distant second last. There he was caught wide on a hot speed so you can forget he ever went around. The Annabel Neasham-trained galloper can show his best settling further forward with cover under rising young hoop Stephanie Thornton, while Tumbler Ridge (Spill The Beans) is every chance of going back to back and continuing on from his impressive last-start triumph at Doomben over a mile.
Neasham continues good fortune
Eagle Farm, Listed Treasury Brisbane Dalrello S., $140,000, 1000m
Ashema (I Am Invincible) backed up her maiden success with a bold second-placed performance behind a high-class type at Randwick over 1100 metres. She steps out here third-up rock-hard fit and can blow her rivals away, bearing she doesn’t find the 1000 metres too sharp and gets luck in running, as she will be tucked away and given the field a start from barrier six.
Forget Miss Hipstar’s (Star Turn) luckless run in the R. Listed Magic Million’s 2YO Classic before a break. There she was forced off the track and was only beaten 7l for her troubles. Her recent trial at Doomben over 840 metres was sharp and gave every indication of a filly forward enough to be winning fresh.
Talented filly Stellar Magic (Star Turn) is building an imposing record having finished in the quinella at all four of her raceday attempts. She will have to scale new heights to get the better of the aforementioned pair but there’s no reason to suggest that she can’t shake things up with luck from barrier three.
The Chris Munce-trained Military Gambler (Rommel) secures the prized booking of Glen Boss for his biggest test to date. The last-start runner-up will be suited dropping back in trip from 1200 metres and can match motors with his more credentialled rivals.
