Cover image courtesy of Morphettville Jockey Club
Mizzy on song
Morphettville, G1 TAB Classic, $502,250, 1200m
The Anthony Cummings-trained Mizzy (Zoustar) returns four weeks between runs after offering little last start. The ever-consistent 5-year-old was impressive prior finishing a narrow second behind Krone (Eurozone) and Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) in two consecutive Group 1 attempts. Drawn in barrier one the high-rating mare will require a perfectly executed ride by Regan Bayliss to overcome traffic issues.
Locally trained talent Instant Celebrity (Not A Single Doubt) presents second-up after finishing fourth over 1100 metres. The Group 1-placed filly has the ability to win a race of this calibre but may be looking for further to show her best.
Sisstar
Sisstar (Zoustar) was impressive winning last time out at Caulfield despite over racing out in front. Leading hoop William Pike has made the trip over from Perth to reunite with the talented 4-year-old in pursuit of her maiden Group 1 success. Barrier nine is ideal for the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained galloper, allowing her to jump and find the front without having to work hard early.
The Rosemont-owned Brooklyn Hustle (Starspangledbanner) draws out again, this time jumping from barrier 15 of 17. However, if the leaders go hard early expect her to be flashing hard down the outside late.
Godolphin galloper Lyre (Lonhro) will be out to make amends for her second-placed effort in this feature event last year. She is in similar form and can prevail despite drawing the widest of all runners in barrier 17, while stablemate Flit (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) can build on her fifth placed effort in March’s G1 William Reid S.
Steinem brings style
Morphettville, G1 Australasian Oaks, $502,250, 2000m
Lightly raced filly Steinem (GB) (Frankel {GB}) maps to get an even crack this time out, after being forced the widest of all runners last start in the G3 Aurelia S. Drawn in barrier one the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained galloper can lob further forward in the run under leading hoop Jye McNeil. The only knock is that she is yet to race in between runners but with clear air her class can shine through.
G1 VRC Oaks winner Personal (Fastnet Rock) returns after her lacklustre showing in the G1 Vinery Stud S. at Rosehill last month. She has this field's measure on exposed form but will need to offset drawing out in barrier seven. However, esteemed hoop Damien Oliver rides and will give her every chancer at success.
Personal
Undefeated Tasmanian filly Hela (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) is shooting for eight on the trot when she steps out here. This is her biggest test to date, but she looks to have a host of ability. Regular hoop David Pires makes the journey across to ride and will give her every possible chance up on speed.
Brookspire (Hinchinbrook) was most impressive taking a BM78 over a mile at Caulfield last Saturday. She presents here on the quick back up and looks to relish the step-up in trip, while the James Cummings-trained Flexible (Hallowed Crown) brings strong form lines into this event after finishing third behind subsequent G1 Australian Derby place getters Duais (So You Think {NZ}) and Bargain (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) in the G2 Adrian Knox S.
Ranting to be rewarded
Morphettville, G2 TAB Tobin Bronze S., $202,250, 1200m
Talented colt Ranting (NZ) (Zoustar) is yet to put his best foot forward this time in, finishing a distant eighth and ninth at his first two runs. He presents here off the back of a freshen-up and is capable of prevailing if he is able to recapture his form of last spring.
Ranting (NZ) (yellow cap)
The Will Clarken-trained Beau Rossa (Unencumbered) drops back to 1200 metres after being narrowly denied last time out over a mile. Now fourth-up and rock-hard fit expect him to prove hard to hold out settling further forward in the run under Todd Pannell.
Minhaaj (Exceed And Excel) was luckless in defeat here over 1100 metres on April 17. Esteemed hoop Luke Nolen replaces Blaike McDougall and can give his mount every chance in transit.
Lightly raced gelding Ocean Beyond (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) resumes after going two from two in his debut campaign. The Daniel Bowman-trained talent can take up a forward position from barrier five under Harry Coffey.
In Good order
Morphettville, G2 Queen Of The South S., $202,250, 1600m
The Peter Moody-trained In Good Health (Congrats {USA}) looks hard to beat here, after finishing within striking distance of two high-class mares since returning. She stays at a mile and can prove hard to run down rolling along out in front under Luke Nolen.
Thousand Wishes (Lope De Vega {Ire}) impressed saluting over 1400 metres at Caulfield a fortnight ago. She’s proven over a mile and looks set to relish the rise in trip after savaging the line in her latest success. Damien Lane retains the ride and will give her every chance to work home strongly out wide.
Talented mare Lunakorn (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) has failed to show her class at her last two starts, finishing back in the field without any genuine excuses. She is more than capable of making amends under star hoop William Pike settling in a more prominent position from barrier three.
Fabric (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) produced a solid return effort at Caulfield over 1200 metres last start. Craig Williams steps back into the saddle and will give her every chance at success, while Barend Vorster can secure a maiden black-type success for progressive prospect Shop Til I Drop (NZ) (Savabeel).
Godolphin hold key
Morphettville, G3 D C McKay S., $127,250, 1100m
The aptly named Pandemic (Sepoy) settled back in the pack and never got a crack at the leading brigade at Rosehill earlier last month. He presents a month between runs and secures the services of William Pike. The only knock is where he maps from barrier nine in this small field. However, there looks to be enough speed in the race to see him salute over the top late.
Sword Of Mercy (Sebring) loomed to win last start but peaked on her run over the concluding stages. She draws the far outside here, barrier 11, and could end up being posted from the gate. However, she has the class to get the job done here third-up with fitness on her side.
The James Cummings-trained Viridine (Poet's Voice {GB}) is a class operator but will be forced to lump 6kgs more than his rivals. He draws alongside stablemate Viridine in barrier 10 but can roll forward and take up a position closer in the run, while the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Savatoxl (Kuroshio) will need to scale new heights to prove competitive here.
Juvenile’s do battle
Morphettville, Listed Without Fear S., $107,250, 1050m
Translation (Frosted {USA}) was narrowly denied by stablemate Cloudy (Frosted {USA}) here last start. Expect her to lead the field up again and prove hard to run down under star hoop William Pike third-up.
Victorian raider See You In Spring (Siyouni {Fr}) was superb on debut running a slick time en route to a strong 1.3l victory at Cranbourne. The progressive prospect will appreciate the extra 50 metres here and can settle up on speed from barrier two under Luke Currie.
The Phillip Stokes-trained Totally Discreet (Territories {Ire}) steps out here on debut without any trial form to rely on. However, she did win a jump-out in style on April. It wouldn’t be a shock to see her run well despite being unexposed under raceday conditions.
Fellow first starter Silent Theory (Nicconi) hasn’t been seen since winning a 1000 metre trial at Benalla in February of this year. Craig Williams will ride and can position the juvenile gelding in a forward position with cover from barrier five.
Silent achiever
Morphettville, Listed Port Adelaide Cup, $107,250, 2500m
Silent Sovereign (Dalakhani {Ire}) looks well positioned here dropping back in class after being out lasted at Caulfield over 2400 metres. The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained mare presents three weeks between runs and maps to secure a lovely midfield run with cover from barrier six. She is proven at 2500 metres and has finished in the top two at three of six attempts.
Victorian raider Wycliff (Archipenko {USA}) performed below expectations third-up at Caulfield. Despite drawing out in barrier nine there is no excuses for the Danny O’Brien-trained entire as he should present cherry ripe fourth-up and stepping out an extra 500 metres in trip.
Aurora’s Symphony (Glass Harmonium {Ire}) won well over 2400 metres at Sandown prior to finish only 1.4l behind the winner in a high-rating edition of the Terang Cup. There he was resuming 7 weeks between runs over a less than desirable trip. Expect him to improve on that effort and again prove competitive despite drawing out in barrier 13.
The Mark Kavanagh-trained Rebel Racer (Rebel Raider) profiles perfectly for this event, despite finishing a distant second last at Caulfield last time in. There he was faced with an unsuitable Soft surface and didn’t get the run to suit. Here he maps to get cover from barrier four and can present with a powerful late run under Craig Williams.
Athiri in form
Hawkesbury, G3 Killahy Equine Hawkesbury Crown, $175,00, 1300m
Athiri (Lonhro) is the out-and-out class runner here, having been narrowly denied by subsequent Group 1 winner Krone (Eurozone) last-start after finishing 2.3l here better at Eagle Farm prior to that. The James Cummings-trained 4-year-old is proven fresh and maps to get a lovely run from barrier one. She present here off the back of a nice trial triumph and can add another Group success to her already impressive resume.
Krone
The Kris Lees-trained Wandabaa (Wandjina) has been slowly building towards a win, after having finished within striking distance at her last three attempts. Fourth-up and rising to 1300 metres should she her given every chance to score over the top late, working home hard from back in the field.
Sweet Deal (Casino Prince) goes around for the final time ahead of going under the hammer Friday week. Despite nearing the end of her journey, the three-time Group 3 winner can go out in style regardless of the form she brings into this contest. Expect her to score the gun run from barrier five and to be given every chance by close acquittance Nash Rawiller.
Reelem In Ruby (Pierro) will lump the top weight of 59kgs and rightfully so. The class operator has plenty left to given and can peak her fourth-up. However, she may find herself with too much to do settling nearest to last from barrier 14 and dropping back in trip from 1500 metres.
Colt goes boom
Hawkesbury, G3 Blacktown Workers Club Group Hawkesbury Guineas, $200,000, 1400m
Ellsberg (Spill The Beans) impressed on return at Randwick, dominating his rivals en route to a 3l triumph. This a new challenge but he is open to significant improvement and can go on with the job rolling forward from barrier four and dictating proceedings at a track that suits those positioned up on speed.
Exoboom (Exosphere) is yet to put a foot wrong in his short career to date, failing to miss the top two in his first six starts. He will need to improve sharply to finish the better of Ellsberg. However, he looks progressive and can give the this race a shake with luck in running from barrier 10.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Aim (Star Witness) is a high-class galloper and boasts success in this year’s R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Classic. He gets here well at the weights and can improve sharply second up stepping out over 1400 metres.
The lightly raced Rainbow Connection (Choisir) was far from disgraced when finishing third behind Ellsberg at Randwick on April 17. He’s a progressive type and can again improve sharply with more experience on his side.
Quinton celebration
Hawkesbury, G3 Evergreen Turf Hawkesbury Gold Cup, $200,000, 1600m
The Ron Quinton-trained Royal Celebration (Excelebration {Ire}) looks primed to prevail here third-up stepping out over a mile. The ever consistent entire is building towards a victory and will prove hard to hold out with even luck from barrier four.
Greysful Glamour (Stratum) has failed to show her best in recent attempts, finishing outside of the top 10 on three of her last four occasions. She presents here after finishing last of all runners in the G1 Queen Of The Turf S. However, if she recaptures her second-placed effort two back she can prove hard to hold out rolling along out in front under Rachel King.
Archedemus (Lope De Vega {Ire}) was sound in defeat last-start, holding on to finish 2.3l ninth after working hard early out in front, while Purple Sector (Pins) figure prominently if he recaptures the form of previous preparations stepping out to a suitable trip.
Very classy Varda
Hawkesbury, Listed Hawkesbury XXXX Gold Rush, $140,000, 1100m
Varda (Lonhro) boasts the scalp of subsequent G1 William Reid S. winner Masked Crusader (Toronado {Ire}). She returns to the track for the first time since last spring on the back of three most impressive trials. Jason Collett is booked to ride and will give the Godolphin mare every chance under the light weight of 53.5kgs.
Adelong (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) has disappointed at her last five attempts having finished out of the placings on all occasions. The Brad Widdup-trained mare is certainly up to this class if she can return to her early form.
Special Reward (Demerit) resume for trainer Kris Lees on the back of a dominant trial triumph over 950 metres. He’s set to lump the top weight of 60kgs but can give a sight up on speed, while Embracer (Sebring) is a first-up flyer having finished in the money at all three fresh attempts. She returns to the track here after putting together three strong trial showings.
