The right runway
Caulfield, G2 PB Lawrence S., $300,000, 1400m
Streets Of Avalon (Magnus) looks primed here second-up after running a bold second on an unsuitable soft surface in the G3 Bletchingly S. last start.
He draws out in barrier eight but has the early speed to cross and take up a forward position under Zac Spain. So, expect a forward showing from the track and trip specialist.
Impressive G3 Bletchingly S. winner Sansom (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) profiles as one of the hardest to beat in this race after showing his class first-up over a distance short of his best.
The Phillip Stokes-trained gelding will need an ounce of luck from barrier one based on his recent racing pattern.
Streets Of Avalon
Red Can Man (Gingerbread Man) wasn’t beaten far into sixth in the G3 Bletchingly S. before running a bold third when stepping up to 1400 metres last start.
He’s up to this class but may find it a tough ask from barrier 10 of 10.
Best Of Days (GB) (Azamour {Ire}) is a classy individual but has only won once from seven first-up runs.
Watch for him to be running on through the line late as these gallopers might be a bit sharp for him fresh.
Tick of approval
Caulfield, G3 Neds Vain S., $200,000, 1100m
Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}) is the proven class runner in this field. The G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Golden Slipper S. placegetter didn’t put a foot wrong during his debut campaign and has since returned with two pleasing trials.
He will be forced to settled nearest to last after drawing the far outside, barrier seven. However, if the speed is on and the track plays to suit expect him to be charging through the line late.
Ingratiating
General Beau (Brazen Beau) nosed out subsequent G1 Sires’ Produce S. winner Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) in the G3 Blue Diamond S. Prelude (Colts and Geldings) before finishing a bold fifth in the G1 Blue Diamond S.
The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained galloper is two-from-two first-up and could prove hard to hold out if he finds cover from barrier six.
Generation (Snitzel) won his first two career starts by a combined margin of 5.5l before being tipped out for a spell in May. This is a big rise in class but he has significant upside and untapped ability.
Expect him to get all the favours from barrier one with Jamie Kah in the saddle.
Lightsaber (Zoustar) controlled proceedings when winning over 1400 metres at Flemington last campaign.
His distant last in the G1 Sires’ Produce S. at Randwick can be ignored as he was expected to figure prominently and wasn’t his usual self.
He looks to get all the favours up on speed but will need to scale new heights to hold off a field of this class.
The Najmaty party
Caulfield, G3 Beck Probuild Quezette S., $200,000, 1100m
Najmaty (I Am Invincible) bolted in by 2.8l at this track and trip in April’s Listed Redoute’s Choice S. before failing to fire in the G2 Percy Sykes S. when sent around as favourite.
She has returned with three superb trials and looks forward enough to figure right in the finish first-up. John Allen has been booked to ride the Emirates Park-owned prospect.
Gimmie Par (Not A Single Doubt) is another classy individual stepping out for the first time since April.
On debut, she was only beaten 0.5l by G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Golden Slipper S. placegetter Ingratiating before breaking her maiden status at this track and trip. Jamie Kah replaces Luke Nolen in the saddle.
Arcaded
Arcaded (Street Boss {USA}) is unbeaten in three starts against her own sex.
The James Cummings-trained galloper boasts a victory over subsequent G2 Percy Sykes S. winner Jamaea (Headwater) and will take a power of beating if she gets the breaks.
Scorched Earth (Nicconi) strung two together at the back of her first preparation after finishing second behind the aforementioned Arcaded in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies).
The John Moloney-trained galloper has plenty of speed but will be forced to do a lot of work early to take up a position from barrier 14 of 14.
Success beckons for her
Caulfield, Listed Evergreen Turf Regal Roller S., $160,000, 1200m
La Mexicana (I Am Invincible) was brave in defeat first-up here over 1100 metres when missing by 0.1l. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained mare is as consistent as they come and is yet to taste defeat in three attempts at this trip.
Jamie Kah sticks in the saddle and will be able to gift the lightly raced prospect the run of the race from barrier two.
Away Game (Snitzel) added a Group win to her resume when taking out the G3 WJ Healy S. in fine fashion during the Queensland winter carnival.
She presents here six weeks between runs and maps to get all the favours from barrier seven settling just off the speed. Expect her to be flashing home hard out wide if the track is playing to suit.
Away Game
Zou Dancer (Zoustar) put in a sound effort on return when giving a significant amount of weight to her rivals. She sticks to 1200 metres and can put herself up on speed in hope of running her rivals into the ground.
The progressive Pintoff (Toorak Toff) was an eye-catching 1.8l winner against the pattern at this track and trip last start. He draws superbly in barrier five but looks to be outclassed in a field of this quality.
Tiger time
Kembla Grange, G3 Darley Up And Coming S., $160,000, 1300m
Tiger Of Malay (Extreme Choice) is the clear class runner and has been weighted accordingly.
The Richard and Michael Freedman-trained galloper was last seen when running on into third in the G1 JJ Atkins S. behind Converge (Frankel {GB}) and before that he was an emphatic victor in the G2 BRC Sires' Produce S.
Expect him to exert his dominance if he turns up in the same order that we have seen previously.
Tiger Of Malay | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
Fellow Newgate Farm and China Horse Club-owned colts Concocted (Written Tycoon) and Revivalist (Shalaa {Ire}) present as the two main dangers in the race.
The pair come through nice second-placed performances and gets seven and 8kgs off Tiger Of Malay respectively.
Subterranean (Rebel Dane) hasn’t set things alight in two soft Warwick Farm trials since finishing fifth in the G1 JJ Atkins S.
He is a clear danger on form alone but looks vulnerable here with 58kgs on his back.
Rossa ready
Morphettville, G3 James Squire Spring S., $127,250, 1200m
Beau Rossa (Unencumbered) looks the most likely in a race that consists of only three realistic winning chances.
He steps up to a more suitable trip after winning by 3.3l on a Heavy 10 on resumption. Expect him to prove hard to topple with race fitness on his side.
Behemoth (All Too Hard) won this race first-up last year before going on to win back-to-back Group 1s at Caulfield.
He then returned in the autumn and finished third over a mile in the All-Star Mile on a heavily rain-affected Moonee Valley circuit. The track conditions are no concern, but he could find Beau Rossa a touch too sharp fresh over this trip.
Dalasan (black, red and white silks)
Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) went to the next level in the autumn with third-placed performances in the G1 Doncaster H. and G1 Queen Elizabeth S.
He was second behind Behemoth here last year and should again figure in the top three on class alone.
The Justin Potter-trained One More Jack (Typhon) presents as the best of the rest.
Pacific to pounce
Belmont, Listed Heineken-Belmont Newmarket, $125,000, 1200m
Indian Pacific (Zoustar) is the one to beat here on resumption. The Neville Parnham-trained gelding was 0.2l second behind Zoutori (Zoustar) in the G1 Newmarket H. at Flemington in March before finishing 4.9l behind Masked Crusader (Toronado {Ire}) in the G1 William Reid S. at Moonee Valley.
The 5-year-old has since won consecutive trials by 6.5l and 0.5l respectively. He boasts an impeccable three-from-three first-up record and should make his presence felt with luck in running.
Son Of A God (Playing God) isn’t in the same realm as Indian Pacific. However, he is a realistic chance to come out on top here thanks to the weight scale.
The Simon Miller-trained gelding will meet the aforementioned galloper 7.5kgs better off at the weights and is set to jump from barrier four.
He’s won four from five and placed on one other occasion over this trip.
Tellem We’re Comin (Blackfriars) put in a strong trial showing over 1200 metres earlier this month. He gets in with only 54.5kgs but should find his rivals too sharp fresh.
Western Temple (Dream Ahead {USA}) is the fit and in-form horse in this event.
The 8-year-old veteran of 43 starts proved he’s still got plenty left in the tank with a strong third-placed performance behind two classy types at this track and trip three weeks ago.
So, expect him to settle off the speed and present with a flashing late run out wide.