Black type preview: Flemington, Kembla Grange and Belmont

Flemington, G1 PFD Food Services Makybe Diva S., $1,000,000, 1600m

Flemington’s first Group 1 of the new season has attracted a star-studded cast, with 10 individual Group 1 winners among a field of 13. But favouritism rests with a fascinating up-and-comer facing his first serious test.

Incentivise (Shamus Award) was a Queensland winter carnival sensation, stringing together six show-stopping victories in a row including a 12l romp in the G3 Tattersall’s Cup.

Now trained by Peter Moody and with the Melbourne Cup on his horizon, Incentivise makes his Group 1 debut on Saturday. There will be nowhere to hide against this elite lineup, but the Makybe Diva hands a potential star his first opportunity to live up to the hype.

Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) has arrived from Sydney with a superb last-start G1 Winx S. victory under his belt, defeating the exceptional Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) in a driving finish. Trained by Annabel Neasham, Mo’unga has won five of his 10 starts, and he burst to prominence as a 3-year-old last season with a victory in the G1 Rosehill Guineas and an unlucky second in the G1 Randwick Guineas.

Top-class mare Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) is on the lookout for a Melbourne Group 1 to sit alongside the 2020 All Aged S. in Sydney and this year’s Stradbroke H. and Tattersall’s Tiara in Brisbane. The 6-year-old was a beaten favourite in the G1 Memsie S. at Caulfield two weeks ago, but lost no admirers with a close third, just 0.7l behind back-to-back winner Behemoth (All Too Hard).

Close up behind Tofane in that Memsie S. finish was the fourth-placed Kiwi 4-year-old Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}), who unleashed a withering finish from last at the home turn. Trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Aegon has won five of his eight starts, including last season’s G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton and the G2 Hobartville S. at Rosehill.

Flemington, G2 Furphy Let’s Elope S., $300,000, 1400m

Instant Celebrity (Not A Single Doubt) became a Group 1 winner in Adelaide in the autumn, but it was at the Melbourne spring carnival in which she first made her name – and she’s back to do it all again in 2021.

Trained by Phillip Stokes, Instant Celebrity stepped up to stardom 12 months ago with a victory in the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude, followed by a close third in the G1 Thousand Guineas.

Overall, the classy chestnut has had nine starts for five wins and three placings, headed by a victory in the G1 Robert Sangster S. at Morphettville on May 1. She lined up in the G1 Goodwood two weeks later and was runner-up behind Savatoxl (Kuroshio).

Instant Celebrity made a highly promising return in the G3 W.W. Cockram S. two weeks ago, finishing strongly from the back for a third to Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel). She carried 60 kilograms in that race and appears well suited here with 59 kilograms and an extra 200 metres in distance.

This is the first black-type test for promising British import Turaath (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who has won all of her last three starts in impressive style. Her last-start victory over 1400 metres at Caulfield two weeks ago came in faster time than the Memsie S. later that afternoon.

Mystic Journey (Needs Further) was below her brilliant best last season but has undoubted star quality and loves Flemington, where she won the G1 Australian Guineas and The All-Star Mile back in 2019. Fellow Tasmanian raider Still A Star (Toronado {Ire}) has won nine of her 16 starts including the G3 Vamos S. and five Listed races.

Flemington, G2 Lexus Bobbie Lewis Quality, $300,000, 1200m

Queensland speedster Jonker (Spirit Of Boom) has arrived in Melbourne with Group 1 placings to his name from each of his last two starts – plus an eye-catching recent trial.

Trained by Tony Gollan, Jonker has far surpassed his $45,000 purchase price at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale with more than $1.4 million in stakes from his 25-race career to date. He finished third in the G1 The Galaxy at Rosehill two starts ago, then a close second in the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup at Eagle Farm in his most recent appearance on May 29.

Jonker warmed up for the spring with a Doomben trial on August 31, where he came up against the boom horse Rothfire (Rothesay), who had made a massive impression with a runaway trial win earlier in the month. This time Jonker made him work harder for the win, finishing less than 2l behind him at the finish and almost 5l ahead of the third-placed Bonham (Per Incanto {USA}).

Jonker holds Bobbie Lewis favouritism ahead of The Astrologist (Zoustar), who has won three of his last four starts including the G3 Aurie’s Star H. and Listed All Victorian Sprint Series Final. His only defeat in the last three months was a close third in the G3 Bletchingly S.

Another leading contender is last year’s R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Away Game (Snitzel), who won the G3 W.J. Healy S. in Brisbane two starts ago and was a last-start second in the Listed Regal Roller S.

Topweight Zoutori (Zoustar) has won this race in each of the last two years, and his excellent Flemington record also features a victory in the G1 Newmarket H. and a fourth in the G1 VRC Sprint Classic.

Flemington, Listed Exford Plate, $160,000, 1400m

All eyes are on the G1 Blue Diamond winner Artorius (Flying Artie), who made a spectacular 3-year-old debut in the G3 H.D.F. McNeil S. at Caulfield two weeks ago – flashing home from last for a runner-up finish in the 1200-metre feature, just a half-neck behind Bruckner (Snitzel).

Artorius is the favourite for next month’s G1 Caulfield Guineas, and his barnstorming finish in the McNeil suggests that the additional distance of Saturday’s 1400-metre Exford Plate will be firmly in his favour.

Last season’s G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. winner Lightsaber (Zoustar) and G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S. runner-up Hilal (Fastnet Rock) could provide the sternest opposition, while He’s Xceptional (Xtravagant {NZ}) and Tutukaka (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) are last-start Listed winners of the Mitchell McKenzie S. and Tattersall’s Life Member S. respectively.

Flemington, Listed Winning Edge Poseidon S., $160,000, 1100m

Godolphin’s Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}) was a Listed winner over this course and distance in the Talindert S. in February, which was a stepping stone to Group 1 placings in the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper.

The quality colt made a stylish return in the G3 Vain S. at Caulfield on August 14, winning comfortably, and he heads into Saturday’s Poseidon S. as a clear headline act for trainer James Cummings and jockey Damien Oliver.

Second favourite Finance Tycoon (Written Tycoon) won The Showdown in April and was fourth in the Blue Diamond, having also won the G3 Maribrynong Plate at this venue earlier in the season, while Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain) was runner-up in the Listed Mitchell McKenzie S. last start.

The field also features last season’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic hero Shaquero (Shalaa {Ire}), who was also entered for Saturday’s Run to the Rose at Kembla Grange but will instead take his place in the Flemington feature.

Flemington, Listed Cap D’Antibes S., $160,000, 1100m

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Crystal Bound (Not A Single Doubt) has made a big impression in her two career appearances, beating the subsequent Listed winner He’s Xceptional (Xtravagant {NZ}) by 6l on debut before a second placing behind Jamaea (Headwater) in the G2 Percy Sykes S.

Jye McNeil takes the ride on Saturday from a handy draw of four, and the $400,000 purchase from the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale is favourite to pick up her first stakes win.

But Grahame Begg’s Dosh (Rich Enuff) also made a superb start to her career last season, scoring back-to-back wins in the G3 Ottawa S. and the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies).

Seradess (Astern) is another filly who boasts a perfect two-from-two record, including the Listed Cinderella S. at Morphettville, while Tycoon Humma (Capitalist) won the Listed Very Special Kids Plate at this track in late February.

Flemington, Listed The Sofitel, $160,000, 1400m

This Listed feature is all about Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}), the highly impressive winner of five of his six starts so far including the G3 Gunsynd Classic in Brisbane.

The gelding has always been enormously highly regarded by trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, and he is among the key contenders for the $7.5 million Golden Eagle in Sydney on October 30.

Ayrton’s ambitious spring began with a low-key handicap win at Caulfield on August 28, and Saturday marks his eagerly anticipated return to stakes grade.

Regardsmaree (So You Think {NZ}) was close up behind Ayrton in third a couple of weeks ago and is among his opposition again here, while Crosshaven (Smart Missile) won the Listed Exford Plate at this meeting 12 months ago and Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) finished second in the G1 Australian Guineas here in February.

Kembla Grange, G2 XXXX Run to the Rose, $200,000, 1200m

A stellar clash of elite 3-year-olds looms in Saturday’s Run to the Rose, which features no fewer than four Group 1-winning colts among its fascinating field.

Favouritism rests with Godolphin’s Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}), who produced booming finishes to place in the G1 Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper earlier this year before bringing the curtain down on his juvenile campaign with an emphatic 2.8l victory in the G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S.

Trainer James Cummings gave the colt a trial at Randwick on September 2, where he finished a good third behind elite sprinter Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}), and all indications are he is ready to fire first-up on Saturday with James McDonald in the saddle.

Converge (Frankel {GB}) was a runaway winner of the G1 JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm in June, outclassing his opposition by 3.25l The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained runner had previously placed at the elite level in Sydney, where he finished third in the Champagne S. He won a trial at Randwick on August 20.

Captivant (Capitalist) and Stay Inside (Extreme Choice) won last season’s Champagne S. and Golden Slipper respectively, and they both kicked off their 3-year-old season in last month’s G3 San Domenico S., in which Captivant finished third and Stay Inside was fifth.

The San Domenico was won by determined front-runner In The Congo (Snitzel), who is back again on Saturday and has to be highly respected, while the lightly raced Remarque (Snitzel) adds interest with his last-start placing in the Listed The Rosebud and an easy subsequent trial win.

Kembla Grange, G2 Coolmore Sheraco S., $200,000, 1200m

One of New Zealand’s most exciting mares will launch her Sydney spring campaign in Saturday’s Sheraco S. – albeit slightly later than originally planned.

The Jamie Richards-trained Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) has had seven starts for five wins, including last season’s G3 Concorde H. and G3 King’s Plate at Ellerslie. Her three starts at Ellerslie over the summer resulted in three dominant victories by a combined margin of more than 8l.

She made her Australian debut in the G2 Sapphire S. during The Championships in April, jumping from the extreme outside gate and finishing a close second behind Fasika (So You Think {NZ}).

Richards originally intended to kick off Entriviere’s spring campaign in last month’s G3 Toy Show Quality, but she was withdrawn due to a minor foot issue. She has since won a trial at Randwick, and she is better suited on Saturday with 55.5 kilograms on her back and a handy draw of six for jockey James McDonald. In the Toy Show, she would have carried 59 kilograms from gate 19.

Entriviere’s potential targets later in the spring include the G2 Golden Pendant and the inaugural $2 million The Invitation.

Second favourite Written Beauty (Written Tycoon) has won five of her nine starts including last season’s G3 Red Roses S., while the Toy Show Quality first and third placegetters Fiteuse (Deep Field) and Tailleur (Shooting To Win) are also likely to make their presence felt.

Kembla Grange, G2 Chandon Theo Marks S., $200,000, 1300m

The 1300-metre Theo Marks has attracted a competitive and high-quality lineup, including impressive last-start winners Big Parade (Deep Field) and Private Eye (Al Maher).

Big Parade has yet to win at black-type level, but there was a lot to like about his last-start performance at Kembla Grange on August 14. He scored by more than 3l in that BM88, breaking the 1200-metre track record with a slick time of 1:08.44.

Private Eye has won seven of his 10 career starts, including the G2 Queensland Guineas and last month’s G3 Show County Quality in his two most recent appearances. He is also a winner of his only previous start at Kembla Grange, and his three attempts at 1300 metres have all been winning ones.

Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) resumed with a good third in the Show County Quality, and she was an admirable performer on some of the biggest stages last season – collecting second placings in photo finishes to the Golden Eagle and the G1 Doncaster Mile.

Embracer (Sebring) is another runner worth watching, having impressed with a trial win at Randwick last month before his second placing in the Show County Quality. He carried only half a kilogram less than Private Eye in the Show County, but Private Eye now moves up to 55.5 kilograms while Embracer will carry 53.5.

Kembla Grange, Listed Drinkwise Dulcify S., $150,000, 1500m

Tiger Of Malay (Extreme Choice) has been performing strongly in higher grades than this in recent starts, winning the G2 BRC Sires’ Produce S. and G3 Up and Coming S. along with a third placing in between times in the G1 JJ Atkins.

His last-start victory in the Up and Coming has also been given a boost over the last few weeks by the runner-up Coastwatch (Fastnet Rock), who impressively won the G3 Ming Dynasty at his next appearance.

Tiger Of Malay is nominated for the G1 Golden Rose, Epsom H. and Caulfield Guineas, and Saturday’s Listed event gives the Richard and Michael Freedman-trained runner the opportunity to carry on his winning form as his spring campaign gathers momentum.

But he may not have everything his own way, as a number of his rivals are heading into Saturday in impressive winning form.

Silent Impact (Maurice {Jpn}) has had two starts for two impressive wins, Royalzel (Snitzel) has strung together three classy victories in a row, and Aeecee Express (NZ) (Savabeel) placed on debut before winning his next two.

Giannis (Flying Artie) finished a last-start second in the JJ Atkins and has won a recent trial.

Belmont, Listed Hahn SuperDry Farnley S., $125,000, 1400m

The promising Notorious One (Animal Kingdom {USA}) steps up to stakes class for the first time on Saturday against a small but competitive lineup.

Trained by Chris and Michael Gangemi, the gelding has won seven of his 13 starts including three of his last four. Clint Johnston-Porter has the ride on Saturday, and the 6-year-old is a clear favourite among a seven-horse field.

Tellem We’re Comin (Blackfriars) has picked up two second placings at Listed level in his last two starts, while Media Baron (Written Tycoon) was a creditable fourth in the Listed Idyllic Prince S. last start.

Topweights Top Fools (Poet’s Voice {GB}) and Neufbosc (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) add some proven quality to the lineup.