G3 Bill Ritchie Quality, $160,000, 1400m
On the back of her promising runs at Group 1 level over the autumn, Harmony Rose (Glass Harmonium {Ire}) will be strongly favoured first-up, especially as she is unbeaten first-up and at the 1400 metres. She is just one of the 17 runners produced by her bold front-running sire in 2017, a horse who served just one mare last spring!
This no one-horse affair however with the well-travelled Aramayo (Poet's Voice {GB}) ready to record her first Australian victory since returning from her successful stint in Singapore. G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) is a big chance to continue the great Australian form for the Jamie Richards stable and to improve on the already impressive record of the Savabeel/O'Reilly cross.
Also bred that way is the well named former New Zealander Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) (out of Posy (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) who has run very well at both her outings for the Chris Waller stable. Private Eye (Al Maher) got a bit too far back last start but was still game whilst Duais (Shamus Award) from the internationally prolific Fanfreluche (Can) family is having her first run since out-staying her rivals in the G1 Queensland Oaks.
G2 Tea Rose S., $200,000, 1400m
It is an open edition of the G2 Tea Rose this year with the three last-start winners all longshots rising in class. But there is plenty of quality to the field with the G2 Sweet Embrace S. winner Four Moves Ahead (Snitzel) from the family of European Horse of the Year Daylami (Ire) leading out the field.
Also hailing from a high class international family, one which produced the multiple Group 1 winner Theatrical (Ire), is the G2 Silver Shadow S. winner Swift Witness (Star Witness) whilst the G3 Sweet Embrace runner-up She's All Class (I Am Invincible) is looking to make it back-to-back Tea Rose successes for her sire whose classy daughter Dame Giselle (I Am Invincible) won this last year.
Listed Redoute's Choice S. winner Najmaty (I Am Invincible) is another fine representative of that breed whilst also boasting strong black-type form is Mallory (Not A Single Doubt) and Robodira (Husson {Arg}).
Plenty more interest in regards to breeding here with Von Trapp (Frankel {Ire}) being bred on the same Frankel/Dubawi cross as G1 Epsom Derby hero Adayar (Ire) whilst the maiden Mokula (Redoute's Choice) is a daughter of the G1 VRC Oaks winner Dear Demi (Redoute's Choice).
G1 George Main S., $1,000,000, 1600m
Always a Sydney spring carnival highlight, a race which was won three times by Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) and by such superstars as Lonhro, Vo Rogue (Ivor Prince {USA}), Emancipation (Bletchingly), Kingston Town (Bletchingly) and Shannon, the George Main looks set to again excite.
Last year's winner Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) again takes his place having not had the best of luck at his two runs this time in. The 2020 runner-up Star Of The Seas (NZ), once again by Ocean Park (NZ), also reappears having finished off nicely second-up in the G2 Tramway Stakes.
Star mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) found her share of trouble when fifth in this race last year and on the back of her gutsy first-up G1 Winx S. second looks a top chance to record her ninth elite-level success.
G2 Chelmsford S. winner Think It Over (NZ) (So You Think {NZ}) will again have fans as will Cascadian (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) who did not have the best of runs when a second-up fourth in that same race. Dual Group 1 winner Hungry Heart (Frankel {GB}) caught the eye with a strong G1 Winx Stakes finish after striking interference and she will relish the step up to the 1600 metres.
G2 The Shorts, $500,000, 1100m
Being billed as a "Mini- Everest," this year's The Shorts is one of the weekend's highlights with reigning Horse of the Year Nature Strip (Nicconi) set to again thrill racing fans on the back of his brilliant first-up victory in the G3 Concorde S.
This is a tougher race though with challenges likely to come from a couple of very exciting lightly raced sprinters in the shape of Masked Crusader (Toronado {Ire}) and Rothfire (Rothesay). The former was breathtaking charging home from the rear in the G3 The Heath S. first-up having also caught the eye overhauling Portland Sky (Deep Field) in the G1 William Reid S. in March.
Rothefire meanwhile his his first run since incurring a career threatening injury (a fractured sesamoid) last spring. The winner of seven of his nine starts including the G1 JJ Atkins S. has been trialling in brilliant fashion.
Both resuming, Eduardo (Host {Chi}) and Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}) are equally capable of big finishes, ensuring this this race is going to be some watch!
G3 Kingston Town S., $160,000, 2000m
Dual Group 1 winner Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) was one of those to really catch the eye with her first-up third in the G2 Chelmsford S. and this step up to the 2000 metres second-up looks ideal.
Dangers come from the tough stayer Spirit Ridge (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) who was terrific fresh in the G3 Premier's Cup, She's Ideel (Dundeel {NZ}) who is capable of reeling off slick splits, the consistent Criminal Code (Maschino) who looks to be over the odds and the G1 Queensland Derby winner Kukeracha (NZ) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) who has again unfortunately drawn wide after covering ground in the G2 Chelmsford S.
The Kingston Town has been won by Northern Hemisphere-bred horses nine times in the last 10 years and there is again strong international influence with half of the field carrying suffixes. Classy stallions from overses represented are Champs Elysees (GB) (Selino), Nathaniel (Ire) (Spirit Ridge and Dashing Willoughby), Born To Sea (Ire) (Shared Ambition), Azamour (Ire) (Best Of Days), Maxios (GB) (Master Of Wine), Makfi (GB) (Attorney), Intello (Ger) (Young Rascal) and Sea The Stars (Ire) (Zeyrek).
