G1 Charter Keck Cramer Moir S., $1,000,000, 1000m
Promising colt Profiteer (Capitalist) is aiming to add a very valuable Group 1 victory to his resume in his first appearance since running seventh when favourite in the G1 Golden Slipper S. in March.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained colt has looked very sharp in a couple of recent hitouts around this track and he was a dominant winner of his first two starts, down the straight at Flemington on debut and then in the R. Listed Inglis Millennium, where he streeted the field by 5.3l.
Profiteer
He will be among a host of horses trying to get to the front of the 1000-metre sprint, with the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained 4-year-old Wild Ruler (Snitzel) also expected to settle close to the pace. He was beaten only by Nature Strip (Nicconi) last time out in the G2 Concorde S. and will have race fitness on his side on Profiteer.
Former Singapore galloper The Inferno (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) was super-impressive last time out in the G2 McEwen S. over this track and distance, showing an excellent turn of foot, and the Cliff Brown-trained 5-year-old looks capable of further improvement,
He defeated G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Portland Sky (Deep Field) on that occasion, but that horse is also likely to improve off that run.
The Chris Waller-trained September Run (Exceed And Excel), who won the G1 Coolmore Stud S., impressed with her late sectionals when running third in the McEwen S., and while she is probably not ideally suited at 1000 metres, she possesses a stunning finish.
The other Group 1 winner in the race is Godolphin veteran Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) who was runner-up in this race last year.
G2 Ladbrokes Stocks S., $300,000, 1600m
In an extremely open edition of the Stocks S. the progressive mare Butter Chicken (NZ) (Savabeel) looks the one to beat. Prepared by Grahame Begg, she made quick progress through her three starts as a 3-year-old and was unlucky first-up at Flemington. She looks ideally suited up to the 1600 metres, although will need some tempo to ensure she can get into the race late.
Butter Chicken (NZ) pictured as a yearling
So You Assume (So You Think {NZ}) is the mare in form and will make her own luck on the pace. The Shane Nichols-trained mare has not raced in six weeks but before that won back-to-back races in this distance range at Caulfield and Moonee Valley.
Quantum Mechanic (Deep Field) took giant strides last campaign, winning a G2 Sunline S., over this track and distance in March, before running third in both the G1 Emancipation and the G1 Queen of the Turf S. She should get an ideal run from barrier four.
Only Words (NZ) (Sweynesse) should also get a good run, and you’d expect significant improvement from her first-up 13th at Flemington, especially if the track is downgraded.
Rich Hips (Written Tycoon), who was fifth in that Flemington race, the G2 Let's Elope S., certainly has the class to win this. The 1600 metres is a slight query second-up as her best form if probably over 1400 metres.
G2 Aspect Kitchens Stutt S., $300,000, 1600m
Mr Mozart (Snitzel) rises in class after fending off boom colt Artorius (Flying Artie) in last fortnight’s Listed Exford Plate at Flemington.
Snitzel, sire of Mr Mozart | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
The Team Hawkes-trained colt is yet to be tested over a mile but expect him to get the trip as he is out of the G3 Ladies Day Vase winner Euro Angel (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}).
Fred Kersley has been booked to ride the exciting talent as he makes his case for a G1 Caulfield Guineas birth.
Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) presents as Mr Mozart’s main danger after flashing home to run down the well-fancied Sandy Prince (Pride Of Dubai) here over 1500 metres.
Forgot You should have the edge again over the extra trip bearing Daniel Moor finds an out from the inside draw, barrier three.
Micro (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) broke his maiden status in fine fashion at Bendigo last start. The Godolphin galloper steps up in class after contesting three maidens this time in.
However, he is more than capable of winning if he can recapture the form that saw him finish third behind the highly talented Lightsaber (Zoustar) and Saif (Pride Of Dubai) in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. at Flemington in March.
Formerly trained in New Zeealand, Riverplate (NZ) (Flying Artie) was most impressive first-up on Australian soil earlier this month when clocking the fastest final 600, 400 and 200-metre sectionals of the day at Sandown.
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained colt backed that up with a luckless sixth-placed performance at Caulfield last Saturday.
He presents on a six-day back up and should prove hard to hold out stepping out to a mile for the first time.
G3 Piper-Heidsieck Scarborough S., $200,000, 1200m
Larkspur Run (Shamardal {USA}) chased home the highly touted Zouzarella (Zoustar) at this track and trip last start in the Listed Atlantic Jewel S.
The late Shamardal (USA), sire of Larkspur Run
The James Cummings-trained filly presents here fourth-up after three pleasing performances and should prove hard to beat with luck from barrier four.
Craig Williams sticks in the saddle which is another positive.
Seradess (Astern) lost no admirers on return at Flemington when finishing fifth behind Crystal Bound (Not A Single Doubt) in her first attempt down the straight.
She draws superbly in barrier one and can put herself up on speed in a race that lacks a great deal of tempo on paper.
Glistening (Zoustar) found the line with intent to finish 0.7l behind Seradess last start after being held up at a vital stage in the run.
She boasts form around the nation’s top fillies having finished 2.4l behind Swift Witness (Star Witness) on resumption in the G2 Darley Silver Shadow S. at Randwick.
The only knock on Glistening’s chances is her outside draw, barrier 11.
Flying Evelyn (Not A Single Doubt) looks well-placed third-up after being narrowly denied by the aforementioned Crystal Bound in the Listed Cap d’Antibes S. at Flemington while the undefeated Morning Melody (Spill The Beans) is capable of putting trainer Nick Harnett’s name in lights under the urgings on Damien Oliver.
G3 Steamatic JRA Cup, $200,000, 2040m
Mount Popa (Ire) (Maxios {GB}) is well-placed here third-up after two pleasing performances in the G1 Winx S. and G1 Makybe Diva S. respectively.
The Team Hawkes-trained galloper will relish the extra 440 metres on offer and should get a soft run out in front alongside likely speed influence Homesman (USA) (War Front {USA}).
Homesman is a Group 1 winner and the main danger to Mount Popa but could find himself vulnerable first-up with 60kgs on his back.
Defibrillate (NZ) (Shocking) was unlucky in defeat last start when savaging the line under a big weight after being held up at a vital stage.
The Patrick Payne-trained gelding is capable of turning the tables on Mount Popa despite finishing 5.6l behind the promising import in March’s Listed Mornington Cup.
Djukon (GB) (Jukebox Jury {Ire}) was solid here over a mile on resumption. The Chris Waller-trained gelding will strip fitter for the run and is capable of running on strongly under 54kgs.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Secret Blaze (Sizzling) must be respected stepping out to a suitable trip fourth-up
