G1 TAB Turnbull S., $1 million, 2000m
A mouth-watering clash between Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) and Incentivise (Shamus Award) will take place as they prepare for an even more exciting battle with Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) in the G1 W.S. Cox Plate.
Verry Elleegant is attempting to 'do a Winx (Street Cry {Ire})' by winning this race two years running; that feat completed only by very high-class horses; Vo Rogue (Ivor Prince {USA}), Comic Court (Powerscourt) and Ajax (Heroic) amongst those to boast this achievement.
Last year's W.S. Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) could be the one to upset the applecart after his excellent run in the G1 Makybe Diva S. whilst Colette (Hallowed Crown) looks nicely primed for the lift to 2000 metres third-up.
G2 VRC Members Danehill S., $300,000, 1100m
Fittingly, members of the Danehill (USA) sireline boast a good record in this race and there are plenty of chances from the line here with Bruckner (Snitzel), Ranch Hand (Fastnet Rock), Lloyd's Crown (Rebel Dane) and the regally-bred Gimmie Par (Not A Single Doubt), a half-sister to Ole Kirk out of a sister to Black Caviar (Bel Esprit).
Opening favourite however is the top-weight Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}) who again takes on Ranch Hand (Fastnet Rock) after the pair fought out the finish of the Listed Poseidon S., in which Lloyd's Crown was third.
General Beau (Brazen Beau) and Ranveer (Winning Rupert) are also up for a return clash having finished the top two at Caulfield in a race in which Forbes (Capitalist) was a close-up fourth. Adding interest is the highly rated Mornington Glory (Shalaa {Ire}) who impressed on debut.
G2 Furphy Rose Of Kingston S., $300,000, 1410m
Last year's winner Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) made this race a good form reference last spring and the race again attracted a quality field with the terrific mare Mystic Journey (Needs Further) the class runner who caught the eye with a strong finishing first-up second in the G2 Let's Elope S.
Fellow Tasmanian Still A Star (Toronado {Ire}) also ran well in that race as did Instant Celebrity (Not A Single Doubt), Bonvicini (Myboycharlie {Ire}) and Love Sensation (Night Of Thunder {Ire}).
Odeum (Written Tycoon) can pull out a run fresh, whilst challenging favouritism is Annavisto (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), who was so game leading throughout at Caulfield last time out. There are also a couple at nice odds who can threaten, such as Snickerdoodledandy (Snitzel) who has shown a liking for Flemington and Vanna Girl (Husson {Arg}) who resumes off good trial form.
G2 TAB Edward Manifold S., $300,000, 1610m
James Cummings won this fillies' feature with Thermosphere (Exosphere) last year and is looking to repeat the dose with Stalking (Animal Kingdom {USA}); still a maiden but a promising one.
The G2 Tranquil Star should prove a strong form reference here, Elusive Empress (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}), Morioka (Maurice {Jpn}), Devout Hero (No Nay Never {USA}), Daisies (Sebring) all running nice races behind the promising Bon's A Pearla (Bon Hoffa).
Sydney visitor, the exquisitely bred Yearning who is by Snitzel out of the G1 AJC Oaks winner Rising Romance (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}), has shown promise, as have locals Adele Amour (Sebring), Nana Jenn (Star Witness) and Glint Of Hope (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
G2 Gilgai S., $300,000, 1200m
Zoutori (Zoustar) attempts to join Chautauqua (Encosta De Lago) and Bomber Bill (Air De France {USA}) as two-time winners of this dash down the famed Flemington straight. Should he succeed, he will make it three wins in a row for the progeny of Zoustar, with Sunlight successful in 2019.
Dangers come in the shape of Splintex (Snitzel) who has trialled well since winning the G2 Bobbie Lewis H., the consistent South Australian Kemalpasa (Magnus) who loves Flemington, and Away Game (Snitzel) who just does not know how to run a bad race.
Having his first run since mid-June, Kementari (Lonhro) will also have fans as he seeks to fill his first Flemington placing at his fifth visit to the track.
G3 The Lexus Bart Cummings, $750,000, 2520m
A race presenting an intriguing mix of form lines from around Australia, and beyond. Having run so well in the G3 Naturalism S., Grand Promenade (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) and Tralee Rose (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) will be strongly fancied.
Knights Order (Ire) (So You Think {NZ}), Amade (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) and Port Guillaume (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) were not far away in that lead-up either, nor was Mosh Music (Moshe) who is one of only three Australian-bred runners to tackle this staying contest; Realm Of Flowers (So You Think {NZ}) and Hasta La War (Declaration Of War {USA}) are the others.
A couple of imported gallopers are making their Australian debuts, including Pondus (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and Sheraz (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) bound to be kept safe on the back of consistent European form in stakes company.
Listed Darley Maribyrnong Trial S., $175,000, 1000m
Eight colts and three fillies make their debut here with Cavallo Rampante (Menari) from the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable opening up favourite on the back of a good jump-out performance.
Others to impress in trials and jump-outs include Rampant Lion (Frankel {GB}), a member of the Denise's Joy (Seventh Hussar {Fr}) clan bred to Southern Hemisphere time, The Wizard King (Flying Artie), Black Tahitian (Deep Field), Cannonball (Capitalist), Robusto (the first Australian runner for Churchill (Ire)), and Get In The Spirit (Spirit Of Boom).
James Cummings has two runners; Lascars (Sepoy), from the prolific Triscay (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) family, and Edwin, from the debut crop of Impending, as do Maher and Eustace whose other runner Doc O'Connor (Lonhro) is a brother to the speedy Heatherly.
Four stakes-winning mares have runners; Golconda (Snitzel) with Cannonball, Bernicia (Elusive Quality {USA}) with Edwin, She's Clean (Redoute's Choice) with Robusto and Alizes (Rory's Jester) with Lascars.
Listed McGregor Portables Paris Lane S., $175,000, 1400m
Group 1 form looks good for this event, and topweight Aysar (Deep Field) was on the heels of the placegetters in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. last time out. Samzidat (Not A Single Doubt) was unplaced but far from disgraced in the same race won by the in-form Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).
Tavidance (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) has trialled well in preparation for his return and can come to hand quickly. Others do have the fitness edge however, including Morvada (Mossman) who found the line nicely when resuming and the classy New Zealander Justacanta (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) who was a genuine improver second on.
Iconoclasm (Toorak Toff) is a Flemington 1400-metre specialist whilst Crosshaven (Smart Missile) has won two of three of his assignments at headquarters. Meanwhile, improvement is expected from the Tony Gollan-trained New Zealand Group 1 winner Bonham (Per Incanto {USA}).
Listed Kirkland Lake Gold Super Impose S., $175,000, 1800m
Aptly run on Epsom Handicap Day, this G1 VRC Derby lead-up in its short 14-year history has been won by three horses (Warning (Declaration Of War {USA}), Extra Brut (Domesday) and Polanski (Rakti {GB})), who have gone onto success in that Cup Week Classic.
Last year's Derby-winning trainer Denis Pagan, who won with Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), is hoping lightning will strike twice as he prepares Turn It Up Tommy (NZ) (Tivaci) for the same race. He was good to the line in the Listed Exford Plate last time out.
Coming through that same race is Melody Belle's (NZ) (Commands) half-brother Tutukaka (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) whilst several runners are stepping up in class of smart maiden victories including Character (Teofilo {Ire}), Euro Dandy (Eurozone), Hitotsu (Maurice {Jpn}), Gunstock (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Tiz Magic (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
