G1 Caulfield Guineas S., $1,000,000, 2000m
Artorius (Flying Artie) returns to the scene of his barnstorming G1 Blue Diamond S. victory to take on the G1 ATC Sires' Produce S. winner Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) in an intriguing running of the G1 Caulfield Guineas, one of the country's most coveted 3-year-old prizes.
The pair met two weeks ago in the G1 Golden Rose won by In The Congo (Snitzel); Anamoe a game second whilst Artorius was strong to the line having found trouble in running. The third placed Coastwatch (Fastnet Rock) also heads to Caulfield having boxed on well at Randwick as did the fifth placed Tiger Of Malay (Extreme Choice).
Captivant (Capitalist) and Giannis (Flying Artie) also come through the Golden Rose and neither were disgraced.
Challenges come from the talented Queenslander Alpine Edge (Better Than Ready) who was luckless in the G3 Guineas Prelude and Lightsaber (Zoustar) who was too strong on pace in that same race.
Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) was impressive winning the G2 Stutt Stakes in which he nabbed Mr Mozart (Snitzel) right on the line. Daily Bugle (Press Statement) found the line well for third in the same race whilst finishing seventh was Riverplate (NZ) (Flying Artie) who had no room to move in the run home.
Trying to make history is Prix de Turn (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) who has raced just the once, charging home late to go close to the prize at his Sandown debut on September 25.
Newgate Farm plays a strong hand in the running of this year's Classic with their stallions Flying Artie, Extreme Choice and Capitalist between them represented by five runners. Danehill's (USA) sons Snitzel and Fastnet Rock are yet to sire a Caulfield Guineas winner but both have live chances whilst the only runner by a Caulfield Guineas winner is Daily Bugle whose sire Press Statement was successful in 2015.
The best race mares represented are Anamoe's G1 Australasian Oaks-winning dam Anamato (Redoute's Choice) and Mr Mozart's G3 Ladies Day Vase-winning dam Euro Angel (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}).
G1 Toorak H., $1,000,000, 1600m
A couple of exciting up-and-comers take on a few seasoned Group 1 performers in this time-honoured handicap first run in 1881.
I'm Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) caught everyone's eye charging home for third in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. and from a better barrier this time should not get as far back. Just as lightly raced (both horses are having their eighth start) is fellow Shocking gelding Elephant (NZ) who recorded a dominant victory in the G3 Sandown S. last time out.
A couple of Group 1 mares can make serious challenges, the topweight Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) very good first-up whilst Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) was great winning the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke, her second stakes success at Caulfield.
Dice Roll (Fr) was game splitting Sierra Sue and I'm Thunderstruck last start, covering ground there - drawing the inside gate this time.
Superstorm (Sebring), Harbour Views (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) and So You Assume (So You Think {NZ}) have also been racing in great heart.
G1 Might And Power S., $1,000,000, 2000m
It may be a small field for this Group 1 weight-for-age test formerly run as the Caulfield S., but it will still attract plenty of attention as emerging star Zaaki (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) goes out odds-on in search of his third elite level victory.
Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) was no match for Zaaki last start but will again be tough taking him on whilst Nonconformist (Rebel Raider) comes off a G3 Naturalism S. victory as he heads towards next weekend's G1 Caulfield Cup. Homesman (USA) (War Front {USA}) is also racing well whilst adding interest is fellow import Nickajack Cave (Ire) (Kendargent {Fr}) who has been given time since finding trouble at his Australian debut in the G1 Tancred S. in April.
G2 Schillaci S., $300,000, 1100m
Form from around the country here with local September Run (Exceed And Excel) opening up favourite on the back of her good run in the G1 Moir S. in which she was doing her best work late.
Hot on her heels without the best of luck in that race was Shaquero (Shalaa {Ire}) who is one of the three 3-year-olds (Star Turn by Star Witness successful in 2016 the last of this age to win this race) taking on the older horses here; Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain) and Dosh (Rich Enuff) the others.
Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) loves Caulfield and she overcame trouble in running (recording the fastest last 200 metres of the meeting) to win the G3 How Now S. at the track last time out.
G1 Goodwood H. winner Savatoxl (Kuroshio) and the dual Listed winner Isaurian (Exceed And Excel) both boast outstanding first-up form.
G2 Herbert Power S., $300,000, 2400m
A last minute lead-up to next weekend's G1 Caulfield Cup, this 2400 metre contest was won two years ago by the classy New Zealander The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) who looks a top chance to repeat the dose.
Dangers come from Floating Artist (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) who has earned a crack at stronger company having impressed winning his last three and fellow import Delphi (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who was a game G3 Naturalism S. second over a shorter trip - saluting over this distance in the Listed Nijinsky S. in Ireland back in July.
Defibrillate (NZ) (Shocking) has been in the thick of things without the best of luck of late whilst Tooradin (Americain {USA}) is always hard to get past. The Entente (Dundeel {NZ}) form looks good for Sydney visitor Fun Fact (The Factor {USA}) whilst Rostropovich (Ire) has been progressing nicely on the comeback trail from injury... his superstar sire Frankel's (GB) three-quarter brother Bullet Train (GB) sired last year's winner Chapada.
G3 Northwood Plume S., $200,000, 1200m
The consistent Chassis (Al Maher) is due a win having been so game in defeat in similar races at her last couple of starts. Topweight Brooklyn Hustle (Starspangledbanner) had post-race issues after running off at the turn in the G1 Moir S. and is nicely placed back against mares though yet to win from four starts at Caulfield.
La Mexicana (I Am Invincible) meanwhile loves the track and was right in the thick of things in the G3 How Now S; covering ground but drawn more favourably this time. Tailleur (Shooting To Win) is another better treated by the draw this time than last (she got back and wide before finishing off soundly in the G2 Sheraco S.) whilst the consistent gallopers Nudge (Fastnet Rock) and Rubisaki (Rubick) are both capable of pulling out a run fresh.
G3 Thoroughbred Club S., $200,000, 1200m
Seradess (Astern) showed plenty of heart winning the G3 Champagne S. second-up and last year's winner of that race - Swat's That (Shamus Award) also won this.
Larkspur Run (Shamardal {USA}) and Decent Raine (Dissident) were game in the placings in the same race, the latter not having a great deal of luck in running. She is one of three runners for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable who are also represented by the unbeaten Sneaky Five (Fastnet Rock) and the last start Listed Cap D'Antibes S. winner Crystal Bound (Not A Single Doubt).
New York Baby (Written Tycoon) tackles black type for the first time having impressed at her first two spaced outings whilst Robodira (Husson {Arg}) can bounce back having had post race issues off her unplaced G2 Tea Rose run.
Listed Neds Village S., $175,000, 1200m
An odds-on favourite here with Lombardo (I Am Invincible) really looking the goods bolting in with his last two starts. This is a tougher test though with Sansom (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), Regardsmaree (So You Think {NZ}) down in class having tackled Group 1 races at their most recent outings.
Pandemic (Sepoy) strips fitter for an excellent first-up run whilst Ocean Beyond (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) did not have much luck in the same Caulfield race won by He's A Balter (Spirit Of Boom).
Listed Weekend Hussler S., $175,000, 1400m
Crowd favourite So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}) was terrific first-up and from the inside gate should enjoy a good run. He has already won four races at Caulfield, a track at which Buffalo River (USA) (Noble Mission {GB}) has also raced well - and he was far from disgraced after making the pace in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. first-up.
Backing up from a Listed win at Flemington last weekend, Justacanta (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) should run well again whilst Galaxy Raider (Hard Spun {USA}) should, as usual, be finishing off strongly.
Riddle Me That (Deep Field) raced well in good company over the autumn and was sound when resuming down the Flemington straight and Newhart (Fighting Sun) is another capable of second-up improvement.
Listed Debutant S., $175,000, 1000m
The Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) play a strong hand here with three of the 12 runners; Commodity (Capitalist), the Caulfield jump-out winner Immortality (I Am Invincible) and Cavalla (Nicconi) with the latter being the only runner with race experience - again hard to beat having shown good fight saluting at Flemington on September 22.
Commodity, who has shown speed in jump-outs, is one of his sire's two runners here, the twice jump-out placed Mogulist the other.
Dubai Oak (Pride Of Dubai) has also jumped out well and is looking to add to the fortunes of his family which was represented last weekend by big race success with Angel Bleu (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) taking out the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp.
Magic Carpet and Renosu are another two to jump out nicely and they have much in common... the former is by Lonhro out of an Exceed And Excel mare whose dam is the dual Group 2 winner Portillo (Red Ransom {USA}) whilst the latter is by Exceed And Excel out of a Lonhro granddaughter of Portillo.
Lonsdaleite (More Than Ready {USA}), Impel (from the debut crop of Impending) and Kiki Express (Sepoy) have also jumped out soundly.
