G1 Caulfield Cup, $5,000,000, 2400m
The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel), Chapada (Bullet Train {GB}) and Master Of Wine (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) each line up for their second crack at this Caulfield feature; the former faring the best last year with a gutsy third. Fast forward 12 months and all three horses are in good form.
They have the short-priced favourite Incentivise (Shamus Award) to beat though a horror barrier draw has made his task a tricky one. Fans of his sire will be hoping for a quinella with Duais (Shamus Award) taking her place courtesy of a determined victory in Wednesday's G3 Coongy H.
Last year's winning trainer Chris Waller has four runners this time around; Ocean Billy (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), Selino (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), Charms Star (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) and first emergency Great House (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
There are several strong form lines coming together here with those running best behind Incentivise in the G1 Turnbull S. being Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}), Chapada and Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
The G1 Caulfield S. saw a terrific performance from Nonconformist (Rebel Raider) whilst the G1 Metropolitan H. won by Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) also saw good runs from She's Ideel (Dundeel {NZ}) and Great House.
The G2 Herbert Power S. won by Delphi (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) looks another good reference with The Chosen One so strong to the line in that 2400 metre contest.
G2 Caulfield Sprint, $300,000, 1000m
The lightly raced 3-year-old Enthaar (Written Tycoon) is being kept very safe, the descendant of the great matriarch Denise's Joy (Showdown {GB}) having shown so much ability during her debut campaign.
The older horses will take beating however, including the promising Malkovich (Choisir) who was in flying form last time in. Racing in great heart this time in is He's A Balter (Spirit Of Boom) who has been successful at each of his last four outings.
General Beau (Brazen Beau) is another racing well as is Exceedance's full brother Oxley Road (Exceed And Excel), both of whom boast good Caulfield records. Also honest and proven at the track is Curran (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) who has proven a great bargain basement success story for the Lyn Tolson and Leonie Proctor stable.
Adding interest is Swats That (Shamus Award) who did not enjoy the best of runs first-up. She is one of two great granddaughters of the mighty Let's Elope (NZ) (Nassipour {USA}) racing at Caulfield on Saturday, Game Legend (Snitzel) in the second race the other.
G2 Tristarc S., $300,000, 1400m
What a grand mare Tristarc (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) was and this race named in her honour has attracted a field of in-form gallopers with four of the ten being last start winners - Kahma Lass (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) too good for the boys in the Listed Weekend S., Chaillot (Testa Rossa) coming off a tough win in a race named after her sire, Brazen Song (Brazen Beau) up in class but in good hands and Sirileo Miss (Pride Of Dubai) who will be backing up from a Group 3 success on Wednesday should she take her place here.
The latter's stable mate Pride Of Jenni (also by Pride Of Dubai) was great at big odds last start whilst also hard to beat is Colette (Hallowed Crown) whose G1 Caulfield Cup campaign was derailed by a set-back.
The two Sydney runs of Nimalee (So You Think {NZ}) this campaign have been full of merit and she looks ready to peak.
G3 Neds Classic, $200,000, 2000m
It has been a while (Polanski in 2013) since a horse has won this race and the G1 VRC Derby but it is always worth keeping on eye on the up-and-coming staying types.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr Tavistock (NZ) pair Gunstock (NZ) and Tiz Magic (NZ) will have fans - the former strong to the line over the 1800 metres of the Listed Super Impose last time out whilst the latter was second in that same race having won impressively at debut.
The Super Impose was won very nicely by El Patroness (Shamus Award) who looks a top chance to again beat the boys whilst Micro (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) is yet to run a bad race; sound in the G2 Stutt S. last time out.
Gundec (Kermadec {NZ}) has drawn to get a good run and he showed good fight when saluting at Flemington on September 22.
G3 Ethereal S., $200,000, 2000m
A young race in only its 12th year, it has already proven a good form reference - three years ago taken out by Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).
Maybe no such stars here this year but still a nice lineup with Kapalua Sunset (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) most impressive racing away to a 7l Kyneton maiden victory at just her second start.
She has runners from the G2 Edward Manifold S. to contend with; Stalking (Animal Kingdom {USA}), Adele Amour (Sebring), Glint Of Hope (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Mokulua (Redoute's Choice) and Daisies (Sebring) all running nice races in that Flemington feature.
Biscayne Bay (one of the three runners for the late Sebring) must also be respected having found trouble in the Listed Jim Moloney S. second-up.
G3 Moonga S., $200,000, 1400m
The G1 Newmarket H. winner Zoutori (Zoustar) looks nicely placed here, fitter for two runs back from a spell, finishing right in the thick of things on both occasions... and he is proven at Caulfield.
Buffalo River (Noble Mission {GB}) is a danger having been nabbed only late in the Listed Weekend Hussler S. whilst his stable mate Hang Man (Ire) (Windsor Knot {Ire}) could run a cheeky race fresh having been in such good form last time in.
Justacanta (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) is looking to make it two stakes races in a row whilst the popular Begood Toya Mother (Myboycharlie {Ire}) hopes to go one better after an encouraging return to form in the Listed Testa Rossa S.
King Magnus (Magnus) is as honest as they come and can once again prove competitive.
Listed Gothic S., $175,000, 1400m
Anthony and Sam Freedman won this last year with Endanger (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) and are seeking back to back success with Extreme Flight (Extreme Choice) who has earned a crack at stronger company having impressed winning his last two.
He is fighting out favouritism with Sandy Prince (Pride Of Dubai) who was in the thick of things after making the pace in the G2 Bill Stutt S. Also down in grade is Daily Bugle (Press Statement) who was placed in the Stutt before taking on the big guns in the G1 Caulfield Guineas.
Also sound in the Stutt was Prince Alexander (Animal Kingdom {USA}).
Sydney visitor Park Avenue (Fastnet Rock) had no luck from a tricky gate at Rosehill last start and is drawn better here whilst Cheerful Legend (Shalaa {Ire}) had plenty in hand saluting at Mornington first-up.
Listed Alinghi S., $175,000, 1100m
Sydney mare Lashes boasts good second up form and has been trialling well in preparation for this - attempting to become the second winner in a row for her sire I Am Invincible whose daughter California Zimbol was successful last year.
Fellow Sydneysiders Valda (Lonhro), Never Talk (No Nay Never {USA}) and Emanate (Lonhro) can mount good challenges though they have some handy locals to contend with; namely How Womantic (The Wow Signal {Ire}) who finished off strongly first up, Bless Her (Street Boss {USA}) who was also great fresh, Rubisaki (Rubick) who has Group 1 form, Paul's Regret (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) who had excuses last start, Bons Abroad (Bon Hoffa) who enjoys a class drop and Shilo Lass (Foxwedge) who has looked good winning her last two.
