G1 Winterbottom S., $1,000,000, 1200m
On the back of his stellar form, Elite Street (Street Boss {USA}) is a deserved favourite in this feature which he won in determined style last year.
He is attempting to become the first horse since Hardrada (Marooned {GB}) and just the fourth horse overall to win consecutive Winterbottoms and whilst last year he was stepping up from benchmark victories, this time he has won a Listed event and two Group 3 races in the lead-up.
Five of the horses behind him last year again line-up on Saturday - Rock Magic (Redoute's Choice) a close-up third in 2021 and still racing well whilst Flirtini (Artie Schiller {USA}) was on the heels of the placegetters and her recent form is better than it looks on paper.
Red Can Man (Gingerbread Man) was also close-up last year and he boasts excellent second-up form. Stageman (Written Tycoon) was luckless last time out and was also good last year whilst Indian Pacific (Zoustar) was not disgraced last year and has been in consistent form.
New challengers come from Graceful Girl (Nicconi) who is yet to taste defeat from four starts at the 1200 metres and the up-and-comer Wilchino (Maschino) who has impressed winning six in a row.
Listed Japan Racing Association Trophy, $125,000, 2100m
The Listed Ascot Gold Cup won by Midnight Blue (So You Think {NZ}) is the main form reference here and that horse racing in the Peters' cerise and white should again prove hard to beat.
Attempting to turn the tables on the gelding will be fellow So You Think (NZ) gelding Bad Wolf who was a game second in that same race in which Poulton le Sands (Camelot {GB}) was a nice fifth weaving through the field late. Just in front of him was the honest Stafford's Lad (Demerit).
And behind those horses - Taxagano (Rogano), Marocchino (Maschino), Media Baron (Written Tycoon) and Temptacion (All Too Hard).
Meanwhile Dig Deep (Deep Field) drops in class having contested last weekend's G1 Railway S.
