G2 Zipping Classic, $750,000, 2400m
Sound (Ger) (Lando {Ger}) won this race last year and 12 months later is in similar form. He was game last time out but faces the same G2 Queen Elizabeth S. rival here with Warning (Declaration Of War {USA}) racing in such good form.
Wentwood (GB) (Pour Moi {Ire}) and Dr Drill (GB) (Dansili {GB}) were also good in that race whilst Lunar Flare (Fiorente {Ire}) had no hope given the way the race was run.
They do have G1 Melbourne Cup form to take on here with Spanish Mission (USA) (Noble Mission {GB}) a brave third behind two of Australia's best.
The tough Silent Sovereign (Dalakhani {Ire}) backs up from a tough win last Saturday and is rarely far away.
G2 Sandown Guineas, $300,000, 1600m
Port Louis (Maurice {Jpn}), Blushing Tycoon (Written Tycoon) and Cardinal Gem (Choisir) all come off good Melbourne Cup Week runs, the former running into Fangirl (Sebring) at his first crack at the mile whilst Port Louis was only just beaten by Bend The Knee (Snitzel) over 1400 metres.
Blushing Tycoon comes back in distance but is hard fit and honest whilst his stable mate Reigate (Tavistock {NZ}) was a smart debut winner. Cardinal Gem was picking up nicely late having got a long way back in the same race contested by Port Louis.
Sydney visitor Festival Dancer (Choisir) was still green when winning the G3 Spring S. but it was a dominant performance and she has again drawn well.
Chartres (Toronado {Ire}) looks to be the up-and-comer of the field, most impressive swamping his rivals from the rear on Cranbourne Cup Day. He was just second-up on that occasion and has won two of his first four starts.
G3 Summoned S., $200,000, 1600m
There is some Group 1 form here with Quantum Mechanic (Deep Field) contesting the G1 Cantala S. and the G1 Toorak H. at her last two starts, not disgraced in either - whilst Steinem (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was good late off a slow start in the G1 Empire Rose S.
Tricky Gal (Magic Albert) has been racing well without the best of fortune in Sydney and it was good to see Paul's Regret (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) with a bit of luck in running back to her best on Cranbourne Cup Day.
Belle Plaisir (NZ) (Proisir), Brazen Song (Brazen Beau), Good And Proper (Shooting To Win), Agreeable (Sebring) have all been in good form whilst Groovy Kinda Love (Smart Missile) was not suited by the way the race was run at Flemington last time out, and she was right in the market there.
G3 Eclipse S., $200,000, 1800m
Crowd favourite So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}) attempts to become the first horse since So Vague (USA) (Empery {USA}) to win this race in consecutive years. He appears to be going just as well this time around and is a four times Caulfield winner.
Defibrillate (NZ) (Shocking) has had excuses at his last couple and he is unbeaten over the Caulfield 1800 metres whilst Hangman (Ire) (Windsor Knot {Ire}) has also displayed a definite liking for the track.
South Australian visitors Regalo Di Gaetano (Supreme Class), Royal Mile (Danerich) are in flying form and also racing well is Our Playboy (Sebring) who has drawn a better gate having been good to the line in the Listed Cranbourne Cup. Starelle (More Than Ready {USA}) rarely runs a bad race.
G3 Kevin Heffernan S., $200,000, 1400m
Streets Of Avalon (Magnus) was not far away in this race last year and seems to be going a bit better this time around... and three of his last four runs have been in Group 1 company.
The G3 Chatham S. is a major form reference for this with its winners Age Of Chivalry (NZ) (He's Remarkable {NZ}) racing again since but striking heavy conditions. Crosshaven (Smart Missile) and Sinawann (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) were both good in the same race, the latter at his first local outing.
I Am Superman (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) was luckless in the Classique Legend last start whilst Riddle Me That (Deep Field) was solid in the Listed Sale Cup.
Listed Merson Cooper S., $160,000, 1000m
Just two of these youngsters have been to the track before with Brereton (Zoustar) impressive claiming the G3 Maribyrnong Plate victory whilst Valenconi (Nicconi) was a solid Cranbourne third behind a nice type at debut.
Kumicho (Street Boss {USA}), Ebhaar (I Am Invincible) and Moko (Impending) are all either trial or jump-out winners and each are well-related - Kumicho being out of a half-sister to the recent G1 Canadian International winner Walton Street (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) winner, Ebhaar being out of a three-quarter sister to Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock) and Moko from the debut crop of her sire being a daughter of the stakes winner Zubbaya (Dubawi {Ire}).
Several other nice families are represented amongst the debutants - Silvanito (Shooting To Win) is a grandson of the Group 1 mare Ancient Song (Canny Lad), Kiko (Capitalist) is a half-sister to the G3 Del Mar Native Diver S. winner Azul Coast (USA) (Super Saver {USA}), Maricanto Doll (Pride Of Dubai) is a half-sister to the recent G3 placegetter New York Baby (Written Tycoon) and Yaltara (I Am Invincible) is a half-sister to the stakes winners Khulaasa (Epaulette) and Bulbula (Shamardal {USA}).
Listed Sandown Cup, $160,000, 3200m
A lineup of tough stayers with the exciting up-and-comer True Marvel (Fr) (Masked Marvel {GB}) is bound to have plenty of fans on the back of his runaway 16l victory over 3800 metres at Moonee Valley a couple of weeks ago.
Topweight Sweet Thomas (Ger) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) has a touch of staying class, hence his impost of 4kg more than the next horse. He was not far away when finishing off well for fourth in this race last year.
Monmouth (Pendragon {NZ}) was also here 12 months ago, finishing sixth though he comes off a better lead-up run this time around.
Accountability (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is racing in fine form whilst Into Rio (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) and Lion's Share (Animal Kingdom {USA}) have also been consistent of late.
Listed Twilight Glow S., $160,000, 1400m
Decent Raine (Dissident) was also amongst the G2 Sandown Guineas noms but takes her place against her own sex here having impressed with a dominant performance at Ballarat last weekend.
Star Of Chaos (Zoustar) was no match for the exciting Espiona (Extreme Choice) at Flemington but she was brave off a wide run and can atone. Riduna (Fastnet Rock) comes through that same race but has run again since, far from disgraced behind the Sandown Guineas contestant Chartres (Toronado {Ire}) at Mornington.
Lavish Girl (Xtravagant {NZ}) took on some smart boys in the Listed Springtime S. at Flemington and was not far away. Spinning (Pierro) has also run some fair races in black-type company.
There are a few here having their first crack at stakes company, each showing promise... Lady Of Honour (No Nay Never {USA}) too strong on pace at her last two, Inviva (Rich Enuff) coming off a very easy Tatura maiden victory, Allegretta (Pierro) racing clear first-up and Funky Me (Fighting Sun) who was very good off a slow start at Sandown. Birthday Suit (Better Than Ready) is still a maiden but a promising one.
Listed Doveton S., $160,000, 1000m
Enthaar (Written Tycoon) has a tricky gate to contend with again taking on the boys but her form around some of the smart 2-year-olds of last season reads well.
She is one of several runners boasting very good 1000 metre records with Prezado (Denman) and Shamino (Shamus Award) six-time winners at the trip whilst Curran (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) did not quite see out a longer journey last time out.
He's A Balter (Spirit Of Boom) had post race issues (EIPH) after his latest run but was in flying form previously whilst Varda (Lonhro) have also been in consistent form.
Streetcar Stranger (Stratum) had excuses when resuming and generally races well second-up as does Excess Funds (Rubick) who was good in a handy race when resuming.
