Mystic Journey heads star-studded field

Caulfield, G2 P.B. Lawrence S., 1400m, $200,000

After a superb 3-year-old season with five stakes wins including the G1 Australian Guineas and $5 million All-Star Mile, Cox Plate favourite Mystic Journey (Needs Further) is ready to begin her eagerly anticipated 4-year-old spring.

The Tasmanian star, the winner of 10 of her 13 career starts, has scored two trial wins on July 9 and August 6.

She meets a quality field of proven older horses, headed by the four-time Group 1-winning warhorse Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}). Previously a winner and placegetter in this race, Hartnell ran second to Mystic Journey in the All-Star Mile in March before placing in the G1 Doncaster and Queen Elizabeth S. in Sydney. Now a 9-year-old, Hartnell needs only $6,000 in prize-money to break the $7 million barrier.

Harlem (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) and Kenedna (Not a Single Doubt) are also multiple Group 1 winners. Harlem has won the last two editions of the Australian Cup, while Kenedna won the Queen of the Turf S. and Doomben Cup earlier this year.

Trap For Fools (Poet’s Voice {GB}) is another Group 1 winner in the Lawrence line-up, while Cliff’s Edge (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) and Fifty Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) are Group 2 winners.

Sikandarabad (Ire) (Dr Fong {USA}) and Neufbosc (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) have been Group 1-placed, while Semari (NZ) (Sebring) and Mr Marathon Man (GB) (So You Think {NZ}) are also stakes winners.

Neufbosc is making his Australian debut, and this is his first appearance since he was unplaced in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last October.

Guineas contenders return

Caulfield, G3 Ladbrokes Vain S., 1100m, $160,000

This year’s Vain S. may be light on numbers, but it is not lacking for quality or interest. Five of the seven runners are nominated for the G1 Caulfield Guineas in October.

The highest-rated is Dubious (Not a Single Doubt), who won three races last season including the G3 Breeders’ Plate and G2 Champagne Classic. He also performed creditably against older horses at weight-for-age, beaten by only a length and a half when fifth in the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup. He won a trial at Cranbourne on August 5.

Godolphin colt Bivouac (Exceed and Excel) won the G3 Kindergarten S. and Listed Lonhro Plate last season, and he was fourth in the G2 Todman S. He was fourth in a Rosehill trial on July 19.

Sebrakate (Sebring) won three races last season, while Star Surprise (Sidereus) has had three starts for two wins and a second placing.

Among those not nominated for the Caulfield Guineas, Excess Funds (Rubick) has had three starts for a win, a third against older horses in the Lightning S. and a fourth in the Talindert S.

Blue Diamond winner returns

Caulfield, G3 BECK Probuild Quezette S., 1100m, $160,000

All eyes will be on Lyre (Lonhro) when she returns to action in the fillies’ sprint.

She was one of the leading 2-year-olds last season, winning three races headed by the G1 Blue Diamond and the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude. She then travelled to Sydney and was an excellent third in the G1 Golden Slipper in her final juvenile appearance.

But even with the scratching of high-profile rival Brooklyn Hustle (Starspangledbanner), there is plenty of stern opposition in the Quezette S. field with five black-type winners.

Heading that list is Exhilarates (Snitzel), a brilliant winner of the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January and subsequently placed in the G2 Reisling S.

Pin Sec (Lonhro) won the G3 Black Opal in Canberra, Bella Rosa (Snitzel) began her career with a victory in the G3 Bumble S. at Flemington, and Absolute Flirt (Stratum) and Cheer Leader (Snitzel) are both Listed winners.

Group 1 bridesmaid back in Regal Roller

Caulfield, Listed Regal Roller S., 1200m, $140,000

Multiple Group 1 placegetter Fundamendalist (Not a Single Doubt) is back for another spring campaign, starting in Saturday’s Regal Roller S. at Caulfield.

While she has won only twice in her 18-start career, her seven seconds and three thirds include placings in the G1 J J Atkins, Thousand Guineas, Empire Rose S., Surround S. and Randwick Guineas.

Fundamentalist holds a nomination for the Cox Plate.

Among the opposition on Saturday are Vassilator (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}), who placed in the G1 Caulfield Guineas last spring, along with the G1 Goodwood H. runner-up Behemoth (All Too Hard) and stakes winners Grande Rosso (Written Tycoon), Ken’s Dream (Dream Ahead {USA}) and Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock).

Group 1 winners go head to head in Adelaide

Morphettville, G3 David R Coles AM Spring S., 1200m, $120,000

There are two Group 1 winners in the field for Adelaide’s sprint feature this Saturday. One of them claimed their elite-level victory three months ago; the other three years ago, but was a strong last-start winner in Melbourne.

Despatch (Written Tycoon) has won seven out of 12 career appearances, headed by a brilliant front-running win in the G1 Goodwood H. over this course and distance on May 18. In his only start since then, he was unplaced in the G1 Stradbroke H.

Scales Of Justice (Not a Single Doubt) has won 10 out of 24, with Group 1 glory coming in the Railway S. in Perth in November of 2016.

He has been restricted to only 11 starts since then, and his only appearance in 2019 so far came in the G3 Bletchingly S. at Caulfield on July 27. He made up for lost time, scoring a dominant victory by three and a quarter lengths.

Meanwhile, Waging War (Rebel Raider) and Hard Empire (Hard Spun {USA}) are both Group 3 winners, while the 3-year-old Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) has had three starts for two wins and a last-start placing in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S.

Up-and-comer takes on proven rivals

Belmont, Listed Belmont Newmarket, 1200m, $100,000

The stage is set for an interesting sprint clash in Perth, with the experienced and proven black-type performers Rebel King (Universal Ruler), Disposition (Reset), Lockroy (More Than Ready {USA}) and Profit Street (Viscount) facing a new threat in Tamasa (So You Think {NZ}).

Tamasa has made only one previous attempt at black-type level – finishing sixth and two lengths from the winner in the Listed Emirates Airline H. at Flemington in 2017.

But his other seven starts have produced a highly impressive record of five wins and two placings, including three consecutive wins at Geelong, Cranbourne and Moonee Valley in his last three starts. This will be his first appearance in Perth.

Star stablemates face off in Foxbridge

Te Rapa, G2 U S Navy Flag Foxbridge Plate, 1200m, $100,000

Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards has no shortage of quality in his powerful Matamata stable, including arguably the two biggest names in New Zealand racing at the moment. On Saturday they will clash for the first time.

In one corner is Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands {NZ}), the winner of six Group 1 races, five of them in an incredible 2018-19 season and the presumed New Zealand Horse of the Year.

In the other is Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), who has had just six starts for five wins, the only defeat being a fourth placing in the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas in November 2017.

Te Akau Shark was unbeaten and outstanding in his three appearances last season, including brilliant performances in the G3 Spring Sprint and G2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile.

Both horses are nominated for the Cox Plate. While Melody Belle is likely to target Group 1 features in Hawke’s Bay beforehand, Te Akau Shark may travel to Australia earlier in the spring for targets such as the Epsom H.

While the Te Akau pair clearly take top billing, the Foxbridge is by no means a two-horse race.

Authentic Paddy (NZ) (Howbaddouwantit {USA}), Consensus (NZ) (Postponed {USA}), Santa Monica (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) and Sentimental Miss (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) are all Group 1 winners.

Endless Drama (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) was a Group 2 winner earlier this year and a last-start placegetter in the G1 Stradbroke H.

Helena Baby (NZ) (Guillotine {NZ}) has won his last five races in a row, culminating in the Listed Opunake Cup.