Journey to bounce back
Flemington, G1 Turnbull S., $500,000, 2000m
Mystic Journey (Needs Further) was an impressive first-up winner of the G2 Lawrence S. and then chased home the longshot Gatting (Hard Spun {USA}) in the G1 Makybe Diva S.
While she was surprisingly beaten, it was a solid performance nevertheless and over a bit further here she has a golden chance to return to her winning ways.
Mr Quickie (Shamus Award) kicked off his 4-year-old campaign in fine style with his eye-catching finish for third in the Makybe Diva. He’s sure to have progressed with the run and as a G1 Queensland Derby winner the move up in distance can only aid his chances.
Mystic Journey
Rostropovich (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) is another who looms as a major threat after making good ground from the back for seventh when resuming, and he’s unbeaten in two second-up appearances.
Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) doesn’t know how to disappoint and on the quick back-up he’s a player again, while Kings Will Dream (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) has two runs under his belt and improvement should be forthcoming.
There was plenty to like about the win of Finche (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G3 Kingston Town S. and it would be dangerous to take him lightly.
Trip to suit filly
Flemington, G2 TAB Edward Manifold S., $300,000, 1600m
Subpoenaed (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) was a tidy winner two runs back before she took on the G2 Tea Rose S. and wasn’t disgraced in running sixth.
The extra distance will suit her and if she can find cover from an awkward gate her chances will be greatly helped. Much the same applies to Bonvicini (Myboycharlie {Ire}), a last-start stakes winner over a mile.
Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) has won her last two starts at Bendigo and looks ready for a rise in class, as does Leaven Lass (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) from the red hot stable of Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.
Presently (Hinchinbrook) raced well without major success last season and she put that right with a strong win at Sale last month while Talented (Snitzel) made eye-catching ground last time and the extra 200 metres will be ideal.
Santa’s on his way
Flemington, G2 Gilgai S., $300,000, 1200m
Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega {Ire}) has to give weight to all-comers, but under the conditions of the race he comes in with 60kg and looks well-placed for a horse with his sprinting record.
Sunlight (Zoustar) was below par in the G3 Concorde S., but was much better when a close third in the G1 Moir S. and she is unbeaten over this course and distance. I Am Excited (I Am Invincible) is a smart mare with a Group success over Redzel (Snitzel) to her credit so she’s not to be taken lightly.
Sunlight
Zoutori (Zoustar) was a smart fresh winner of the G3 Bobbie Lewis and has won second-up as well, while Home Of The Brave (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) may have tailed the G2 Shorts field home, but only 5l off the winner. This is an easier assignment for him.
Tyzone (Written Tycoon) hasn’t raced since he ran second in the G1 Stradbroke H., but he has trialed well and from six first-up appearances he is a four-time winner.
Dream start beckons
Flemington, G2 Blazer S., $300,000, 1400m
Celebrity Dream (NZ) (Thorn Park) is a multiple stakes winner in Western Australia and has been given a couple of trials before her debut for Chris Waller. She has been successful in a fresh state and is ideally drawn.
Her barn mate Haut Brion Her (Zoustar) has hardly put a foot wrong in her career and deserves this crack at black type. She was beaten last time out by Fabric (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and while she’s much the worse off at the weights, is in good touch and not to be dismissed.
Celebrity Dream (NZ)
Spanish Whisper’s (Lope De Vega {Ire}) win in the G2 Let’s Elope S. is a strong form guide and she’s sure to be very competitive again. The race conditions are very much in her favour.
As a Group 1 performer, Pohutukawa (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) is also well-placed and all the better for her run in the G3 Tibbie and My Pendant (NZ) (Pins) is genuine and she was a sound fifth in the Let’s Elope after going back from a wide gate.
No surprise here
Flemington, G3, Lexus Bart Cummings, $500,000, 2520m
Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) turned in a cracking effort to take fourth in the G2 Feehan S. over 1600 metres at The Valley. He will relish this trip and the roomy track will be tailor-made for the stayer.
Alfarris (Fr) (Shamardal {USA}) and stablemate Ventura Storm (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) were one and two last time out on the course and with a major weight swing in the latter’s favour he has the opportunity to turn the tables.
Surprise Baby (NZ)
Wolfe (Jpn) (Novellist {Jpn}) was sound last time out in the G3 Naturalism S. and has each-way hopes, while a major improver could be Te Akau Caliburn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). He was fifth over 2500 metres in his Australian debut and his first start for two months.
Muntahaa (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) wasn’t sighted resuming, but he is a quality stayer at best and look for him to be more competitive over this distance.
Experience a key
Flemington, Listed Darley Maribyrnong Plate, $175,000, 1000m
Mildred (Hinchinbrook) downed Divine Caprice (Sebring) on debut and these two now have the significant advantage of race day experience on their rivals.
The first-timers have no exposed trial form, but on pedigree Jerle (Exceed And Excel) has plenty to recommend him. His mother is a stakes winning sister to the mighty Lonhro.
Likewise, Deep Speed (Deep Field) is from the family of the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Crystal Lily (Stratum) and The Big Easy (Written Tycoon) is out of a half-sister to the Group 1 winner and Slipper runner-up Oohood (I Am Invincible).
Mare to hit top note
Flemington, Listed Furphy Paris Lane S., $175,000, 1400m
Music Bay (Choisir) looks to have the right profile, coming off a resuming third at Caulfield and as the winner of the G2 Queen of the South S. last season this isn’t a daunting task for her.
Fastnet Tempest (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) is taking a significant drop back in class after an unplaced run in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. and should run accordingly, while Romancer (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) can always be relied upon for a solid performance.
Former Singapore galloper Debt Agent (NZ) (Thorn Park) is fresh and has four first-up wins to his credit. Violate (Sebring) is another who is effective off a break.
Fresh runner fancied
Flemington, Listed Antler Luggage Poseidon S., $175,000, 1100m
Brooklyn Hustle (Starspangledbanner) is a major talent and she was an outstanding debut winner last season. She’s unbeaten in two recent trials to indicate her readiness to get back to business.
Brooklyn Hustle
Wayupinthesky (Snitzel) was a course and distance winner last time out and this progressive filly appeals as a strong chance of a repeat result. Sebrakate (Sebring) gave a strong account when fourth in the G2 Danehill S. so he’s well-placed here.
Hawker Hurricane (Deep Field) was eighth in that race so the drop in grade gives him an improved chance as well. Heirborn (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) has won his only two starts so he’s worthy of consideration.
Whispered no secret
Flemington, Listed McGregor Portables Super Impose S., $175,000, 1800m
Whispered (Lonhro) is well-seasoned and looks capable of matching stronger company following his last-start Kembla Grange success.
Fabulanski (Polanski) was outpaced when resuming and as a 1600 metre winner last season he’ll appreciate the trip, while Adelaide Ace (NZ) (Savabeel) was successful over this course and distance last time out and deserves healthy respect.
Long Jack (So You Think {NZ}) was only fair last time out, but he’s highly-regarded and it may pay to give him another chance. Reckoning (Domesday) is lightly-raced and Mach One (NZ) (Savabeel) looked good breaking his maiden and appeals as an each-way chance for a price.
Silver to shine
Kalgoorlie, Listed Iron Jack Kalgoorlie Cup, $130,000, 2200m
Touch Of Silver (Saxon) was a close last-start third on this track last time out in the Listed Boulder Cup and drops a kilo on that effort.
Gangbuster (Blackfriars) won that race and while he is worse off in the handicap he should still run very well.
Spiritual Warrior (Blackfriars) has won his last three so he’s primed for the step up to stakes company and First Affair (Saxon) isn’t always easy to follow, but a repeat of her most recent runner-up finish puts her right in the frame.
