Mile sweet for 2YO
Flemington, Listed Kennedy Taj Rossi Series Final, $120,000, 1600m
Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) has been impressive in both of his starts and the way he ran 1400 metres out last time suggests he will be ideally-suited to a mile.
Cherry Tortoni
Narvaez (Vancouver) built to a strong win over this trip at Bendigo and looks a major player again while Confrontational (Redoute’s Choice) was third in that race at his second start so there should be further improvement to come.
Mystique Falcon (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) was excellent last time out and from a hot 2-year-old stable and Burleigh Boy (Pride Of Dubai) was fourth when resuming so it’s reasonable to assume he will strip sharper here.
Someone standing up
Flemington, Listed Furphy All Victorian Sprint Series Final, $128,000, 1200m
I Am Someone (Onemorenomore) is proven in this grade and comes here in excellent form, having won in style on the course at his most recent appearance.
I Am Someone
Snitzcraft (Snitzel) has posted five of his six wins at this distance and his latest effort was sound. Tavisan (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is another in-form sprinter and deserves respect.
Milwaukee (Fastnet Rock) is talented at best and any underfoot improvement will help his cause while Great Again (Viscount) was below par last time out, but worth another chance on the strength of his resuming victory.
Hard to roll again
Flemington, Listed Seppelt Wines Winter Championship, $128,000, 1600m
Plein Ciel (Ger) Mamool {Ire}) improved on his first-up effort to dead-heat with Shot Of Irish (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) and they should both be prominent again in their current touch.
There can’t be any knock on Heptagon (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}), who has won his last three and is a proven weight carrier. A Shin Rook (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) will appreciate the step up in distance and looks a decent each way chance.
Romancer (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) will also like the mile as a course and distance winner and Victoria Star (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is racing particularly well and isn’t the worst in what is an open line-up.
Draw favours filly
Eagle Farm, Listed Tattersall’s Club S., $85,000, 1400m
Plutocrat (Rich Enuff) has been plagued by wide barriers since she was a winner on the track to end her summer campaign. She is a talented type and from the inside gate can return to her best form.
Ready For Magic (Better Than Ready) was unplaced in the Listed Dalrello S. when he also had an awkward draw and his previous form was sound. Tumbler Ridge (Spill The Beans) has been racing well and under big weights so the conditions of the race are in his favour.
Queen Sweeper (Rich Enuff) beat Real Fine Wine (Real Saga) when they last met, but the latter will enjoy a weight swing while Zero To Hundred (So You Think {NZ}) won well enough at Warwick Farm to get interested in her chances.
First-up specialist
Eagle Farm, Listed TAB Bright Shadow S., $125,000, 1200m
Jamaican Rain (Manhattan Rain) hasn’t raced since she won the G3 Summoned S. in the spring and she has an outstanding first-up record as a four-time winner when fresh. She also revels on rain-affected ground and is blessed with the inside gate.
Jamaican Rain
In Good Time (Time Thief) and Love You Lucy (Love Conquers All) warrant respect as last-start stakes winners while Multaja (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) is another chance off the back of a recent trial success.
Persuader (Zoustar) was a sound fourth when resuming and will strip fitter for that run and River Racer (Hidden Dragon) will be right in this if she produces a similar effort that took her into second in the G2 Dane Ripper S.
Nothing to be sorry about
Belmont, Listed Aquanita S., $200,000, 2000m
No Apology (Declaration Of War {USA}) has been racing well and produced a strong front-running performance to win over a mile last time out. The step up in trip shouldn’t bother him and another plus is the booking of Shaun McGruddy, the regular rider of in-form rival Eurasia (Eurozone).
Tinsnip
Fuhrer (Universal Ruler) was out of the money last time, but is worth another chance as his previous form was sound. Uncle Dick (Alfred Nobel {Ire}) has made a bright start to his career and looks capable of measuring up in this grade.
Tinsnip (Snippetson) is suited by the conditions of the race as the highest-rated contender, although he will need to improve on recent efforts. Marocchino (Maschino) wasn’t far away in the Listed Belmont Guineas and a touch of improvement could see him in the frame.
Trip suits star 3YO
Belmont, Listed Belmont Oaks, $100,000, 2000m
Class act Kay Cee (Playing God) took her time to get the measure of Cambist (Gingerbread Man) in the Listed Belmont Guineas so she should appreciate the extra 400 metres here.
Kay Cee
Chantrea (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) is an interesting runner with a perfect record from four appearances and William Pike staying with her is a major attraction. Karijini Aurora (Trade Fair {GB}) has also done nothing wrong in a short career and a player for multiples.
Ginger Flyer (Gingerbread Man) has a similar profile and a place hope while Petticoat Junction (My Admiration) is well-seasoned and will run this trip out better than most, having already beaten older opposition over 2200 metres.
