VICTORIA DERBY
Thought this was an even Derby between the top 7 or 8 chances and the one who stays the 2500m should prove too strong late. The Danny O’Brien trained POLITELY DUN was the eye catcher from the back in the Vase at The Valley last start. Trained on the track and although he only won his maiden two starts back he looks on the rise and can get away with the Derby.Damian Lane should get the perfect run from ideal barrier and with a touch of luck straightening he should be able to finish all over these.
COOLMORE STUD STAKES
May have been a blessing that TRAFFIC WARDEN missed a tough run in the Everest against the older horses, as he comes into this third-up from a spell against his own age group. Impressive winning the Run To Rose first-up then he just missed behind his exciting stablemate Broadsiding at Group 1 level in the Golden Rose. It has been an emotional week for Jamie Kah and she will be striving to get that spring Group 1 win during the Flemington Carnival and she gets her chance in this.
EMPIRE ROSE STAKES
The girls take centre stage in the Group 1 Empire Stakes and going to stick with the Kiwis to take the prize with ORCHESTRAL. She is already a multiple Group 1 winning mare including a NZ Derby. Forget she went around in the Toorak Handicap as the track pattern was against her and she saw no clear room in the straight. This is a high pressure mile race for the fillies and mares and she has the pedigree to make her strong at the end of this.
PADUA COLLEGE HANDICAP
EXOTIQUE MISS looks the one to beat in this. She comes into this third-up from spell. Got close at Toowoomba first-up then she chased home well enough when placed as favourite this track last start. Robbie Dolan should get ideal run in behind the speed and with clear room last 200m she can get away with this.
PRINCE OF WALES STAKES
SALOON BAR was impressive winning the Listed Farnley at Belmont two starts back then he went to Ascot and was luckless just missing in the Crawford Stakes last start. Expect he will be ridden back in second half again but if he can get clear room early in straight he can finish all over these.