Preview – Gr 1 Northerly

Grand old stager who on form should win this comfortably. BUT, he hasn’t raced for a month and that was in Melbourne. Doesn’t have to lead but he does like to be up near the front. There will be a lot of speed in this early so he should get across and slot in. If the real Zaaki turns up, game over. Hasn’t won $10 million in prizemoeny by being weak. Rates highly.

Made a lot of ground late when beaten 2 lengths in this race last year. Not won a race in 4 starts since although did run a big one last start when 4th in the Gr 1 Railway. Will be handy enough at the finish.

Super front-running Sydney stayer who is so, so tough. Can run on speed all day and is 3rd up here. So is ready to go hard and run them into the ground. Led and run down on line by the brilliant Unspoken this trip in the $2million Five Diamonds last start. Zaaki and Marocchino like to lead too so this will be quite the spectacle.

Old, tough front-runner who can still power along. Led all way and ran super slick time over 1400m beating Alsephina in November then led and beaten just 3 lengths last start in the Gr 1 Railway. If he finds the front and Zaaki doesn’t take him on he is a player.

Is very smart around here and after a strong 2nd in the Gr 2 Lee Steere over 1400m, he got back to near last on the bend before producing a powerful, eye-opening run for 3rd in the Gr 1 Railway over a mile. Obviously, the extra 200m will suit and he has run well over 2000m. Big show.

Should run well. Last time he raced this trip was in November at Flemington in a stakes race which he won. Drew deep and never in the race last start when beaten 6 lengths in the Gr 1 Railway. This is more to his liking but again drawn awkwardly here.

Very good local stayer who is rock hard in fitness. Made ground late in 2100m Scahill last start when 2nd to Be Optimistic. Will run this trip right out but grade may just be a tad too nippy. Place show.

Carried 5kg less than the smart Alsephina and it helped him charge late to just beat her here over 1500m here, then carried same weight as her when she turned the tables and he ran a solid 5th in the Gr 1 Railway over a mile. Races like this trip will suit him a lot. Has claims.

Is handy on his day but seems just a length or so behind the very best in this race. Not keen.

Must be flying. At 3rd start this time up, was backed sensationally late and justified the money after being ridden perfectly, to burst clear as they straightened and hung tough to hold off Alsephine and win the Gr 1 Railway. Extra trip will test late but he’s airborne at present.

Such a professional athlete. Has raced 14 times for 9 wins and 5 placings, latest when out late and charged for an impressive 2nd in the Gr 1 Railway behind Bustler here over a mile. Has drawn to receive a great run and only start this trip, she narrowly knocked over The Velvet Queen. Looks the one to beat here.

Ran 11th in this race last year at a $91 chance and hasn’t done enough this prep to suggest she can improve on that placing this year.

Is the dark horse here. She has genuine Gr 1 finishing power and is 3rd up here. Her last start she was last for home in a field of 16 but made headway late beaten just 4 lengths in the Gr 1 Railway. Is now looking for this trip and has good form against the state’s best sprinters. Big show.

Might be interesting late because she is super fit and tough. Started big odds yet finished hard late to take out the 2100m Schahill Stakes which is generally a little easier than this. It was how she did it that impressed. Place.

He was up on speed all the way when he fought it out with A Lot Of Good Men to narrowly win the Gr 2 Guineas here last start. This is a whole new world of pain for him but his racing style and light weight will help his hopes. Place show.

Likes to get back and run on. Did that last start in the Gr 2 WA Guineas over a mile against his own age. Is very talented but this is a big step up in grade for him and he has never won beyond 1200m. Place show.