The Gong

Has to carry a big weight but is a class above these. And he lumped a big weight to win a similar race last start at Randwick quite comfortably. Very fit now, drawn ideally and is in super form. Hardest to beat.

Gr 1 Caulfield Cup winner who resumes here. Has a great first-up record. They will go hard here but he has drawn well and I suspect he runs a very cheeky race. I think he runs top 5.

Horrible draw means he will have to go a long way back but he does have a powerful finishing burst. Is 3rd up here and is in form. Expect him to charge late and know that the stable has been on fire.

Is always a threat in this grade and is 2nd up here. Has solid 2nd up stats. Will be near the lead throughout from this advantageous draw and will be in the firing line at the end.

Former Group level horse from Ireland but has had just one race start in 2 years and that was at Randwick 3 weeks ago when 8th to Fortune. This is harder but he has talent on his day so may sneak a place at big odds.

Mixes his form a fair bit but the long straight here and drop in weight means he might be on his best behaviour this time. Last win was 3 starts back over 1500m at this level. Was well beaten last start in the Allan Brown behind Jimmysstar but form from that race has been great. Bod showing expected.

Interesting runner. Is good on his day but not shown his best for a while. Ran unplaced in this race last year but is much better suited at the weights. Is trained here which is an advantage. resumed from let-up with a strong finishing 3rd at Hawkesbury over 1500m in record time. Keep safe although has drawn badly.

From this gate will drop back and try and come hard late. Is 2nd up and does have good 2nd up stats although his frist up run was below par when last to Vivy Air. Not keen.

This time last year was winning a Gr 1 race in Perth over this trip! hasn’t been quite the same this year but last start when 8th, beaten 4 lengths by Vivy Air, there was a glimpse of form. Will go back from this gate but if he slots in with cover, say midfield, he will rocket home as this track should suit. For mine, he has a great each way chance.

Likes to get out and onto the speed which may be his undoing here because a mile around here is a tough ask – especially for a horse who has never won at this trip from 4 attempts.

If he had drawn a good gate I would have said, this is the one. May still be if he can find a spot close to the fence throughout with cover. But, bad gate is a worry. The track will be damp and he grows a leg on wet tracks and simply will not know himself with this light weight. Should be charging home.

Most likely hunts up from this glorious inside draw. Will be in top 2 all the way and the way he fought on when resuming in th stronger Russell Balding last start suggests a bold showing here. Has neat 2nd up stats too and loves the damp track. Lots to like.

Not racing at his best of late. If he did, with this weight he would be a winning chance. But, may pay to look past him today.

Will be big odds but has to be in your numbers because he will LOVE this light weight and he goes well this trip. Is very fit as his last 2 runs in Group races attest. Handles wet ground too. I rate him highly.

Victorian galloper who is not without a chance. Gets a run here and if he finds a spot midfield with cover, his fitness and late turn of foot may help him grab a place at good odds.

Not won for a while but has raced himself into form over past few weeks. last start was a terrific run at Randwick when 5th, after being in top 5 all the way to Vivy Air in the $2million Five Diamonds. Has claims here.

Racing well but finishing just behind the placegetters in these types of races this spring. Probably does the same here.

Probably doesn’t get a run. Not keen anyway. Never won when first up from 7 attempts and resumes here, plus has never placed at this trip from 6 starts.