Flemington G1 Australian Guineas $1,000,000 1600 metres
Star Tasmanian filly Mystic Journey (Needs Further) has already made an impact in Victoria with spring successes in the G2 Aquis Farm Classic, at the expense of Group 1 performer Fundamentalist (Not A Single Doubt), and the Listed Jim Moloney S.
She has returned from a break in outstanding style with two comfortable wins in her home state and the Adam Trinder-trained filly should again prove a handful.
There’s not a lot to fellow Tasmanian The Invincible (Dundeel {NZ}), but the diminutive gelding is all heart as he showed with a gallant win in the G3 CS Hayes S. Ringerdingding (Sebring) beat only two home in the G1 Futurity S., but he was only a couple of lengths off the winner and back to age group company he poses a threat.
Stablemate Amphitrite (Sebring) won the G1 Thousand Guineas last preparation and showed she had come back better than ever with a first-up victory in the G3 Vanity S.
Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock) boasts an interesting form line, coming off a win in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic at Ellerslie while Lindsay Park will also be represented by Hawkshot (Fiorente {Ire}). He was dominant in the G2 Autumn Classic and with luck from a tricky gate can be competitive again.
In-form Manuel top choice
Flemington G2 Blamey S. $200,000 1600 metres
Manuel (Commands) makes his own luck and the free-goer is sure to be prominent for a long way from a handy gate.
He was a decisive winner of the G1 Orr S. two runs back and then backed it up with a close fifth behind star mare Alizee (Sepoy) in the G1 Futurity S. The Tony McEvoy-trained 5-year-old is race fit and primed to add another major title to his record.
Johannes Vermeer (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is an interesting runner and making his first appearance since finishing runner-up in the G1 Melbourne Cup. He is a quality individual who has placed first-up in the past and is a two-time winner at the distance.
Cool Chap (High Chaparral {Ire}) has improved with each outing this preparation and is a tidy each-way prospect while Tom Melbourne (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) likes Flemington and he’ll be thereabouts again. Fifty Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is better than his form reads and he appeals for those looking for longer odds.
Grunt has the power
Flemington G3 Shaftesbury Avenue H. $160,000 1400 metres
Grunt (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) has trialled well for Mick Price ahead of his return and the 4-year-old can successfully open his autumn campaign here.
He is a Flemington specialist with Group 1 wins in the Australian Guineas and Makybe Diva S. on the track to his credit and he promises to go close. Grunt will be making his first appearance in the Yulong colours.
Furrion (GB) (Camelot {GB}) came a long way in a short time last preparation and he is unbeaten in two first-up appearances and at the distance. Widgee Turf (Turffontein) is an honest customer who was third when resuming and has a pair of second-up victories to his credit.
Group 1 performer deserves respect
Flemington G3 Furphy S. $160,000 1400 metres
Oregon’s Day (Domesday) has met and matched better fields than this and her class is hard to overlook.
A Group 1 placegetter, the 5-year-old will undoubtedly improve with the outing but she’s good enough to go close to opening her autumn preparation in style.
Shoko (Sebring) is lightly-raced and she’s won first-up before, while Aristia (Lonhro) makes her first appearance since triumphing in the G1 VRC Oaks. She should be doing her best work late and a chance at a minor placing.
Set To Sparkle (Hussonet {USA}) is moving up in grade, but unlike a few in this she has recent racing on her side and stablemate Temple Of Bel (Bel Esprit) is a handy type and a boilover hope.
Speedy Langiera hard to catch
Flemington Listed Very Special Kids Plate $140,000 1000 metres
Langiera (Denman) has plenty of pace and the Godolphin colt can take advantage of a step back in class to open his account. He was placed in the G3 Chairman’s S. two runs back before an unplaced run in the Listed Talindert S. over 1100 metres and this trip will suit him better.
Isa Rocket (Fastnet Rock) was an encouraging fourth on debut and sure to improve with the experience while Yulong Savings (Helmet) won well enough first time out to suggest the chestnut can give a good account of himself in stakes company.
Import to continue winning ways
Flemington Listed Roy Higgins Quality $140,000 2600 metres
Schabau (Ger) (Pastorius {Ger}) is an exciting staying prospect for Robert Hickmott, who has G1 Melbourne Cup aspirations for the import. The 4-year-old has won both of his starts at Flemington and he looks sure to appreciate this extended trip.
Naval Warfare (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}) is in a terrific vein of form and it’s hard to see him not figuring in the finish. Pissaro (Pierro) is also racing well enough to have on tickets for multiples.
Fresh best for pacy mare
Flemington Listed ATA/Bob Hoysted H. $140,000 1000 metres
Fresh runner She’s So High (I Am Invincible) is resuming here and has a recent trial win to further boost her claims. She has the perfect record with two first-up wins and she’s hard to go past.
Kemono (Jpn) (Kinshasa No Kiseki {Jpn}) collected a couple of black type placings in his first Australian preparation in the spring and looks a player again. Stakes winner Moonlover (Ilovethiscity) has trialled well for her return and is proven at this short course.
Wasabi Bob hot to trot
Morphettville G3 13CABS Lord Reims S. $120,000 2600 metres
Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas have Wasabi Bob (Rebel Raider) right at the top of his game and a fourth consecutive victory beckons.
The 5-year-old has justified his favouritism at his previous three appearances and it looks to be the same story again here.
Bondeiger (War Pass {USA}) has been consistent this preparation and is well-seasoned for the trip while Azurite (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) has been in the money in his last two starts and a slice of the cheque looks to be coming his way again.
Lady looks the lead
Morphettville TAB Listed Cinderella S. $100,000 1050 metres
Victorian visitor Lady Lupino (Sebring) was put aside following a successful debut in December and she looks set for a black type credit on her return here.
Miss Dynamic (Shamus Award) has placed in both appearances and she again looks set for a share of this stake while Inciter (Fighting Sun) is fresh and from an inside gate can make her presence felt.
Emphasis has right credentials
Doomben Listed Sky Racing Tattersall’s Cup $125,000 1615 metres
Emphasis (Domesday) comes here at the top of his game and with Jeff Lloyd again in the saddle they are the favoured combination.
The hardy 6-year-old was a course and distance winner last time out and might have the edge on Xebec (USA) (Mizzen Mast {USA}), who will derive great benefit from his first-up outing. El Campeador (Captain Sonador) is racing well and there’s no reason to think he won’t be in the fight again.
Assetro top choice
Ascot Listed Schweppes Ascot 1000 Guineas $100,000 1800 metres
Assetro (Blackfriars) can be expected to show improvement on her last run for fourth, her first outing for six weeks. She is a talented filly who looks suited to this distance.
Vintage Stock (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is racing consistently well and comes back to age group company after taking on older opposition at her most recent outing for fifth. Speedy Miss (Demerit) is another going well and was a close last-start fifth in the Listed Challenge S.
Williams team dominant
Ascot Listed Lex Piper S. $100,000 1600 metres
The Grant and Alana Williams-trained Creative Hero (More Than Ready {USA}) is a rising star and is now shooting for his fourth win in a row. He already has a stakes victory to his credit and will be hard to hold out.
The stable has a particularly strong hand with Final Hearing (Reset) and Regal Power (Pierro) also in contention. The Williams trio ran the trifecta in the Listed Challenge S. a fortnight ago and a similar outcome is likely on Saturday.
