THE ALL-STAR MILE G1

RACE 7 - 1600m

MR BRIGHTSIDE / ANOTHER WIL / TOM KITTEN

Difficult to find a serious knock on the Victorian champ MR BRIGHTSIDE and he can only improve further going up to the mile. Despite encountering strong competition in the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m), this gelding displayed exceptional tenacity and determination to cross, lead at the 150m and just held on at the line. Will take a good horse to beat him as he should be in fine condition third up this prep. Not a bad horse for a $19,000 Karaka buy.

☆☆☆☆☆

ANOTHER WIL has come along brilliantly for Ciaron Maher and he did defeat MR BRIGHTSIDE in the CF ORR (1400m) at Caulfield. But the champion was fresh up and will strip much fitter here. However, the STREET BOSS gelding has won 9 from 14 and is a fantastic talent still on the rise. Finished 2nd in the Gr.1 Rupert Clarke last prep, won the Gr.2 Linithgow and can go to another level this campaign. Has to be the biggest threat.

☆☆☆☆

The G1 winner TOM KITTEN has looked exceptional at times and burst through after being held up in the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes behind MR BRIGHTSIDE. It was a great return and the HARRY ANGEL gelding was a touch unlucky. Brilliant form in his prior campaign, finishing 3rd in the Golden Eagle, 4th in the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes and 2nd in the Gr.1 Epsom behind CEOLWULF. This could be his magical prep and we may see the best of the Cummings trained gelding this Autumn.

☆☆☆

NEWMARKET HANDICAP G1

RACE 9 - 1200m

JOLIESTAR / GROWING EMPIRE / STRETAN ANGEL

Not the easiest race to analyse, however JOLIESTAR is a fine sprinter and this Waller trained ZOUSTAR mare should be ready to fire. Had no favour's when 3rd to MAGIC TIME resuming in the Gr.2 Expressway but kept trying after being out on a limb. Won the Gr.1 1000 Guineas before the Gr.2 Arrowfield in April 2024. Backed that up with victory in the Gr.3 Show Country I'm Sept then 7th in The Everest. Brilliant at best and deserving.

☆☆☆☆

GROWING EMPIRE is a special sprinter and the three-year-old SNITZEL colt is looking for a quick return to form. Brilliant last year, winning two G3 and Listed races before a tough fought 2nd to SOUTHPORT TYCOON in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley. Finished 3rd to SWITZERLAND in the Coolmore Stud Stakes to round out his campaign and just has a high paced tempo when on it. Deserves a Group 1 but hard to say if it happens here as resuming run a bit average.

☆☆☆

STRETAN ANGEL was slow out in the Gr.1 Lightning but gave it plenty from the 400m to wind up 2nd to upset horse SKYBIRD. Finished 2nd in both the Gr.1 Sangster and The Goodwood at Morphettville before being close up in the Gr.2 Gilgai and Gr.1 VRC Classic. Looks a seriously progressive type who can go to the next level this campaign and knock off a big one.

☆☆

SIRES PRODUCE STAKES G2
RACE 5 - 1400m

HIATUS / ARCORA / VINROCK

HIATUS is a 2 year old filly by SNITZEL out of the Galileo mare, ALBANILLA, who comes from a family packed with elite European stayers including last year’s Arc winner ALPINISTA. The baldy faced filly took out her trial in fine fashion, winning narrowly in 48.76. Edged ahead over 900m to win on debut at Murray Bridge then chased steadily after setting well back in the Talindert Stakes at Flemington. Can go much better 2nd up and appears a good young horse in the making. Long odds but worth a crack.

☆☆☆☆

ARCORA split winner TOM and HEAVENLY CONQUEST on debut over 1200m at Sandown early February and the Bussutin/ Young team paid $225k for the colt who is a half-Brother to Foxy Cleopatra. He looked good in four early trials prior to his lone raceday run. The JUSTIFY colt drove hard to join the lead at the 75m and fought hard to the line. Potentially trained on and developing well.

☆☆☆

Trainer Matt Laurie fired up this I AM INVINCIBLE colt VINROCK to win on debut at Pakenham over 1200m, and it was a good effort. Went forward to join the lead with a narrow advantage before getting off the rails and found plenty. He is by the fine Redoute’s Choice racemare, GIRL GONE ROCKIN’ with the granddam another class act in the NZ-bred SORRENTO. Mich to like and looks likely to play a major role here.

☆☆

KEWNEY STAKES G2
RACE 8 - 1600m

CAPTURED BY LOVE  / TREASURETHE MOMENT / JENNI THE FOX

The NZ 1000 Guineas winner CAPTURED BY LOVE travelled to Australia for Te Akau after a strong 3yo season to date. Certainly the WRITTEN TYCOON filly didn't put up her best work when settling 2nd but unable to finish it off in the Desireable Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. Potentially much better for that intial run in Melbourne for the Walker/Bergerson team and well suited up to the mile. Will need to beat a good one here but capable of steaming home late. Could be well over the odds and brilliant at best.

☆☆☆☆

VRC Oaks heroine TREASURETHE MOMENT has been Uber dynamic as one of the most exciting horses around with Yulong producing another star. The class filly was arrogant when winning first up in the Angus Armanasco, and even fitter up to the mile, it could be a case of good luck beating her. Treasurethe Moment is continuing to put her young sire ALABAMA EXPRESS’S (Redoute’s Choice) name on the map. Treasurethe Moment is the third, last and best named foal of American maiden winner DRACONIC TREASURE (Street Cry), who was bought for $320,000 by BBA (Ireland) and Yulong at Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale. Will take something special to roll her.

☆☆☆☆☆

JENNI THE FOX is another potential star for sire TOO DARN HOT and she has improved entering this second prep. Won hard held for trainer Alex Rae resuming over 1300m at Cranbourne in an impressive display. Raced a bit keenly in the Gr.2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield but still sound overall when 6th. No match for TREASURETHE MOMENT in the Gr.2 Armanasco Stakes (1400m) but possibly had a bit more to give. Like what we saw last start and can make the grade.

☆☆

MATRON STAKES G3
RACE 10 - 1600m

MOLLY BLOOM / MIRAVAL ROSE / WISHLOR LASS

Maybe, just maybe Chris Waller has turned the corner with this former Kiwi star based on her lastest effort. Failed to have much luck last year and scored some rotton wide draws, however we know what she produced in NZ and it could have been merely a time factor to set the ACE HIGH mare on the right path. MOLLY BLOOM chased solidly the entire straight at Flemington over 1400m and won't mind the step up to the mile. Best opportunity to win one across the ditch so far.

☆☆☆☆

Grahame Begg has worked this GRUNT mare MIRAVAL ROSE along nicely,  culminating in some dominant Stakes winning performances. Was a very good three-year-old but lightly raced before two fair third placings in November. Dug deep to win the Listed Kensington Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on New Year's Day before a tidy 3rd at the latest in the Gr.3 Tressady Stakes involving the same cast of characters. Can go much better today up in trip.

☆☆

WISHLOR LASS is an impressive Stakes winning mare that could return to her very best quickly. Was quite flat throughout Oct/Nov before Symon Wilde sent the mare for a spell. Put down a sound performance resuming in the Gr.3 Tressady Stakes at Flemington and should have taken plenty of improvement from that run. Definitely looks a threat based on prior form and her ability to turn in on.

☆☆☆

SHAFTSBURY AVENUE HCP G3
RACE 4 - 1400m

FANCIFY / TERRITORY EXPRESS / AYRTON

Difficult to find a serious knock on this horse, although last start she was a shade disappointing due to the weather. Previous form was first rate, winning multiple times in SA for Michael Hickmott, plus Caulfield, Murray Bridge and Flemington. Won the Gr.3 HKJC Stakes (1400m) two back and thd daughter of NIAGARA loves to get out front and dictate terms. FANCIFY can get in with it here and bounce back with an improved effort.

☆☆☆☆

Plenty of time for this TERRITORIES gelding who hasn't raced since failing in the Gong. Ran 2nd in the Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m) at Randwick in a strong field and he has shown more then enough to be competitive here. Guessing the distance will suit fresh up and he does go very well in this state. We certainly won't be excluding TERRITORY EXPRESS from our top three as he has always looked a little talented.

☆☆☆

AYRTON is back from a long time off the scene having last raced 12 months ago in the All-Star Mile at Randwick where he ran a credible 7th. Has shown his class on multiple occasions and did win this race in 2023. Had trialled up four times since August without too much pressure and it will be interesting to see what kind of return he offers up and whether he can recapture that old magic. Capable of going along at a decent clip and may try to stretch them early.

☆☆

OTTAWA STAKES G3
RACE 2 - 1000m

GIN SPIRIT / / PRESTIGE SNITZEL / SECRET GLORY

The Hayes boys got GIN SPIRIT off to a flyer with a win at Morphettville over 1050m before a much harder task in the Gr.2 Blue Diamond Prelude (F) at Caulfield. Jumped away awkwardly, keen in midfield, but still chased steadily. She pounced at the 100m mark in the Listed Cinderella Stakes at Morphettville, and the SPIRIT OF BOOM filly has shown the potential of a talented juvenile. She's stronger now and bred to win a few more.

☆☆☆

PRESTIGE SNITZEL is a beautifully bred SNITZEL filly from the classy mare IMPOSING LASS. She is a $375,000 purchase from the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale last year. The filly has looked very good winning her last two jumpouts, the most recent at Mornington over 900m on 19/2. Likely to jump on the speed and give it a red hot go in her debut run. One to keep an eye on as she is a stunner.

☆☆

The BLUEPOINT filly SECRET GLORY has only had the one run at Newcastle over 900m for James Cummings, however she jumped awkwardly and was four wide on straightening, bumped at the 150m and could only battle away into 5th. Nevertheless, her mother MONTSEGUR (New Approach) is a well sort after broodmare who did win the Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes here at Flemington on this day 12 years ago. Will need to see her daughter again to get a real take on her.

☆

BEST BET: TREASURETHE MOMENT

NEXT BEST: MR BRIGHTSIDE

BEST VALUE: WISHLOR LASS

LONGSHOT: PRESTIGE SNITZEL