TURNBULL HANDICAP G1

RACE 8 - 2000m

AEILANA / SIR DELIUS / COSMIC CRUSADER / OHOPE WINS

Chris Waller held AELIANA back from the Underwood and this is one high-quality mare who needed that initial hit out in the Winx. Went the way of the 7 Stakes (1600m) instead, and Collett misjudged the ride taking hold when he could have gone with AUTUMN GLOW and it was the wrong move. Finished 2nd to the star stablemate in the Verry Ellegent before winning the Ranvet (2000m) and Tancred at Rosehill in the Autumn to prove just what a super mare she is. Waller believes she can match it with any horse in Australia, and we see her being in much sharper condition to face a suitable trip - and no Autumn Glow here to fight with.

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SIR DELIUS was among the leading contenders for last year's Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup after impressive victories in the Gr.1 Underwood and Turnbull stakes but was ruled out of both races after scans identified a heightened risk of injury. Sir Delius returned in the autumn to land the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick and will follow a three-run spring campaign culminating in the Cox Plate. Trialed up stylishly before being pushed four wide resuming in the Makybe Diva and given no hope, but still a sound return for fourth. Better off at the 2000m and a major threat.

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The former WA galloper COSMIC CRUSADER came across to join the Andrea Leek stable and won the Bletchingly before a brilliant performance coming five-wide to claim the Gr.2 P.B Lawrence at Caulfield, followed by a big run for 3rd in the Gr.1 Memsie (1400m). Track was far too hard for the MAURICE gelding in the Underwood but still put in big as runner-up to BIRDMAN with no shame in defeat. Gains the right run through then talented enough to be winning this with Willy Pike aboard.

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OHOPE WINS wasn't knocked about resuming in the Makybe Diva after a month off and the ATC Oaks winner was definitely looking for further. The OCEAN PARK mare won the NZ Oaks and would have won the Derby if given a chance, but new owners Yulong wanted her across the Tasman with Waller. We believe this mare is a future Melbourne Cup hope, possibly next year, but getting out in distance will aid her chances. Huge odds on offer, however if the pace in on early she will be running on late out wide. Quite a special horse taking on the big guns.

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EDWARD MANIFOLD G2

RACE 4 - 1600m

PROLIFIGATE / STIPULATION / SAINTLY DANCER

Pretty good horse this PROLIFIGATE who wound up gamely when finishing 2nd to BLIND RAISE in the ANZAC Day Stakes after striking traffic woes and it was a decent effort to get within two lengths, as that horse was fair humming. Battled on for a 4th resuming in the Atlantic Jewel but sure to strip much sharper and as a two-year-old the XTRAVAGANT filly did roll a couple of tidy juveniles on debut. Plenty of untapped ability with this one. The 1600-metre distance is anticipated to be ideal, and she is scheduled to progress to the Guineas following her run in the Edward Manifold.

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The FRANKEL filly STIPULATION from the Maher stable failed to threaten behind the two stablemates SAINTLY DANCER and GHANA'S AKAN on debut but improved to run 2nd with a strong effort over 1200m at Sandown in early September. Finally stamped her spring ambitions coming clear over the 1425m at Geelong and the extra distance proved the difference. While there remains room to demonstrate further potential, her performance has been consistent, and the transition to the 1600m distance appears to be an ideal progression.

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Quite like the look of this Maher-trained SAINTLY DANCER, who was trapped on the rail and hampered trying to get out in the Atlantic Jewel at Sandown. The ST MARK’S BASILLICA filly ran 2nd on debut in her last day as a two-year-old before doing best near the rail after beginning well to defeat GHANA'S AKAN over the 1200m at Lakeside, and it looks like she will appreciate this trip. Just needs room to move to be effective after a sound effort for 2nd in the Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) last start but couldn’t quite match ICELADY.

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ROSE OF KINGSTON STAKES G2

RACE 5 - 1400m

GOLD COAST BELLE / CILACAP / MERRIGOLD

A step up in class was no barrier for GOLD COAST BELLE who outclassed her rivals in a BM88 1300m at Sandown, including the impressive TENNESSEE BOUND. The daughter of SO YOU THINK made it four wins on end at her first start since winning the Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m) in May and trainer Danny O’Brien raised the bar at her home track going to Stakes grade. Travelled well and handled the soft ground comfortably at Sandown, so ticked a few boxes for the team. Slow out and used up too much juice early in the Let's Elope so an easy forgive.

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CILACAP will resume in the Rose Of Kingston Stakes, she appears in great order for Grahame Begg as her last trial was nice. The five-year-old WRITTEN TYCOON mare took on Group 1 company in the Coolmore Classic in March, but was much better finishing 3rd in the Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield, followed by a strong effort to win the Gr.2 Queen of the South Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville in April. Fresh up record is sound and unbeaten at the distance so keep very safe here.

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MERRIGOLD delivered a sound return for John Sadler in the Let's Elope at Flemington and the GOLD STANDARD mare is not a noted first up performer so it wasn't a bad effort. But she is a top notch horse 2nd-up and won here over the mile easily in January before runner-up twice at Caulfield over 1700m, then 1400m. Produced her best run of the campaign winning over 1400m there with a strong finish to win well and although she sometimes needs a touch of luck, her strikerate is very good.

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GILGAI STAKES G2

RACE 9 - 1200m

WAR MACHINE / DESERT LIGHTNING / ARKANSAW KID

The Hayes-trained WAR MACHINE had a nightmare experience from a wide gate in the Rupert Clarke at Caulfield, and the local officals moving the fence out didn't do him any favours. Solid return in the Heath late August, but the HARRY ANGEL gelding is a G1 winner having claimed the Stradbroke in June last year and too classy taking out the Gr.2 Gilgai here twelve months ago. Forgive the last unlucky run and go again.

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DESERT LIGHTNING was far from terrible in the two runs back and it all got a bit tight in the P.B Lawrence and fought on well coming back in trip in the Bobbie Lewis when he appeared completely cooked. The former Kiwi got the bob to claim the Gr.1 Goodwood at Morphettville in May, but failed to finish off in the Kingsford Smith and Stradbroke with an adventurous trip to Eagle Farm. He is a Group 1 winner in New Zealand also, and we won't be underestimating him here being much fitter.

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If you can forgive the run of ARKANSAW KID in the Regal Roller when trapped wide, then the two runs either side in the Aurie's Star (3rd) and Bobbie Lewis (4th) at Flemington weren't too bad from this quality sprinter. The HARRY ANGEL gelding finished 2nd in the Railway at Ellerslie with a bold effort and prior to that won the Bobbie Lewis here and ran 2nd in the Meteorite striking a rampant JIGSAW again. Like him here with those runs under the belt and trusting the Hayes to have him polished up nicely for this.

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DANEHILL STAKES G2

RACE 6 - 1100m 3YO

NATURAL FLING / THE NEXT EPISODE / BIG SKY / BUGGSY

NATURAL FLING comes back to three-year-old company as the last-start beaten Moir Stakes favourite and it was possibly a bridge too far for the HOME AFFAIRS filly who gave it a good crack. Won as a 2YO in April but couldn't match THE NEXT EPISODE in the Magic Millions Classic at the Goldie. Drew away with a dominant win in the Gr.3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield followed by that brave 3rd in the Moir behind MY GLADIOLA and CAVALRY GIRL. The Team McEvoy filly appears to be the superior contender in this field.

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THE NEXT EPISODE gets a shot at it in Melbourne and you have to say he is such an explosive young sprinter he can't be left out. Chased home BLUE DOOR in the Kindergarten at Randwick, then won the Darello, and the MM 2YO at Gold Coast, both over 1000m before going out for a spell. Ciaron Maher has afforded the well-bred SNITZEL colt four trials since August and fresh up we won't be underestimating a horse of this calibre coming out of this stable. Last jumpout behind NATURAL FLING gave him a good look here.

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The BIVOUAC colt BIG SKY was most impressive winning as a two-year-old on debut for the Price/Kent Jnr team and came cruising away to claim the Gr.3 Chairman's Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield in January. Spelled until resuming with a 3rd in the Gr.3 Poseidon Stakes down the Flemington straight and will strip much fitter for the experience. Raced a bit keenly but it was a solid return and we should expect much better here.

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BUGGSY, a son of HARRY ANGEL registered an imposing 1000m victory at Sandown on debut in March before heading to the Redoute’s Choice Stakes where he was outkicked to the line finishing in 3rd place. The Price/Kent Jnr duo worked away on him during a spell and the colt came away to score narrowly over 1000m at Sandown fresh up in August. Ran on for 4th behind PARADOXIUM in the Gr.3 Poseidon at Flemington but possible a more tractable colt now capable of featuring.

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LEXUS BART CUMMINGS G3

RACE 7 - 2500m

AETHELWUL / JENNIVAMOOSE / PIGGYBACK

AETHELWULF delivered a commanding performance from the 1000m mark in the Gr.3 Newcastle Cup (2300m), serving as an ideal lead-up to the Metropolitan but they probably now come here for the Cup qualifier. The SAXON WARRIOR gelding won at Kembla Grange and Canterbury Park before racing away over 2000m at Rosehill following a short freshen up. Trainer Matthew Smith should be encouraged by his advancement and the impressive development of his stayer into a high-calibre endurance competitor. Can book a spot right here.

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A golden ticket entry to the Melbourne Cup looms for the winner of the Lexus and we believe JENNIVAMOOSE is a good chance of snaring a spot if able to get some soft ground beneath him. Been really unlucky and knocked around finishing 3rd in the last three events, but she does come across as a highly progressive VADAMOS mare building towards something big and can foot it in these stayng ranks.

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If Maher starts PIGGYBACK in Melbourne as apposed to Sydney, then we feel confident he only runs well at the 2500m. The TRAPEZE ARTIST mare has won 7 from 26 and has needed all three runs back in Sydney. Won at Doomben last Sept, then the Colin Stephen over 2400m at Rosehill. Trapped super wide in the Metrop, but came back in trip to claim the Parramatta Cup and a decent effort in the Sydney Cup (3200m). Needs the pace on as a sit and sprint won't work for him.

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SUPER IMPOSE STAKES (L)

RACE 3 - 1800m

LEPOLO / CIGNETTI / MELBOURNE BOY

LEPOLO, undefeated in his two career starts, looks a red hot chance competing in the Super Impose. Following a trial here, he is slated to progress to the Caulfield Classic and subsequently the Derby all going to plan. The WRITTEN TYCOON Colt owned by Yulong bolted in over 1400m at Ballarat in August, then hit the front at the 200m and did another number on his rivals over 1500m at Sandown. They may have trouble trying to hold this talented fella out once again.

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Blake Shinn will guide CIGNETTI for the Busuttin/Young team and his formline reads very well in four career starts. The SUPER SETH gelding delivered a strong return to win over 1400m at Sale and stepped it up at Sandown running 2nd to LEPOLO, but was badly held up at the 200m and kept going when clear with the end margin unfair. No natural speed so will need to settle early and look to make his way into the race, although seems good enough to challenge the fave.

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MELBOURNE BOY was trapped three-wide without cover, then four wide as it tightened on the turn and he did well to finish into 3rd behind stablemate SCAROLE, albeit by a margin of 4.25L at the end. He is by the Irish-bred sire MAGNA GRECIA and the pedigree is deep with staying blood that suggests this gelding will only get better the further he goes. Extending to this trip seems advantageous if able to gain a softer run in transit. Might not be out of this at all if the pace is on early.

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PAIS LANE STAKES (L)

RACE 10 - 1400m

TEN COMMANDMENTS / STEPARTY / AMENABLE

TEN COMMANDMENTS could be too good for them here after screaming through the grades this prep and sound for 2nd in the Gr.3 Chautauqua (1300m) at Sandown after being driven mad out in front and no match for the swooper WARNIE. Won at Caulfield twice and Sandown over shorter and Jabez will need to find a way to settle the PALENTINO gelding early from this tidy gate, but will be given every opportunity to feature.

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STEPARTY is a quality sprinter who holds a good fresh up record and excellent stats the track/trip. Finished 2nd here in the Kensington last December, then taken to Tassie by trainer Paul Preusker where he claimed the WFA Lyon Stakes (1400m) in Hobart and Hellova St Stakes (1600m), before a huge effort for 5th in the Gr.1 All-Star Mile at Flemington. No go in the Doncaster but spelled and two winning trials point towards a positive return.

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Following a significant layoff, AMENABLE performed impressively in his debut for the Begg stable; he shows strong potential for further improvement and would be even more effective with slightly softer track conditions. The key factor is whether he can regain his peak form as a seven-year-old, as the two preparatory trials indicate that he has not yet reached his full potential. Plenty of associated risk, altbough the odds will be generous.

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MARIBYRNONG STAKES (L)

RACE 1 - 1000m

SILENT INTENT / ANKAA / MUSANDAM

The $190,000 HELLBENT colt SILENT INTENT drew clear over an 800m Flemington trial, strengthening his prospects of an early-season debut for Tony and Calvin McEvoy. The colt began sharply before extending clear of his rivals late to score by three lengths. He floated around a little bit when he hit the straight, which is to be expected first time down there, but quickened when urged and and was strongest to the line. Looks likely to be an early two-year-old winner this spring and possibly it could be here.

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Heat three at Flemington was taken out by stablemate ANKAA, a colt by ANAMOE, who charged home to defeat an unnamed Tassort colt from Lindsay Park. The winner races in the OTI colours and was a $300,000 buy from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Ankaa sat nicely in third spot and finished off strongly to win by a length and is a horse the stable believe is probably going to be at his best when he gets to three, but he's been very precocious in his work. Seems genuine enough to be competitive.

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The third of the two-year-old trials was won by the John McArdle-trained MUSANDAM, a Kia Ora Stud-owned half-sister to Group 1 SA Derby winner QAFILA who won on debut at two. Appearing still a bit green, the filly rolled around a bit but finished off nicely and once out in the open tended to look around without the rail to focus on. Musandam was sold by Silverdale Farm to Kia Ora Stud for $470,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Does look a nice filly in the making.

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