C.F ORR STAKES G1
RACE 8 - 1400m

BEIWACHT / JIMMYSSTAR / PERCILES

The classy Waller runner in BEIWACHT hasn't been bad at all since winning the Gr.1 Memsie (1400m) in August and continued being competitive running in elite company. Gave all for third in both the Silver Eagle and Golden Eagle, but this is his perfect trip having also claimed the Gr.1 All-Aged Stakes in April. A serious racehorse, this BIVOUAC entire can win with the right run. JMac on, as is all the early money.

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JIMMYSSTAR has been a shade disappointing since winning the Gr.1 Manikato (1200m) at Caulfield in Sept, although he did face The Everest field at Randwick and drew the carpark in the Russell Balding. Loved the way in which the PER INCANTO gelding defied the pattern to scorch home in open air to claim the Manikato, and the 1400m could be a better fit considering he proved simply too good for them in the C.F ORR last year.

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We are aware Bjorn Baker has a high opinion of his STREET BOSS gelding in PERICLES who is coming off a win in the Russell Balding (1300m) at Randwick, and in record time. Won the Tramway last prep before placing in the G1 Epsom and Cantana Stakes, followed by a career best performance to claim the Gr.1 Futurity (1400m) at Caulfield. Willo aboard, tidy odds and potentially as good as any of these here on his day. Major threat.

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SANDOWN GUINEAS G2
RACE 5 - 1600m

CONSULATE / MILSON POINT / STAR OF MACEDON

SHEZA ALIBI annihilated the Guineas field last year, but the 2026 version seems far more even. The HOME AFFAIRS filly CONSULATE trained by Chris Waller looked quite sharp as a two-year-old but hasn't struck much luck in the last two. Never totally clear looking for a run in  the Reg Allen at Randwick, then held up on the turn in the Vanity at Flemington, so shifted out but too late. Up to the mile should play to her advantage.

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MILSON POINT has displayed significant improvement following a brief spell, culminating in an unexpected victory for Team Maher in the Gothic Stakes.The BLUE POINT gelding had been doing plenty wrong and getting fired up, but with the Norton bit he was less fierce. Sound for 4th in the Amanda Elliott on Cup day, so with better manners now he has to be in this contest.

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The ZOUSTAR colt STAR OF MACEDON has only been lightly tried by the Symons/Laxon team but charged hard for 2nd in the Taj Rossi to finsh his two-year-old prep and show some genuine promise. Returned to grind down the leader to break his maiden at Kilmore but trapped wide and back in the Gothic which didn't help matters. Pretty good for 3rd last start and although still a bit raw looks better placed back to the mile.

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ZIPPING CLASSIC G2
RACE 9 - 2400m

SMALL FRY / JUJA KIBO / TRAVOLTA / ASTERIX

SMALL FRY had big Australian ambitions and emerged as a cup hope after producing a strong victory in a 3250m staying handicap at York in August, travelling comfortably before taking control late. The gelding ran home well for a nice 2nd to POINT OF LAW in the Geelong Cup (2400m) before VRC vets re-examined Small Fry during pre-race inspections and withdrew him from contention ahead of the 3200m feature at Flemington. Joseph O’Brien now has him aimed at the Zipping as a consolation prize and he absolutely looks the one.

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We were foolish enough to ommit JUJA KIBO from our Melbourne Cup numbers and it cost us a $50,000 First4 which was hard to wear. Having witnessed firsthand the Maher-trained gelding win the Metropolitan in Sydney, then go on to take out the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, it really shouldn't have surprised no one to see him grind away into third place in the 3200m feature at Flemington. Given his exceptional endurance ability and high fitness levels, it is clear that this is his ideal distance, and another victory is well within reach.

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TRAVOLTA was tremendous in winning the Sydney Cup last start and Tommy Berry changed tactics to hold him up for one last crack at them gouging a passage through. A short freshen up seems to have worked a treat for the son of LOPE DE VEGAS and we suspect Waller believes this option affords the horse the best opportunity of going back-to-back going down in trip. With JMac now handed the reins does look a big chance with a similar strategy.

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ASTERIX secured a victory in the Beauford last season, yet was unfortunately withdrawn from this year's Melbourne Cup due to a minor regulatory breach involving the application of topical cream to both forelegs. Waller took it on the chin including the big fine, but the TAVISTOCK gelding did well to finish 3rd in the Naturalism at Caulfield following top spring form when winning the Gosford Cup and Tatt's Cup (2400m) up at Eagle Farm. Just keep him onside.

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SUMMONED STAKES G3
RACE 10 - 1500m

CONCORD CONNIE / TOMATO TOASTIE / MERRIGOLD

The accomplished Contributor mare CONCORD CONNIE participated in the Gr.1 Empire Rose last start; however, the field was unable to challenge Lady Shenandoah and 2nd to the talented mare was a top effort. It has been a swift ascent after winning three straight quite stylishly in the autumn before finishing 3rd in the Tristarc coming back, although we feel Charlotte Littlefield will have the mare well up for this.

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TOMATO TOASTIE improved significantly from her first up run at Caulfield to weave through and pinch 2nd in the HKJC Stakes (1400m) at Flemington and you might want to keep the oven warm for her on Saturday. The TOO DARN HOT four-year-old has a fine sprint on her but has only been lightly tried by the Gai/Bott team. Looms as a serious threat and has the ability to win it.

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We think MERRIGOLD is not a bad bet in this as the John Sadler-trained mare has been going better then it looks on paper. Sound return in the Let's Elope before being held up in behind a bunch of horses the entire straight in the Northwood, and battled on ok in the Tristarc last start. May be better in the autumn, although up in trip could help and very good when right. Generous odds for sure.

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THOROUGHBRED CLUB STAKES G3
RACE 7 - 1200m

SEQUINNED / NATURAL FLING / CADDINGTON / AROUSED

We really thought SEQUINNED would get the job done in the Red Roses on Oaks Day for Chris Waller but she ran out of time loading up late to just miss by the smallest margin right on the line. The PINATUBO filly was truly impressive winning easily at Caulfield and the star Sydney trainer has kept her in Melbourne hoping to bring home some Victorian silverware. Should bolt in.

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NATURAL FLING was flying early in the campaign for Team McEvoy following on from a couple of promising runs as a two-year-old. Led and raced away for an impressive victory in the Quezette followed by a brave 3rd in the Gr.1 Moir with next to no weight. Tried hard but run down by THE NEXT EPISODE in the Danehill on a very wet Flemington, although race shape against in the Gr.1 Coolmore. This HOME AFFAIRS filly is far too good to dismiss and a major player.

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Liam Howley has put plenty of education in his filly CADDINGTON and it appears to be paying off as we witnessed last start. Cleared out to win her maiden easily on her home track of Kyneton before running on best to claim AROUSED in the Crockett Stakes (1200m) at Flemington. There wasn't much in it, but it did indicate she has developed nicely and seems a handy type.

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The Grahame Begg-trained AROUSED hasn't run since finishing 2nd to CADDINGTON in the Crockett where the SNITZEL filly was outside the leader on the speed before being grabbed within the last few strides. Most impressive winning on debut by three lengths at Ballarat racing away, so a quick girl who will really need to save something in reserve but has the pace to be prominent throughout.

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