EPSOM HANDICAP G1

RACE 8 - 1600m

WELL WRITTEN / AUTUMN BOY / CEOLWULF / IDLE FLYER

The New Zealand-based contender, WELL WRITTEN has arrived in Sydney for her inaugural attempt at an Australian Group 1 event following an impressive victory in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate resuming at Ellerslie. The WRITTEN TYCOON mare is unbeaten in all seven NZ runs, which included wins in the Soliloquy, Auckland Guineas, NZ 1000 Guineas, Karaka Millions 3YO and the rich NZB Kiwi to finish her stunning three-year-old prep. Possibly the best we've seen in New Zealand for a while and a worthy competitor heading towards the Golden Eagle, but this isn't Ellerslie and her biggest test to date. Zac Lloyd rides - appears primed.

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AUTUMN BOY went from winning the Ming Dynasty twelve months ago to taking out the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas, then returned in the Autumn to finish 2nd to SHEZA ALIBI in the Randwick Guineas before winning the Rosehill Guineas. The Moody/Coleman star filly got the better of him in the Doncaster Handicap with a win for the ages. Runner-up to his nemesis SHEZA ALIBI once more in the Makybe Diva last start, but she's not in the Epsom and Waller will be comfortable his horse is in the best possible shape to claim a third Group 1. JMac could spoil the Kiwi's party.

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CEOLWULF was up against it in the 7 Stakes and they gifted up the race to AUTUMN GLOW by letting her get away with cheap early sectionals. CEOLWULF, under the guidance of trainer Joe Pride performed admirably in the Winx Stakes at Randwick, securing a fast-finishing fifth place behind the exceptional mare AUTUMN GLOW. This performance suggests a return to his best and a strong potential for CEOLWULF to achieve peak form this spring. His spring carnival aim is likely to be his attempt to complete a rare hat-trick in the King Charles III Stakes on Everest Day, but not out of this with a great mile and firm track record.

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There most definitely wasn't enough pace on to assist the DUNDEEL mare IDLE FLYER in the 7 Stakes at Randwick last start but all three runs back have been sound and she could be close to peak condition for the Epsom. Hit career best form in the autumn when winning the Emancipation Stakes at Rosehill before getting the last crack at them in the Gr.1 Queen of the Turf Stakes (1600m) off the back of a fast pace. If they go hard early then she is 100% in this fight but will need to be extra special on the day. Wide gate does make it tough, but may be storming at the line late out wide.

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METROPOLITAN HANDICAP G1

RACE 7 - 2400m

JUJA KIBO / THEBUDGIESMUGLA / GREEN SPACES

With AETHELWULF likely heading to Melbourne for the Lexus, it opens the door for a horse such as JUJA KIBO to shine in the Metrop and we fancy his chances here. The BELARDO gelding hasn't won since a 2400m Rosehill contest twelve months ago, but it hasn't been for lack of effort. Ran 3rd in this last year, then 3rd in the Randwick and Manion Cups as well as the Chairman's Quality on the course. Resumed with a 3rd over the mile but had a real crack when 2nd in the Kingston Town (2000m) and now gets out to a more suitable staying trip.

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Bjorn Baker’s stayer, THE BUDGIESMUGLA, is expected to reach peak performance for the Metropolitan following an impressive winter preparation, and we are confident this race is the primary objective. Won over 2400m in Randwick in May followed by a quailty display to win the Winter Cup at Rosehill over the mile and a half. Bjorn then sent the REDWOOD gelding north to take out the Caloundra Cup (2400m), with the result never in doubt. Could be ready to launch another big 2400.

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GREEN SPACES doesn't appear too badly off at the weights despite some indifferent form since resuming, although we're backing Bjorn Baker to have the STREET BOSS stallion in firm condition now and he did finish 2nd in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) behind AUTUMN BOY before winning the ATC DERBY at this trip on the course. Getting out to this distance appears the key and only needs to rediscover his mojo and switch on with some serious focus. Can surprise with a soft trip and a special from Rachel King.

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FLIGHT STAKES G1

RACE 6 - 1600m

BANGKOK HOTTIE / STRIKING ALIBI / GLOBAL GOAL

BANGKOK HOTTIE is as hot as a Patpong sauna house at present and trainer David Payne may have found his next Group 1 horse who accounted for a smart field of three-year-old fillies in the Furious Stakes at Randwick. Showed genuine speed from the gate to sit outside the leader before surging to the front and holding out Silver Shadow victor PEMBREY and Rosebud winner CHILLY GIRL. Likely to be ridden a bit differently at the 1600m but definitely has the goods heading into the Flight Stakes. Drawn to go close.

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The HANSECTIC filly STRIKING ALIBI looks another fine Waller protégé who has come across from the West where she won on debut as a two-year-old at Ascot. Trialed up a treat in Sydney under the new trainer and then ridden conservatively in the Furious and kept coming late to finish into 3rd place. A fair bit of promise with this horse and up in trip seemed the right fit when no run at a vital stage but less then a length off BANGKOK HOTTIE at the line in the Tea Rose (1400m). Danger with JMac stoking her up late.

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The 1600m looks ideal for the John Sargent-trained GLOBAL GOAL who ran a bold race chasing the other two home when finally clear at the 150m in the Gr.2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) here last start. Won the 2YO Inglis Challenge at Wagga before returning in August to finish 3rd in the Silver Shadow at Randwick over the 1200m, chasing along the fence. Course suits, more ground suits, certainly a big chance of featuring. Dylan Gibbons does know the PINATUBO filly well.

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PREMIERE STAKES G2

RACE 9 - 1200m

TEMPTED / CABALLUS / HEADWALL

While Ciaron Maher remains uncertain whether TEMPTED can overcome the formidable KA YING RISING in the $20 million Everest, he is confident the mare is in peak condition following her impressive performance in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick. This will be her last run before that huge assignment and the Godolphin rep got closest to the best horse in the world last year. The champion sprinter has been impressive in two recent barrier trial wins and Maher admits Tempted will need to keep improving if she is any chance to challenge him but certainly good enough to be winning the Premiere.

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Last season’s Gr.1 Newmarket winner CABALLUS won his last trial at Rosehill, which was his second hit-out of his spring preparation. The six-year-old gelding was fast out of the gate and swiftly took the lead and sought only to make his winning margin wider. Bjorn Baker seems happy with the I AM INVINCIBLE geldings progress, and he should not be underrated fresh up here after such a brilliant previous prep when winning the Rising Fast at Flemington and George Moore at Doomben.

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HEADWALL has been ticking over nicely since a couple of tidy trials to prepare him for a spring campaign and the DREAM AHEAD gelding offered a solid first up effort for 2nd here in the Concorde when held up. He may have in fact got to TEMPTED but not fully tested before coming three wide in the Gr.2 Shorts and gave his all after drfting back early. Ran 2nd in a Newmarket and the Quokka in Perth, and 3rd in the T.J Smith last season so a high class sprinter of the highest order. This will be his last hitout before The Everest we imagine.

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BREEDERS PLATE G3

RACE 2 - 1000m

NONU / PROVERB / FIJI

Bjorn Baker may have another exceptional juvenile in NONU based on his first trial experience at Randwick. The ANAMOE filly looks a lovely, strong type purchased at Karaka for $600,000 and Bjorn went over his budget to secure her because she looked so appealing. She is the first foal out of the stakes-winning Pride Of Dubai mare EASIFAR. Based on his appraisal of the youngster, she looks likely to shine early.

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Trainer Michael Feeedman identified the 2YO colt PROVERB as the sort to be an early performer with his nice turn-of-foot. The WRITTEN TYCOON colt delivered an impressive first up win in the 850m at Randwick despite being slow away, but once he relaxed was able to sprint up to them quickly and score by a head from INTERNAL SECURITY. Proverb is out of the two-time American-winning mare SHINES HER LIGHT, who is very well bred being a half-sister to three Stakes winners.

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Champion trainer Chris Waller has won three Breeders' Plates and after the trial effort of Newgate-owned FIJI could add a fourth. The I AM INVINCIBLE colt, acquired for $675,000 at the Magic Millions sale, demonstrated significant potential with a composed victory under James McDonald. After straightening, the ace jockey sliced the good-looking colt between runners and he was in a league of his own, winning with minimal urgings and, if anything, slightly eased down at the end.

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GIMCRACK STAKES G3

RACE 3 - 1000m

SHRADDHA / SHEZABLAZE / EVERLASTING GRACE

Historically, the first Randwick 2YO trials provide an early indication of juveniles possessing natural talent, and the OLE KIRK filly SHRADDHA delivered a polished trial performance winning in a time of 49.72sec for the 850m. By all reports Michael Freedman has brought her along nicely, but she still looked a bit green even though it was a soft win. Shraddha is out of the winning Fastnet Rock mare SPICY, who is a half-sister to the three-time winner and stakes-placed 2-year-old CANADIAN SPICE.

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During the initial fillies' trial, the Peter Snowden-trained SHEZABLAZE established a significant benchmark for the Gimcrack Stakes with a notable performance. Shezablaze, a progeny of the Snowden-trained Golden Slipper winner CAPITALIST, demonstrated potential by securing a comfortable trial victory with a margin of nearly three lengths in 49.53 seconds. She appears to have a great attitude fot a young horse and balanced up nicely when asked to go.

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The Clinton McDonald-trained EVERLASTING GRACE by the sire YES YES YES appeared stylishly on the scene to match motors with RUNAWAY DIVA but couldn’t quite get there, admittedly off a much quieter ride by JMac than the winner, who had to be asked but responded. Her dam PRETTY AMAZING (American Pharoah) was a very handy mare winning 5 from 16 amd this filly can only improve from that clean first up effort.

DULCIFY STAKES (L)

RACE 4 - 1600m

SAVAGRAM / HOZUMI / WONKA

SAVAGRAM was dynamic on debut ripping out of the gates and taking them on a merry dance where the opposition had no hope of reeling him in. The SAVABEEL colt is out of the O'Reilly mare GRAM and a full brother to MAJOR BEEL and should be able to produce a blend of speed and stamina over time. The colt does appear to possess fine acceleration and this looks a nice challenge being bred to stretch out over further.

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Last to the turn, a bit of JMac magic drove HOZUMI to victory over 1450m at Kembla Grange for Waller Racing and he is a Godolphin-owned/bred gelding, so the potential is there. The STREET BOSS three-year-old is out of a LONHRO mare in BANISH and Chris Waller has afforded him a solid grounding with a number of barrier trials. It may have all clicked for the gelding now and he needs to be given due respect with the successful trainer/owner combination sure to get it right.

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Another Waller-trained three-year-old on the rise is WONKA, a SNITZEL colt who has looked good in four starts, and as Willy Wonka once said - "Oh, you should never, never doubt what nobody is sure about." The colt had one 2yo run, then came back in August to finish 2nd at Kembla Grange then 3rd at Warwick Farm. Put it all together taking over at the 300m to win over 1550m at the Kenso last start and the step up in trip helped. Will need to keep improving and probably can.

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