7 STAKES WFA

RACE 8 - 1600m

FANGIRL / GRINGOTTS / CEOWULF

Won with some arrogance by FANGIRL last year, the winner of the 7 Stakes is exempt from ballot for the 2025 Epsom Handicap. The Waller-trained mare returns for another attempt after beating home OBERON in 2024, accelerating away from the 200m with an impressive burst of speed. Went on to finish 3rd in the Gr.1 Cantala before winning the Gr.2 Apollo fresh up in the Autumn. Ran 2nd in the Verry Elleegant and George Ryder before taking over powerfully to win the Gr.1 Queen of the Turf over the mile. Tempo possibly didn't suit fresh up in the Memsie and may be much happier back in Sydney on the bigger tracks. Looks custom made for her with JMac aboard and her stunning turn-of-foot.

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GRINGOTTS was found wanting late in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes in his first run since April, but should strip much fitter with a nice jumpout two weeks ago. This quality PER INCANTO six-year-old trained by Ciaron Maher won the $3M Big Dance, then the Gong last spring before taking out the Gr.1 George Ryder (1500m) in fine style. This race could be right in his sweet spot if the track comes up better then the Heavy 10 he struck at Randwick last time but he does relish a rain-affected surface, so won't mind some sting out of the ground. Has a bit of an engine on him this boy, so expect him to run well here and take great improvement before heading on to the the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes in October.

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CEOLWULF is a lightly-raced five-year-old gelding, and it’s fair to say his best is still to come. Since Joe Pride had Ceolwulf gelded and kept him to shorter trips he has gotten quicker, meaning the mile should suit 3rd-up. But Ceolwulf also ran second in the Australian Derby as a 3YO on a heavy track over 2400m and he was closing on Riff Rocket that day, so he can stay. Won the Gr.1 Epsom and King Charles over 1600m on this track, so no issues with the trip. He has an abundance of stamina and potentially the most forward of all the runners here after two runs back, with dual 4th placings in the Winx and Chelmsford. Maps to possibly position away in a nice forward spot and sprint hard with a sincere effort and genuine determination.

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THE SHORTS G2

RACE 9 - 1100m

BRIASA / JOLISTAR / PRIVATE HARRY

Considering BRIASA's recent jumpouts, the timing appears opportune for this promising gelding to demonstrate his genuine capabilities. The team Hawkes’ stable star contested a Group trial over 900m and led throughout under Zac Lloyd to win with his ears pricked by one-and-a-half lengths. The “Grey Flash” has won seven of his 10 starts including the Gr.1 T.J Smith Stakes last autumn and also has an Everest slot locked in. Briasa’s rise into The Everest calculations has been sensational with the slick sprinter only breaking his maiden in autumn last year. The son of SMART MISSILE caught the eye first-up in the Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill, closing off with some impressive closing sectionals against the pattern of the day.

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The Chris Waller-trained mare JOLISTAR will be among several contenders for The Everest utilising the Gr.2 The Shorts as a starting point for their campaign. Announced as the runner for the Waller slot, she will now go head-to-head first-up with fellow slot holders BRIASA and PRIVATE HARRY in what is being called the "Mini Everest." Joliestar was due to make her return in the Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill before being scratched on race morning. At her best, the ZOUSTAR mare is a sprinting machine having won Gr.1 Newmarket in March and accelerating away in the Kingsford Smith at Eagle Farm. 2nd to JIMMYSSTAR in the Gr.1 All-Aged Stakes, so her class in undeniable, although Waller won't want her knocked around here. Can win but no sure thing.

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PRIVATE HARRY cruised through his trial work in only second gear, with his speed, acceleration and sheer class obvious. The HARRY ANGEL gelding has won everything he’s contested, with a 5/5 record. The boom sprinter trained by Nathan Doyle at Newcastle scored his breakthrough elite victory in the $3M Sunlight 3YO Plate, then the Gr.1 Galaxy at Rosehill in March and he looks even stronger now. Global racing and Yulong purchased a half-share ($8M) in Private Harry earlier this year and has selected the sprinter to run in its Everest slot. A group of small-time owners purchased him with Doyle for just AU$115,000 and must be excited at the prospect of their horse competing in the richest sprint race on turf.

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TEA ROSE STAKES G2

RACE 6 - 1400m

APOCALYPTIC / WITHIN THE LAW / TUPAKARA

Michael Freedman has his sights set on the remaining two races in the Princess Series, the Tea Rose and Gr.1 Flight Stakes with his fine filly APOCALYPTIC. Second at her only other start in December, Apocalyptic was immediately vaulted towards the top of Golden Slipper odds but never made it to the Sydney autumn carnival races due to a foot abscess. Tommy Berry was adamant the 3YO EXTREME CHOICE filly should start in the Gr.2 Furious, and she was bolting behind the leaders at the top of the straight, then when the gap appeared she charged through to win by a half neck in a blanket finish. Freedman rated her as good a juvenile as MARHOONA, who went on to win the Slipper, and thats good enough for us.

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The Bjorn Baker-trained WITHIN THE LAW was super sound resuming for 2nd in the Gr.2 Silver Shadow and kept coming from the 200m. Ridden conservatively last start from a wide gate in the Gr.2 Furious and was under a good hold until the turn but was beaten by the alley. Finished 2nd in the Millennium in Feb, before winning the Gr.2 Sweet Embrace. Panicked and became unbalanced, crashing through the running rail at the 800m in the Golden Slipper, tossing Jason Collett to the turf. Lost no confidence when running 3rd in tbe Percy Sykes, then blew his chance a bit when 2nd in the Gr.1 Champagne Stakes behind NEPOTISM. The LUCKY VEGA filly is very talented and can give this a big shake.

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KINGSTON TOWN STAKES G3

RACE 5 - 2000m

VAUBAN / FULL COUNT FELICIA / BIRDMAN

VAUBAN will stay in Sydney for the Kingston Town before heading south for the Caulfield Cup, where he is rated a $15 chance. We thought VAUBAN may return a better horse now in the hands of the Gai/Bott team, and the gelding was simply too good for them in the Gr.3 Sky High (2000m) before a nice 3rd in the Tancred (2400m) and 3rd in the Chelmsford (1600m) resuming. After two unsuccessful Melbourne Cup attempts flying in from the UK, the GALIWAY gelding appears to be thriving in his new home in the sun. Class Northern Hemisphere stayer who was never happy travelling down under but now seems content and back to his best.

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US trainer Kevin Attard prepared FULL COUNT FELICIA throughout 2024, until Yulong purchased the mare and sent her to Waller. The mare was given a sparkling front-running ride by Kazushi Kimura to win the Gr.1 EP Taylor Stakes, defeating stablemate MOIRA at Woodbine in Canada. The WAR FRONT mare arrived down under and went clear in the Ranvet on debut in Australia but was run down late, finishing into 4th place. Battled away resuming in the Winx, and no excuses when put under pressure in the Chelmsford, folding fast. She should be in much better shape and needs to demonstrate more determination on Saturday. Risky, but the surprise element should be taken into account.

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The Chris Waller import BIRDMAN has really only shown us his worth in recent months after a lone run on arrival in last years Gr.3 Geelong Cup. Resumed chasing hard over the mile for 4th at Randwick, then ran on well from wide out when 2nd over 2000m there. Was very wide early in the Gr.3 Manion Cup won by ALALCANCE and really stood no chance trapped out on a limb. Resumed with a clear run home for 2nd over 1400m at Rosehill before being bustled around in the Gr.2 Chelmsford, but running on well for 5th place behind some high quality gallopers. Aimed towards certain features and looks to be building with some promise. Probably starts here not at Caulfield.

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BILL RITCHIE HANDICAP G3

RACE 7 - 1400m

MCHALE / HEADLEY GRANGE / BOSUSTOW

The Waller trained SHOOTING TO WIN gelding MCHALE gets a royal opportunity to score some more black type and he did win the BILL RITCHIE 12 months ago. Only ran one more time in the spring when too much to do in the Gr.1 Epsom, then spelled for almost six months before coming back into work in August. Resumed with a determined effort keeping on to the line over 1500m at Rosehill and coming back slightly in trip should hold no fears.

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Always had plenty of time for HEADLEY GRANGE from the Joe Pride stable, who lands a rotten gate here but has been in a fine vain of form this year. The EXOSPHERE gelding carved up at Randwick in June, winning over 1300m, then 1400m, before a poor ride in the Grafton Cup. Bounced back and made his own luck when victorious over 1600m at Rosehill in August and he is a skilled and versatile competitor who can play a role. Wide gate, but had trialled and freshened so could fly at them late.

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Soft spot for BOSUSTOW from the Archibald camp who ran very well throughout his three-year-old season. Won the 3YO MM Guineas on the Gold Coast in January, then 2nd in the Gr.1 BRC Sprint at Te Rapa when crossing the Tasman. Returned to win the Gr.3 Gold Coast Guineas in May, with an honorable 5th in the Gr.1 Stradbroke in June. Fresh up over 1400m after two soft jumpouts should have the son of BLUE POINT ready to go and can place if able to negotiate this awkward draw.

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BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP

RACE 3 - 1200m

DISNECK / SERGEANT MAJOR / GUMDROPS

Trainer Bjorn Baker tested DISNECK at the Randwick 1200m trip three times in four weeks over summer, and the result was same every time - an emphatic win. Ended up 12L off them early in the Southern Cross at Rosehill next time up and kept coming for a tidy 4th place finish. Rough run to finish his campaign, however the TRAPEZE ARTIST gelding should be fitter after two jumpouts at Rosehill to prepare and a first up 6th place after settling back is a fair return. Better suited here and will have appreciated his first serious hitout after getting lost 12L last with a huge task in front him. Can go much better here, especially on a firm surface.

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The Maher-trained SERGEANT MAJOR could be the one ready to fly 2nd-up and he is a nicely bred gelding from the Waikato. By the fine sire PROISIR, the gelding showed some ability last spring with Listed placings. Resumed with a 3rd in the Gr.3 Zeditave, then a 4th in the Darby Munro and a nice victory in the South Pacific (1400m) at Randwick. Found wanting late fresh up but could go from strength to strength this prep and can foot it with any of these despite the tricky gate.

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Best to refer to GUMDROPS run in the Gr.2 Dane Ripper (1100m) at Eagle Farm back in June, where the erratic WRITTEN TYCOON mare gave all for 4th on a firm deck. Changed from the Price/Kent yard to Chris Waller in late 2024 in the hope of reaching her full potential, although she seems a tough nut to crack and has only performed to her optimum on the Valley track when winning the Gr.3 Typhoon Tracy and Crockett Stakes. Considering her dam, SUGAR BELLA, achieved six wins from nine starts, perhaps her daughter could strive to demonstrate a slightly greater level of performance some time soon.

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BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP

RACE 10 - 1600m

PERFUMIST / LORD PENMAN / FULLY LIT

Hot jumpout win over 1000m at Randwick suggested PERFUMIST was bottled up and ready to pop, however the rider used up the mare early, impacting on her finishing effort. The EL ROCA mare trained by Bjorn Baker experienced a fantastic three-year-old campaign, and even travelled to New Zealand to contest the NZB Kiwi in March. She went on a rampage from December to February, winning at Mudgee, Canterbury Park, Rosehill and Randwick, before a 5th in the big Kiwi hit-and-run mission. Now a more mature 4yo, we may see the stable stretch her out more in an attempt to dictate over the mile, but still in a fresh state those legs will appreciate a quick sprint. Bjorn is expecting the mare to fire at short notice.

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LORD PENMAN is a fantastic young talent who was firing hard in the new year, winning at Te Rapa, Tauranga and Ellerslie over 1400m before racing against the best three-year-olds in the $3.5M NZB KIWI at Ellerslie. The CONTRIBUTER gelding has a strong will to win and knows how to drive hard to the line. Lost a shoe in the KIWI at after being three wide but kept on well, however it all came up a bit fast for him. Formerly with the Marsh stable and raced as PENMAN in New Zealand, the gelding is now in the care of Chris Waller in Australia and can make an impact across the Tasman. Locked away on debut at Rosehill and ran on strongly for a promising 2nd place and will only improve.

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FULLY LIT toweled them up in fine style when bursting away to win over 1400m at Rosehill. Chased hard over the mile at Randwick but couldn't pick up SHOHISHA despite getting close. The Gai/Bott trained HELLBENT gelding won the $2M Listed Millennium (1100m) in Feb 2024, then ran 2nd in the Black Opal at Canberra, so we know he has some serious ability. Didn't race again for another 13 months but looks back to his best and just needs an even tempo to stand a chance.

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BEST BET: VAUBAN

NEXT BEST: FANGIRL

BEST VALUE: PERFUMIST

LONGSHOT: GUMDROPS