Intrinsic will take plenty of benefit into his second-up run this afternoon and will be hard to beat. The four-year-old sharply improved second-up last time in and he worked to the line fairly after some early interference at Gosford first-up, and off a long spell. He’ll strip fitter for that run and can take a position within the field from a wide draw today, before calling on his turn of foot. Hugh Bowman is also a big plus.
Shumookh has not been seen at the races since autumn, but she is a horse of immense talent and can make a winning return in this afternoon’s Mona Lisa Stakes. The daughter of Dream Ahead experienced a meteoric rise to prominence through her maiden campaign earlier this year and won with ease first-up before placing in each of her next three starts, including the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m). She’s trialled well in the lead-up to this race and is drawn ideally in barrier 4, with only 55kgs in tow.
Harper’s Choice has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his entire racing career and can extend his winning record through this afternoon’s Wyong Gold Cup. A runner up at the highest level in last year’s Australian Derby, Harper’s Choice quickly built to the task and improved as he stepped up in trip this time, eventually winning the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) on June 30th. He returned from a freshen-up for a tough win over 1800m at Rosehill three weeks ago and will enjoy a return to 2100m.
Talented Godolphin mare Nai’a will make her return in the final race at Wyong today and can fight out the finish on class alone. The daughter of Lonhro failed to miss a place through four starts last time in and was last seen finishing off a mile race at Gosford well to break her maiden. She’s trialled extremely well in the lead-up to this race and has the bonus of in-form hoop Glyn Schofield aboard.