Mishani El Lobo will take plenty of benefit into his second-up assignment at Doomben this afternoon and will enjoy a big relief in the weights with claiming apprentice Clayton Gallagher in the saddle. The five-year-old has been a strong and consistent performer right the way through his career and returned to the races for a handy third on the Gold Coast three weeks ago, behind black type performers Dal Cielo and Sold For Song. There are no horses of that calibre in this field and he’ll be hard to run down.
Highway Sixtysix was luckless in one of these Highway races last time out, but she looks to have a class edge over her rivals today and is set to peak third-up. The Snippetson mare returned for a smart win at this track a distance in July and absolutely flew home to finish third when she finally found clear running a fortnight ago. James McDonald is obviously a big plus and she can secure her third career win this afternoon.
Graff is yet to taste anything but success through his racing career and can keep his record alive through the Run To The Rose this afternoon. An easy winner of his first two starts in autumn before injury forced an end to his preparation, the Star Witness colt mustered a big turn of foot to comfortably put away a talented field in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) first-up this time. The slight increase in trip will suit and with improvement, he can produce an even more convincing win.
Northwest Passage is another horse that will strip fitter into his second-up assignment this afternoon and he is capable of fighting his way into the first three at double-figure odds ($13 at the time of publish). The So You Think gelding spent close to eighteen months away from the track after his breakthrough campaign, but resumed a fortnight ago for a credible fourth amongst quality company in the Listed Rowley Mile (1600m). He does have to overcome a wide draw, but is up to a race of this calibre.