Royal Performance has only made one appearance at the races so far, but he showed outstanding ability and with improvement, can break his maiden in the first at Caulfield today. The Camelot gelding trialled well in the lead-up to his debut and mustered a smart turn of foot to run on for second at Hamilton two weeks ago. He’s drawn beautifully in in barrier 2 and has the notable advantage of in-form hoop Mark Zahra in the saddle.
Skate To Paris has not been seen at the races since May, but she has typically contested races far tougher than this one and she’ll be hard to beat under the conditions. The Bradbury’s Luck mare was a strong and consistent performer through autumn and winter and flew home to finish second as a $51 shot at this track and distance and on soft, most notably before running third in black type company. She’s trialled well in the lead-up to this race.
Ocean Deep has returned to racing is excellent form this time and is primed for a return to the winner’s stall in the penultimate at Flemington this evening. The Ocean Park mare immediately stamped herself as one to watch when she debuted late last year for consecutive wins, and she resumed this time for an agonizingly-close second over 1200m at Sandown late last month. She flew home from the tail of the field to finish a half-length third over 1300m last time out and can slot in behind the early speed today from barrier 6.
Shaq has been charged with carrying 60kgs this afternoon, but he’ll relish the 1800m at Caulfield and has the notable advantage of Craig Williams in the saddle. The Savabeel gelding has continued to improve with racing this time and hit the line well to finish third over 2040m at Moonee Valley last time out. He’s rock-hard fit and drawn ideally in barrier 6.