The last two winners of the Wakeful Stakes have gone on to win the Oaks, and I think that Personal will be tough to beat in this afternoon’s edition.
Personal has returned plenty of eye-catching efforts since debuting in January, and filled the minors behind Tagaloa and Hanseatic in the Blue Diamond Stakes most notably in autumn.
She is a horse that has continued to improve with each of her three runs this preparation, and she was last seen finishing second in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas.
The rise in trip appears as though it will suit, and she’s drawn to receive every chance.
The winner of this race will gain ballot-free entry into the Melbourne Cup, and I think that it will be Ashrun.
Ashrun has returned many excellent efforts in some of the world’s best staying races, and he has found form around some of the world’s best horses.
He arrived in Australia off the back of consecutive second-placings in a Listed race at Deauville and the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay, and he kept all of his best work for late when fourth in the Geelong Cup.
I think he’ll enjoy big improvement for that effort and can return to winning form in this contest.
Rock charged home from the tail of the field in the Epsom Handicap and with even luck, he is up to winning the Cantala Stakes.
The five-year-old son of Pierro has been a good horse for Team Hawkes since debuting, but he clearly needed the run when fifth behind the likes of Dreamforce and Kolding first-up in the Tramway Stakes.
He could hardly have been more impressive in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap second-up, and he strikes the Cantala Stakes in absolute peak condition.
He is drawn to receive a lovely run from barrier 2 and with only 54kgs in tow, the double figures available for him at publish could prove to be big overs.
Diamond Effort was a late scratching from last week’s Manikato Stakes and given I had her on top in that race, I am very confident she’ll be in the finish of this Group 3 contest.
The Mossman mare won each of her four starts in autumn this year, peaking with a win in the Neds Hareeba Stakes, and she picked up where she left off with an eye-catching first-up effort in the Neds Heath.
She was luckless when fifth in the Moir Stakes and only just missed in the Schillaci last time out, and she is primed to win today.