Racecourse Road has clearly returned to the races a different horse after gapping his rivals by a big margin on the Gold Coast first-up over shorter.
He’s since gone on to win again at Doomben over 1200m three weeks ago where he led all the way to win by half a length over Jadentom.
This is a step up in class for Kelly Schewida’s five-year-old, but with some really strong wet track form to his name, he should prove tough to beat if he can run the race on his own terms.
It’s been an age since Avilius last won a race, but this does look a suitable contest for Godolphin’s seven-year-old after finding the money in the Chipping Norton and the George Ryder earlier this prep.
The son of Pivotal failed to finish off in his last start when fifth in the Doncaster, but I think he’s wanting further now after making up good ground coming into the straight.
This is a very tough edition of the Hollindale, but with a gap between runs and some outstanding wet-track form on his resume, he’s the rightful favourite.
Mozzie Monster strips fitter for her third-up run when second to Annavisto over 1400m at Caulfield three weeks ago.
The Sebring filly made up a stack of ground from a three-wide position before unleashing down the middle of the straight, a performance she can only improve on now getting out over further.
She also smashed the clock two runs back in the Listed Bendigo Guineas, while she was far from disgraced over this course and distance in the Thousand Guineas during the spring.
This looks within her grasp.
Soul Obsession resumed to run third to Streetcar Stranger first-up on the Parks track two weeks ago, a run she can only improve on with the latter now scratched from this race.
The three-year-old by I Am Invincible probably would have won her first-up assignment if she stuck to the rails, but I’m trusting Will Price to have her in the right position here with his apprentice claim put to good use.
The Freedman-trained filly also scored over this track and distance last time in, and she looks a strong chance to do the same with only 55kg’s on her back.