He’s yet to turn in a poor performance, and the Inglis Sires’ probably is the perfect Group 1 race for Cylinder.
Cylinder finished second at each of his first two career starts last year and was put away with a view towards these features, returning for consecutive wins in the Silver Slipper and Todman Stakes.
He had at least a length on Don Corleone and Empire Of Japan when second in the Golden Slipper last time out, and with that in mind, I think he can and will go one better today.
Giga Kick has certainly stamped himself as the future of Australian sprinting, and I think that he is just going to prove too good under Zac Purton in the TJ Smith Stakes.
The Scissor Kick gelding stamped himself as one to watch by winning each of his first five career starts last year, peaking in The Everest.
He was luckless in the VRC Sprint Classic and still finished fifth, and he returned a bold effort for third in the Challenge Stakes first-up this time; he was simply too far back in running. With natural improvement, I think he’ll be winning today.
I think that Stroke Of Luck looks to have bucket loads of talent, and he is over the odds in Australian Derby betting, in my opinion ($17 at publish).
Stroke Of Luck has only recorded one win from his seven career starts so far, but he has been a model of consistency, and he has continued to race well as the bar has been raised, and as he has gotten further out in trip.
His sixth placing in the Tulloch Stakes last time was utterly luckless and I can’t wait to see him out to a mile and a half today, while the booking of Tom Marquand adds further confidence.
Opal Ridge was outstanding first-up from a spell and will only improve in the PJ Bell Stakes.
The Rubick filly has been a star for Scone trainer Luke Pepper since debuting, but her fresh run n the Darby Munro a fortnight ago suggested that she might have gone to another level.
With even luck, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish.