Ten races will be be run and won at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.
The Listed Winter Challenge will headline the program and a field of thirteen starters are set to line up in the $200k feature.
For the first time in several weeks, we may be racing on a soft surface as opposed to heavy.
The track is currently rated a soft 7 with the rail out 3m the entire circuit.
Mergeila makes her debut and the well bred filly has shown enough in trials to suggest she’ll be very competitive here.
By Justify out of Group One winning mare Invincibella, the youngster has been held together in two public trials this preparation, both of which have been on heavy tracks and she looked to have plenty in hand.
The 1200m looks suitable and she’ll carry just 54.5kgs.
Tim Clarke will do the steering for Chris Waller.
Palazzo Prince returns to the races.
The Exosphere gelding kicked off his career in good style, posting back to back country wins before a gallant effort here over 1400m.
Racing up on speed, they ran along at a solid tempo and he did well to stick on for fourth behind the swoopers.
He comes here with no public trials, but hails from the astute yard of Rodney Northam so there’s not doubt he’ll be ready to go and with any luck form the tricky draw, he’ll be right in this.
Silvanito has been the runner up at his past two outings and looks well placed to get the job done.
His recent runs have seen him charging home late from the back and the form around him is solid.
Formally prepared by the Godolphin powerhouse, the son of Shooting To Win does hold a very tidy overall record and should find this easier than what he’s been contesting.
James McDonald will do the steering for Nathan Doyle and is sure to afford him every chance from the good gate.
Pure Alpha is yet to miss a top two spot in five raceday appearances and the New Zealand bred gelding looks highly promising.
He proved too good over 1400m on the Kensington second up and tried hard last time at Randwick but was just collared in shadows of the post by the fast finishing Rhapsody Chic.
He drops back in grade and whilst he does have to lump the big weight, he’ll appreciate getting back on a soft track.
James McDonald goes back aboard and he’s drawn to get the right run.
Jewellery is racing well and looks nicely placed here dropping back in grade.
A daughter of Lonhro, the Godolphin mare was ultra impressive when saluting over 1100m at Caufield two runs back and again last start, she showed a great turn of foot to charge home from the back into third behind the unbeaten Baraqiel.
She’s proven in all conditions and there’s a lot to like about her here.
Zac Lloyd knows her well and will do the steering for his master, James Cummings.
In Flight is on the quick back up as she looks to make in four wins in succession.
The Flying Artie filly is airborne this campaign, saluting in five of six raceday appearances and whilst she does rise in grade, she drops significantly in the weights.
Despite the 60kg impost, she made light work of her rivals last Saturday over the 1100m at Randwick and she’ll carry just 52.5kgs here.
She’s two from three over this track and distance and with luck in running, she’s sure to be strong late.
Jay Ford is unbeaten in three outings aboard the Proven Thoroughbreds filly and he’ll again take the reins.
Loco has been racing well and looks ready for the rise to 2400m.
He was gallant in defeat over 2000m last start, set alight 800m from home wide he just got weary late but stuck on gamely to hold second, beaten only a neck.
He presents here at peak fitness and the son of So You Think will have no trouble seeing out the trip, as he did finish off strongly to claim fourth in last year’s SA Derby.
Barrier six should see him afforded the right run under Chad Schofield who stays onboard for the Price / Kent team.
King of The Castle continues to race well and was unlucky not to have won the Winter Stakes last start.
Positioned on the fence behind the leader as they turned into the straight, he had no room when it was time to let down and had to switch across heels, charging late to grab third.
The former Kiwi has been a consistent performer since joining the Joe Pride stable and he’s certainly deserving of a black type win.
He’s fit, the slight rise to 1500m looks ideal and Tyler Schiller takes over.
There’s a lot to like about Danastaur here.
He kicked off his campaign with an even effort over 1200m here and his record suggests he’s sure to improve sharply second up.
The Zoustar gelding was performing consistently last preparation and the form around him solid.
He does rise in grade but gets in nicely at the weights and he excels on soft tracks.
Jason Collett goes aboard and from the inside he can take up the running and may prove hard to catch.
King of Naples hasn’t been far away in two runs back from a break and looks ready to peak third up.
First up over 1100m at Scone he was just pipped out of the placings and last start, with six weeks between runs, he was solid to the line behind an all the way winner.
He strips fitter here and does boast a strong record over the 1200m trip.
He gets a senior rider back in the saddle, with Jason Collett to do the steering for the newly formed partnership of John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.