Dr Evil had been performing well prior to last start but was found to have pulled up lame, so I’m happy to forgive.
Stepping out over the mile at Randwick three runs back, he charged through along the rail to just go down by the barest of margin. Following that, the veteran galloper again stuck to the rail and was strong late but just found one better on the day.
The way he’s been finding the line suggests the rise to 1800m will suit and the wide alley shouldn’t worry him as he’ll get back and will be doing his best work late under Nash Rawiller.
Vivy Air was solid to the line when resuming over 1200m here and will have taken good benefit from the run.
Having her first start for the new stable, the Hellbent mare travelled sweetly throughout and found the line well but just could reel in the leading pair.
Stakes placed on three occasions, two of which were over the mile, she’s certainly talented and will appreciate the rise in trip.
She does race well second up and gets the services of James McDonald, who sticks with her.
Super Norwest hasn’t been far away in recent runs and looks ready to win.
Two runs back, the daughter of Rich Enuff hit the front 100m out but just had one get the better of her late and it was a similar story last time, as she looked to have the race in her grasp 200m out but stuck on well to hold second.
A kinder draw can her settle handy without burning petrol early and she’ll appreciate getting back onto a firmer surface.
Tim Clark has partnered her to her past three outings and he stays aboard for Matthew Dale.
Enotis has performed well in all three runs this campaign and looks ideally placed with the slight rise in trip.
The five year old son of Stratum Star proved too good second over 1800m but last time, just bumped into a very handy one who was afforded every chance.
Prepared by team Hawkes he presents here hard fit, he handles all conditions and if he can find cover early, he’ll be strong late.
Unusual Legacy returns the races.
The former Kiwi just had the one start abroad before making his way away across the ditch and has quickly put together an impressive record.
In his first Australian start he was unlucky not to have won, having been held up in the early part of the straight he charged late to claim second in the 1500m event.
He then went on to salute in three of his next four starts proving himself a quality galloper.
Given two solid 1050m trials he looks ready for this trip and gets in nicely with the 3kg claim for Benjamin Osmond.
Gatsby’s proved superior when kicking off his campaign in the Listed Rosebud here a fortnight ago.
The talented son of Snitzel was kept in clear air throughout and when given his cue at the top of the straight, he unleashed a powerful turn of foot to round them up and cruise through the line with his ears pricked.
He just had the two runs in his first campaign, winning on debut where he was well supported before an even effort in the Pago Pago saw him sent to the paddock shortly after.
An improving type, this looks an ideal next step and I think he’ll be too good for them.
Autumn Glow could not have been more impressive when making her debut over this track and distance.
Settling just off the speed in the small field, the filly was brought to the outside at the top of the straight and despite being very green she let down strongly to post a two and a half length margin on the line.
A daughter of the Autumn Sun, she’d shown talent in her trials prior and the way she let down suggests there’s plenty of improvement to come.
With the allocation of 53kgs, Kerrin McEvoy will take the mount for Chris Waller.
There was a lot to like about the first up effort of Ceolwulf and the colt will have taken plenty of benefit from the outing.
Over the 1400m journey here, the Joe Pride trained gelding settled back in the field and tracking the race favourite and eventual winner Tom Kitten, he finished off strongly over the final part and will certainly relish the rise in trip here.
A dual Group One placegetter, having finished the runner up in both the Rosehill Guineas and the ATC Derby in the Autumn, he’s proven himself a class horse and looks set for a big campaign.
He has won second up previously and from gate six he’s sure to be afforded every chance under James McDonald, who goes onboard for the first time.
Piastri is in red hot form and will look to make it three straight victories.
Despite a wide run he proved too strong over 1200m at Caulfield two runs back and again he was too good when stepping out over 1100m here last start.
With just the eight race starts, the son of Choisir has continued to improve and has looked to have plenty in hand at his past two.
The wide alley is a slight concern but if he can find cover early, he’ll be right in this.
Headwall returned to the races in top order, scoring a dominant win over 1000m at Canterbury.
Settling back in the field, the speedster was taken back to last off the outside gate and when presented at the top of the straight he let down powerfully to pull away and score by three lengths.
Only lightly raced with the eight career starts, the Dream Ahead gelding has yet to finish out of the top three and remains unbeaten in two second up appearances.
Zac Wadick retains the mount for Matthew Smith and his 3kg claim sees him in beautifully at the weights.