OVERVIEW: It is a top race to commence the program with several winning chances. BAY OF BISCAY (9) won first up in a mile rate of 1.52.4 when resuming since his victory in the Chariots of Fire then endured a tough run when a brave third at Menangle last outing. He is versatile and is likely to make his presence felt. CATCH A WAVE (8) has been freshened since a tenth in the Inter Dominion Final at Albion Park and will take beating if he produces a peak performance. He was performing extremely well at the trials before his Queensland trip. KEAYANG TOKYO (4) has won ten of his nineteen starts and he has been very competitive at his three starts since resuming. He is likely to push forward at the start and will prove hard to beat again. FIGHTER COMMAND (5) smashed the track record when he brilliantly took out the Beautide in Tasmania last outing. This is a race of more depth but he is worth thought again.    

EARLY SPEED: 4 (possible leader), 3,5

RATINGS: 9/ 4,8/ 5/ 6/ 3,7

OVERVIEW: SOME AMERICAN (12) pushed forward to find the lead and completely dominated his rivals to score in fast time at Melton last outing. He does tend to perform best when he is able to lead but he should prove hard to beat. ARGGGHHH (6) was held up for a run at a vital stage and finished off fast when a game second behind Justalittlesip last week. He endured a tough run when fourth behind SOME AMERICAN (12) prior so he is worth a ticket each way. LOUIE LOU I (11) continues to race consistently and deserves to break through for a win. He worked out of the gate, took cover and was held up for a run in the initial stages of the front straight when a close up fourth last week. HES ALL TORQUE (4) produced a top performance when second behind Miki To Success in a slick mile rate of 1.52.7 at Charlton last outing. He has claims along with OPERATIVE LINE (5).

EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 6,7

RATINGS: 12/ 6/ 4,5,11/ 7/ 2

OVERVIEW: OUR MARVELLA (6) has had a few chances since her latest victory but her past two efforts have been encouraging. She finished off well for an eye-catching fourth behind I’m Bobby last week so she is worth an investment. KYVALLEY MAVEN (10) overcame a tough run when he won easily at Bendigo then followed with a game second behind the top mare Lady Vici at Melton. He is building up a consistent record and looms as one of the leading chances again. IMPERIAL COMMAND (11) produced a career best performance when he scored easily in a mile rate of 1.56.6 last outing. He is stepping up in class for this assignment but is worth thought again. A TRUE STORY (4) finished off well for third behind Lady Vici at his latest attempt. He hasn’t had much luck since coming from New Zealand and is worth thought against this line up. BITTA IRISH LUCK (9) defeated Maori’s Mac (won since) when she was resuming and has performed fairly well in three starts since. She is a speedy mare and is worth thought from her trailing draw.  

EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 3,5

RATINGS: 6,10/ 11/ 4,9/ 8,12/ 2

OVERVIEW: RUFF NUT (11) was driven confidently to move up without cover and produced a strong performance to score in a mile rate of 1.55.7 at Melton last outing. He is a handy 3yo pacer and should prove hard to beat again. ZARA TINDALL NZ (13) is a former Western Australian mare, which finished off fast for a game second at a Melton trial effort last week and must be respected. ROCKABILLY RINGO (6) was supported at longer odds and finished off well for third behind RUFF NUT (11) last week. He possesses early speed and pushed forward to find the lead when he scored at Hamilton in July and he should give another forward showing under these conditions. LOU WILL (8) finished off solidly to score at Wagga last week. He wasn’t beaten by far at his Melton performances prior and he should be finishing off well.

EARLY SPEED: 6 (possible leader), 5,7

RATINGS: 11/ 13/ 6,8/ 4/ 7,10/ 9

OVERVIEW: IM BOBBY (5) is shooting for six straight victories and is a good chance of completing the task. He was a runaway winner at Menangle two starts ago then began quickly from the standing start and worked to the lead from the handicap of 30m when he scored softly last week. JILLIBY BALLERINI (3) looms as the logical threat. She has won six of her seven starts for the season and dashed home in a sensational last quarter of 27.2 seconds when she completely dominated her rivals at Melton last outing. ALDEBARAN STUKA (6) should be reaching his peak form after having two starts since a third in the 2024 Inter Dominion series. He led out then took cover when he scored at Melton last outing and he should go well again. VIOLET STANFORD (1) is a classy mare and is perfectly drawn so she is worth thought along with ALDEBARAN VERA (2).

EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 1,3,4

RATINGS: 3,5/ 6/ 1,2/ 4/ 8

OVERVIEW: USYK (2) performed well in the Bathurst Gold Crown series earlier in the season and has been able to work back into his peak form having won three of his past four starts. He led throughout and scored comfortably at Wagga last week and he is drawn to be prominent throughout. ISLAND YANKEE (3) has been very good at his three starts to date and recorded a slick mile rate of 1.54.9 when he scored at Wagga last outing. He is a smart colt and looms as one of the leading chances again. KITZBUHEL DELIGHT (7) was resuming since winning the Nutrien Classic in April when fourth at Melton last outing. He should be fitter from that run and is worth an investment. I SEA RED (1) performed extremely well at the trials prior to being unplaced at his first two attempts. He finished off best to win in slick time at Melton last outing and is perfectly drawn so he warrants consideration.

EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 3,4,6

RATINGS: 2,3/ 7/ 1/ 4,6/ 5

OVERVIEW: CYCLONE JENNI (6) is a nicely bred debutante, which finished off in slick final sectionals to win a trial at Melton. She obviously has ability and should produce a tidy performance for her debut. GO EASY ON ME (8) was a comfortable winner at Menangle in March then was sent for a spell. She worked forward to find the lead and was run down over the latter stages when a close second at Kilmore at her first up appearance so she must be respected. OZZIE PEARL (3) has been racing well without breaking through for a win. She was runner up at Shepparton three starts ago and is capable of filling a place again. PRE EMINANT (1) has been performing fairly well at the trials and is perfectly drawn so she is not without a chance. TRYX VIXEN (5) has shown improvement over the past few weeks and is a minor place possibility.

EARLY SPEED: 6 (possible leader), 1,3,7

RATINGS: 6/ 8/ 3/ 1,5/ FIELD

OVERVIEW: STORMRYDER (9) performed below expectations when third behind Dessie Gee at his first run since competing in the Chariots of Fire in March. He should be fitter from that run and he is a proven Group 1 winner so he must be considered as the horse to beat again. VEE EM GEE MACRAY (5) showed a glimpse of her best form when a game third behind Storms Collide last week, where she sustained a strong run from the back. She is a handy mare when racing at her peak and a repeat of her latest effort will see her go close to winning. FORTY LOVE (7) attempted to hold the inside advantage from the pole position but was headed off and ended up being three back on the markers when a creditable third behind Fox Dan at Melton last week. He is a versatile colt and is capable of overcoming the wide draw. CHASING REX (4) finished third behind Cigano two starts ago then followed with a close up fourth last week. He is worth thought and HITTHEROADJACK (3) is capable of showing up prominently if he is able to find the lead shortly after the start.

EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 4,6

RATINGS: 9/ 5,7/ 4/ 3/ 8

OVERVIEW: GO MIKI (5) competed in the New South Wales Derby in March and has remained undefeated in three starts since with his latest victory being in a mile of 1.51.9 at Menangle on August 02. He is an outstanding colt and is clearly the horse to beat. ALWAYS BE BLAKEY (12) recorded a sizzling mile rate of 1.52.8 when he scored at Melton last outing. He is a tough pacer and has won three of his past five starts so he must be respected despite the wide draw. CENTOFELLIE (2) was resuming since May when she worked hard and battled on strongly for second behind the smart mare Soap and Bubbles at Shepparton. She performed nicely at the trials prior and she is drawn to run another good race. FUN TO LOVE (1) is a possible improver from the inside draw and CLEAR LEFT (8) should run his usual honest race.

EARLY SPEED: 5 (likely leader), 2,7

RATINGS: 5/ 2,12/ 1,8/ 7,9