Nai’a returned to the races with a fast-finishing third at Wyong and she was only narrowly denied a winning return. She will get back from the wide barrier draw, but that is her usual racing pattern and the step-up to 1500 metres will suit. The daughter of Lonhro has the turn-of-foot required to finish over the top of her rivals.

Semper Fidelis was able to breakthrough for her maiden race win in fairly dominant fashion at Hawkesbury last start and it would not surprise if she was now able to string some wins together. She still has the scope to improve on that performance and she maps to get a lovely run in transit with Tye Angland in the saddle.

Veranes has improved each time that she has been seen at the races this campaign and this is her chance to record a maiden race win. She is another horse that will settle in the second half of the field, but she has shown a nice turn-of-foot during her career to date and she has the benefit of Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.

It has been a long time between race starts for Sky Boy, but he is the class horse in this field and he has trialled fairly ahead of his return to the races. He recorded a couple of classy wins in New South Wales last Spring and he has been placed at black-type level at Flemington. If he brings that sort of form to the races, he will prove tough to beat.