Smart Elissim has opened as a clear favourite and he is the horse to beat. He started his career with two smart wins and he wasn’t disgraced in the Up And Coming Stakes in Sydney before he was outclassed in the Run To The Rose and the Blue Sapphire. This is a genuine drop in class and he maps to get a lovely run right on the speed with Lachlan King in the saddle.
3 Units Smart Elissim
This is a very tough race to analyse as the majority of the field are yet to be seen in public. Namimo has been well-supported in early betting and you always have to respect the Lindsay Park team in these two-year-old races, but it really is impossible to bet into this race with any real confidence.
No Bet
Al Naifa was caught on the wrong side of the straight in the Roses Stakes at Flemington on Kennedy Oaks Day and there was a fair amount of merit in her performance. The wide draw isn’t ideal, but she does have early speed and I would like to see Luke Currie ride her aggressively in the early stages of this race. The $6.50 currently available is over the odds in what is an open race.
1.5 Units Al Naifa
Hostar returned to the races with an impressive win at Ballarat and he still has the scope to improve on that performance. He will get a lovely trail just behind the leaders with Zac Spain in the saddle and the step-up to 1500 metres suits. I think he has more upside than the majority of this field and is worth a bet at $5.
1.5 Units Hostar
Snogging drops back in class significantly after running well in the Powerflo Solutions Stakes at The Valley on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day and the Summoned Stakes at Ladbrokes Park. She will get back in the run and she is definitely going to need some luck in running at the right time, but I think that she is the best horse in this race and she has the turn-of-foot to finish over the top of her rivals.
2 Units Snogging
Rewarding Laughter returns to Melbourne after recording two impressive wins over 1000 metres at Morphettville and she has now recorded four wins from her eight race starts over this distance. She is a very consistent mare that rarely produces a poor performance and she should get the last crack at them in this contest.
1 Unit Rewarding Laughter
Our Luca might be one of the most underrated horses in the country and he absolutely loves The Valley. He has recorded two wins from as many starts at the venue this preparation and he has recorded four wins from five race starts over 1000 metres. Stephanie Thornton rides The Valley as well as any other jockey in the country and she will take Our Luca straight to the front. Our Luca will give his rivals something to catch and he is well and truly over the odds at $6.
1.5 Units Our Luca
Al Galayel has the chance to return to winning form after being beaten as favourite at his past couple of starts. He was definitely a touch unlucky last start at Flemington and it took a handy horse in the form of Savacool to beat him. Craig Williams will be able to settle him closer to the speed from barrier six and he should prove too classy for his rivals late.
2.5 Units Al Galayel
Sirius Suspect has put together a handy record and he heads into this contest on the back of a smart effort at Flemington on Mackinnon Stakes Day. He has recorded four wins and two placings from his seven race starts over 12000 metres and John Allen will be able to settle him right on the speed from barrier three. He is well-placed to return to winning form.
2 Units Sirius Suspect