The Group 3 Summer Cup headlines a nine-race program at Royal Randwick on Boxing Day.
The rail will be set out two metres around the entire course and at publish, the track is rated in the Soft (7) range.
Shaquero was an impressive winner on debut and can win the first at Randwick on Summer Cup Day.
The Shalaa colt was far too good for his rivals in the Group 3 Breeders Plate here in October and was immediately returned to the paddock, and he has had had the benefit of a couple of nice trials in the lead-up to his return.
4 Units Shaquero
Toro Toro will enjoy good improvement into his second campaign start, and he is up to winning this week’s Highway race, at a lovely price ($9 at publish).
The Time For War gelding returned plenty of pleasing efforts in races similar to this one last time in, and he resumed for a credible fifth placing behind Crackneck here a couple of weeks ago.
The small rise in trip suits and he has a class edge over plenty of these rivals.
2 Units E/W Toro Toro
Though well beaten, Kukeracha finished second behind the talented The Elenora at his last appearance, and there simply isn’t a horse of that ability going around in this contest.
The Night Of Thunder colt placed at each of his first two starts back from a spell, finishing midfield in the Group 3 Spring Stakes third-up before running two lengths from The Elanora last time.
I like that he’s had a trial since that run, he gets into this race well under the conditions and at $8.50 (at publish), I think that he is over the odds.
2 Units E/W Kukeracha
This shapes as one of the day’s more open contests and I am going to give Mushaireb one last chance, at a price ($17 at publish).
Mushaireb is a more than capable performer on his day, but it’s fair to say that he hasn’t shown his best in three starts back from a brief spell this time.
Regardless, this is a decent drop in class, he’ll get some relief in the weights and I’m happy to roll the dice, at the odds.
1 Unit E/W Mushaireb
I thought that Frosty Rocks was found out a little in a 1400m race at Eagle Farm a couple of weeks ago, but this probably doesn’t have quite as many decent horses, and he can fight back into the winner’s stall.
The Your Song gelding has been a model of consistency since making his racing debut and returned to the races for a nice win here in early November.
Given he was about six weeks between starts into his last race, I’m confident he could take good improvement into this, and the mile also looks beneficial.
2 Units Frosty Rocks
Greysful Glamour has clearly found her best form, and she looks the one to beat again in this year’s Summer Cup.
The Stratum mare took a few to get going when resuming in spring, but led all the way in what was a dominant display in the Listed ATC Cup two back, before repeating that effort and result in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes, last time out.
A heavy track would be a query, but 2000m looks to be her pet trip and she is rock-hard fit.
2 Units Greysful Glamour
Some quality horses will contest this 1200m Handicap and there is a case to be made for several.
Amish Boy hasn’t been seen at the races since finishing sixth in the Caulfield Guineas, but this is obviously a big drop in class for him, and he has had the benefit of a tril.
The Star Witness colt has missed placing only three times in eight career starts so far, and finished second in both the Group 2 Danehill Stakes and the Group 3 Guineas Prelude when resuming last time.
He is drawn to receive a lovely run from barrier 4 and will be steered by Hugh Bowman.
2 Units E/W Amish Boy
Ellsberg will take winning form into the penultimate on Summer Cup Day and looks up to making it two in a row.
The Spill The Beans colt won when resuming at Warwick Farm in October and hasn’t missed placing in three subsequent starts, including his near five-length triumph over 1500m at Rosehill last time out.
He is at peak fitness for Saturday’s contest, gets in well under the conditions and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
4 Units Ellsberg
This is a typically tough way to end the day from a betting perspective, but I through that Starla looked a touch of overs at her current price ($15 at publish).
The Snitzel mare ran home well to finish second in BM78 company at Rosehill when resuming, and chased home the promising Snapdancer here last time out.
Fitter third-up, we can have an each-way play at the price.
1 Unit E/W Starla