All eyes will be on international raider Light Infantry in the Golden Eagle following his runner-up performance in a recent Group 1 over in France.
He came off second best to unbeaten mare Inspiral in the Prix Jacques le Marois over the mile, also beating home last year’s Cox Plate winner State of Rest in the process. Stepping out over 1500m looks ideal for him first-up and he should get a lovely cart into the race just off the speed.
The fact star international hoop Jamie Spencer has made the journey down under only strengthens his claims.
In Secret is a quality filly for Godolphin that is well deserving of her status as favourite in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Her win in the Run to the Rose two back was nothing short of dominant, and she was very unlucky not to win the big one two weeks later where she was nabbed right on the line by Jacquinot.
She’s been kept fresh for that run with four weeks between starts, and as we’ve seen in the past, she absolutely flies coming off a break.
Like a few of his rivals, Pericles returns on the quick backup after bolting in late for third in the Vase at The Valley last week.
He hit the line exceptionally well for a horse rising significantly in trip, and there’s definite improvement to come considering that was only his third career start.
New jockey William Buick has been in exceptional form of late, and if he can settle close enough to speed, the pair look a big chance in this year’s Victoria Derby at a nice price.
She’s Licketysplit is a promising three-year-old for Andrew Forsman that appears capable of taking out the Empire Rose at a nice price.
Her win in the Edward Manifold over the mile two runs back was impressive, and she held her own quite nicely in the Thousand Guineas a fortnight later running home late for third.
Stepping out over the mile again looks ideal, and with a stack of weight off and a firmer track, I think she’ll be bursting onto the scene late.