Newcastle - Race 6 2:30pm AEDT
No. 2 Stockman
Stockman looks to have the class edge over a few of his rivals in The Beauford.
Joe Pride’s Kiwi import has placed at Group 1 level in the past, and while he hasn’t won in quite some time, he did run a solid race for fifth in the Sydney Cup earlier in the year.
He was far from disgraced in the Rosehill Cup beaten less than a length two weeks ago, and with some now fitness on his side, he should be ready for the step up to 2300m.
Newcastle - Race 8 3:45pm AEDT
No. 14 Opal Ridge
She’s been a tricky horse to follow at times, but The Hunter does look the right race for Opal Ridge.
The Rubick mare has held her own in tougher comapny, finishing within four lengths of Espiona in The Invitation a couple of weeks ago at Randwick.
She was game in defeat the start prior in The Kosciuszko and looks set to peak in her third run back. With a place in a Group 2 to her name earlier in the year, she’s more than capable of running a big race.
Caulfield - Race 7 2:45pm AEDT
No. 6 Joliestar
The step up to the mile looks ideal for the Chris Waller-trained Joliestar in the Thousand Guineas.
The lightly-raced filly by Zoustar was one of the runs of the race in the Desirable Stakes on Cup Day, flashing home late down the outside to run second to Roll On High.
She had plenty against her from the wide gate, so she should find this more suitable having drawn barrier 1 under James McDonald.
Caulfield - Race 8 3:25pm AEDT
No. 5 Skew Wiff
Skew Wiff has gone up a nice price in another wide-open edition of the Sir Rupert Clarke.
The Kiwi Group 1 winner was all class winning the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes on Cup Day last week, charging the line down the outside to score with real authority.
We know she handles all going, and she does look set to peak now in her third run in Australia. If Craig Williams can find cover from the wide gate, she’ll be hard to hold out.