Kembla Grange will be in the spotlight this Saturday with the running of The Gong over a mile.
The $1 million feature headlines a ten-race program that is sure to produce some great racing.
We’ve cast our eye over the form and provided our top selections in each race below.
Race 1 - 12:20pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (2000 METRES)
Touristic (1) showed significant improvement when second-up over 1800m at Rosehill.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained son of Frankel worked to the line strongly to finish half a length second.
He’ll appreciate the rise to 2000m and did run a big race to finish third last preparation when tackling this distance at Randwick.
He should be at peak fitness now and gets the services of Tommy Sherry who replaces Chad Schofield.
1 Unit – Touristic (1)
Race 2 - 12:55pm AEDT
HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
Tribeca Star (2) had run well in two races in Queensland to start this preparation before Matt Dunn brought him south for a Highway Handicap three weeks ago.
The four-year-old gelding settled well back in the run after drawing an outside gate before unleashing a devastating turn of foot to sail past the opposition for a half-length win.
This is his first attempt at 1400m, however the way he ran through the line over 1200m last start suggests he will lap it up.
He rises to 61kg but is low flying and draws to get a great run from the inside gate for Nash Rawiller.
1 Unit – Tribeca Star (2)
Race 3 - 1:30pm AEDT
CG&E BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
With Your Blessing (3) was in need of the run first-up when hitting the front before being run down late to finish third at Randwick.
The John Thompson-trained five-year-old gelding ran on strongly last start over 1200m at Rosehill but just couldn’t get past Gustosisimo when finishing third by just under a length.
He’ll strip fitter and the last time he was third-up he won easily at Randwick over this distance.
Blinkers go back on which will sharpen him right up and he looks to get a great run just behind the speed.
1 Unit – With Your Blessing (3)
Race 4 - 2:05pm AEDT
F&M BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Shadows Of Love (7) has improved with each run this preparation and should be at peak fitness fourth-up.
The Kim Waugh-trained four-year-old mare was unlucky first-up before going down by a head two starts back over 1250m on the Kensington track.
Last start she was held up badly over 1200m at Rosehill but eventually managed to get clear air where she let down powerfully to win by a long neck.
It was an impressive display and signalled that there’s more to come.
She’s drawn a touch sticky but has the speed to go forward and gets renowned front running jockey Tim Clark.
1 Unit Each Way – Shadows Of Love (7)
Race 5 - 2:40pm AEDT
MIDWAY HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
Burning Need (4) gave a massive sight in the Four Pillars last start over 1500m at Rosehill.
The daughter of The Factor chased strongly and loomed to win before finishing 1.4 lengths third.
She loves racing at her home track, boasting five wins and six placings here.
One of those wins came as recently as two starts ago when fighting strongly to win over this distance.
A solid speed should work in her favour.
1 Unit Each Way – Burning Need (4)
Race 6 - 3:20pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Rise Of The Masses (7) was very plain last start at Flemington but can bounce back here.
The Waterhouse and Bott-trained son of Russian Revolution impressed when resuming three starts ago with a strong win at Warwick Farm before backing that up with a fourth placing to Sequestered second-up when not getting a lot of room.
He will appreciate the return to Kembla Grange where he is two from two years ago.
One of those wins was on a heavy track and his overall wet record stands at four wins from 10 starts so the surface will not pose a problem.
He should find the front easier with a number of key scratchings.
1 Unit – Rise Of The Masses (7)
Race 7 - 4:00pm AEDT
THE GONG (1600 METRES)
Osipenko (3) returns to Sydney following a solid Melbourne Spring Carnival where he competed in several topflight races.
The Chris Waller-trained son of Pierro found the 2000m in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes a stretch too far.
He was terrific two starts back when running on strongly after being held up to finish 1.9 lengths third to Mr Brightside in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes.
He’s seven weeks between runs but has had a trial to keep him up to the mark.
James McDonald climbs in the saddle for the first time and has options from a middle barrier.
2 Units – Osipenko (3)
Race 8 - 4:40pm AEDT
THE WARRA (1000 METRES)
Insurrection (8) was brave when resuming last start over 1100m at Randwick.
The Michael Freedman-trained son of Russian Revolution raced three wide the trip and was chopped out late when finishing fourth to Hard To Say by 2.79 lengths.
Last preparation after a close second first-up, he went on to win three in a row.
Unlike last start, he draws perfectly in barrier 2 for The Warra which should see Zac Lloyd push forward and either lead or take up a prominent position.
1 Unit Each Way – Insurrection (8)
Race 9 - 5:20pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
Mabel (7) almost caused a boil over last start when resuming over 1100m at Randwick.
The Tracey Bartley-trained mare found the line strongly to finish second to Waverider Buoy by a whisker.
She races best when fresh and returns here from a let up over a distance that all her five wins have been over.
A recent trial will have tuned her up nicely for a first-up attack.
1 Unit Each Way – Mabel (7)
Race 10 - 5:55pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
Danaustar (5) has made the trip north to Sydney from Melbourne in good form.
The Maher and Eustace-trained five-year-old gelding settled handy over 1203m at Kyneton before proving too strong to win by 1.3 length win.
He’ll strip fitter and has won two of four third-up races.
A wet track should not worry him given he has won or placed in six of eight starts on heavy tracks including a win over this distance last preparation.
From the inside gate, Jason Collett can lead.
1 Unit – Danaustar (5)