Ballarat - Race 8 3:20pm AEDT

No. 8 Foxy Cleopatra

The Ballarat Cup looks a nice race third-up for Foxy Cleopatra. We haven’t seen much of the Busuttin and Young-trained mare over the last 12 months, but she did fine the line with plenty left to give over the mile a fortnight ago at Cranbourne. The lightly-raced four-year-old handled 2000m at Caulfield in the Ethereal Stakes last spring, and she should be set to peak with fitness on her side now. Providing she shuffles across early from the wide gate, look for her to be doing her best work late.  

Eagle Farm - Race 7 3:48pm AEDT

No. 3 Better Get Set

Better Get Set strips fitter second-up in the Ladbrokes Just Now, the same race she won last year quite nicely under Ben Thompson. The six-year-old by Better Than Ready was strong to the line on return over 1200m, searching for a run at the top of the straight before charging late to finish runner-up to Group 2 winner Comrade Rosa. She should appreciate getting back on top of the ground, while her record here at Eagle Farm really stands out on paper.

Eagle Farm - Race 8 4:28pm AEDT

No. 5 Freedom Rally

Freedom Rally looks set for a big prep if his first-up effort on the Sunshine Coast was anything to go by. The Rubick gelding was a little too far back to score, but he did make up enormous ground down the outside to finish a distant second behind a fit and in-form horse. Tony Gollan’s four-year-old is a perfect two-from-two second-up, and he maps to get a similar run in transit with James Orman operating from an identical gate. Unbeaten on his home track, this sets up perfectly for him. 

Ascot - Race 8 6:45pm AEDT

No. 1 Zaaki

Annabel Neasham’s decision to head to Perth with Zaaki warrants enormous respect. The champion stayer raced well without winning during the spring, notably finishing third behind Fangirl fresh in the Winx Stakes, and two lengths off Atishu in the Champions Stakes at Flemington. The old boy has been kept on ice with a good gap between runs, and with a superb record over 1800m, his class should see him incredibly hard to beat against a much weaker field in the Northerly Stakes.