Race 7 – 3:35PM – Precise Air Premiere Stakes (1200 METRES)
1 Jimmysstar (NZ) – $3 / $1.5
A proper G1 sprinter resuming after a solid prep in elite company. He looked sharp enough in the recent trials and while the 1000m fresh run was flat, stepping up to 1200m is ideal. Expecting Ethan Brown to have him parked midfield with cover and unleashing late. Knockout chance if the speed goes on.
4 Mazu – $11 / $3.3
Veteran of the Sydney sprint scene with $9M+ in the bank. Has trialled twice leading in and is always thereabouts in these G2/G3 races. He’ll race handy and Collett knows him well. Slight query is whether the legs are still ticking at the top level, but he can definitely fill a hole.
5 Jedibeel (NZ) – $26 / $6.0
Trialled up like a bomb before resuming in The Shorts where he was never really sighted. Gets McEvoy on now and draws better. Will need everything to go right but if he brings his QLD or EF form, he could run past a few late. Knockout blow not impossible.
Race 8 – 4:10PM – TAB Epsom (1600 METRES)
1 Ceolwulf (NZ) – $9.5 / $3.2
The weight-for-age form horse who’ll relish back to handicap conditions. Always puts in a run, and barrier 9 suits with cover and clear air. Massive tick he brings G1 WFA credentials from Queen Elizabeth and Winx Stakes. Hasn’t missed a beat this prep and looms large.
2 Pericles – $8.5 / $2.8
Got the job done in the Tramway last start and maps beautifully again here. Genuine 1600m galloper and Parr stays on. Doesn’t often string wins together but his figures stack up here. Big player, just needs to step again.
4 Autumn Glow – $2 / $1.4
Undefeated and simply keeps rising. Beat Pier and General Salute by 2+ lengths last start in the Theo Marks. Maps handy from the wide gate with McEvoy on. She’s a potential superstar. Class test, but she may just brush them. The one to beat.
5 Pier (NZ) – $13 / $3.8
NZ raider with serious upside. Stuck on well behind Autumn Glow last start and draws inside her here. He’ll get the softer run and will be charging late. Forget he’s here at your peril.
6 Willydoit (NZ) – $8.5 / $2.8
Derby winner back to a mile looks odd, but Maher knows what he’s doing. Massive run in the ATC Derby last prep and trialled well. He’ll get back and be launching late. Sneaky one for exotics.
Race 9 – 4:45PM – Asahi Super Dry Metropolitan (2400 METRES)
2 Arapaho (FR) – $12 / $3.5
Sydney Cup winner who relishes 2400m+. Hasn’t done much this prep but ran 4th in the Tancred over this trip earlier this year. Has to carry weight but Rachel King knows when to push the button. Don’t leave him out.
7 Birdman (IRE) – $6.5 / $2.1
Peaked to win the Kingston Town last start and looks ideally placed here. Will get a soft run from the draw and is proven at the trip. Ultra-consistent and carries no weight. Genuine each-way.
13 Royal Supremacy (IRE) – $9.5 / $3.0
Has taken a little while to wind up this prep but the Wyong Cup Prelim and Newcastle Cup runs were strong. Dolan sticks and this is his target. Could surprise at double digits.
Race 10 – 5:25PM – Kia Brisbane Broncos Sprint (1200 METRES)
3 Cloudland (NZ) – $23 / $6.0
Came back well last start with a strong win at Rosehill and has won here before. Wide alley hurts but he can tag across if the tempo slackens. Strong place claims at odds.
5 Disneck – $5.5 / $2.1
Hard fit and racing in good heart. Just missed last start and McDonald goes off but Nash hops on. Can be closer in run and finish over the top. Looks primed.
10 Kerguelen – $5 / $2.0
Keeps raising the bar and should get the right tempo here. Heavy track win last time was strong. Bit more to do on top of the ground but maps perfectly. One of the better chances.
Professor’s Plays
Best Bet:
4 AUTUMN GLOW R8 – Untapped mare on a steep upward curve. Sectionals from last start were elite late, and she profiles like a stakes-class filly in waiting. Gets the right map to blend in behind speed and launch.
Value:
7 BIRDMAN R9 – Looks airborne this prep and brings strong ratings off the back of fast-run contests. Drawn to stalk the lead and gets in light. Ticks the intent and map boxes in a winnable edition.
Each-Way:
5 JEDIBEEL R7 – Overs for a proven sprinting type who brings rock-solid form lines. Versatile enough to handle any pattern and has the turn of foot to explode late. Must be included at the price.
Quaddie Numbers:
Leg 1 (R7): 1, 4, 5 | Leg 2 (R8): 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 |Leg 3 (R9): 2, 7, 13 |Leg 4 (R10): 3, 5, 10
