The holidays might be around the corner, but there is still plenty of cracking racing around the country on Saturday.
The feature Group 2 Villiers Stakes at Randwick headlines the action, with Eagle Farm also in the spotlight with 4 Listed races for the youngsters.
The resident GTO tipsters have done the form and keen to fill your wallet.
Eagle Farm Race 2 #1 Artero $4.60
I am going to put Artero's last start performance down as a forgive run on the Heavy 8 track at Warwick Farm.
He was floundering most of the way and just didn’t handle the going.
At his run prior, he put in some big bounds over the final 200m and won convincingly.
Jim Byrne will pilot the Flying Artie colt and looks set to go back from the wide gate.
With only eight runners in the field, Byrne will just need to find a tail to follow and pull him to the centre of the track in the straight.
He’s won two of his five starts to date, so if the right Artero turns up he will prove very hard to hold out.
Randwick Race 8 #8 Stockman $12.00
I'm happy to go with some value in Stockman to win his way into the Doncaster.
At this time of year, I look for horses that have had shorter preparations leading into these ballot exempt events.
It gives me confidence that the trainers have targeted this race for their preparation, rather than entering as an afterthought.
Stockman comes here third-up and ready to peak.
Last start in the Festival Stakes, he made good ground from the back of the field for a slashing second. It’s also worth noting those horses up on-the-pace were favoured that day.
The forecast in Sydney suggests the track will be at the higher end of soft, if not in the heavy range. There is no better wet tracker in the field than this bloke and the form guide backs it up. Stockman has had 13 runs with the cut out of the ground, for five wins and six placings.
He meets the current favourite Ellsberg 1.5kg better off at the weights and with further improvement from his 2 starts this preparation, he can turn the tables here.
His mile record is strong and the wide barrier is an added bonus, given these middle lanes in the straight will be the place to be, by race 8.
He's over the odds at the current quote.
Flemington Race 2 #2 Eluding $2.60
This lightly raced son of Toronado has returned to racing in career best form this campaign.
He followed his first-up win at Warrnambool with a comfortable victory in a Benchmark 70 at Sandown Lakeside over 1400 metres.
He remains in that class for this weekend's assignment and to my eye, this looks an even easier race than last time.
The step up to 1600m will also suit.
He gains the benefit of a 3kg claim from an in-form apprentice Madison Lloyd.
In a race which lacks speed, look for Maddi to go forward and dominate the race from the outset.
Ascot Race 9 #1 Holy Enchantment $4.40
Holy Enchantment has returned well and steps out to a more suitable trip for the first time this prep.
Last start, this 4YO gelding was a length off Nowhiteflag who looks a super talented horse.
In his last effort over the 1800m, he was only 3 lengths off Western Empire.
Castillo Del Lago and Koranis should ensure there is some tempo in the race.
Whilst not ideal, the wide gate isn't the end of the world. He is a horse who does like to build into his races and by drifting back, he will be able to do that just fine.
I can see him starting outright favourite come race time.