Australian Guineas Day at Flemington always serves up a cracking afternoon of racing, and punters can expect more of the same in this year's edition.
That's because a trans-tasman battle is set to erupt for a second time, as two gun three-year-old's from either side of the ditch lock horns in the Group 1 feature.
Punters should expect an even racing surface, with a Good 4 track on the cards.
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The WA mare Fabergino looks the likely leader here, in a race that appears to lack early pressure.
Embrace Me was very unlucky last start, when she was unable to get clear running down the straight.
From barrier nine, I expect jockey Damian Oliver to take a sit behind the leaders. With luck in the run, he'll be poised to strike and can overpower the leaders for a well-earned win.
Soothing has an impressive first-up record and is a high-class mare, but the handicapper has not missed her. It will take a great Craig Williams ride with the 60kg impost to get the chocolates here.
William Thomas showed us last start that he has the finish of a quality race horse. William Pike will give him every possible chance to use his turn of foot from the soft draw in barrier two, and I expect him to be right in the finish.
1st Embrace Me
2nd Soothing
3rd William Thomas
I expect Alligator Blood (2) and Alabama Express (6) to push forward and set the pace here.
Dalasan (3), Catalyst (4) and Chenier (5) will all slot in behind the leaders.
Kiwi raider Catalyst now meets Alligator Blood a kilogram better at the weights from their last start meeting, in the CS Hayes Stakes.
His best win in New Zealand was over the mile three starts back, in a race where he also ran his fastest last 600m to date.
This looks like the right race at the right time for Catalyst to turn the tables on his narrow last start defeat to Aussie rival Alligator Blood.
Alabama Express took on the older horses in the C F Orr Stakes last start and gave them a beating.
That win was no fluke, as he possesses a great turn of foot and can give this race a real shake.
My concern with Alligator Blood is that he has had a torrid campaign and the Group One mile could be a bridge too far for him.
1st Catalyst (Best Bet)
2nd Alabama Express
3rd Alligator Blood
Guizot (9) and Fifty Stars (7) look the likely leaders. There looks to be limited pace engaged here, with the remaining runners to get back in their races.
Admiral's Joker was doing his best work late finishing fifth last start, 1.6-lengths off Galaxy Raider over the Flemington 1400m.
He meets Galaxy Raider 5kg better at the weights this time around. His Flemington form is great and he is one from one at the distance.
He has good form around Mr Quickie and the very honest Dr Drill and ticks plenty of boxes.
Fifty Stars did his best work late in the C.F. Orr Stakes. From barrier 7 he should get a good run mid-field on the fence.
In the straight, Craig Williams can take him out for a sustained run from about the 300m mark and be right in the finish.
Guizot is no superstar but very honest. With a soft run in front with his lighter weight, he could very well hang on for a place.
1st Admiral's Joker
2nd Fifty Stars
3rd Guizot