The Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes shapes up to be one of the toughest races of the Flemington card to dissect, with a plethora of quality three-year-olds from different form-lines having a final Australian Guineas tune-up.
Star Kiwi three-year-old Brando brings a great deal of intrigue and has the class to take it up to the proven Tagaloa and Aysar.
There's plenty of offer up for grabs for punters and I've sided with one at big odds.
Racing returns to Flemington for the first time since Rapid Racing day on January 29, and the surface looks set race as fairly as it gets.
No rain is forecast for Melbourne, which could see the track enter the Good 3 range later in the day.
Analysis & Tips
1st Grandslam $27
Went hard in the Caulfield Guineas and still managed to stick on into third behind star colt Ole Kirk and Aysar.
He has since jumped out well and can dictate from the front crossing from barrier 14.
While this race is full of juvenile superstars at the price, I’m keen to dive in each way.
Apprentice Ethan Brown gets a chance at maiden Group 1 glory and will look the winner for a long way.
2nd Tagaloa
Was impressive first-up in the Manfred Stakes, where he looked caught for speed and was left chasing from a long way out.
In that clash he was caught back and wide, however he can put himself up on-speed here with cover from barrier 1.
He’ll need some luck and a good ride from Luke Currie, but he has the ability to add another Group success to his already lucrative stud profile.
3rd Brando
Somewhat of a speculative selection here, but I believe that this talented Kiwi galloper has as much talent as fellow local Catalyst who finished a narrow second in this race behind Alligator Blood last year.
Star hoop Jye McNeil will be set a task from barrier 14, but has a fit and talented athlete underneath him who will benefit dropping back to 1400m after finishing second over a mile last start.
4th Aysar
He was superb first-up splitting Portland Sky and Tagaloa in the Manfred, and looks ready to take the next step.
The 1400m will suit and from barrier 8, he maps to get a lovely run in transit.