We head to Rosehill Gardens on Saturday as we begin the three-week Golden Slipper Carnival in the lead-up to the Championships.
The two main events on the card are the Group 1 Coolmore Classic for the fillies and mares and the Group 2 Ajax Stakes.
The nine race card has attracted quality fields which present plenty of betting opportunities for punters.
The Rosehill track is currently rated a Good 4, however with rain forecast in the lead-up it's safe to say we will be running on a rain affected track.
Based on past meetings here where there has been rain about, results have been mixed with on-pacers generally winning early before evening out late in the day.
The Map
With 18 runners engaged, there is no doubt there will be genuine tempo in this clash.
With the 50kg on her back, look for Vangelic (5) to lead from the soft draw, giving Sweet Deal (2) the dream run behind her.
Mizzy (15), Dame Giselle (16), Sovereign Award (18) will all look to carve across from the wide barrier in search of a position on-pace.
Subpoenaed (4), Icebath (6) All Saints Eve (7), Madam Rouge (8) and Rich Hips (9) will all enjoy cosy runs behind the speed.
Forbidden Love (3) looks likely to sit on the rails mid-field, enjoying an economical run.
Krone (1) will need a smart ride from Tim Clark if she's to find clean air from the inside gate, which is her best chance if she lands in front of Forbidden Love.
The Favourite
Forbidden Love ($6.00) has come up the favourite for this quality race.
The daughter of All Too Hard showed her class in the Group 1 Surround Stakes after being held up in the straight, but when she got out she put her rivals to bed by 2.88 lengths in a high rated win.
She could arguably be a two time Group 1 winner, given her unlucky run in the Empire Rose during the Spring.
She gets the same draw as last start and the extra 100m will suit her just fine.
Nash Rawiller stays on which is brilliant considering she will be carrying only 54.5kg and the forecast rain will only increase her chances of winning.
Analysis and Tips
Forbidden Love ($6.00) is my pick for this race for all the reasons above.
All Saints Eve ($12.00) is one I expect to drift in the betting, as the support comes for horses like Icebath, Sweet Deal. However, I think she can run a big race.
I thought her first-up run was full of merit. She will improve nicely off that effort and is proven second-up, having won the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle last preparation.
As her form suggests, she won't mind the rain affected going with a record of 4:2-0-1 on wet tracks. Her only blemish was a 2.2 length 4th in the Golden Eagle, which is brilliant form for this.
The Map
With a small field of 10 engaged, this race lacks strong early tempo.
Buffalo River (5) will lead them up with Greyworm (11) likely to come across from the wide gate to sit just off him.
Think It Over (3) will kick up to sit behind the leaders and punters can expect Mr Satchmo (8) to be ridden positively to find a spot from the awkward draw.
I Am Superman (9), Mister Sea Wolf (7), Looks Like Elvis (4) and Criaderas (1) will sit mid-field behind this leading quartet.
That leaves Rock (6) and Plumatic (10) sitting off them and the rear of the field.
The Favourite
I am a little surprised that Criaderas ($2.60) has come up favourite here.
Although he was first-up last time out, he really should have put the opposition to bed and walked into this race a last start winner.
He gets a similar speed map set-up this week, but meets much harder opposition who will likely dictate the pace and give him a task.
He will be hitting the line hard, but I think it will be too late.
Analysis and Tips
Buffalo River ($3.60) deserves to be on top for me.
He has some strong runs on the board having been narrowly beaten by Windstorm last prep, before running second to Mr Quickie in the Group 3 Toorak.
He's since produced two big runs, running second to in-form Regardsmaree and then third in the Group 2 Blamey, 1.95-lengths behind Star Of The Seas.
He gets an easy lead here, has James McDonald on board, loves a soft track and should make every post a winner.
For a list of all the tipsters who have posted Rosehill tips for Saturday's racing meet, checkout the dedicated page at theGreatTipOff.com.