We head to Randwick for Day 1 of The Championships featuring a smorgasbord of Group 1 racing.
On what is arguably Sydney's biggest day of racing, punters are salivating over the Doncaster field, with 20 runners set to face the start over the famous Randwick mile.
The Australian Derby shapes as a great contest also, with wet conditions set to reek havoc amongst the field of 18 starters.
Only the toughest will survive what is set to be a great spectacle.
The Randwick track is currently rated a Heavy 10 with the rail in the true position.
With up to 35mm of rain forecast on Friday, there is little doubt that the track will be a bog.
At this set up, the best going in the straight is likely to be lanes 6 and beyond, with those drawn in the middle holding an advantage.
The Map
The Early Favourite - Hitotsu $3.70
Clear top rated runner in the race, but gee there is a huge query on a Heavy 10.
He was $2.50 on Monday in all-in markets and is now out to $3.70, which is unusual given his credentials.
If he lines up, he could be vulnerable on a 27-day turnaround second-up.
Best Racing Tips
Character was given a perfect Derby lead up in the Tulloch. He was forced to do plenty of work when chasing down tear away leader Zoumon and was strongest of the on-pace runners late.
He was entitled to tire late, however he was eased down slightly. He should take significant benefit from that run and he's in a winning mood.
His 3rd in the Group 2 Phar Lap over 1500m on a Heavy 8 indicated he doesn't mind the rain affected going and by the looks of his racing style, he'll handle the bottomless track.
Zoumon is screaming out for 2400m and finally gets it. His run in the Tulloch screams of a set up run, for stable who know how to get their runners primed.
He relishes the rain affected going and will make his own luck on-pace. Look for TC to reel off 13 second sectionals until the 800m, before trying to put a gap in them.
A Glastonbury like form turnaround is not out of the question.
Lukey Luke (3rd emergency) brained his rivals on a Heavy 8 track at Hawkesbury and looks like he'll relish the bottomless conditions.
Brings new form lines into a very open race, which creates another angle for punters.
The move to the 2400m at Randwick looks ideal and if he gets a start in the race, I'll be having 1x4 bet.
The best $101 shot I've seen in a long time.
Benaud was just as impressive as Regal Lion in the Tulloch and is more than double the price.
Screaming out for the 2400m, but has drawn poorly and will need the breaks in the run.
With luck, he'll be fighting out the finish.
The Map
The Early Favourite - Forbidden Love ($4.80)
She's gone to a new level this prep. The rain affected tracks have been right in her wheelhouse and she gets that again here.
She does lose Hugh Bowman, but gets gun Victorian jockey Jamie Kah to ride with only 50kg on her back.
She's in the deep end now and will need to absorb some pressure as they hit the famous Randwick rise.
Welcome to first grade!
Best Racing Tips
Converge has had the perfect preparation and gets in with only 49kg. His Randwick Guineas win at the mile on a Heavy 9 has him right in the finish.
The 2000m last start will have him at peak fitness and there is no doubting the stable's credentials when it comes to the Randwick mile.
Looks the best value in a competitive race.
Forbidden Love is a genuine contender on the Heavy 10 surface.
Private Eye is screaming out for a tough mile run. The barrier draw isn't great, but it is better than drawing the inside.
He's ready to peak and will relish a gruelling test.
Sky Lab regressed last start when wide throughout, but for mine is better suited over a tough mile.
In a race where they'll fan very wide on the turn, he'll sneak up underneath them and could easily get a dream run through.
Two 2000m runs in the lead up is a positive and he has the stamina to be thereabouts. He'd also add an extra zero to your exotics if he lobs top 4.