1

Lizard Island

Finished well when 1.75 lengths 2nd to the highly rated Press Statement in the G1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) before 1 length 2nd to Sacred Eye in the G3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) on 17 October. In great form.

2

Shards

Set fast pace and held on well when 1 length 2nd to Jameka in the G2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley last Saturday. Track was suiting leaders that day but his effort was sound and not without a chance here.

3

Kia Ora Koutou

Western Australian trained 3YO who is unbeaten in four starts in that state, in small fields. Last start, took on older horses and ran on well to score 1.25 lengths win from Verdello Blue in Belmont 2200m BM72 Handicap. This race is much stronger but usually unwise to write off horse with unbeaten record.

4

Ayers Rock

Sound front-running peformance to win the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at this track on 4 October before moderate 4.95 lengths 7th to Sacred Eye in the G3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) on 17 October. Several gear changes employed for this race and return to bigger track Flemington could assist. 

5

Man Of Choice

Consistent Sydney trained 3YO who was 3.3 lengths 3rd to Vanbrugh in G3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) before 1.4 lengths 3rd to Vanbrugh in the G1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) on 10 October.

6

Extra Choice

Wore blinkers first time and improved sharply with strong finishing 0.75 lengths win from Jadeer in the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) on 21 October. That was first run beyond 1800m and closed off well from midfield on settling. Improver.

7

Tarzino

Likely favourite for this race after eye-catching efforts at past two. Slow tempo against and was blocked in straight when 3.75 lengths 7th to Press Statement in G1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) before strong finishing 1.75 lengths 3rd to Jameka in G2 Vase (2040m) in which first and second were on speed throughout.

8

Get The Picture

Lightly raced and improving colt who has finished strongly at his past two starts. Ran 0.75 lengths 2nd to Sovereign Nation in the G2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on 2 October before 2.45 lengths 4th to Sacred Eye in G3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) - improving from last at the 400m.

9

Etymology

Sound effort when 1.2 lengths 3rd to Sacred Eye and Lizard Island in the G3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) on 17 October. Godolphin runner open to further improvement after just five career starts and should handle 2500m trip.

10

Jadeer

On pace runner who ran improved race when 0.75 lengths 2nd to Extra Choice in the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) on 21 October. This is stronger race but does boast two wins, two seconds from five starts on good rated tracks.

11

Palace Tycoon

Has won at his past two starts at 2000m and 2200m which have been his only attempts beyond 1600m. The wins have been in weaker class but he's not without some chance here. Latest victory was in Seymour 2200m BM64 race on 18 October in which he was close to the pace throughout.

12

Scadden’s Run

Well beaten behind Ayers Rock in the UCI Stakes and behind Sacred Eye in the Caulfield Classic before 0.95 lengths 3rd to Maconsilia in weaker Sale 2200m BM70 on 25 October. Needs to improve. 

13

Pay Up Bro

Slow to wind up but was very strong in final 200m when 1.5 lengths 3rd to Extra Choice in the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) on 21 October. Should relish the step up to 2500m. 

14

Colonel Custer

Ran well when nose 2nd to Beluga Blue in Listed Hill Smith Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville on 10 October before 4.9 lengths 7th to Extra Choice in the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) on 21 October. Had to be re-plated before start last time and stood flat-footed when gates opened. Not the roughest.

15

Red Alto

Well beaten at past two in key lead-up races. Finished 6.2 lengths 10th behind Ayers Rock in the UCI Stakes before 4.4 lengths 7th to Jameka in the G2 Vase (2040m) last Saturday.

16

Iron Boss

Ran well when 2.9 lengths 5th to Ayers Rock in the UCI Stakes at this track on 4 October before settling too far back when 6.4 lengths 10th to Sacred Eye in the G3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) on 17 October. Bred to appreciate this distance.

Reserve

17

Bullish Stock

Lightly raced gelding who scored breakthrough win at 1606m in weaker class at Benalla on 13 October before 5 lengths 8th to stablemate Extra Choice in the Listed Geelong Classic at 2200m. Did strike interference in the straight last time and is capable of better.