1

Kermadec

Sound 1.6 lengths 3rd to Holler and First Seal in G1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on 5 March. Then chased hard when 1.5 lengths 2nd to Winx in the G1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on 19 March. Won this race last year with 110lb. Also won G1 George Main Stakes, this course and distance, on soft ground last year. 

2

Turn Me Loose

Top class front-runner who stalked speed in excellent 0.75 lengths win from Stratum Star in G1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on 27 February. Then disappointed at first run right-handed when 6.5 lengths 6th to Winx in the G1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on 19 March. Won four of past six starts including G1 Emirates at 1600m last November.

3

Winx

Champion mare who has won eight races on end. Impressive 1.5 lengths winner from former HK galloper Dibayani in G1 Chipping Norton Stakes on 27 February at second run since winning last year’s Cox Plate. Followed up with excellent 1.5 lengths win from stablemate Kermadec in the G1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on 19 March. Looks the one to beat again despite all rivals from the Ryder having weight advantage this race under the handicap conditions.

4

Stratum Star

Having first start right handed. No wins but placed all five starts at 1600m. Level weights 0.75 lengths 2nd to Turn Me Loose in G1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on 27 February before 1.4 lengths 3rd to He Or She and The United States (since won) in G2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on 12 March.

5

Bow Creek

Import who impressed with 1.5 lengths from Fenway in G2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on 27 February before slow pace against when 1.95 lengths 8th to Preferment in G1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on 12 March. Won the G2 Celebration Mile, going right handed, at Goodwood before coming to Australia.

6

First Seal

Smart mare who’s finished first or second at 11 of her 14 starts (five wins). Ran 1.3 lengths 2nd to Holler in the G1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on 5 March before 4.7 lengths 4th to Winx in the G1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on 19 March. Competitive.

7

Volkstok’n’barrell

Smart New Zealander who has won eight of 18 starts from 1300m to 2000m including three wins from four starts at this distance. Sound in wins at past two starts at 1600m and 2000m at G1 level in New Zealand.

8

Good Project

Pulled up lame after 4.1 lengths 7th to It’s Somewhat in G2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on 12 March. Has since won barrier trial at Warwick Farm on 22 March. G1 winner of the Railway Stakes at this distance in Western Australia last November.

9

Ecuador

Has to improve on second-up 3.8 lengths 7th to Artistry in the G3 Newcastle Newmarket (1350m) at Rosehill on 19 March but did run 2.3 lengths 2nd to Winx in the G1 Epsom Handicap, this class, course and distance, in October last year.

10

Happy Clapper

Won the G2 Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in December. Freshened before 2.4 lengths 4th to Holler in G1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on 5 March. Then just fair when 5.2 lengths 5th to Winx in the G1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on 19 March but has huge weight drop for this race.

11

Azkadellia

Promising mare who has five wins from 12 starts and finished outside first three on only one occasion. Strong finish last time when 0.5 lengths 2nd to Peeping in the G1 Coolmore Classic (1500m), for mares, at Rosehill on 12 March.

12

He Or She

Won three of four at the distance and impressed last start with 0.4 lengths win from subsequent G1 winner The United States (with Stratum Star 3rd) in G2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on 12 March. Has weight advantage on Stratum Star, for beating him, under these handicap conditions.

13

Rudy

Sound effort at second run this year, last Saturday, when 0.7 lengths 3rd to Havana Cooler in G3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m) at Rosehill. Ran 2.7 lengths 4th to Kermadec in this race last year.

14

Aomen

Sound effort at first run since September when 2.5 lengths 5th to Artistry in the G3 Newcastle Newmarket (1350m) at Rosehill on 19 March but opposition much stronger this time.

15

Vergara

Led throughout in head win from Heavens Above in the G3 Epona Stakes (1900m) for mares at Rosehill on 19 March. This is much tougher.