1

Think It Over

Multiple Group winner, including two at the highest level. Won over 1600m at latest start and goes into this race third-up with plenty of appeal and fitness. Will be coming home hard.

2

Mr Brightside

Brilliant galloper that has won his past five races, including successive G1s at his last two outings. Has won twice at this track and at the distance. Kept up to the mark with a 1000m trial win on 2 October. Hard to beat.

3

Zaaki

Big occasion galloper that has four G1s in his haul of 12 Group victories. Has good lead-up form and has been highly fancied in his past three runs. His best is good enough.

4

Huetor

Goes into this race fresh after last racing in June when finishing down the track in a G2 over 2200m. The start before he won the G1 Doomben Cup (2000m). Hasn’t done much in two 1200m trials but does have excellent first-up form. 

5

Light Infantry Man

European galloper that had one unplaced run in Australia in the approx. HK$50 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill last year before returning to England. Has been placed seven times and won once in Group races from 12 starts and is now permanently in the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stable. It’s his first race since finishing second in the G3 Superior Mile (1634m) at Haydock in early September. Big watch.

6

My Oberon

Ran a game second to Mr Brightside in the G1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) in April. Has been thereabouts in three runs last month without threatening. Will need to improve to challenge.

7

Buckaroo

Anything trained by Ireland’s Joseph O’Brien demands respect. Was second at G2 level at his last start at Leopardstown over 1600m. Has won three, all at around this trip, and had four minor places from 11 starts. Big watch.

8

Zeyrek

Won at G3 level earlier this year over 2000m but has done little since. Tends to race over longer distances and his second last start was his first attempt at a mile. He wasn’t disgraced but this looks too hard.

9

Nugget

Hasn’t been disgraced in recent runs and can produce a competitive run. Despite running a close third to Mr Brightside in the G1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), it’s difficult to see a repeat performance.

10

Democracy Manifest

Easy winner of G3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle and then wasn’t too far off them at his next start in the G1 Epsom Handicap (1600m). Can get home strongly but this is really tough.

11

Golden Mile

After  mixed performances the entire form in the past two outings gives his admirers some confidence. Goes into the race with a win in the G2 Theo Marks Stakes and a third in the G1 Epsom Stakes (1600m). The 1600m is ideal for the G1 winner.

12

Kovalica

This year’s G1 Queensland Derby (2400m) winner commands plenty of respect. Three of his six wins have been at 1600m. Was a narrow second at his most recent start in the G1 Epsom Handicap (1600m). Will be thereabouts and getting home strongly.

13

Rediener

Expected to go around at big odds despite winning his past four, including his last start victory in the G1 Epsom Handicap (1600m). Winning form can’t be denied and he’ll loom up at some stage of the race and is not the roughest to snare a place.

14

Fangirl

Ultra-consistent mare that won the G1 Winx Stakes (1400m) and then finished third to Think It Over and Zaaki over 1600m. Has the right form to be highly competitive on a track she likes.

15

Atishu

Does mix her form but is more than capable when firing as she showed when taking out the G1 Queen of the Turf Stakes (1600m) in April. Second at G2 level over 1400m at her most recent start. The rise in distance will suit.  
 

16

Hope in Your Heart

Never far away and was extremely consistent during this period last year. Kicked off 2023 with victory in the G2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m). Will be running on.