We sizzled her when +0.2 lengths above benchmark ranked 6th on the day 3 weeks earlier Caulfield with a new PB first up noting her "better further" profile, so while she's came off that slightly, she stayed at 1200 and there should still be more to come. +0.1 at the 800 had her "flying" 8.4 lengths faster first section race to race. +1.5 in the mid race, before +2.3 last 400. Did lose 1.1 lengths last 200 in isolation reflecting of conditioning improvement to come, as well as the significantly higher early exertion. Heading north from here, and if she found wet ground it would be a bonus.

Subsequently: Winner Gold Coast Magic Millions Fillies and Mares 17/01

Excellent return from this lightly raced mare starting her 3rd prep by kicking off with a new PB at 1200, but with a "better further" profile. -8.3 and -2.8 in the first two sections on the headwind impact day, before +3.1 last 400 which was the 7th best of the day. Has had limited exposure to dry ground, but there's nothing to say she shouldn't be able to add to her two city wins to date which were in basic June fillies company. This says she's at a new level this time in.

Subsequently: Winner Ballarat Cup Day 07/12, then Magic Millions fillies and mares Gold Coast 18/01

A modest IVR figure, but after heavy market support off two quiet trials and settling back last 7.3 lengths from the lead, she's produced an excellent, sustained close that says she won't be remaining a maiden for long. -9.2 lengths below benchmark at the 800, before a best of day mid race squeeze going +5.3 from the 800 to 400. That she increased her speed home with a booming +7.3 last 400 added merit closing with the 7th best last 600 and 400 of the meeting. Did also lose 1.5 lengths last 200. That strongly suggests a big elevation from here with ordinary luck and health.

Subsequently: Winner Canterbury 17/01

This was a big return run! Just below his -1.2 PB which he produced twice late 2022 as a colt, but now starting his 2nd prep as a gelding looks set for his best prep yet. At the 800 was going just -9.2 and that had him 10.6 lengths from the lead in a non-winning position. +5.0 in the mid-race meant a booming 14.2 lengths squeeze, and he sustained it home with +5.9 last 400 which was the 6th best of the day. Looks very dangerous this prep up to a mile range.

Subsequently: Winner Gold Coast Magic Millions Cup

Very consistent sprinter over 1200 and generally with a run under his belt, and as such this was the perfect return just missing over a 1000 metres. +0.9 at the 800 stalking the leaders, before +3.0 in the mid race and +0.1 last 400. Ran the 3rd best last 800 of the day, but just the 19th best last 200 reflecting conditioning improvement to come. Ran a tapering 7th at the Magic Millions 1400 January and there both overdid it early and was at the end of a long prep. Given he's had a good 126 day break before this run, he looks to have a much better platform this time around if aimed there. Current PB is a very strong +1.8 here 1200 June.

Subsequently: Unplaced Eagle Farm 28/12 then winner Magic Millions sprint 17/01

Ready! A modest IVR figure, but 3rd up, put forward for the first time this prep, had good market support and only the rock hard fit "swimmer" EL ROCKO got past him. -3.9 at the 800, -4.8 mid race before -7.6 last 400. While that reflected the heavy conditions, of note he lost 2.6 lengths over the last 200 in isolation. That says he should get good conditioning improvement from here. Won a 3yo stakes race Caulfield Cup Day 2022 with -0.1, and has an all time best of +0.2. Missed 234 days prior to this prep, so the "slow build" looks on track. This is BM78 level so a benchmark performance is a likely winning one from here.

Subsequently: 3rd then 4th and spelled. First up new stable winner Wyong 11/01

4yo mare who has always shown glimpses of talent, but needs clean ground that she got here but didn't get in her previous run Caulfield on a very wet deck. -1.1 at the 800 though 5.5 lengths from the leaders who were clearly overdoing it. +0.8 in the mid race and +3.9 last bit best bit over the last 400. Had market support pre-race that she was bringing a good performance, and has produced a new PB from -2.2 when 2nd in the Bendigo Guineas 1400 in April. This is just BM78 level, and this sets her up to go up in class and possibly distance given her ability to relax in the run and close hard.

Subsequently: Winner Flemington 11/01

Booming return and produced a clear new PB from +1.9 (and +1.7) previously last spring and May Scone. The logic to him being a slow maturer is he only had one start as a 3yo, and wasn't gelded till a 5yo. Here -4.3 at the 800, +4.6 mid race and +5.8 last 400 which was an excellent sustained close. He also ran the best last 1200 of the day. Could be very hard to hold out in a Big Dance over the Randwick mile on the big track.

Subsequently: 4 unplaced runs then winner $500,000 Lakes Wyong

We're hardly stamping a runner who has been racing since March, but this is as good as he can go in a good track, turning circle 1100, and as such he's on track for a Flemington sprint like the Standish in January which is where he excels. -4.9 at the 800 had him 5.8 lengths from the lead, before a booming 8.3 length squeeze in producing +3.4 mid race. Closed with +1.8 so still solid. Confirmation via the best last 800 and 600 of the day, and if he brings that to the straight track over 1200, he'll be deep in the finish. Don't underestimate!

Subsequently: Winner Standish Flemington 11/01

We sizzled him first up when an excellent Warwick Farm 2nd best of the day +0.7 winner over 1400, and has twice been narrowly beaten since including here. -1.3 at the 800, before +0.9 mid race and +5.8 last 400. This was the best closing sprint of his career, as was the +3.8 last 200 in isolation. That was the 11th best of the meeting at the end of a mile underlining he couldn't have done much more. Returning to the winner's list shortly looks highly likely in similar and no issue if asked to step up in trip.

Subsequently: Unplaced Rosehill 30/11. Placed Rosehill 07/12, Randwick 28/12 before winner Wyong 11/01

Staying mare with an excellent win rate of 6 wins from 15 starts leading into this, but despite the heavy market support, had a big challenge to cope 2nd up from Caulfield Heath into a significantly faster race. She won 04/12 with a modest -5.3 off a lead speed of -11.8, whereas here was going -3.9, so 8 lengths faster race to race, but still 8.4 lengths from the lead. +2.0 in the mid race was a sound 6 length squeeze, before +4.4 last 400 so last bit best bit, franked in seeing it was the 6th best last 400 of the day at the end of the mile. She's raised the PB from -2.5 and is trending to go one better in a similar race over 2000.

Subsequently: Winner Flemington 11/01

We were initially on the fence about including him, but with the fields now out and a low bar likely to be required to win, he profiles superbly and entitled to be the dominant favourite that he is. Apart from the elite Waterhouse Bott "target" trainers, his ability to produce genuine early speed over 1200 here, says he's likely to improve further and take a power of beating. -0.1 at the 800, before +4.0 in the mid race which is super sharp. Dropped away with the race well won going just -3.0 last 400. Strengthening from that is where most confidence lies.

Subsequently: Winner Magic Millions 2yo Gold Coast 13/01.