BOBAN: He doesn't really get on with wet tracks, so has had an interrupted preparation since winning the Chipping Norton Stakes six weeks ago. His only run since was a midfield effort in the George Ryder Stakes on a slow track and one on which he has never been placed in three runs. Needs it drier.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
IT'S A DUNDEEL: A five-time group 1 winner, which was runner-up in this race last year. He has been in the money at each of his three runs during this preparation. In the latest, the BMW, he started last and came in second, and appears to be peaking at the right time. Should be closer in the run and will be hard to hold out.
SACRED FALLS: A dual Doncaster winner after his late charge last week and loves soft ground. He has only had the three runs for the autumn, coming in fourth in the Canterbury Stakes and George Ryder Stakes before the Doncaster. Could still be on the way up and should be thrown in trifectas.
GREEN MOON: He hasn't won since his Melbourne Cup victory in 2012 and has never won at weight-for-age. However, he was good when fourth in the Peter Young Stakes to start his prep and then runner-up behind Fiorente in the Australian Cup. He has a good 2000m record and could cause a surprise.
CARLTON HOUSE: He will carry the royal colours in the Queen's race and has found form at the right time. He appreciated getting to 1900m when Parramatta Cup runner-up before leading until the final couple of bounds in the Ranvet Stakes. Will be ridden from the front and is the one they will have to run down.
HAWKSPUR: Queensland Derby winner last year. Has promised much but yet to deliver. It is hard to knock his form since being back in Sydney, third in the Chipping Norton Stakes, fourth in the Ranvet Stakes, fourth in the Doncaster last week. Looking for 2000m now and will be hitting the line hard.
MY KINGDOM OF FIFE: Won a Queen Elizabeth Stakes before a 2½ year injury lay-off. Formerly owned by the Queen, but is hard to recommend on his three since returning, although each has been an improvement on the one before. Others have better credentials at present.
TOYDINI: Another galloper that has had his autumn ruined by wet tracks. He has only been placed once in five attempts on slow and heavy tracks, and looked all at sea in the Doncaster. Look elsewhere.
LE ROI: Trainer Tony McEvoy holds a high opinion of him even after he bowed a tendon in the BMW last year. He has had two runs since including a last-up win over 1600m at Moonee Valley. He should finish in the first half of the field.
SILENT ACHIEVER: The form horse of the autumn. She is unbeaten since the blinkers, winning group 1 races at her last three run-outs. She was too strong for Carlton House at the end of the Ranvet Stakes, then commanding in the BMW. Likes soft ground and can't be left out.
ROYAL DESCENT: It has been a year since she won the Australian Oaks by 10 lengths, which has proven to be her last success. She looked the winner in the Doncaster last week only to be run down by Sacred Falls. A winner of this course and has definite each way.
DEAR DEMI: She had a tremendous spring, third in the Caulfield Cup and runner-up in the Mackinnon Stakes but has failed to hit the same highs in the autumn. Didn't beat a runner home in the Doncaster last week and would need a major form turnaround to be a chance here.
