3 minute read

1. Think It Over (Kerry Parker): Think It Over had nearly every chance in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) but did have to make his run through the inferior ground and battled on to run fourth. His peak rating figures are at this track/distance but has struggled to find his best form on heavy ground.

2. Zaaki (Annabel Neasham): Zaaki had all favours winning the All-Star Mile (1600m) after sitting outside the leader in a very slow tempo and was solid on the line. Since arriving in Australia, the import has a fantastic record and has a strong starting price profile. Further, he has multiple ratings that can win this race, maps to get complete control of the pace and looks set to peak third-up. The only query surrounding the Annabel Neasham trained galloper is that he has never seen a heavy track. However, one of his greatest performances came on a soft 6 when winning dominantly in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast.

3. I'm Thunderstruck (Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr): When finishing second, I'm Thunderstruck was perfectly ridden seven days ago in the Group 1 Star Doncaster Mile (1600m). The four-year-old gelding ran the race's second-fastest 600m-200m split in 23.54 and had to give most of the field weight before the heavy ground told over the final furlong. He will benefit from backing up but does now compete against the top tier Group 1 WFA stars.

4. Mount Popa (Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes): Mount Popa was ridden to tactical perfection when winning the Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill 14 days ago, and there was a gap to third confirming the form. He is proven on genuine heavy ground and expect William Pike to roll forward on him, but this is a significant step up in grade.

5. Dalasan (Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas): Dalasan had every possible chance seven days ago in the Group 1 Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) when finishing fifth. He follows the same race pattern as last year when he was able to run third in this race. However, he rated much higher last preparation and this is a tougher field.

6. Verry Elleegant (Chris Waller): Champion Mare Verry Elleegant started a long odds-on favourite at $1.24 in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and tried hard after being not suited to run second with a dominant margin to third. Although running a brave second, she has regressed from a ratings perspective. However, her profile confirms she can peak again in the same preparation and bounce back. Chris Waller has mapped out her preparation to follow the same pattern as last year leading into this Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Further, in this race last year, she started a rock-solid $2.20 favourite, and nothing went right for her. She raced keenly and got shuffled back in a farcical tempo before James McDonald had to show his hand making an early move at the 700m mark. The 11-time Group 1 winner is a deserved favourite with her incredible record and has the peak figure relative to all her rivals. In addition, she has been trained to the minute and is ready to win.

7. Duais (Edward Cummings): Duais was completely dominant, winning the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) in impressive fashion. She settled last behind a moderate tempo, and once Josh Parr clicked her up for an effort she sprinted the third-fastest 400m-200m split of the entire meeting in 11.38 to cruise past her opposition. In this preparation, the four-year-old mare is on an upwards ratings spiral and has key attributes to step again. She arguably should've won the Group 1 Chipping Norton (1600m) second-up and then third-up she annihilated her rivals in the Australian Cup (2000m). She is back in distance, but the heavy 10 track can offset that. Further, she brings the best last start figure, can sprint off slow/fast tempos, is proven on heavy ground, and is flying this preparation.

8. Montefilia (David Payne): Montefilia had every chance winning the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) but did it in style when beating Verry Elleegant and ran her final 200m split in 11.71, which was one of the quickest of the day. After a solid first-up run, she came back improved and then spiked to win second-up. Last preparation, she produced her career peak figure third-up and is proven on wet ground. The David Payne trained mare brings X factor, and a repeat of her last start performance can put her right in the finish.

9. Anamoe (James Cummings): Anamoe thrashed his age group in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) last start by 6.5 lengths. The three-year-old colt was put into the race and travelled well throughout before sprinting away to victory, running his 400m-200m split in 11.30. The merit of his win was all in the final section. However, the winning margin could be considered flattering as the Ranvet Stakes that day ran 1.5 seconds faster overall time, equating to approximately 9-9.5 lengths. He is at optimal fitness, where he produces his peak figures deep into preparation and maps to get all favours.

Summary: A fascinating race where tactics will be essential and you can make a case for most runners. Verry Elleegant is a deserved favourite but looking for value in Duais, who is flying and on an upwards ratings spiral this preparation. Zaaki is a key late market watch, and Montefilia brings an X-Factor.

Nick Berney's selections: Duais, Verry Elleegant, Montefilia, Zaaki.