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There are five Gloaming Stakes runners, four Victorian raiders, three out of the provincials and two fillies from the Flight Stakes.
The different formlines of the 14 starters comprising the field for the $1 million Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday makes for a fascinating contest.
Form guru Gary Crispe of Racing and Sports used his exclusive Timeform rating to declare Flight Stakes heroine Montefilia is set to become the third filly in four years to win the Spring Champion Stakes after Yankee Rose (2016) and Maid Of Heaven (2018).
"Montefilia impressed me upstaging Hungry Heart in the Flight Stakes last week, returning a new peak Timeform rating of 114,'' Crispe said.
"This figure has her toprated for the Spring Champion and if she is able to repeat that rating or even improve on it then she will be very hard to hold out.''
Crispe noted the Gloaming Stakes has provided nine of the last 20 winners including Shadow Hero completing the double last year.
Love Tap, trained by Richard and Michael Freedman, is unbeaten in four starts and heads into the Spring Champion with a Timeform rating of 103.
"He has improved with every start and while he has to take another step on Saturday, he gives the impression he will relish the step up to 2000m,'' Crispe said.
"The wide draw leaves Nash Rawiller with a bit of work to do, however he showcased his versatility last start and should be prominent from the outset.''
Crispe said the Patrick Payne-trained Cherry Tortoni (pictured above) creates plenty of interest having closed off very well when second behind Glenfiddich in the Bill Stutt Stakes.
"Cherry Tortoni rated 109 and he should appreciate the firmer footing,'' Crispe said.
"This race looks the perfect platform for the Victoria Derby and although he is yet to be seen beyond a mile, he should be nearing his peak third-up and is drawn to settle a few pairs closer. Ryan Maloney takes over and with even luck, he should be very strong late.''
Another Victorian threeyear-old, Wertheimer deserves respect after having no luck at Flemington last start.
"I'm expecting him to take a big step forward getting out to 2000m,'' Crispe said.
Article taken from Daily Telegraph, published Friday 9th October 2020, Author, Ray Thomas, Page 63.
