Race Insights: Slow tempo expected with minimal early pressure. Frankel’s Word is a first starter from the powerful Hayes yard and must be respected. Ko Phangan placed at Caulfield Heath second-up but resumes here. Miss Waititi debuts from a strong camp, while Meness has trialed recently and drops back to city grade. Experience on heavy ground will be vital.

First starter but represents the Ben, Will & JD Hayes stable, which operates at 18% with debutants. Two recent barrier trials have been full of merit, showing a professional attitude and strong finishing burst. The inside draw gives jockey a perfect run throughout. He is bred to handle wet ground (by Frankel out of a mud-loving mare). Serious player and looks the top pick.

Placed in a trial 18 days ago, indicating he is ready to fire fresh. He drops back to city grade after racing in better company previously. The stable has a strong fresh record, and he handles soft tracks. Wide barrier is a niggle but his racing style is to settle back and finish hard. Each-way claims are solid.

Placed at Caulfield Heath in his only second-up attempt, showing he improves with racing. Finished sixth on resumption at Caulfield on a soft track but was not beaten far. The extra fitness from that run will benefit him sharply. He has drawn fairly and should get a lovely run midfield. Cannot be ruled out for exotic bets.

Staying test: Oak Beach placed at Sandown Lakeside previously and returns to city racing. Foire De Trone won first-up at metro level and drops back to town. Hotinherre just missed as a favorite at Echuca on soft ground. Realika placed fresh at metro level and gets the right distance. Heavy ground over 2100m demands stamina.

Placed once this prep at Sandown Lakeside, showing he handles the track well. He returns to city racing where his best form has been achieved. The 2100m journey suits his strong staying profile. He maps perfectly from barrier 4 and should settle just off the speed. Genuine contender and the one they must beat.

Just missed as a favorite last start at Echuca on a soft track, beaten a long neck. He has two placings from four runs this prep and is ready to win. The heavy ground holds no fears based on his wet-track record (2 placings from 3 starts). He draws beautifully and will be storming home late. Major threat.

Winner at first outing this prep at metropolitan level, showing a sharp turn of foot. He drops back to city racing after that dominant performance. The stable is in top form, and the jockey knows him well. He handles soft ground and the extra distance suits. For wider exotics, he is a must-include.

True staying test: Houdini has two wins from nine metro runs this campaign and comes from a strong camp. Ardashir has two wins from five attempts this prep and has won all starts as a market leader. Empress Of The Sun finished close last start at Warrnambool on heavy. Sunsets has four metro placings from eight runs. Stamina is everything here.

Has two wins from nine attempts this campaign at metropolitan level, showing consistent form. He comes from a strong stable that places stayers perfectly. The 2400m journey is his absolute pet distance (2 wins from 4 starts). He handles heavy ground based on past performances. Leading hope and the top selection.

In strong form with two wins from five attempts this campaign. He has won all previous starts when sent out as a market favorite, showing he thrives under pressure. The inside draw gives jockey a perfect run throughout. He will settle handy and prove very hard to run down. Include in all exotics.

Finished a length back from the leader last start at Warrnambool on a heavy track, suggesting she handles the conditions. She returns to city racing where she has placed previously. The 2400m journey suits her strong staying profile. For the wider exotics, she represents great value at the price.

Quality field: Louis Barthas has been let-up for seven weeks and seeks a fourth straight win after success at Sandown Lakeside. Vivacissimo narrowly missed as a favorite last start at Caulfield Heath. Didn’t Miss Many has a win and three placings this campaign. Impending Link won first-up at Caulfield Heath as an outsider. Depth is excellent.

Looking to make it four consecutive wins after another victory at Sandown Lakeside last start. He has been given a seven-week let-up and freshened perfectly. The inside draw is ideal for his racing pattern. He handles all track conditions and looks the leading hope. Genuine contender and the one they must beat.

Narrowly beaten as a favorite last start at Caulfield Heath, finishing a close second. He has placed in two metro attempts this campaign and is racing in career-best form. The inside draw gives jockey a perfect run throughout. He will be prominent from the outset and fight out the finish. Still in this race.

Winner despite being unwanted in the market last start at Caulfield Heath when first-up. He comes from a good stable that places horses to advantage. He handles soft ground and the 1400m suits second-up. At the price, he is a sneaky chance for exotics. Don’t treat lightly.

Speed battle expected: Amping Lass has two placings from five metro runs this prep and finished strongly last start. Tan Tat Delight resumes from a spell and must be respected. Semelle Rouge won fresh at Moe and has won all starts as a favorite. Hey Kleine Maus finished close last start. Top two look hard to beat.

Finished in the middle of the pack last start at Pakenham when first-up but the run was full of merit. He is from a respected yard that improves runners sharply second-up. The 1200m journey suits his strong finishing burst. He draws fairly and will settle midfield. Hard to hold out and looks the top pick.

Has two placings from five metro runs this prep, showing consistent form. She ran on strongly to finish on the winner’s heels last start at Caulfield Heath on a soft track. The inside draw gives jockey a perfect run throughout. She handles wet ground and will be fighting out the finish. Genuine contender.

Winner last start at Moe when fresh, and has won all previous starts as a market favorite. The inside draw is a massive advantage over 1200m. He handles soft to heavy ground based on past performances. Sneaky chance at a nice price for those playing exotics. Include in trifectas.

Competitive handicap: Sparkling Luck has two wins from six metro runs this campaign and won last start on soft ground. Astiquer won first-up this prep from the Hayes yard. Ultra Blue has two wins from seven attempts and gets blinkers on first time. Double Pi narrowly beaten at long odds fresh and returns to city grade.

In strong form with two wins from six attempts this campaign at metropolitan level. Won last start at Morphettville Parks on a soft track, quickening clear with ease. The inside draw gives jockey a perfect run throughout. He handles wet ground and looks the leading hope. The testing material.

Winner at first outing this prep and represents the Ben, Will & JD Hayes stable. The yard has an excellent record with horses second-up. He maps to settle just off the speed and launch late. The 1400m journey suits his strong finishing profile. Still in this race and a major threat.

Narrowly beaten at long odds last start at Pakenham when fresh, finishing a close second. He returns to city racing where his best form has been achieved. The wide barrier is a concern, but his racing pattern is to settle back and finish hard. Dangerous at the price for exotics.

Feature race showdown: Lauberhorn won first-up this prep and gets blinkers on first time. Rodriquez came on strong when just beaten last start at Caulfield Heath fresh. Olivia Rose placed when fresh and ran close last start. Legacy Bay drops in grade and returns to city racing. Hard to split the top two picks.

Came on strong when just beaten last start at Caulfield Heath on a soft track when first-up. He placed at Bairnsdale in his only second-up attempt, showing he improves with racing. The wide barrier is a challenge, but his racing pattern is to settle back and unleash late. A real threat and the top selection.

Winner at first outing this prep and gets blinkers on for the first time, a gear change that often sparks improvement. The inside draw gives jockey a perfect run throughout. He handles soft ground based on past performances. Has solid claims and will be hard to beat.

Placed when fresh and ran one and a half lengths back from the winner last start at Pakenham on a soft track. She handles wet ground and the 1200m suits her sharp sprint. The stable is in form, and she is racing with confidence. Looks threatening at a nice price for exotics.