The nine-race program is headlined by two Group 1 features, the $1.5 million Yulong Stud Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and the $1.5 million TAB Australian Cup (2000m), and is supported by other high quality races throughout the day.
The Group 2 MSS Security Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) has once again emerged as a top-class affair in recent years with winners like All Too Hard, Jameka, Lunar Fox and Lightsaber.
Last year’s event was contested by three of the first four horses across the line in last Saturday’s $1 million Australian Guineas (1600m) – Hitotsu, Lightsaber and Forgot You – while top sprinter Paulele and Penfolds Victoria Derby runner-up Alegron were others to emerge from the classy two-year-old contest.
This year, four entrants fetched seven figures in the sales ring – Nobel ($2.1 million), Man In The Mirror ($1.8 million), Zamborghini ($1.25 million) and Brosnan ($1.05 million) – while Bonheur ($975,000) fell just short of that mark.
However, the two most interesting runners, at least on pedigree, did not go through the sales ring – Sir Bailey, the first foal out of 2015 Sires’ Produce winner Jameka, and Sumatra, whose dam Earthquake won the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) in 2014.
The Group 3 TBV Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) counts a number of classy two-year-old fillies among its honour roll, including subsequent Group 1 winners Flit, Shoals and Snitzerland in the past decade.
The nomination of Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m) winner Queen Of The Ball creates interest, particularly given her four-length victory over eventual Blue Diamond runner-up Revolutionary Miss, while Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) heroine Kiki Express and Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) third and fourth Lambda and Kiko are others of note.
The Group 2 TAB Kewney Stakes (1600m) returned to a mile last year after a decade at 1400m and the move looks set to be rewarded with a top-class edition.
Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) winner Yearning set to tackle a swathe of highly touted fillies including Group 3 The TAB Vanity (1400m) winner Barb Raider, Group 2 winners Lavish Girl and Mokulua, the very exciting Argentia and last-start Group 1 fourth Heresy, it shapes as one of the races of the day.
The race of the day, though – at least away from the Group 1 features – could be the Group 3 Furphy Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap (1400m), which has attracted 30 nominees.
Among them are mares Chaillot and Turaath, both stakes winners already at the Flemington 1400m, as well as last-start Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1600m) winner Flying Mascot and Group 1-placed Perth visitor Kissonallforcheeks.
They are joined by the progressive Ain’tnodeeldun, who has not raced since winning the Listed TAB Trophy (1800m) on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day in 2020, as well as $1.6 million earner Aim and Annabel Neasham-trained imports Numerian and Fourhometwo.
Flying Mascot and Turaath are also entered for the Group 3 Penfolds Max’s Rosé Matron Stakes (1600m), along with million-dollar earner Rocha Clock – winner of the $500,000 Inglis Bracelet (1600m) at her last course and distance effort – as well as emerging mare Promise Of Success.
Other races on the card include the Listed Moomba Plate (1100m) and the Cirka Plate (1400m) for three-year-olds.
Acceptances for Saturday’s nine-race card close at 9:30am on Wednesday morning.
Image caption: Jameka, winner of the 2015 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes, will have her first foal Sir Bailey running in this year's race.
