We get to see the sprinters once again in the G1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. There are a lot of the younger in form types entered with the likes of Benedetta ($15), Passive Aggressive ($9) and Jigsaw ($9) taking on the established class Masked Crusader ($15) and Bella Nipotina ($11).
The kiwis are in force too with Imperatriz ($2.50 betr.com.au), Roch ‘N’ Horse ($15) and Babylon Berlin ($15) down to run.
Nominations for the G2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) were extended but the filly Revolutionary Miss ($6) looks tough to beat taking on the older horses like Sirileo Miss ($3.50) and Barb Raider ($4.50).
Fillies heading towards Oaks races are in the G3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m). Zennzella ($5.50), Papillon Club ($3) and As Time Goes By ($15) will be coming to the fore.
Onto Saturday we have the big guns running in the G1 Australian Cup (2000m). A huge 32 are nominated so we may see a capacity field at WFA. 3yos like Virtuous Circle ($15) and Bank Maur ($15) are entered but will face plenty of opposition.
That can come from the likes of the Grahame Begg pair Nonconformist ($6) and Lunar Flare ($51), Cup runner up Emissary ($15) and even last week’s All-Star Mile second Cascadian ($5) might head back to Flemington.
The G3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) will pit some newcomers against winning raced horses such as Amazonian Lass ($4.50) down from Sydney for Tulloch Lodge.
We also see the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) which is now a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup and so will have plenty riding on it. Horses like Soulcombe ($8) and Alegron ($26) could chase that prized entry and Goldman ($5) has been supported first thing this week.
A very rich Listed Sunlight Classic (1100m) is a big carrot to chase and Ciaron Maher & David Eustace have as many as nine nominated. Recommendation ($11) has to be the pick of those. If Benedetta ($2.30) doesn’t run Friday night you’d think she goes here and also faces What You Need ($3.50).