With six of the 14 acceptances in Saturday's Kennedy Mile (1600m), trainer Chris Waller looks to hold a leading hand in the final Group 1 on the first day of the four-day Flemington carnival.
Beaten three lengths in the G1 Toorak H. behind Kennedy Mile competition Tosen Stardom (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), 4-year-old mare Egg Tart (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) has the in-form Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle and from barrier 10 should be able to take up a mid-field position.
With only 52kgs on her back, a weight she has never carried on race day, the dual Group 1 winner looks ready to peak third up over the 1600m. Stablemate Tom Melbourne (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) finished ahead of Egg Tart in the Toorak, and with Glen Boss in the saddle as well as a drop in weight, the 7-year-old looks an outstanding chance.
Finally getting his Group 1 victory when winning the Toorak H., Darren Weir's 7-year-old Tosen Stardom became the second elite-level winner for his sire from just three runners in Australia and although he rises in the weights on Saturday, the stallion prospect has the form to break the Waller stranglehold.
A narrow third in the G2 Tristarc S. (1400m), Waller's Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) is likely to contest the Kennedy Mile after being listed as an emergency in the Myer Classic earlier in the day. Storming home against the bias in the Tristarc, jockey Michael Dee with only 52kgs on his back will get a good run from barrier 2 and be charging home late.
Fourth in the G1 VRC Derby (2500m) 12 months prior, Robbie Laing's So Si Bon (Aus) (So You Think {NZ}) has since recorded Group 1-placed performances on two occasions including an impressive last-start third in the Sir Rupert Clarke S. (1400m) on Oct. 1, finishing ahead of Tosen Stardom on that occasion. Kept up to the mark with barrier trial win, jockey Craig Newitt will hopefully be able to get a position from barrier 12, and with the light weight looks a great chance at odds.
Somewhat of a surprise winner last Saturday in the G2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley due to his recent poor runs, multiple Group 1 winner Lucky Hussler (Aus) (Husson {Arg}) has found form at the right time. A two-time stakes winner over 1600m, including the 2015 Toorak H., jockey Blake Shinn will be aiming to continue his red-hot form from Cox Plate day where he rode four black-type winners.
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