Denied victory by a short head and a short half-head at his two most recent Group 1 starts, Bryce Heys's Spieth (NZ) (Thorn Park {Aus}) has all the right credentials leading into Saturday's A$1.25-million G1 Newmarket H. at Flemington to take the prize and secure his position as a high-class stallion prospect.
Dual Group 1-winning 3-year-old Extreme Choice (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) resumed in the G1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield recently, charging home down the outside late to take third. Dropping in weight here, the 'Magic Man' Joao Moreira–fresh from his record-breaking eight wins at Sha Tin last Sunday–is likely to have the colt settle back in the field from an outside gate, but does have the class to trouble the older horses.
Speaking of those that may be a little long in the tooth, top weight and last start G1 Lightning S. winner Terravista (Aus) (Captain Rio {GB}) is a 7-year-old, but his first-up win suggests he has come back in fine form with a great campaign ahead. With a win in the 2014 G1 Darley Classic over the course and distance defeating Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) and Lankan Rupee (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), there is no reason jockey Corey Brown can't record back-to-back wins on the Joe Pride-trained gelding.
Last start G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Sheidel (Aus) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) will have the services of Damien Oliver, who replaces Moreira and with six top two finishes from eight attempts at the distance, the mare will give them something to catch with her jump-and-run tactics.
Triple Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Glen Boss heads back from Singapore to ride the talented Star Turn (Aus) (Star Witness {Aus}). Third at Group 1 level at his last two starts, the one concern may be if he can run out a strong 1200m, although he will carry one of the lightest weights he has carried in some time.
One at odds who could prove a surprise packet is the 4-year-old Tivaci (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}) from the Michael Moroney stable. An impressive winner first-up over 1000m down the Flemington straight, a Group 1 victory on Saturday will only enhance the recent announcement that he will stand at New Zealand's Waikato Stud later this year.
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