Cox Plate Day is upon us and features a superb undercard, including the Group 1 Manikato Stakes, where Imperatriz will look to claim her fourth-straight victory at The Valley.
With a star-studded supporting cast for Australia's premier WFA contest, let's take a look at some notable nominations for this Saturday's meeting.
G1 Manikato Stakes (1200m)
It will be very interesting to see which of these step up to take on Imperatriz, with Asfoora confirmed to be skipping this race to focus on the G1 Champions Sprint. Uncommon James, who Asfoora beat easily in the Schillaci, could be back with some gear changes - Chain Of Lightning (third) and Lombardo (fourth) finished behind that pair and both performed well. Jigsaw and The Inferno were both solid first-up in strong company, while I Am Me is showing real class this spring. She Dances was a massive improver at her second run and Zapateo was too bad to be true in the Sydney Stakes. Espiona, Buenos Noches and Overpass, who finished seventh, eighth and 10th respectively in The Everest, will all be fitter.
G2 Crystal Mile (1600m)
Another mouth-watering match-up between Antino and Attrition looms here, while Bankers Choice (third in the Toorak) will be fitter third-up and shouldn't be dismissed. Here To Shock underwhelmed there but had been very good behind Antino prior and could easily bounce back. Gavin Bedggood has nominated Just Folk, who was sharp in his first run for the yard, and Keats, who could inject a hot tempo fresh. Tuvalu has been given a few weeks off and drops in trip after a big run in The Underwood, while Lord Vladivostok was solid in the Murray Bridge Cup but rises massively in class. Prowess lines up for his first Australian start and Mustang Valley returns for his second spring this side of the Tasman - he was superb in the Doncaster last year.
G2 Vase (2040m)
A factor of the unknown in a lot of these entries but also some real class, with King Colorado providing a tough benchmark as a G1 winner last season. His stablemates, Big Swan and Nondisclosure, were both gritty maiden winners at their most recent starts. Sacred Eagle also broke his maiden recently, and very well too, as a $1.40 pop, a shade shorter than Koning, who was a dominant $1.60 victor in NSW. Verdad was looking for more ground in the Caulfield Guineas, while Apulia is hard fit now and back on track after her barrier mishap a few weeks ago. Air Assault was very impressive at Listed level last start and of the Busuttin/Young runners, Sunsource is hard fit and ready for this trip. Cap Ferratt is somehow winless but boasts a decent resume nonetheless - the last maiden Chris Waller ran up in class in Melbourne, Desert Mojave, won by nearly four lengths.
G2 Fillies' Classic (1600m)
An early look at a potential chunk of the Thousand Guineas field here, with Aprilia, Broadcaster and Skybird all under $20 in early markets. Roll On High is a touch softer at $26 but could hardly have done more when breaking her maiden easily last week - unsure if she backs up here. Pier Pressure only won her first race a few weeks ago but has placed at G1 Level, while Carina Queen has beaten a few subsequent Group performers to date and will be very fit for this. Nodachi wasn't far off Griff in the Exford, beating home the aforementioned Mojave Desert in the process, and Aprilia is starting to hum in Australia. Seresana disappointed second-up after a good performance behind Hedged fresh, but only needs a return to form to be in this.
Click here to view the nominations for Cox Plate Day.