RACE COMMENT

The opening price of $1.04 is completely justified for KEAYANG ZAHARA (9), the star 4YO mare which has tasted defeat just once in 20 career starts. Putting a 14m margin on the field after overcoming a second line gate last start for her ninth G1 success, sit back and watch trotting perfection in full flight. MAORIS MAC (5) has placed at her past four in succession, the past two when chasing home for 2nd behind KEAYANG ZAHARA through the VicBred Series. Working forward from the second line to sit parked in the final, she had 10m to spare over the third placed runner and from the front line can do her best to mount the challenge. AJAY VOLSTEAD (10) appears the best placed of the local hopes, coming into the G1 feature off victory last week in the Stellar Square after grinding out the win. A cart into the contest will help. SUNSET HILL (12) has gone two from two since arriving in Sydney with the Morris stable, the latest a smart win at the mile from the front. This is the test, but he looks progressive.Champions know how to rise off the canvas and LEAP TO FAME (10) did exactly that last start, backing up after a mammoth run in the NZ Cup to claim the FFA just three days later. While he may have been a level below his best in Vic prior to heading across the ditch, he returns to his home deck where he is unbeaten in his past 24 appearances. DON HUGO (4) is the big winner from the barrier draw, landing the front line where his main dangers have both drawn the second line. Sectionally powerful in last week’s Sunshine Sprint, his previous two runs were enormous and if the home town champion is to be defeated, it will likely be at the hooves of the reigning Miracle Mile champion. THE JANITOR (12) was huge in defeat at the sprint trip last week, sitting parked and taking the leader and winner all the way to the wire, only beaten a head. Where and how he gets into the contest appears the query. BIRKIRKARA (2) was down the line in last week’s Sunshine Sprint yet produced a sizzling last 800. Slicing between runners for bronze in the CJ the start prior, an improved gate is a huge plus.