OVERVIEW: LAKE COMO (2) signalled his potential with a big finale to win on debut at Maryborough in early August and is yet to put in a bad run in four career starts. He heads into this Group 1 assignment on the back of a brilliant semi-final triumph where he rounded up his rivals from towards the back of the field to score. He’s exciting, progressive and from gate two – where he should land handy in the running line – I fancy he’s the one to beat. The scratching of semi-final winner CARDIGAN SNIPER (13) is significant, but his stablemate SOME HIGH (10) looks a key threat. He went past CARDIGAN SNIPER (13) last weekend before that rival fought back near the post to score. There was a huge gap back to third, which is always telling. SOHO BELLAGIO (4) was perhaps a shade disappointing when finding the top last weekend but might get the front again and can run well from there, while AUSTON (1) is drawn for a good trip on the fence and hasn’t been far behind LAKE COMO (2) his past two. BACK: LAKE COMO (2) – 2 units (win)