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Boom Kiwi Dont Stop Dreaming can secure his place in the Chariots of Fire when he heads to Menangle for a key qualifying race on Saturday night.
Dont Stop Dreaming heads a strong line-up in the Hondo Grattan Stakes, one of two Sydney lead ups for the $250,000 Group 1 Chariots of Fire on March 2.
Dont Stop Dreaming crossed the Tasman with a good reputation but emerged as top seed for the Chariots with an impressive second from the back row in last week's A.G. Hunter Cup at Melton where he surged home late to get within 1.6m of Leap To Fame.
The Sires' Stakes winner will enjoy the return to his own age group but does meet a field with some depth.
Captains Knock led and fought on to be beaten just over 2m into third in last week's G2 4YO Bonanza at Melton after a resuming win at this circuit. He owns impressive records here and at the distance and draws to push forward.
Our Vinnie is an interesting runner resuming for new trainer Jason Grimson off consistent form last time in, highlighted by a SA Derby win. He draws for a soft run and can measure up.
Sooner The Bettor is a well-performed Kiwi making his Australian debut. He draws a little wide but must be respected off a NZ Derby placing behind Don't Stop Dreaming two starts back.
Better Be The Best owns an impressive strike rate and will be ready to go off three trials. He is a player from a good draw.
The Menangle meeting also sees the return of Rock N Roll Doo who makes his first appearance since an aborted Inter Dominion bid but he is a classy pacer who won the Group 1 Len Smith Mile the last time he visited Sydney.
That took his strike rate here to 50 per cent and he has yet to miss a place when fresh. Two trial wins suggest he is back in good order and ready for a first-up win.
In Victoria Leap To Fame chases another big payday in Saturday night's Group 2 Cranbourne Cup.
Leap To Fame backs up after landing another major in last week's A.G. Hunter Cup at Melton where he worked to the front and was just too strong.
That was his eighth win in a row, a streak that includes a dominant victory in the Inter Dominion Final.
He starts from the back row this time but doubt that will be enough to stop him.
Max Delight did a great job to place behind Leap To Fame in the Hunter Cup. He may need some luck from this wide draw but had put together a string of wins earlier in the campaign and his best form sees him in the finish.
Cya Art worked and faded out of the Hunter Cup but was racing well before that including a Ballarat Cup placing two back so can do better.
Bach is a newcomer to the Butt yard and brings consistent form from NZ, last seen when fourth in a G2 at Alexandra Park in December. He has been readied with a trial win and can measure up while a good draw brings Petes Said So into calculations.
