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The Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival rolls on this Saturday at Rosehill for Stakes Day where two big Group 1s will be run and won.
While the Tancred Stakes and Vinery Stud Stakes take centre stage, there's six other black-type races to whet our appetites before The Championships kick off next weekend.
We've done the heavy lifting for you and provided our top selections for each of the 10 races below.
RACE 1 - 12:30PM: MIDWAY HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
Peak (13) is rock hard fit ahead of his fifth race this preparation.
The seven-year-old gelding caught the eye last start over 1200m here charging down the outside to finish half a length second.
Getting too far back proved the difference and that again could be a problem with him drawing an outside barrier.
However, this is a typically open Midway Handicap with reasonable speed so he's worth an each way play.
1 Unit Each Way – Peak (13)
RACE 2 - 1:05PM: GROUP 3 NEVILLE SELLWOOD STAKES (2000 METRES)
Bois D'argent (3) returned in good order when finishing second in the Listed Randwick City Stakes last start.
The Annabel Neasham-trained son of Toronado ran on well and joined Serpentine in the straight but just couldn't get past him, finishing a length away.
He meets Serpentine 1kg better at the weights which while not sounding a lot, it could be crucial at the end of the race.
The seven-year-old gelding will strip fitter second-up and won last year's Listed Lord Mayors Cup over this course and distance when having his second run back.
He's drawn wide here in the Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes but Chad Schofield will be able to roll forward and settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit – Bois D'Argent (3)
RACE 3 - 1:40PM: GROUP 3 BAILLIEU (1400 METRES)
Linebacker (6) could not have been more impressive when debuting over 1300m at Hawkesbury on a heavy track.
The John O'Shea-trained Super Seth colt led easily before dashing clear to win by four lengths.
The margin could have been significantly bigger if not for Kerrin McEvoy shutting him off in the concluding stages.
He's since had a trial where he again gave his rivals a galloping lesson with little effort.
Tommy Berry replaces McEvoy due to injury and can give his mount the run of the race this year's Baillieu from barrier 1.
2 Units – Linebacker (6)
RACE 4 - 2:15PM: GROUP 2 TULLOCH STAKES (2000 METRES)
Wymark (3) is low flying at the moment and is looking for his fourth win in a row here in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes.
The Michael Freedman-trained son of Savabeel gapped his rivals by a massive 9.5 lengths over 1850m at Newcastle two starts back.
He was brought to town last start where he proved that he is highly talented by easily putting away a Benchmark 78 Handicap field over 1900m here by 2.8 lengths.
This is another significant step in class again but from what we've seen, there's nothing to say he can't rise to the challenge again.
2 Units – Wymark (3)
RACE 5 - 2:50PM: GROUP 2 EMANCIPATION STAKES (1500 METRES)
Makarena (13) looks set for a peak performance in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes following three very good runs this preparation.
The Team Hawkes daughter of Snitzel finished runner-up in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes first-up before running a close fifth following a tough run in the Group 1 Surround Stakes.
She put the writing on the wall last start when chasing home Zardozi to finish 1.9 lengths second in the Phar Lap Stakes which was over this course and distance.
Tim Clark is one of, if not the best front running jockeys in Australia and he'll be able to give the filly a beautiful on speed ride from barrier 1.
1 Unit – Makarena (13)
RACE 6 - 3:25PM: GROUP 3 KINGDOM STAKES (1200 METRES)
Zou Tiger (7) heads to the races for the first time after winning the Listed Carrington Stakes in dominant fashion in January.
The John O'Shea-trained four-year-old gelding looked super in a recent trial where he worked to the line powerfully under a hold to finish a close second to the speedy Overpass.
He also gave Shinzo, who he meets here, windburn in that trial.
He races well fresh and should be able to settle in a prominent position in the Group 3 Kingdom Stakes for Tom Marquand.
1 Unit – Zou Tiger (7)
RACE 7 - 4:00PM: GROUP 1 VINERY STUD STAKES (2000 METRES)
Kiwi galloper Orchestral (1) could not have arrived in Australia for the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes in better form.
The Roger James and Robert Wellwood stable have a proven record of bringing the right horses across The Tasman and this guy looks like one of their best with four dominant wins in a row against New Zealand's best three-year-olds.
His most recent start in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby saw him settle back after a slow start before effortlessly circling the field and dashing clear for a 3.8 length victory eased down.
Class attracts class with James McDonald booked to pilot from the nice draw.
2 Units – Orchestral (1)
RACE 8 - 4:35PM: GROUP 1 TANCRED STAKES (2400 METRES)
Post Impressionist (5) was outstanding in his first Australian start last week and looks the testing material in this year's Group 1 Tancred Stakes.
The William Haggas-trained five-year-old gelding was first-up into the Group 3 N E Manion Cup following a 28-week spell, but you would never have known given the way he charged past his rivals to annihilate them by 3.5 lengths.
He's on the quick back-up so must have pleased Haggas this week as he makes his way towards the Group 1 Sydney Cup.
He drew wide last week but comes up with a much better draw here so Tom Marquand may settle a touch closer but wherever he lands in the run, he looks hard to beat.
2 Units – Post Impressionist (5)
RACE 9 - 5:15PM: GROUP 3 DONCASTER PRELUDE (1500 METRES)
Another Wil (17) is one of Australia's most promising horses and looks to have the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude at his mercy.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding arrives in Sydney in sparkling form, winning all three races this preparation.
He bolted in over 1600m at Caulfield two starts back by 3.3 lengths before putting them away by 4.5 lengths over a mile at Flemington.
The scary part about those wins was that he appeared to have a lot more to give.
He warmed up for this with a slick trial win at this track proving that he had no issue with this way of going.
From barrier 4, he'll enjoy the run of the race for Jamie Kah.
3 Units – Another Wil (17)
RACE 10 - 5:55PM: BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
Razors (13) will benefit from his first-up hit out over this course and distance.
The Godolphin-owned three-year-old gelding settled handy but just didn't have the race fitness to match Whinchat and Tavi Time in the run home, finishing 2.8 lengths third.
He has a good record over this track and trip, placing second in the Tapp-Craig two starts back.
There looks to be good speed in the race which should see him enjoy a stalking run for Tim Clark.
1 Unit – Razors (13)
