Gold Rating (Best) – With heavy rain in the Brisbane region for most of the week, Eagle Farm is likely to be very wet. Gold Rating is proven on wet tracks. Won two from three on slow tracks. He has failed to place from two starts on Heavy but that form is misleading. He failed to make the grade in the Sunshine Coast Guineas and in his other start wasn’t handled brilliantly over an unsuitable trip. Expect bold showing.

Hard to knock the form of Shaaheq, he is clearly overdue for a win. Danny Nikolic conceded he may have hit the front a couple of strides too early in the Blue Diamond and the winning margin of Star Witness may reflect that. Should be camped behind the speed and finish strongly over concluding stages. Danger is Sublime Girl.

Shaaheq – Sublime Girl – Not A Pretender – Mavellous Miss

Stack of pace on paper with Hooness, Kwassa Kwassa, Avenue and Dissolved. Common Interest profited in similar circumstances at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day before he was freshened for the Kensington Stakes where he finished a luckless third. One to beat. Big weight rise for Avenue. Must respect but hold some reservations. Nicastro and Rarefied are the first-up dangers.

Common Interest – Nicastro – Avenue – Rarefied

Willow Creek was desperately unlucky in the Blue Diamond. Appears the type to get better over further. Main threat is unbeaten colt In Faith who trounced rivals last start. Draws perfectly and will be thereabouts. Yosei, Ebony Rock and Backgammon best of rest.

Willow Creek – In Faith – Backgammon – Ebony Rock

Huxssen won the Listed Hareeba Stakes in fine style when well-weighted against handy opposition. Meets nothing special here once again gets in well at the weights. One to beat. Marveen will appreciate the rise in distance. Captain Coltish is handy type that draws well but untested at 1400m. If Danzylum can dictate terms infront, can finish thereabouts. Life To The Full and Electromotive for the multiples.

Huxssen (Best) – Marveen – Electromotive - Captain Coltish

Trim won at Flemington over the Melbourne Cup carnival and resumed with an honest second behind the brillant More Joyous. She’ll be ultra competitive. Gigas is rock-hard fit and as an on-pace runner will give this a shake. Irish Lights lost no admirers last start but will get a fair way back while Rostova will strip fitter from her run in the Angus Armanasco. No Evidence Needed and Europa Point have claims in open event.

Trim – Gigas – Irish Lights - Rostova

Eagle Falls was run off the track in the Oakleigh Plate and in an open Newmarket Handicap might represent value. Will make own luck on the speed and should run the trip out strongly. Wanted is the perennial bridesmaid at Group 1 level and could repeat it here once again. Headway and King Pulse best of the other 3yo’s. No reason why Starspangledbanner can’t win. All Silent and Nicconi might be drawn on wrong side of track. Furthermore, Nicconi suspect at six furlongs. Risking Turffontein, while Arinos could finish off strongly to fill the placings.

Eagle Falls – Wanted - Starspangledbanner - Headway

Hard to go past Denman. The small field plays into his hands despite the outside gate. Should roll forward, make own luck and can blow them away. Linton is the improving type, might be all happening too soon for him. Next prep could be anything. Set For Fame is the only filly and will pose a serious threat. Carrara is better then the fourth placing at Mornington suggests while Rock Classic could run a cheeky race.

Denman – Linton – Set For Fame – Rock Classic

Disappointing renewal of the Australian Cup. Littorio who has been plague by injury problems can return to winners’ list. Two runs back from spell have been respectable and will be handy in the field. Zarita displayed a brilliant turn of foot in Group 2 mares company last time. Always competitive at WFA and this is her time to shine. Master O’Reilly ran a cracker first-up. Likely to be thereabouts again. Heart Of Dreams found La Rocket too slick over 1800m. Questionable at 2000m. Zipping an honest WFA performer, one for multiples. Extra Zero is an underrated 3yo that has improved with further ground. Respect. Expect Shocking to work home late. Hard to gauge the level of Our Aqaleem. Booking of Steven Arnold is a good guide and therefore must give consideration.

Littorio – Zarita – Master O' Reilly - Extra Zero

Lady Lynette was impressive first-up when finishing a close-up third. Five-time winner over 1400m and perfectly weighted at SW&P conditions. Flying Tessie won over 1400m at Flemington last spring and can strike again. Bird Of Fire is a Group 2 winner and is far from outclassed. Flying Ruby next best.

Lady Lynette – Flying Tessie – Bird Of Fire – Flying Ruby

Stirling Grove smashed rivals on debut in Adelaide by nine lengths before travelling to Melbourne for the Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) but was scratched at the barriers after playing up in the stalls. Raced the following week at Sandown in Merson Cooper but looked below best. First-up here in moderate company, can bounce back.

Sterling Grove (Best) - Rambuka - Counter Claim - Nothin Leica Flash

Seeking Attention (Best) – Griffon could be anything and was my best bet last week only to be scratched. He will be hard to beat. But from purely a value perspective, Seeking Attention is the preferred wager. 1100m in my opinion is her best distance, was more than competitive in stakes company over Melbourne Spring Carnival. Numerical form doesn't do her justice. Could start silly odds and each-way all day.

Likely to be a repeat of the Apollo Stakes. Rangirangdoo set Moonee Valley alight last spring over the mile and can do the same here. Jockey went for home too early last time. Danleigh is the danger, although the mile might be too far. Palacio De Cristal should be thereabouts with the lighter weight while Rock Kingdom shouldn't be ignored. He could fight on for a minor placing.

Rangirangdoo - Danleigh - Palacio De Cristal - Rock Kindgom