The Tidy Express showed promise over shorter distances, but it's been over more ground that she's really come into her own. Following a solid second over 2100m in her distance debut, she scored that powerful Ellerslie win over the same distance at her second attempt. She had to go slightly back in distance for her next run, the 2000m Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup, but she was far from disgraced in finishing a close sixth. The step up to 2200m on Saturday is ideal, and she's poised to do Roger James proud as he watches on a television screen at Randwick Racecourse.
But there are some imposing rivals among the 14-horse field.
Silverdale burst on to the staying scene in the Cup Prelude here last start. Previously pigeonholed as a pure sprinter-miler, he unleashed a powerful combination of speed and stamina to draw away to an emphatic win over 2100m.
It was spectacular, and it looks like the Castledale 4-year-old has found his forte. He's a quality galloper well placed at the weights, and he'll take some stopping.
Blue-blooded North Of Sunset has started to live up to her pedigree with a series of commendable performances, and she looks ready to acquit herself well in her first crack at open-class stakes company. Jetset Lad has performed wonderfully at high levels around New Zealand and Australia.
Packing Tycoon won brilliantly in February in his first race back from Hong Kong, and followed that up with solid fifths in strong Group 1 and 2 company in his two starts since.
Sadlers Rock, Revelator and Abraham Lincoln have all shown they're right up to winning a race like this on their day.
A pair of locals will set out to resist the powerful invasion.
Kirsty Lawrence's quality winter galloper Intransigent will be starting to get back to his best after two races back from a spell, and he could be a live chance if the track is slow or heavy.
The Tim Symes-trained Second Hope may be getting on in years, but is enjoying a rich vein of form in lesser class and is certainly consistent.
