Most of the horses had their final preparatory gallop today. Lets look at a few and have a stab at how they may go over the weekend. Sprint contenders first, followed by the Mile.

Lucky Bubbles

This time last year it appeared a matter of time beforeLucky Bubbles won a G1, after a brave 2nd to Chautauqua in this race last year. He returned this season with a win in The Premier Bowl, but hasn’t seen the winners circle since and really hasn’t threatened to get there despite a string of 2nd placings. He disappointed last time, which has resulted in a jockey change, with Hugh Bowman on for Brett Prebble. To my eye he doesn’t seem to quite have the dash he showed last season.

This morning he breezed home 400m on the dirt track in 29.2s. Trainer Francis Lui said: “This time, I’ve been trying to keep him fresh because he didn’t quite look the same last time out. So this morning, we took it easy with him. He looks well, but at this time, I can’t say how he’s going to run on Sunday, I just don’t know. We’ve made a couple of changes just to try and freshen the horse’s mind. After Sunday, we will give him a long break and hope that helps him, he is not a big horse. Of course it is disappointing that he has not yet won a Group 1, he is good enough, but surely it will come for him – he is a top horse.”

He’d definitely need to lift on his last start performance to win here.

Mr Stunning

The favourite elect galloped over 800m on the main dirt track, clocking 57.4s (31.5, 25.9). Trainer John Size said: “He’s done well at home, he looks good, he seems to be fit and healthy so hopefully he runs well again.”

No doubt he is the up and coming horse here, whereas many of the others have reached their peak. He beat all these at level weights last start, so deserves favouritism. The one they have to beat, he can sit wherever comfortable from his good gate.

Peniaphobia

Has drawn ideally in five for the Chairmans Sprint, and will no doubt lead. He’ll be hard to run down if he get’s there easily and can control the race. However Mr Stunning was able to run him down in similar circumstances last time.

Amazing Kids

I’ve seen plenty of him this week, and he looks quiet and relaxed. The trip to Dubai does raise a question mark over his state of mind and whether he is still quite fresh enough at this stage of the season.

He galloped on the dirt track over 800m in 59.4s (33.5, 25.9). Trainer John Size said: “On the outside, he looks OK, we will only find out race day though if he’s taken any harm from the Dubai trip. He hasn’t shown us anything to suggest we shouldn’t be running. It was an ordinary trial last Tuesday but he’s done that many times and come out and won.”

Not Listenin’tome

He comes into this off a good trial recently, but has yet win a G1 race, although has been second twice. Whether he sees out a strong 1200m is debatable, but on his trial and work he does look well currently.

Helene Paragon

After winning to G.1 races earlier this season, he has disappointed at his last two outings where he has appeared flat. However he looked enthusiastic in his work this morning, so perhaps trainer John Moore has unlocked something from within and he is ready to show his best form again.

He worked over 1200m on turf, under Sam Clipperton with recent Class 1 winner Midnight Rattler, recording 1m 20.5s (28.8, 28.7, 23.0). Clipperton said: “He’s been going very well in the mornings, I’ve ridden him in two pieces of work in the past week or so and he’s impressed me quite a lot. He seems very sharp and he’s fit. His work suggests he’ll run a very bold race.”

Contentment

He has been out of the winners stall for some time now, not recording a win this season and his form is a little inconsistent. He’s likely to lead this and a soft lead would see him make it difficult for the others, although Brett Prebble would not want to dawdle as he did on The United States in the APQEII last week. He’ll need to go hard enough to discourage a mid-race move. He’d really need everything to fall his way to win.

Convey

Had a look at the turf track working home over 400m in 31.1s. He then went to the parade paddock for schooling.

Beauty Only

Worked on the dirt track late and didn’t appear to be overly extended. His racing pattern could make it difficult for him here as he will settle back and with the pace expected to be slow, it could be difficult for him to overtake those closer nearer to the lead. However he has Zac Purton on-board, who will ensure he gets every chance.

Rapper Dragon

He brings impeccable form to this, having beaten most of these last time around – albeit with a five pound weight advantage. The margin was small, but he appeared strong on the line. No doubt will be a deserved short price favourite come Sunday.

Joao Moreira was aboard for his turf gallop in company with Class 4 racer Ashkiyr.  They were clocked at 1m 20.1s (27.5, 29.3, 23.3) for 1200m. Moreira said: “There are only a few words I can say that do it justice – I wouldn’t want to be on any other horse. His gallop was exactly what you’d want three days out from a race.”