Track: Good Weather: Fine

A quality field has been assembled for this years Group 2 Blamey Stakes.  Many of these will be having their final prep run before the All Star Mile or Australian Cup.  The CF Orr, Carlyon Cup and Elms Handicap are the key lead in races to this event with nine of the fourteen having their last start in one of those three races.  Gentleman Roy is the current favourite in front of Tuvalu.  The remaining runners are longer than $10-1

1. Tuvalu

Lindsey Smith trained gelding who won the Group 1 Toorak Handicap last October before running second behind Alligator Blood in the Group 1 Cantala.  His seventh (beaten 1.4 lengths) in the C F Orr first up was the first time he’d missed the trifecta in his fifteen career starts.  Won’t be a surprise to see him bounce back strongly in this.  His jump out in between runs was good and the blinkers come off after going on for the first time first up.  Clear winning chance.

2. Smokin’ Romans

Won the Turnbull Stakes over 2000m here in the spring.  Resumed in the Carlyon Cup and ran well but is surely looking for further now.  Assuming this is a prep run for the Australian Cup.

3. Callsign Mav

Was disappointing first up in the CF Orr as a $31 chance.  Prefer others.

4. Gentleman Roy

Impressive winner of the Barton Stakes first up at Sandown, before losing the CF Orr to Jacquinot on protest.  Should find the top here and be in this for a long way.

5. Bankers Choice

Had a very good spring running well in a Toorak, Crystal Mile and winning a Ballarat Cup.  Very solid showing first up, and gets a better set up here up in trip + dropping in weight.  Decent roughie.

6. Pounding

Has won his last three against easier opposition than what he faces on Saturday.  Place chance here but think the top few in the betting would have to rate down for him to be winning.

7. Uncle Bryn

Five year old gelding with a lot of talent.  Ran some huge races in the spring and was solid enough first up in the Elms.  Gets Shinn on from a perfect draw with a drop in weight.  Looks a solid each way bet at $10.

8. Bear Story

European import having his first start for Clinton McDonald.  Is group 2 placed overseas but that was over 2000m.  Market your best guide with him.

9. So Si Bon

Has struck form at his last two.  This is harder.

10. Nonconformist

Resumes.  Maps for a nice run but think he will find these too sharp first up.  Look for him hitting the line.

11. Riyazan

Started a big price first up and did not do enough to be recommending here.  He will go around a big price again on Saturday.

12. Lunar Flare

Quality mare who does her best racing over further.  This just a pipe opener first up.

13. Hezashocka

Resumes.  Was third in the Mackinnon here at a huge price at his last start in November.  Looks to be going well at the jump outs but faces a sticky map first up.

14. Port Phillip

First up.  This well short of his best distance.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Lewis Oliver’s Tips	Jo Jackson’s Tips
4 Gentleman Roy	4 Gentleman Roy
1 Tuvalu	6 Pounding
7 Uncle Bryn	13 Hezashocka
5 Bankers Choice	1 Tuvalu