Expressway Stakes – 2023

Track: Soft Weather: Overcast

Some classy gallopers battle it out over the 1200m and it does look a race in 2 with Golden Mile and Forbidden Love both resuming. The former has some excellent efforts around the likes of Jacquinot, In Secret and Kibou, form that will hold up here. Forbidden Love goes well fresh and will enjoy any sting out of the track. Mariamia was probably a bit lucky to win the other day with Spacewalk held up behind it but nonetheless, it was a solid effort and it can give some good cheek again today. Much Much Better looks the best rough with its on pace pattern. There should be okay speed in this despite the small field.

1. Niccolini Vito (8)

Prefer others.

2. Much Much Better (5)

Best roughie of the race. Much Much Better has a good running pattern. It should land on the speed and give a good kick. The $61.00 is overs.

3. Pizzaro (3)

Pass mark fresh when it raced with little luck. The map looks good here from barrier 3 and Avdulla is riding well. Place chance in this field.

4. Forbidden Love (1)

Forbidden Love is the class of this field and will take beating from barrier 1. Flies fresh, does have the most runs on the board out of this field but backing K-Mac is a query these days, he is mixing his form. Deserves to be 2nd favourite and sits the main danger to Golden Mile.

5. Mariamia (9)

Beat up a solid field last start, albeit was a bit lucky with Spacewalk bundled for room behind it. Mariamia should land on the speed and give a good sight but does look short enough given that she hasn’t won second up and her best runs do come when fresh. 2/2 at Rosehill is a solid tick and she is a decent place chance in this.

6. Van Giz (7)

Can’t have.

7. Kahawaty (2)

Prefer in something easier.

8. Twice As Special (6)

Can’t have.

9. Golden Mile (4)

Should be really hard to beat in this field with some very strong form lines, a kind draw and James McDonald doing the steering. Golden Mile wasn’t far off the likes of Osipenko and Jacquinot, proven at group 1 level and will take some beating against this bunch.

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

Bryce Parker’s Tips	Jo Jackson’s Tips
9 Golden Mile	9 Golden Mile
4 Forbidden Love	4 Forbidden Love
5 Mariamia	5 Mariamia
2 Much Much Better	1 Nicolini Vito