Track: Good  Weather: Shower or Two before Clearing

Thirteen runners have accepted for the $2,000,000 Five Diamonds and there has been one early scratching. This is the debut of this race and it is for the five-year-olds.

Ellsburg ($2.50) headlines the field on the back of back-to-back wins, including the Diamond Prelude over the 1500m and the Epsom Handicap. Laws Of Indices ($4.60) is on the second line of betting following a couple of nice runs in Group 1 company. He ran fourth first up in the Naturalism Stakes, before running a brave second in the Toorak Handicap and culminating in the Cox Plate where he finished eighth.

Ayrton ($8.00) rounds out the top three in the betting after running a solid three-length fourth in the Diamond Prelude after being stuck wide without cover.

1. Ellsberg (2)

Going for three wins in a row following back of back-to-back wins, including the Diamond Prelude over the 1500m and the Epsom Handicap. He is yet to run beyond a mile but he gets his chance here from a favourable draw. One to beat.

2. Laws of Indices (12)

He should be peaking in fitness now after running fourth first up in the Naturalism Stakes, before running a brave second in the Toorak Handicap and culminating in the Cox Plate where he finished eighth. The drop back to 1800m looks ideal and the drying track suits. Should be thereabouts.

3. Rustic Steel (10)

On the short back up following his win in the Big Dance on Tuesday, which has to be respected. His record speaks for itself, yet he is yet to run further than 1600m which is a slight concern. He will be giving them a start from the gate, but the stable is amazing at getting their horses to the races in tip-top shape. Respect.

4. Ayrton (11)

Raced wide without cover in the Diamond Prelude which wasn’t ideal. He has only had one attempt at this distance and it was on a heavy track at the Gold Coast where he over-raced and was found to be lame. Unfortunately, he has drawn poorly here and will face a task. Place chance.

5. Milford (6)

Hasn’t shown the form he showed at the end of last preparation but gets his chance back to 1800m from a nice draw. Never racing in Sydney is a slight concern but if he shows up like we know he can, he is a chance.

6. New Mandate (5)

First up after 121 days. British import who has trialled twice in preparation for this. Be interesting to see how he acclimatises, so it’s just a watch for now.

7. Uncle Bryn (8)

Ran a nice second to Smokin Romans in the Sir Rupert Clarke before being eased down in the Toorak Handicap. He then come out at Sale and won the Sale Cup in impressive fashion over the mile. Distance poses no issues though he is yet to race at Sydney and has drawn to get back. Place at best.

8. Longvilliers (13)

First up after 69 days. Another Waller import, this time from France having his Australian debut. No public trials. Watch with interest.

9. Diamil (9)

Nice winner over the mile last time out and he is untested at anything further. Will likely be ridden for luck from the drawn but possesses the closing sectionals to be devasting late in the piece. Solid each-way chance.

10. Sibaaq (7)

On the quick back up from finishing third to Rustic Steel in the Big Dance. Prior to that he finished 2.6 lengths back in second to Ellsberg in the Diamond Prelude. Place at best.

11. Caesars Palace (4)

SCRATCHED

12. Rebel Rama (3)

Raced wide without cover when 2.8 length third to Ellsberg in the Diamond Prelude first up. She is up to 1800m now which suits and she has the talent as she won the Tattersall’s Gold Crown at Eagle Farm last preparation before running second to Arapaho in the Grafton Cup. She has drawn ideally here and is a top chance.

13. Ita (1)

Can’t have her on recent form.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
1 Ellsberg	1 Ellsberg
12 Rebel Rama	3 Rustic Steel
4 Ayrton	4 Ayrton
7 Uncle Bryn	2 Laws Of Indices

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1 Ellsberg
2nd	10 Sibaaq	0.11 length
3rd	2 Laws Of Indices	1.3 lengths
4th	9 Diamil	2.18 lengths

The track was rated as Good 3.

Scratchings: 3. Rustic Steel, 11. Caesars Place.