Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a field of 9 runners lining up for the $125,000 Challenge Stakes with 4 geldings and 5 fillies. Five runners had their last start in the Listed Western Australian Breeders Classic over 1400m at Pinjarra Scarpside on 29 January, while the other runners all came via different races. Two of the fillies are sired by Playing God.

The early favourite is All The King’s Men who has won 4 times and been runner-up 4 times from 13 starts and was the winner of the Western Australian Breeders Classic. Second favourite is Admiration Express who hasn’t raced since 12 November when she won the Group 3 WA Champion Fillies Stakes. Third favourite is Feels Playful who was picked off in the final stride in the Breeders Classic and meets the winner 0.5kg better at the weights.The only other runner under double figures is Saintorio who faded for 2.7 lengths 6th in the same race and will take benefit from that first-up run.

1. Saintorio (5)

He resumed from a 9 week break for 2.7 lengths 6th in the Breeders Classic at Pinjarra where he faded at the end and will benefit from that run. He has a great record at this track with 3 wins and 4 places from 9 starts here. Place chance.

2. All The King’s Men (3)

This 3YO has been a model of consistency this campaign with 3 wins, 3 runner-ups and a 4th from the 7 starts. He came from last and had to switch across heels when 0.7 length 2nd over 1200m at Ascot on 14 January and needed further, then ran on strongly to catch the leader on the line for a narrow win in the Listed Western Australian Breeders Classic over 1400m at Pinjarra Scarpside on 29 January. Looks perfectly placed and is a winning chance.

3. Admiration Express (6)

This grey filly is the most lightly raced runner in the field, with only 4 starts so far. She hasn’t raced since 12 November when she won the Group 3 WA Champion Fillies Stakes and is the only Group winner in the race. She has won 2 lead-up trials by good margins and should be in the finish.

4. Goddess Of Giving (1)

One of 2 Playing God fillies (the other is Feels Playful). Won or placed at her first 4 starts this campaign then blotted her copybook with 10th in the Breeders Classic. She has the inside barrier. Not the worst.

5. Demolish (7)

Hasn’t started since November. Won a recent Belmont trial but prefer to see first-up.

6. Wozzeck (9)

Has one win and one place from 8 starts. Finished 4.8 lengths 12th over 1600m at Belmont last start. This looks too hard.

7. Feels Playful (8)

She won two races in a row over 14000m at Ascot, was picked off in the final stride in the Breeders Classic and meets the winner 0.5kg better at the weights. Holly Watson a bonus and is one of the key players in this race.

8. Village Girl (4)

Has 2 wins from 6 starts. Prefer others.

9. Fleur Delacour (2)

Ran 4.1 lengths 9th in the Breeders Classic. Looking elsewhere.

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