The card kicks off with a bang when some classy two-year-olds step out for the Lonhro Plate, including Zulfiqar.

Zulfiqar made two appearances in spring, winning the Maribyrnong Trial on debut, before finishing midfield in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate.

He’s had the benefit of a couple of trials leading up to his return, gets the services of Tom Marquand, and I am confident that his experience edge will prove the difference.

Banana Queen has been nothing short of excellent this time in, and she strikes another winnable race at Randwick on Saturday.

The So You Think mare returned a smart winner in BM64 company at Newcastle back in December and has continued to jump as the bar has been raised, adding a BM72 race at Warwick Farm and a BM78 race here at Randwick to her CV.

She steps out in peak order, and while she does go up slightly in weight, I still think that she is just the best horse engaged.

There is a case to be made for a few of them in this week’s Midway Handicap, including Miss Lenorr.

Miss Lenorr was a smart winner in Class 1 company at Kembla Grange back in December, before only just being denied by Above And Beyond over 1500m here on Boxing Day.

She filled the minors, beaten just over a length in BM72 company at Warwick Farm last time, but she steps out this week in peak order and gets into the race well under the conditions.

I’m sticking with Supido Beauty in this week’s Highway race.

Supido Beauty won each of her first two career starts last year before being put away, and a trial at Wagga prior to her return this time suggested that we could be in for something special.

Her fresh run at The Valley did leave plenty to the imagination, however, but she bounced back in the country second-up.

Fitter third-up and from the good draw, I do believe that this is a far more appropriate race in town for her, and she can continue her progression through the grades.

Improvement would be required, but I am going to have an each way play on Fearnought, in what looms as an other open race at Randwick.

The well-bred mare worked home well to fill the minors in BM72 company when resuming this time, and was three lengths behind the talented Ringmaster at Rosehill last time out.

Fitter third-up and under Nash Rawiller, I do think that this looks to be about her Saturday metro mark, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her winning.

Soulcombe makes his eagerly awaited return to the races in the sixth at Randwick on Saturday, and is looks a lovely launchpad for him.

The Frankel gelding stamped himself as one to watch during the early stages of his career in the YK, winning three of seven starts, but his Australian debut really was something to behold, and saw him destroy his rivals in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

He has been set some pretty lofty targets this time in, and he can announce himself again with a win over some handy opposition this week.

Another interesting race with a few key winning chances engaged. I thought that Dragonstone would enjoy plenty of improvement from a decent third behind Star Patrol last week, but I am more inclined to give Inundation another chance, particularly at what will be his Sydney debut.

Inundation has recorded four wins and two second placings from his seven career starts to date, and returned a dominant winner at The Valley on Christmas Eve.

He was subsequently sent off a $1.45 favourite at Sandown last time out, but was beaten by On The Lead that day.

Fitter third-up, Rachel King has options from the rails draw, and this does look a nice opportunity for the horse to bounce back.

This is an outstanding edition of the Eskimo Prince Stakes, and if this race is any indication, the major three-year-old contests this autumn will be memorable.

Aft Cabin’s Neds Caulfield Guineas campaign was cruelly cut short before he could contest the Group 1 feature in October, but he returns this week and does look the one to beat.

The Astern colt had four starts during his debut prep, breaking his maiden second-up, only just missing behind Jacquinot in the McNeil Stakes before utterly dominating his rivals in the Neds Guineas Prelude.

A recent trial suggested that he is ready to fire fresh and understandably, James McDonald has been booked to ride.

I’m looking forward to seeing what Chandon Burj can do at the Sydney way of going, and she is the one for me in the penultimate race at Randwick this week.

The Pride Of Dubai mare has enjoyed a consistent preparation since resuming back in October, winning races at The Valley and Sandown most notably, and finding form around some talented gallopers.

She’s rock-hard fit, the 1800m looks to be about her pet trip and with even luck, she can fight out the finish again.