A cracking field has been assembled for the running of the G1 Emirates Stakes – the final Group 1 race of the carnival. Among the field of sixteen are six Group 1 winners including current race favourite, Boban who has already been backed in from $4.60 into $3.80. Should Boban be successful, it will give his trainer Chris Waller three Group 1 wins for the week after Red Tracer (Myer Classic) and Zoustar (Coolmore Stakes) both saluted on Derby Day. As with any G1 handicap over a mile, he’ll have plenty of challengers though including Toydini and Speediness, both have been in outstanding form and represent good each-way value.

Emirates Stakes Guide

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1. Solzhenitsyn Preview:

After finishing a head second to Rebel Dane in the G1 Rupert Clarke (1400m) the Rob Heathcote trained galloper was then sent out the 5/1 favourite in his attempt to make it back-to-back victories in the Toorak Handicap. A lovely run behind a solid speed gave him every opportunity in the run and he was successful by a comfortable 1 ¼ length margin. He then stepped up to the WFA G1 Mackinnon Stakes, attempting 2000m for only the second time in his career but he found the conditions and distance well beyond him, finishing a distance last behind Side Glance. Better suited back to the mile and drawn to get a good run. Ran sixth in this race last year.

Trainer:R L Heathcote

Jockey:N Rawiller

Breeding:St. Petersburg X Tri Victory

Prize money earned: $1087615

Form at 1600m:8:5,0,2

Emirates Stakes Odds:

Emirates Stakes barrier:5

Weight to be carried:58KG

2. Boban Preview:

After impressive victories in his first two runs back from a spell, including the G3 Bill Ritchie Stakes (1400m), the son of Bernardini started a well supported 5/1 for the G1 Epsom Handicap (1600m). A severe check mid-race had him placed near the tail of the field and, as the rounded the turn, he was the widest runner in a big field. Upon straightening though, he unleashed a remarkably finishing burst and arrived right on the line to defeat Streama by a nose. He then travelled south and, despite being assigned 59.5kgs and the widest gate in a field of twelve, punters stuck with him and sent him to the gates as the 5/2 favourite. As they turned for home, those punters who took the short price would’ve been concerned as he was last and on the fence however, he again produced a strong finish, weaving through tiring runners near the fence to score by a head on the line, easing up. Could not ask more from him at his last two starts and has to be rated on top.

Trainer:C J Waller

Jockey:G Schofield

Breeding:Bernardini X Kenbelle

Prize money earned: $692413

Form at 1600m: 2:1,0,0

Emirates Stakes Odds:

Emirates Stakes barrier:4

Weight to be carried:57KG

3. Sacred Falls Preview:

The 4yo by O’Reilly caught the eye flashing home late first up in the G3 Tramway Stakes, indicating that the Doncaster winner from this April, was set for a big campaign. His next two starts though, in the G1 WFA George Main Stakes and G1 Epsom Handicap, both of 1600m, didn’t quite live up to the expectations set by his Tramway effort and he finished seventh and eighth respectively. He then came south and lined up in the G2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley. After finding a bit of traffic heading into the turn, once balanced at the top of the straight, he hit the line in strong fashion, running a neck third to Toydini and Speediness. Think he would’ve appreciated the Strathayr surface of the Valley circuit and he does seem to safe his best efforts for tracks with the edge out of them. Good effort last start makes him a chance here but any rain, would make him a stronger one still.

Trainer:C J Waller

Jockey:G Boss

Breeding:O’Reilly X Iguazu’s Girl

Prize money earned: $1647987

Form at 1600m: 6:2,0,1

Emirates Stakes Odds:

Emirates Stakes barrier:6

Weight to be carried:56.5KG

4. Toydini Preview:

Cannot fault the form of this Guy Walter trained runner this time in. He won the G3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) under 58kgs before having to make his run a little early from mid-field in the G1 Epsom Handicap and running third (beaten a neck) behind Boban and Streama. It was a good effort behind two in-from gallopers so it was no surprise to see him at his next start, the G2 Crystal Mile, start the 9/4 favourite. He made his run from the 600m and joined in with the leaders at the top of the straight. Inside him was the well supported Speediness who, for a brief period of time, seem to have Toydini’s measure but, under strong riding from Shinn, Toydini responded to find something extra and win on the line by a nose. He is in top form but being drawn wide here; have to wonder how much of a start he will be giving some good horses as they turn for home.

Trainer:G H Walter

Jockey:B Shinn

Breeding:Bernardini X Johan’s Toy

Prize money earned: $575700

Form at 1600m: 4:2,0,1

Emirates Stakes Odds:

Emirates Stakes barrier:12

Weight to be carried:56.5KG

5. Linton Preview:

The Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap winner resumed with a very strong effort in the G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m). Despite being caught wide throughout, the 7yo still managed to run fifth, just over one length from winner Rebel Dane. With that run under this belt, he started a well supported 13/2 at his next and most recent start, the G1 Toorak Handicap. He settled midfield and approaching the turn, was positioned behind eventual winner Solzhenitsyn but just didn’t have the same acceleration as he and finished eighth (beaten 3 ¾ lengths). That run was four weeks ago now and this is a hot race, he will have to be at the top of his game and made good improvement.

Trainer:J D Sadler

Jockey:J Mott

Breeding: Galileo X Our Heather

Prize money earned: $2088100

Form at 1600m: Untried at this distance

Emirates Stakes Odds:

Emirates Stakes barrier:1

Weight to be carried:56KG

6. Mull Of Killough Preview:

An 8yo European galloper who came to Australia for the W. S. Cox Plate last month but ran poorly, finishing eleventh in the field of fourteen and over seven lengths from winner Shamus Award. He backed that up with a much better performance, in lesser grade on Cup Day when finishing third behind Salon Soldier in the Listed Visit Victoria Stakes (1800m). Did have to carry a whopping 61.5kgs on Tuesday and drops significantly in weight here however, should he attempt the quick back-up, he has chosen one of the hardest races of the carnival to compete in.

Trainer:Ms J Chapple-Hyam

Jockey:D Oliver

Breeding:Mull Of Kintyre X Sun Shower

Prize money earned: $427187

Form at 1600m: 16:4,3,2

Emirates Stakes Odds:

Emirates Stakes barrier:13

Weight to be carried:56KG

7. Havana Gold Preview – SCRATCHED

Trainer:Mikel Delzangles

Jockey:J P Spencer

Breeding:Teofilo X Jessica’s Dream

Prize money earned: $602550

Form at 1600m: 5:2,1,0

Emirates Stakes Odds:

Emirates Stakes barrier:15

Weight to be carried:55.5KG

8. Nashville Preview:

A New Zealand galloper that comes to Australia having won seven of his seventeen starts, including the G1 Hanui Farm (1600m) where he accounted for Veyron – who has raced with success in Australia since. The 5yo by Darci Brahma has had three starts since resuming from a spell in September with the two most recent outings, resulting in a third in the G1 Windsor Park and finishing a nose second to Ransomed in the G1 Spring Classic (1600m). Has be hitting the line well at his last two starts and, with both being at WFA, he’ll enjoy some weight relief here however, not sure the NZ is stacking up as well as it has in recent years and, from the widest gate, will be happy to play around him.

Trainer:A M Bull

Jockey:S W Arnold

Breeding: Darci Brahma X Royal Kiss

Prize money earned: $314668

Form at 1600m:6:3,1,1

Emirates Stakes Odds:

Emirates Stakes barrier:16

Weight to be carried:55.5KG

9. Speediness Preview:

His form from four starts this time in, despite having only one once, has been faultless. His victory came first up in the G3 Bobbie Lewis before horror draws at his next two starts in the G1 Rupert Clarke (gate 13 of 16) and G1 Toorak Handicap (16 of 17) made his task difficult. In both races he came from a long way back to run fourth, beaten a half length and 2 ½ lengths respectively. He was allocated a much better draw at his most recent start, the G2 Crystal Mile and landed in a good trailing position behind the speed. The run opened for him when it needed to and for a few strides down the straight, it appeared he was headed for a much deserved win however, Toydini – who is in top form, dived at him late and he ran second by the barest of margins. Will get a lovely spot here from a good draw and only needs a touch of luck in the straight to make his presence felt.

Trainer:Colin Scott

Jockey:Craig Williams

Breeding:Testa Rossa X Fine Glass

Prize money earned: $649222

Form at 1600m: 8:2,3,1

Emirates Stakes Odds:

Emirates Stakes barrier:2

Weight to be carried:55KG

10. Mouro Preview:

Lightly raced 5yo from the astute Tony McEvoy stables who is coming off a good win in the Sale Cup (1600m) a fortnight ago. Under 58kgs, the son of Grand Slam sat on the speed and proved too good for Mutual Trust (who been good in G1 company at previous start) and won by a length. He drops nicely here and being his fourth run up from a spell, should be cheery ripe to produce his best. He did win the Hawkesbury Rowley Mile last preparation defeating Speediness who finished third and didn’t have much luck on the turn in the G1 Toorak Handicap two starts back. Not without some sort of hope here.

Trainer:Tony McEvoy

Jockey:C Newitt

Breeding:Grand Slam X Kalpita

Prize money earned: $312506

Form at 1600m: 8:3,4,0

Emirates Stakes Odds:

Emirates Stakes barrier:7

Weight to be carried:53KG

11. Stipulate Preview:

Another imported galloper, this 5yo by Dansili is with trainer David Hayes. It’s been eleven weeks since his last start which was a second placing in the G2 Celebration Mile under WFA conditions. It continued his consistent form in G2, G3 and Listed races in Europe but he still only has the two wins, which came in his first four starts, from sixteen starts to his name. It would take a good horse and training performance to win a race of this calibre first up with an imported horse of an eleven week spell.

Trainer:D A Hayes

Jockey:D Dunn

Breeding:Dansili X Indication

Prize money earned: $0

Form at 1600m: 8:0,2,3

Emirates Stakes Odds:

Emirates Stakes barrier:

Weight to be carried:

12. Blackie Preview:

At his second run back from a brief let-up, the 6yo trained by Jarrod McLean produced an outstanding performance to win Open class race at Moonee Valley by a comprehensive 3 ½ lengths. Off of that effort, connections thought they would try their luck at the G1 Toorak Handicap and their charge verified their belief by finishing third behind Solzhenitsyn and Trevieres. In form, he stepped up again to compete at WFA in the G2 Crystal Mile and was in the right position as the field turned, to stake his claim. However, at level weights, he was only able to maintain his position in the run home and finished a credible fifth, 2.6 lengths behind Toydini. Gets in with a feather weight here and back to handicap conditions and a good draw, he’ll be able to figure prominently again.

Trainer:J A McLean

Jockey:Chris Symons

Breeding: Black Minnaloushe X Diamond Babe

Prize money earned: $310996

Form at 1600m: 8:1,1,1

Emirates Stakes Odds:

Emirates Stakes barrier:3

Weight to be carried:52.5KG

13. Smokin’ Joey Preview:

He surprised everyone by winning the last race on Derby Day, the Tab.com.au Stakes, second up from a spell and at 40/1. He did it with relative ease in the end, making his run wide and running away with it in the straight to win by 1 ¾ lengths over Galah and Strike The Stars. Third up now and dropping a further 2.5kgs, are two factors that should be in his favour however, it’s a big step up in class from Saturday’s race. He ran ninth in this race last year carrying 54.5kgs.

Trainer:Wez Hunter

Jockey:J Benbow

Breeding:Encosta De Lago X Dalzing

Prize money earned: $491313

Form at 1600m: 6:0,0,0

Emirates Stakes Odds:

Emirates Stakes barrier:8

Weight to be carried:52.5KG

14. Spurtonic Preview:

This 4yo by Flying Spur could cap off a big week for trainer Gai Waterhouse. From an inside draw, he took up a forward position and was right there on the line in the G1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) two starts back. He finished fourth, beaten only a long neck, behind Boban, Streama and Toydini – who are all in sensational form. He then ventured to Melbourne for the G3 David Jones Cup (2000m) where he started the 2/1 favourite. Jumping straight to the front, he was never headed in recorded a commanding 2 ¼ length win. Will have to get away cleanly from a wider draw if he is to take up a forward position again and may require a little luck in finding a good spot however, should he do so, as proven in the Epsom, he is capable of sticking on.

Trainer:Ms G Waterhouse

Jockey:Tommy Berry

Breeding:Flying Spur X Platonic

Prize money earned: $288010

Form at 1600m: 5:0,2,0

Emirates Stakes Odds:

Emirates Stakes barrier:11

Weight to be carried:52.5KG

15. Strike The Stars Preview:

Only has the two wins from twenty-four starts but the son of Savabeel has always shown plenty of promise. He may be set to deliver on that potential judging by his two efforts back from a twenty-one week spell. He came from behind a wall of horses and an improbable position when storming home to win a Open class race at Randwick (1400m) before again, hitting the line well from last on the turn, to run third behind Smokin’ Joey (beaten 1.9 lengths) in Saturday’s Tab.com.au Stakes (1400m). It is easy to see the step up to a mile being a positive for him but he will have to come from near last on the turn – meaning an absolute career best effort.

Trainer:A J Cummings

Jockey:C Schofield

Breeding:Savabeel X Ambitious

Prize money earned: $520400

Form at 1600m: 5:0,1,2

Emirates Stakes Odds:

Emirates Stakes barrier:14

Weight to be carried:52KG

16. Rhythm To Spare Preview:

After bolting in to record a 2 ¼ length win over Flyingconi in a RST 90 race at Caulfield, the lightly raced Pins 4yo was made the short priced favourite (6/4) for the Sale Cup (1600m) at his most recent start. He closed steadily from the back of the field to run third (beaten 1.2 lengths) behind Mouro and Mutual Trust. Definitely has a good race in him but not 100% sure this is the one.

Trainer:M D Moroney

Jockey:K Mc Evoy

Breeding:Pins X Stanica

Prize money earned: $165489

Form at 1600m: 4:2,1,1

Emirates Stakes Odds:

Emirates Stakes barrier:9

Weight to be carried:52KG

OVERVIEW

Spurtonic will come across from his gate but not sure if there will be too many wanting to join him. Boban, Solzhenitsyn, Speediness and Blckie have all draw well but would prefer the option of taking a sit rather than being in the leading bunch. Have to stick with the in-form trio of Boban, Toydini and Speediness here. The respective form of all three has been this campaign and there is good form all around them. Boban’s last two performances have been freakish and he, amazingly, may still have more to offer here. Toydini will get back in the run and quite possible have to run Boban and Speediness down however, as he showed last start when knuckling down over the concluding stages, he is a horse that knows how to win. Speediness deserves a good race and maybe this is it. He should get a lovely run from gate two and his chance to secure a Group 1. A lot of good chances here at value that wouldn’t surprise. Mouro, Blackie, Spurtonic and See The Stars are all going well and under the handicap conditions, get their chance with light-weights. Each would be a legitimate place chance.

1. BOBAN
2. SPEEDINESS
3. TOYDINI

In the news:

Glyn Schofield has watched with pride as his son Chad won a Cox Plate and rode in his first Melbourne Cup during the spring, but he’s confident the apprentice will not get the better of him when they ride in the Emirates Stakes.

Glyn partners favourite Boban in the $1 million Group One Emirates (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday while his son rides the Anthony Cummings-trained Strike The Stars.

Schofield says there is “no greater thrill” than seeing apprentice Chad succeed but is confident he’s on the right horse to end the spring carnival with a second Group One win on the Chris Waller-trained Boban.

“Chad has had his big win and hopefully I can finish it off,” Glyn said.

Schofield is unbeaten in four rides on Boban including the Epsom Handicap in Sydney.

Boban has 57kg in the Emirates, 4kg more than the Epsom, but Schofield has taken confidence out of the way the horse has continued to raise his level of performance.

The gelding has firmed from $4.60 to $3.40 with TAB fixed odds.

He won with 59.5kg in lesser grade at Caulfield last start in the Moonga Stakes (1400m), overcoming interference approaching the home turn which had him last on straightening.

“He’s got an amazing swiftness about him,” Schofield said.

“He can turn the speed on without much effort at all. And for me the surprising thing was not how he got back into the race so quickly at Caulfield but how he did it with 59-1/2 kilos.

“He sprinted so quickly with that big weight and it was as if he was back carrying 53 kilos in the Epsom.”

Schofield conceded it was a step up again for Boban and pinpointed the Gai Waterhouse-trained Spurtonic as a horse who would meet him 4.5kg better than his close fourth in the Epsom.

“He’s got a lot of weight to give that horse but I wouldn’t be wanting to swap mine for anything,” he said.

Waller also has Doncaster winner Sacred Falls in the Emirates and expects both to run well as he chases his third Group One win of Melbourne Cup week.

Waller insists the weight is his only concern with Boban.

“He has come from a restricted race in Sydney to winning an Epsom on the minimum to now running in the Emirates with the second topweight, which is a big step,” Waller said.

“He’s a very good horse but these are still steps that some people take for granted, but I don’t.”