Princess Grace has been matching motors with some of the best horses in Australia, finishing second to Fangirl in the Winx, second to Mr Brightside in the Memsie, and fourth to Mr Brightside in the Makybe Diva at this track and distance. She then looked to be gifted the Blazer Stakes dropping back to mares grade and jumping at $1.65, but couldn’t reel in Life Lessons. If you forgive her that defeat, and go on her previous form, then she is the one to beat.

Atishu is the stablemate of Princess Grace, and is the mare James McDonald is riding. Does that give us a clue as to who the stable, or at least the jockey, thinks is the horse to beat? While better with the sting out, Atishu is still effective on a good track, but is far from the most reliable horse getting around. There is a lot of speed in this race on paper, and you can easily see her being the one to emerge from the pack and sail by them all, just as she did in the Queen of the Turf at Randwick earlier this year.

Alcohol Free is on the back-up after running fourth in The Invitation last week, in a blanket finish alongside smart mares like Espiona, Ruthless Dame and Magic Time. Before that she was outclassed in The Everest, and was chasing Think About It home in the Premiere, beaten just under three lengths. She’s ready for the mile now, and draws to get the run of the race.

Hope In Your Heart is a game mare that has run so well in so many big races over the last year or so. She was second to Atishu in the Queen of the Turf, has run fourth in a Golden Eagle, Doncaster Mile and Coolmore Handicap. She much prefers ground with a bit of give in it, rather than firm footing, but she’ll give her all and be somewhere in the mix as always.

Selections: 1.Princess Grace 2.Atishu 3.Alcohol Free 4.Hope In Your Heart