Well, although Grand Armee is almost a surething and after witnessing the seagull race, I won't say absolute. I have gone for a bit of value and believe
St. Reims could run a good race. The only time this horse raced in Australia was in the Yalumba Stakes and finished 4.4L behind Mummify, Grand Armee and Starcraft into 4th placing. It's five runs since the Yalumba have been impressive finishing no worse than 2.4L and winning twice from three starts over 2000m and a 2nd behind Xcellent 1.8L who was favourite for the Derby, but failed. My only concern is the class rise but connections obviously believe he's up to it by flying him all this way for this race and after all he is a Zabeel entire, so 'Winner of the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes' would look impressive in any promotional material? There you have it St. Reims from Grand Armee and Savabeel.

One final thought if he doesn't fill a placing I'd nut him and set him for the Grand National Steeplechase!

Cheers

1 GRAND ARMEE
6 ST REIMS
11 SAVABEEL
9 VOUVRAY

Track dead, all starting.

GRAND ARMEE
SAVABEEL
TOULOUSE LAUTREC
DESERT WAR

VOUVRAY e/w *
DESERT WAR
TOULOUSE LAUTREC
SAVABEEL

Current fixed odds
 

No. Horse Win Place
001 Grand Armee $1.75 $1.15
011 Savabeel $8.00 $2.25
003 Toulouse Lautrec $9.00 $2.25
010 Ike's Dream $10.00 $2.50
002 Desert War $11.00 $2.35
009 Vouvray $13.00 $2.65
004 Mummify $15.00 $3.00
005 Delzao $21.00 $5.00
006 St Reims $34.00 $8.00
007 Rizon $101.00 $21.00
008 Simply Viv $251.00 $51.00

Market movement
 

No. Horse Was Now
001 Grand Armee $1.75 $1.75
011 Savabeel $8.00 $8.00
003 Toulouse Lautrec $8.00 $9.00
010 Ike's Dream $11.00 $10.00
002 Desert War $11.00 $11.00
009 Vouvray $13.00 $13.00
004 Mummify $21.00 $15.00
005 Delzao $21.00 $21.00
006 St Reims $34.00 $34.00
007 Rizon $101.00 $101.00
008 Simply Viv $251.00 $251.00

(4) Mummify
(1) Grand Armee
(9) Vouvray
(11) Savabeel

GRAND ARMEE is obviously the one to beat. Be surprised if he doesn’t win.

If ST REIMS can improve on his last campaign here could be a smoky. Going great guns in NZ and may even give Grand Armee a run for his money.

Would not be surprised to see proven WFA performer MUMMIFY run a big race in this. Not suited the slow track yet great run in the Chairmans. Has done OK track and distance in the past.

Cox Plate winner SAVABEEL is now back in Sydney and should be ready to produce best. Unbeaten this distance and has done OK this track in the past.

Closing fixed odds market
 

No. Selection Win Place
001 Grand Armee $1.75 $1.15
011 Savabeel $8.00 $2.25
003 Toulouse Lautrec $9.00 $2.25
010 Ike's Dream $10.00 $2.50
002 Desert War $11.00 $2.35
009 Vouvray $13.00 $2.65
004 Mummify $15.00 $3.00
005 Delzao $21.00 $5.00
006 St Reims $34.00 $8.00
007 Rizon $101.00 $21.00
008 Simply Viv $251.00 $51.00