Hi, my pick was and still is Northerly. Now my current reasoning goes like this. He wins from just about anywhere in the running, including when forced out wide. Also continues to win when fitness is in question. Has beaten all serious challengers in recent weeks.

Now for those who I feel are the other challengers. Lonhro, big step up in distance and a long sustained race pace which will probably bring him to his knees 200 meters from home. like his Dad he will never give in, I think he will fight out 3rd place with Universal Prince.

Universal Prince will come home with a wet sail from way back, as so often happens the winner will be 2 strides ahead at the line. His only hope is to mix it with Sunline from the start and hope Northerly gets force so wide he has to go through the car park.

Sunline will race her normal flat out blast from the start, age has taken the sting out of her final kick for home, that is why she will be chasing Northerly home over the final 100 meters, unless Universal Princess can talk a couple of also rans into pulling off the car park ploy.

This leaves Shogun Lodge and Silvano in my humble opinion as wild cards amongst the top liners. In recent times Shogun Lodge has made a killing for his followers and he is constantly around the money at race end. Why not this time? The race is in Melbourne, not Sydney.

Silvano is the "Dark horse" but I feel the pace of this race will be quicker for longer than home and a fate similar to my prediction for Lonhro will hit 200 meters out.

I will place my money on Northerly, and cheer him to the line. Has there ever been a 3 way dead heat? The new King, reigning queen and the Prince?

Here's to a cracker of a race.
Good punting, Horse Cents