West Wind Blows will jump the favourite after two mighty efforts in the Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup, where he was second in both. We just saw Without A Fight and Soulcombe quinella the Melbourne Cup after running well in the Caulfield Cup, so it’s the right form. If he’s held his form, it should be his race to lose.

Duais showed sensational closing speed in the Cox Plate, but got trapped when Damien Oliver chose to go left instead of right in the home straight. Many will always argue that she should have won that race, if only he had made a different decision. If she reproduces that form, which was her best run since the autumn of 2022, then she can win. Let’s not forget she won the Australian Cup at this track and distance.

Atishu was enormous in the Empire Rose Stakes last week, without quite being able to run down tearaway leader Pride of Jenni. She beat the rest of the field by three lengths, and is arguably even better suited up to 2000m now. When right, and she can be enigmatic, not many show her acceleration and ability to sweep into a race.

Prowess could be the best 1600m-2000m to come out of New Zealand since Melody Belle. She had a setback earlier this spring, which prevented her from competing in the Cox Plate, but she would surely have been thereabouts. It was good to see her measure up against older horses at WFA, albeit second tier, when winning the Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley, but he question is whether this race has come too quickly.

Selections: 1.West Wind Blows 2.Duais 3.Atishu 4.Prowess