No more concessions from champion Size
Reigning champion trainer John Size may have conceded this season's title chase to Tony Cruz, but that doesn't mean he'll be rolling over for the second half of the term.
In fact, the week-to-week battle will become more intense than ever now and Size is a fair bet to claw back a big chunk of Cruz's whopping 14 win margin - a process which could gain some momentum with a victory by Sir Octavius in the seventh event.
Sir Octavius (Douglas Whyte) is the overnight $53 second favourite, behind Cruz's Dreams Come True (Felix Coetzee) at $44. The race, a Class Three over 1,650 metres, looks ideal for both horses.
Sir Octavius, a five-year-old by former Australian Horse of the Year Octagonal, won the opening salvo of the battle when they drew the barriers on Monday. He came up with the four alley, which should ensure he lands in the box seat - behind the leader on the rails.
Dreams Come True is drawn in gate seven, which should see Coetzee attempt to slot in around midfield, one off the fence.
Sir Octavius showed he had come back to racing very well with a win in this grade over 1,200m on December 15, when ridden by Anthony Delpech. However, he's equally at home over the extended Valley mile, posting a triumph over the course and distance off a rating of 70.
Dreams Come True cannot, however, be taken lightly. He managed to find one better when second to Flying Success over this circuit on February 2 but had posted a solid win at his only other attempt over the Valley 1,650m on January 19.
The factor in Dreams Come True's favour is his upside. He's only a three-year-old, a son of the successful stallion Marju (sire of champion Indigenous) and he's only been to the races six times, for two wins and two seconds.
Clearly, the full depths of his potential have not yet been plumbed.
The other major chance is Multi Millions (Gerald Mosse), but he will be the one least favoured by the likely state of play. From gate nine, he will be back near last and conceding both his main rivals a decent start when heads are turned for home.
