John Sadler’s Excited Spirit produced a huge win at Mornington track 12 days ago, and can go right on with things here in the Mitavite Benchmark 78 Handicap (2025m).
The four-year-old son of Bel Esprit wan to a weight-adjusted Timeform figure of 87 in winning that race over 2000m, and looks to set the standard again here.
Timeform takes a look at each horse’s chance in the race.
1. Elusive King - Scratched
2. Alrouz – Scratched3. Bachelor Royal - Very disappointing in three runs back and he's not racing up to what he can. Favourite but beaten 21 lengths at Sandown on June 4. Needs to turn it around sharply.
4. Nordic Duke - Scratched5. Hannaford - Seemed to have every chance when fifth at Sandown on June 4. Backing up quickly but loves it here and is capable of giving some cheek. Each-way claims.
6. The Jazz Singer - Handy type on his day but didn't do a lot first-up when ninth at Sale on May 29. Much better than that and look for a sharp improvement from him up in distance.7. Yulalona - Produced a much improved performance at fourth run back when sixth at Sale on May 29. Needs to continue to lift so only a place chance until he proves it wasn't a fluke.
8. Excited Spirit - Bounced back to his best form with a dominant on pace performance when winning easily at Mornington on May 28. No harder here and should feature again.9. Loukoumi - Runner-up in a small field in the Edenhope Cup then resumed with 11th at Geelong on May 16. Find this a bit tough for him and prefer him elsewhere.
10. Beau Rommell - Scratched11. Aribaa - Knocked right up after leading when seventh at Geelong on May 16 at second run back. Only one win in 12 starts and not going well enough to entertain here.
