By Mark Gatt

Saturdays Group 2 Premiere Stakes has attracted a small but classy field with last Seasons Doncaster Handicap winner Triple Honour leading the charge.

Triple Honour was one of the most improved horses last season and almost beat champion Weekend Hussler in the Randwick Guineas, before winning the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap in dashing style. Trainer Chris Waller has big plans for the four year old with the Cox Plate high on his agenda.

One of his main rivals will be the John Hawkes trained Mentality, the flashy son of Flying Spur is a very classy horse on his day and is sure to figure in the finish.

Racing to Win is another who will go close to winning the Premier Stakes, Jockey Hugh Bowman is sure to have the big grey in a winning position at some stage during the race. Racing To Win by Encosta De Lago out of the Kenny’s Best Pal mare Surrealist has won 11 of his 19 career starts which includes 5 Group 1 victory’s and is one of Sydney’s favorite gallopers and would be a very popular winner of the race.

So in what should be a race of tactics I am tipping Mentality to win from Racing to Win 2nd and Triple Honour 3rd.


The writer is a consultant on Melbourne Cup odds