One of four Miracle Mile starters for the powerhouse Emma Stewart stable, Honolua Bay has really stepped up to the top level this campaign.
He showed a terrific turn of foot to win last month's Hunter Cup at Melton and followed that up in last week's Allied Express Sprint at this circuit when he drew deeper and raced three wide without cover but proved too strong to salute by 2.7m.
He loves the mile with three wins and a placing from four attempts and a good draw can see him land in the right spot and prove hard to hold out.
Spirit Of St Louis relished the return to this circuit when winning last week's Schweppes Sprint for a third successive victory when racing at this venue.
He led there so can take full advantage of the low draw to be prominent from the mobile.
Spirit Of St Louis was runner up in this race last year and the barrier sees him as a big chance to go one better.
The two exciting four year-olds add the X-factor to this year's race and both look the real deal.
Catch A Wave did all the work when sitting parked but proving too strong for Captain Ravishing in the Chariots of Fire.
That was his second success from three tries at the mile so he could measure up to the big guns.
Captain Ravishing has to bounce back off that shock Chariots defeat but had looked a superstar before that when clocking terrific times in Victoria.
The draw could be tricky but he is untapped and could well prove he is the next big thing in Australian harness racing.
Hurricane Harley was brave after siting parked last week and is an each way player from a better draw.
Star Victorian trotter Just Believe looks well placed to continue his recent dominance when he ventures north for the Trotters Mile but Aldebaran Zeus loves the distance and is drawn to make a race of it while the third of the Group 1s, the NSW Derby is an open affair where the Kiwis Alta Meteor and Spirit Of Arion are favourably drawn while the local hope Better Be The Best will be ready to peak third up.
BEST BETS:
Menangle Saturday Race 10 #5 No Time Like Now @ $2.50 – has placed in both Sydney starts since a spell and with a 50 per cent third-up strike rate is ready to peak.
Melton Saturday Race 7 #1 Supreme Dominator @ $2.20 – Another hitting his peak third up. This should pan out well from the ace draw.
