The fourth and final Group 1 on the first day of the VRC Carnival is the re-scheduled Cantala Stakes – formally the Emirates Stakes that was usually conducted on the last day of the carnival. The chore of finding a winner doesn’t get any easier with 5/1 offered about the capacity field. The past four winners of this race have been 4yo’s coming off a win – which fits the profile He’s Our Rokki perfectly. The Hayes/Dabernig trained gelding has won his last five straight and in early markets, is $6.50 to extend that winning sequence.

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1. PALENTINO – M Zahra (7)
Defeated Black Heart Bart two runs back in claiming the G1 Maybe Diva Stakes, this track and distance, before heading north to Sydney for the Epsom Handicap where he started the $6 favourite. It was clear on the turn that he was struggling and he finished an expected last of thirteen. It’s the only blot on an otherwise impressive record and he loves racing here – can bounce back with a big run.

2. THE UNITED STATES – S Arnold (10)
Recorded his seventh career win last weekend with a strong win in the G2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley. That was only his second run back this campaign and given his Autumn preparation included victory in G1 Ranvet, a second placing in the G1 Queen Elizabeth and a narrow second over this track/dist in the Blamey Stakes, he’s very well in at the weights here. Capable on all conditions and only bad luck will stop him from running well.

3. STRATUM STAR – D Lane (4)
Put together a fantastic spring campaign last year and although he’s been placed in good company several time since, is still looking for his next win. He’s had two runs back this time in, where he weakened from an on-pace position in the Gilgai Stakes and then closed well in the Moonga Stakes behind stable-mate Voodoo Lad to run fifth. Placed all three starts this track/trip, drops in weight, third up, drawn well, should be no excuses for him.

4. HE’S OUR ROKKII – D Dunn (11)
Has been expertly placed by his training team and they’ve reaped the rewards with five consecutive victories – the most recent in the G1 Toorak Handicap. Carries half a kilo more here, meets a stronger field and drawn more awkwardly than the Toorak where he jumped from the inside gate. There’s a few possible reasons to take him on here but, winning form is good form and he hasn’t let punters down yet.

5. LE ROMAIN – H Bowman (8)
He has been rock-solid this campaign, finishing second in first three runs back – all in Group company, and at his most recent outing, the G1 Empson Handicap, fought on tenaciously from on speed position to finish fifth behind Hauraki, beaten 1.2 lengths. Excellent effort last time out, had to do a lot of work for the field with a tearaway leader and should’ve lost no admirers. Bowman stick with him, and should be able to position him well from gate 8. Good value chance for mine.

6. THUNDER FANTASY – T Angland (6)
Blew all punters away first up with an unexpected win as a $41 shot first up at Randwick. It was quite a feat from trainer Anthony Cummings five the horse hadn’t started for seventeen months, and from the horse who made light of the 63kgs he had to lump!. Didn’t think he could win first up – but a much stronger field this time around might prove me right second bite at the cherry.

7. VOODOO LAD – B Shinn (17)
Ultra consistent galloper who hasn’t finished outside of the money in ten runs this campaign, including winning three of the last four. Strong win in the Moonga Stakes last time out, letting down well to win by a comfortable 1.5 lengths. The draw here though makes his task harder – only three winners of this race since 1995 have jumped from wider than gate 10.

8. BON ARUM – K McEvoy (16)
Winner of the G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) to starts back, he contested the G1 Toorak Handicap at his most recent outing. He pulled out wide rounding the turn after travelling midfield and momentarily, looked as though he could register back-to-back Group 1 wins however, he just peaked on his run late and finishing sixth. That was his third go over a mile, and he’s yet to fill a place. Won’t find this any easier, especially from 16.

9. GOOD PROJECT – Z Purton (1)
Never far from the money – but does find it hard to break through. Led them up in the Moonga Stakes (1400m) under 59.5kgs and stuck on well under that impost, at only his second run back this campaign, to finish fourth behind Voodoo Lad. Drops nicely in weight and drawn well to take up a similar role, but like last start, just might find a few at this level too strong late.

10. HOPFGARTEN – C Williams (5)
Brisbane visitor who finished a solid fourth behind Ulmann – placed last week at Moonee Valley, in a Listed race over 1400m, before having little luck from the tail of the field in the Moonga Stakes. Should’ve finished closer than the margin of 4.25 lengths and jockey Craig Williams, who has ridden him in each of the above runs, sticks with him. Hard to imagine him as a Group 1 winner, but is capable of running a race better than his current would suggest.

11. MACKINTOSH – J Moreira (12)
Returned to racing with a strong win, under the urgings of Moreira, to wing he The Marks Stakes and backed that up with a third (beaten a head) in the Epsom Handicap Hauraki. Hasn’t raced since then, almost a month ago now, but that form reads as solid as any of his competitors for mine. Will settle in the second half of the field but with a capacity field, expect the pace to be genuine from the jump and that should allow him to run home strongly.

12. HUMIDOR – M Walker (15)
New Zealander who brings with him a very solid record 9: 4-3-1, but he’s been dealt the ‘visitor’s gate’ here. Finished second – beating home the highly touted Hasslehoof last start in a G1 over 2040m, so has earned the trip but would be happy to let the market be the best guide with him.

13. GREAT ESTEEM – C Parnham (14)
Found a new lease of life since joining Stuart Webb’s stable, and has produced some very good results, including a Listed victory and last start, beating all bar He’s Our Rokkii home in the G1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield. He’s racing style suits Caulfield but he may find the longer straight, better quality field and wide draw, too tough this time around.

14. MCCREERY – C Newitt (3)
Been up for a while now but has come a long way during that time – graduating from BM 85 grade, right up to becoming a G3 winner and at his last start, finishing a close up sixth in the Epsom Handicap. Keeps answering the challenges put before him and he’ll get his chance to meet this one two after drawing nicely in gate three with the services of Craig Newitt. He’ll find himself in a few trifectas of those looking for some value.

15. TIVACI – P Moloney (13)
Finished within a length of He’s Our Rokkii last start in the Toorak Handicap – which made it three good runs from as many starts this campaign. Drawn awkwardly here as opposed to his most recent runs and for him to be winning at this level, everything needs to go to plan. Not sure that’ll be the case form out there.

16. SEABURGE – C Schofield (2)
Looked all over the winner in the G1 Caulfield Guineas last start, until a perfect ride from Dwayne Dunn aboard Divine Prohet, pinched victory from him on the line. Start prior saw him finish within a length of Sacred Elixir – favourite for the Derby and who since won again. Good performances and from all around him at present and from gate two – with only 50kgs to carry, would expect to see him involved in the final 100m.

17. ENTIRELY PLATINUM – (9)
We have to go back to August 2014 to find this guys last win and yes, whilst he’s run a few good races in the years since, would appear to be aiming to high in hoping to win this race.

RACE SUMMARY –

Speed should be good here with Great Esteem setting the temp and several drawn closer to the fence, pushing up to hold their positions. Not sure where to look here – but thought from a value perspective, Le Romain could be the way to go if shooting wide. Think he maps well and last start was good, as he was left vulnerable late. The United States rarely runs a bad race and doubt he would he either at another attractive price. If you’re really looking for a “Get Out Of Jail” card at this stage of the day, thought there was enough in Stratum Star’s corner to have a nibble of the $26.

1. LE ROMAIN
2. THE UNITED STATES
3. MACKINTOSH
4. SEABURGE