The fourth race, like several on the programme, is an open affair with more than half of the runners quoted shorter than $9.00 in early markets. Heat Testa, who has been placed in Listed company at his last two starts, is $3.80 favourite.

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South Pacific Classic Form Guide

1. PLATINUM KINGDOM – J Riddell (5)

NZ galloper who possesses the imposing record of seven wins from fourteen starts and includes a last start placing in the G3 3yo Classic (2000m). Seems capable on all surfaces and at $13.00 in an open race, is worth an each-way ticket to be safe.

2. HEART TESTA – J Collett (6)

Chris Waller galloper who won his first four starts before a brief spell and returning with a head second to Ichihara in the Listed Eskimo Prince, before a ¾ length third to Chiaromonte and Brave Soul (third in Listed race on Wednesday) in the Listed Darby Munro Stakes, where not much went right for him. He gets his chance to atone for that run here and trainer is rare form, training four winners on Wednesday.

3. EXIMIUS – J Bowman (7)

Victorian trainer Mick Price brings this son of in-form sire Exceed and Excel to Sydney after a good win in a RST78 event at Sandown a fortnight ago. Last prep, he won the Listed Hilton Hotels Stakes (1400m) where he defeated Limes and last start, his second run back from a spell, would’ve topped him off nicely for this.

4. LIMES – K McEvoy (10)

Resumed with a pleasing third in the Listed Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) before not having a great deal of luck from a very wide gate in the Listed Darby Munro where he finished ninth, only 2.9 lengths from the winner. Again hasn’t drawn favourably but was right in the thick if it in similar races to this during the Spring Carnival and wouldn’t be inclined to leave him out.

5. CASUAL CHOICE – J Cassidy (4)

Nice gelding by Choisir who hasn’t done anything wrong in his four starts for Trainer Chris Waller, winning two (Kembla Grange Restricted race and last start, BM 70) and running second on the other occasions. Has earned his shot at this grade and should get his chance from gate four if good enough.

6. BOBAN – C Brown (1)

Showed plenty of promise earlier in his career and claimed the Listed The Phoenix Stakes at Doomben during last year’s winter carnival in good style, defeating Hoss Amour by 2 ¼ lengths but injury at his next start, the G1 TJ Smith Stakes, saw him only have two start in the next ten months. He was brought back by Chris Waller in a BM 70 and Randwick a fortnight ago and finished it off well under 60.5kgs, running ¾ length fourth to Just A Girl. Fitter for that run and if back to near his best, would be capable of producing a run.

7. MAXIMILIAN – C Reith (11)

Going well for his trainer Bart Cummings, having won two from four this time in and after settling on the pace last start in the Listed Darby Munro Stakes, hung on well enough for seventh (beaten 2.7 lengths) behind Chiaramonte. Drawn wide here so if following his recent pattern of racing handy, may have to do a little work early.

8. ROCK MAGIC – N Berry (9)

Redoute’s Choice gelding who has won each of his three starts for trainer Paul Messara, the latest a strong effort sitting outside the leader in a BM 70 over 1200m at Canterbury. He will look to go forward again and whilst he has earned his shot at this grade, prefer others.

9. AIR STRIKER – G Boss (3)

Pentire gelding who after making his debut in a Bendigo Maiden in February, comfortably won a Echuca Maiden by 2 ½ before running second to the promising High Esteem in Open Company at Caulfield over 1700m. Was sent up by trainer Mike Moroney for a tilt at the G2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) but was never sighted and finished last. It will be some effort to come back to the 1400m a fortnight later.

10. RECESS – B Avdulla (8)

Choisir filly that took fourteen starts to break her maiden status two starts ago in Kembla Grange Maiden and backed that up immediately with a win at Nowra in a Class 1 last start. Better suited to the provincial circuit.

11. THUNDER ROW –     (2)

There’s a good reason you can get $330 about this bloke if you want to.

OVERVIEW

I’ll go with the Victorian on top here in Eximius. His last start would top him off nicely for this and his form last preparation was very solid. He also enjoys the sting out of the track, which should be the case at Randwick on the weekend. Heart Testa and Casual Choice to round out the placings.