Each Monday, Saturday Bound takes an early look at the weekend nominations, the likely fields and the first markets as the major players decide where they'll line up.
Group 1 racing heads to Sandown this Saturday for the Moir Stakes, while Randwick serves up a huge supporting card featuring several of the biggest names in Australian racing.
G1 Moir Stakes (1000m) — WFA
A fabulous group of young female sprinters headline Saturday's Moir Stakes, with three-year-old Natural Fling the early $4.00 favourite after flying first-up to win the Quezette Stakes.
Among the 18 nominations is a strong group of four-year-old mares, including two already proven at the top level in Golden Slipper winner Marhoona and Thousand Guineas winner Ole Dancer.
Group 1-placed mares My Gladiola ($6.00) and Extragalactic are also nominated, along with the promising Point Barrow and in-form speedster Cavalry Girl.
There is plenty of experience amongst the younger brigade as well. Nine-year-old Queenslander Rothfire is set for his fourth crack at the Moir, while seven-year-olds Giga Kick ($5.00) and Headwall are nominated to resume.
It makes for an intriguing mix of established stars and the next wave of Australian sprinters, with Natural Fling getting an immediate opportunity to test herself at Group 1 level.
Randwick — G2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m)
There might not be a Group 1 at Randwick on Saturday, but a couple of these races wouldn't look out of place with one next to their name.
The Chelmsford Stakes brings together three genuine weight-for-age stars, headed by Ceolwulf ($3.20).
He is set to take on Lindermann ($3.70) and star mare Fangirl ($4.50) in what shapes as one of the races of the day.
G2 Tramway Stakes (1400m)
The Tramway Stakes has also attracted a strong group, with Idle Flyer, Lady Shenandoah and Private Eye all at $3.70 in the early market.
Idle Flyer gets another opportunity to establish himself in better company, while the enigmatic Lady Shenandoah returns for another campaign.
Then there is the old iron horse Private Eye, who continues to front up season after season and remains firmly in the market.
G2 Furious Stakes (1200m)
Boom Queensland filly Pembrey headlines the Furious Stakes and has been installed as a dominant $2.30 favourite.
She is set to meet last-start winner Chilly Girl ($3.50), while the $4 million filly Chayan ($5.00) adds another layer to what should be an important early-spring test for the three-year-old fillies.
G3 Concorde Stakes (1000m)
The first major stepping stone towards The Everest arrives with the Concorde Stakes, and superstar filly Tempted dominates the early market at $2.00.
She is set to face a strong group of established sprinters, with Headwall at $4.00 and Golden Slipper winner Marhoona at $9.00.
It's only the beginning of September, but with the Moir at Sandown and some serious spring horses returning at Randwick, the carnival is starting to move through the gears.
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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