Having taken out the Ranvet Stakes (G1) just last weekend, the Chris Waller-trained Aeliana will bid for a quickfire group 1 double when lining up in the March 28 Tancred Stakes (G1) at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.
She has been installed as the AU$1.65 favorite for this weekend's contest, ahead of defending race winner Dubai Honour at AU$4.20, while five of her Waller-trained stablemates will also take their place in the feature, including last-start Sky High Stakes (G3) second Soul of Spain.
Aeliana is yet to race on the seven-day back-up and will also be stepping up to 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) for the first time since landing last year's Australian Derby (G1).
"I think he's going to be hard to beat," Waller's assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said of Soul of Spain. "Aeliana is on the back-up. It was a tough, testing run (in the Ranvet Stakes). She's got the form and everything, but a mile and a half at 3-year-old grade against a mile and a half against these older, tougher horses is a different ball game. River of Stars will improve up to 2,400 meters, and you will see the same from Valiant King. He jumps out of the ground when he gets to 2,400 meters as well, so we've got some very good hopes."
Ohope Wins draws wide in Vinery
Despite drawing wide for Saturday's Vinery Stud Stakes (G1), James McDonald believes it will "take a good filly" to beat Kiwi raider Ohope Wins in the 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4-mile) group 1. The New Zealand Oaks (G1) winner makes her Australian debut in this weekend's contest at Rosehill, her seventh start this campaign, and she has been drawn in the outside barrier in a field of nine.
McDonald partnered the Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained filly in a recent barrier trial and was impressed with her work through the line.
"That was probably one question mark I had on her," McDonald said of the filly's extended preparation. "But she's got such a brilliant attitude. Her father was Ocean Park, and he was as tough as they come, and this filly feels exactly the same. She's got a great appetite for work and just loves it. Her program would be just eat, sleep, and work. She is very rigid like that and very measured in how she does everything. She is just a beautiful filly."
McDonald drew comparisons with last year's New Zealand Derby (G1) winner Orchestral, who went on to land the Vinery at her next start.
"She was a good filly, Orchestral, and this one feels just as good," McDonald said. "It will take a good filly to beat her."
Tom Kitten chases second 2,000-meter Group 1
Dual All-Star Mile (G1) winner Tom Kitten will get another chance to prove himself at 2,000 meters when he lines up in Saturday's AU$2 million Australian Cup (G1) at Flemington Racecourse. The 5-year-old is chasing his first win at the trip since claiming the Spring Champion Stakes (G1) in 2023, having since placed in both the 2025 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) and Champions Stakes (G1) behind Via Sistina.
Co-trainer Sam Freedman, who trains in partnership with his father Anthony, believes the step up in distance will suit.
"He's in good form and at 2,000 meters he might be slightly more effective than the mile," Freedman said. "He bounced out of the (last) run really well, so he's going to be ready to go next week.
"Three weeks between runs suits and his fitness is good."
Tom Kitten heads into the race chasing a third consecutive win, having taken out the Kevin Heffernan Stakes (G3) before his victory in the All-Star Mile at Flemington earlier this month. The Godolphin homebred has won eight of 31 starts and earned more than AU$7.5 million in prize money. He is one of 16 entries for the Australian Cup, with Pride Of Jenni, Birdman, and defending champion Light Infantry Man among the leading contenders.
