Peter Miller's STORMY LIBERAL, runner-up last year after encountering traffic problems, is an obvious major contender though stable companion Belvoir Bay is regarded as his equal at home and she has her mares' allowance to aid her cause. The former couldn't quite contain Caribou Club at Santa Anita in January but this has been his target since last year and can gain his revenge. Richard Fahey's Champions Sprint winner Sands Of Mali will be favoured by any cut in the ground though he's happy enough in quick going and will be tuned up for this. Blue Point is top of the ratings though only just and meets much stronger rivals than for his two victories here this campaign though his comfortable victory in the King's Stand Stakes proved he can do it at this level. He'll be short enough however and Brave Smash is a high-class printer in Australia with a Group 1 victory at Moonee Valley to his credit though he finished second to compatriot Viddora in a similar contest on the same track the previous month.
Stormy Liberal (USA) 3-10fav (8-12) Bobbled past 1/4,game, 2nd of 5, hd behind Eddie Haskell (8-10) at Santa Anita 5f gd in Feb.
Sands Of Mali (FR) 28-1 (9-1) Sweating, quickly away, made all, ridden and in command when edged right inside final furlong, ran on strongly, unchallenged, won at Ascot 6f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct beating Harry Angel (9-2) by 1l, 14 ran.
Lost Treasure (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Lagged,swung 6-7wd, 7th of 15, 11l behind Stormy Liberal (9-0) at Churchill Downs 5f fst in Nov.
Mazzini 11-1 (9-0) 3rd of 11, 5 3/4l behind Blue Point (9-0) at Meydan 6f Grp 3 stks gd in Mar.
The Right Man (8-13) 2nd of 12, shd behind Snazzy Jazzy (8-12) at Maisons-Laffitte 6f Grp 3 stks sft in Oct.
Brave Smash (JPN) (9-0) 3rd of 22, 3/4l behind Sunlight (7-13) at Flemington 6f hcp gd in Mar.
Belvoir Bay 7-10fav (8-12) Inside,clear,handily, won at Santa Anita 6f stks gd in Feb beating Lady Suebee (8-10) by 4 3/4l, 9 ran.
Blue Point (IRE) 1-4fav (9-0) won at Meydan 6f Grp 3 stks gd in Mar beating Ekhtiyaar (9-0) by 3l, 11 ran.
Caribou Club (USA) 33-10 (8-12) Bid btwn,led,gamely, won at Santa Anita 6f stks gd in Jan beating Stormy Liberal (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Ekhtiyaar 6-1 (9-0) 2nd of 11, 3l behind Blue Point (9-0) at Meydan 6f Grp 3 stks gd in Mar.
Illustrious Lad (AUS) (8-11) 5th of 6, 6l behind Nature Strip (9-1) at Caulfield 5f stks gd in Feb.
Viddora (AUS) (9-0) 8th of 18, 2 3/4l behind Booker (8-3) at Caulfield 5f gd in Feb.
Wishful Thinker (AUS) (8-13) won at Sha Tin 6f hcp gd in Mar beating Gunnison (8-6) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.