Judgment: Atlantic Jewel to take up the role of staying stalker

The Daily Telegraph's racing editor Ray Thomas gets the final say from bookmakers and trainers ahead of Saturday's major races.

Savvy Nature ridden by James McDonald returns to scale after Race 6 in Newcastle.

ROYAL RANDWICK

RACE 6: SPRING CHAMPION STAKES (2000m)

John O'Shea (trainer) Savvy Nature: "He had nice gallops on Saturday and Tuesday and is on an upward spiral. Hopefully the improvement makes him competitive. He's a gross colt and he loves his racing. History shows that the Gloaming Stakes is the best form line for the Spring Champion. I respect Rock Hero as a horse but I think Savvy Nature's biggest danger is definitely Complacent. He is the horse we have to beat."

Anthony Cummings (trainer) Drago, Thunder Fantasy: "Drago came from a 1400m race into the 1800m while the others had probably had a better preparation on that day than what we had and I think that probably showed at the finish. The Darley horse (Complacent) had the best run in the race; I don't think he went around a horse whereas Drago had to loop the field. Savvy Nature had a tough run over a mile the week before the Gloaming and was certainly more forward than we were and that was the difference in the finish. Drago has had his name on this race for the best part of 12 months really whereas Thunder Fantasy has been a more recent addition to that level and his run the other was very good under the circumstances."

Glenn Munsie (TAB): "There are two distinct formlines through the Gloaming Stakes won by Complacent and last Saturday's Dulcify won by Rock Hero. The Gloaming looks the right race. Complacent won the Gloaming having graduated from a 1400m Hawkesbury maiden win to that race at 1800m holding off Savvy Nature. Expect him to improve again for this and from soft draw get similar run again here. Savvy Nature backed up his Newcastle win in the Gloaming and they did beat the others easily. These two deserve to dominate."

Mark Morrissey (bookie): "It really does look a race between the favourites with the top four in betting looking to dominate. Savvy Nature has drawn a touch better than last start and gets Jimmy Cassidy so is a deserved favourite while Drago gets the blinkers on for the first time and he does look well suited up in trip. Complacent is drawn to get the best run you could want saving all the ground on the inside and then we get to Rock Hero who with even luck probably would have won by panels last start in the lead up after missing the start. He did a good job to win but won't want to make the same mistake here against better opposition."

Tommy from Campbelltown (punter): "Not many hopes but they are even. Complacent did my many followers a favour last run so going with him. Lightly raced and well drawn. Improving rapidly. Rock Hero was enormous last start and is a big danger. Savvy Nature has class and always runs well while Drago has proved costly but is crying out for this distance."

Verdict: Savvy Nature

Savvy Nature ridden by James McDonald returns to scale after Race 6 in Newcastle.

CAULFIELD

RACE 6: CAULFIELD STAKES (2000m)

Chris Waller (trainer) Foreteller: "I'm not expecting him to beat Atlantic Jewel but he will be competitive. You've just got to not expect too much in these races and see what unfolds. Mackinnon. If he happened to win or run a close second we may look at the Cox Plate."

Mark Kavanagh (trainer) Super Cool, Atlantic Jewel: "Super Cool didn't really have much of a hit-out last week as he was held up for most of the race. I haven't been disappointed with him. He just hasn't had an opportunity. In a six-horse race he should get an uninterrupted run. He's been a little bit slowly away and then has been caught in traffic. He's such a big horse he needs open spaces. He needs time and space to wind up. Atlantic Jewel is terrific. Everything about her is good. I've been pleased with her work. I'm looking forward to her returning to 2000m."

Glenn Munsie (TAB): "Atlantic Jewel gets her chance to return to the winner's list here with the addition of Spacecraft which should enable her to be the hunter and not the hunted. She has a better turn of foot than her rivals and it must be remembered that she was second up in the Underwood after having had 16 months off. Left a sitting shot for It's A Dundeel and no disgrace to be beaten by him. Form was franked with Happy Trails and Hawkspur coming out and running great races last week in the Turnbull. Small field suits Foreteller and expect improvement from him."

Mark Morrissey (bookie): "Atlantic Jewel gets things run to suit and should be fitter and stronger at 2000m after narrow defeat last start, I think the play in the race is having something on Green Moon in exotics or the place as the horse is going really well this spring and finally gets out to the right distance. He is well over the odds at around $13 and worth specking if there is a chink in the favourite's armour and more so a must include for all exotics."

Tommy from Campbelltown (punter): "The speed map tells the tale here with Spacecraft leading and Atlantic Jewel stalking, pouncing and winning. I reckon the stablemate Super Cool has had no luck recently and should give trainer Mark Kavanagh the quinella. Foreteller and Green Moon round out the exotics."

Verdict: Atlantic Jewel

Long John, Fast 'N' Rocking, Eclair Big Bang, Charlie Boy (obscured) and El Roca in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude.

RACE 10: CAULFIELD GUINEAS (1600m)

Peter Moody (trainer) Dissident, Weinholt: "Was Zoustar lucky to beat Dissident in the Golden Rose? Well, anyone that watched the race would be kidding themselves if they said not. Zoustar did no work, sat out the back and swooped home. Dissident sat three-deep on the speed worked all the way and got beat a neck. So, if you respect that form you've got to respect Dissident going into the Guineas. Weinholt is a nice horse, needs to improve but the 1600m will suit him."

Trent Busuttin (trainer) El Roca: "We're well aware of just how tough it's going to be. This is a totally different class of horse to what we encounter at home. He's a big dumb bugger, very raw and still learning the game, but he has a big motor and we're excited he's good enough to take part actually. He's done well, worked well and looks terrific going into the Guineas. He has improved too."

Glenn Munsie (TAB): "Not much between Long John and Dissident for mine and no way the market should have them so far apart. Barriers usually sway me but if the inside is chopping out by this race (Race 10) and swoopers OK I must go for Dissident. His Sydney runs were sensational and if Zoustar was here he would dominate. Only a couple lengths away in open WFA last start. Huge overs at his current quote. Long John has had the preparation to improve into this and has come up with the rails draw which is a plus anywhere. Shamus Award is a place hope but needs a smother."

Mark Morrissey (bookie): "I am quite a fan of Prince Harada and would have tipped him very hard to beat except for drawing a pretty bad barrier which will see him a few spots further back than I would have liked, I still believe he is the best horse in the race and may get out to a silly price. Long John is sure to relish the step up to 1600m but will still need some luck upon straightening while El Roca and Eclair Big Bang look best suited after the barrier draw. Marwood is untapped; had excuses last start and is the clear knockout at big odds."

Tommy from Campbelltown (punter): "I'm going with Eclair Big Bang who is highly regarded. Solid win last start and sure to run the mile right out. Long John had no luck last start and is drawn to receive all favours. Prince Harada is a chance but is badly drawn and it's a month between runs, always hard to do. Divine Calling has thrived in Melbourne and must go into the numbers."

Verdict: Long John