The Listed ANZAC Day Stakes and VRC St Leger highlight an eight-race program at Flemington on ANZAC Day this Thursday.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
It's a special day on the racing calendar that honours the sacrifices and bravery of the men, women and equine heroes who have fought for Australia and New Zealand.
We've cast our eye over the form and provided our best bets for each race below.
RACE 1 - 1:00PM: The Les Carlyon (1100 METRES)
Peace Treaty (1) looks well placed back in class and third-up.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained three-year-old filly raced outside the lead first-up at Caulfield and weakened to finish 5.5 lengths behind Waltz On By.
Last start she settled a long last after drawing the outside barrier over 1200m at Caulfield which put pay to her chances but to her credit she found the line well.
She'll strip fitter and won her only previous third-up race by 3.3 lengths last preparation at The Valley.
Ryan Houston's 3kg claim comes in handy and I expect her to be finding the line strongly.
1 Unit – Peace Treaty (1)
RACE 2 - 1:35PM: Flt Lt Peter Armytage Handicap (1100 METRES)
Niance (7) has come back from a year-long break for new trainer Grahame Begg in terrific form.
First-up the four-year-old mare settled second before letting down powerfully to win by 1.5 lengths over 1000m at Pakenham.
She stepped up to 1200m on the Lakeside track last start and raced in a similar fashion as she did first-up before dashing clear to win easily by 3.3 lengths.
The New Zealand import will be close to peak fitness now and will put herself in the firing line.
2 Units – Niance (7)
RACE 3 - 2:10PM: William Newton VC Handicap (2500 METRES)
Double Cherry (3) is an import that has hit his straps quickly for Annabel Neasham.
The five-year-old gelding clearly wanted further when resuming over 1550m at Canterbury and that was proven second-up when he charged to the line to impressively win by a head over 2100m at Wyong.
He gave a sight in the Group 2 Chairman's Quality last start before being run down by Circle Of Fire to finish 1.7 lengths third.
Gun jockey Blake Shinn takes the ride and can rate him beautifully in front which should make him hard to hold out.
2 Units – Double Cherry (3)
RACE 4 - 2:45PM: Colonel Sybil Irving MBE (1400 METRES)
Liberty State (9) looks ready for her first metropolitan start after toweling up her rivals in her past two races.
Two starts back the Team Hawkes-trained mare led from start to finish over 1488m at Kyneton in a 7.5 length romp.
Following her maiden win, she proved a class above her rivals last start at Bendigo when bolting in by five lengths.
She's at peak fitness and maps to get a beautiful run for Jordan Childs who was aboard in the Kyneton win.
2 Units – Liberty State (9)
RACE 5 - 3:20PM AEST: Listed ANZAC Day Stakes (1400 METRES)
Rue De Royale (1) will appreciate the drop in class after finishing 4.6 lengths behind Lady Of Camelot in the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes last start.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained colt was unlucky not to finish closer than his 1.8 length second over this course and distance in the Group 2 VRC Sires Produce Stakes given he was held up for a lot of the straight before working home strongly.
He's four weeks between runs but has had a jump out to keep things ticking over.
I like the blinkers coming off given he's overraced in the past and he gets the services of top hoop Damian Lane.
1 Unit – Rue De Royale (1)
RACE 6 - 3:55PM: Listed VRC St Leger (2800 METRES)
Ganbare (1) is extremely well weighted under the set weight conditions of the Listed VRC St Leger.
The Waterhouse and Bott-trained son of Maurice was last seen fading to finish a distant ninth in the Group 1 Australian Derby.
That was on a heavy track, and all his best races have been on dry surfaces which he should get here.
Two starts back he gave a good sight in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas but was run down by Riff Rocket to finish 1.3 lengths fourth which is the right form for this race.
He'll go forward for Jordan Childs and can prove hard to catch.
1 Unit – Ganbare (1)
RACE 7 - 4:30PM: WGCDR Ian Bayles DFC (1600 METRES)
Ziryab (2) impressed in his first start for Ciaron Maher when resuming at Pakenham.
The import was 25-weeks between runs when lining up over 1600m but made short work of his rivals to lead all the way for a 1.8 length win.
He'll strip fitter second-up and given he never got out of second gear, he will handle the rise in class.
John Allen remains in the saddle and can roll forward to negate the sticky gate.
1 Unit – Ziryab (2)
RACE 8 - 5:05PM: Auckland Thoroughbred Racing Inc. Trophy (1100 METRES)
Direct (1) returns from South Australia ready to produce a peak performance.
The five-year-old gelding didn't look at all comfortable on the Oakbank track last start but still hit the line hard to finish a close third in the Listed Railway Stakes.
The start prior he was cramped for room and should have finished closer when resuming with a 1.9 length fifth over 955m at The Valley.
He'll appreciate the drop in class and has won two of three third-up races.
1 Unit Each Way – Direct (1)
