4:35am - THEO MARKS STAKES | 1300m | Group 2 | i

The favourite for The Everest might be up against it over 1300m first-up here in a hot little race. Expect HOME OF THE BRAVE to roll forward with SIEGE OF QUEBEC on his outside, both horses that can dig in from the turn and keep lifting over 1300m. TRAPEZE ARTIST usually likes a drier track and his fitness will be tested carrying 61kg against these. Perhaps not the race set-up for him unless he has improved again during the break. D'ARGENTO ticks a few boxes, settling midfield with a proven storming finish on a wet track, he'll be very hard to hold out here. SHILLELAGH perhaps the sneaky knock-out chance, although she is a slow starter and only had one trial leading into this. [updated 8:12am]