4:15am - SOUTHERN CROSS STAKES | 1200m | Group 3 | i

Another young Hawke's 3YO to weigh up in this G3 feature. BRUTAL should roll across from his outside barrier, joining IN GOOD TIME up near the pace at a FAIR to STEADY tempo, depending on how much horses like DOTHRAKI kick up on the inside. BRUTAL as trialled nicely into this against 3YOs and is unbeaten, but there remains some questions on the quality of the form. We haven't seen Leonardo Da Hinchi so far this Carnival, the references we have are Good'N'Fast (8th to Hawkshot), Declarationofheart (2nd in BM 70) and Tavisan (6th to Nature Strip), all only fair in recent weeks. His unquestionable upside still gives him a winning chance though. DOTHRAKI and KAEPERNICK both power sprinters that should quicken into this (and may peak), LANCIATO capable of blousing them all late if the tempo is honest after two nice trials. NOIRE and DREAMFORCE with a touch of class and decent trials too. Don't dismiss IN GOOD TIME (rates OK) in an open looking race. [updated 9:04am]