5:15am - LORD MAYORS CUP | 2000m | Listed | i

Up over 2000m for the Lord Mayors Cup, WHITE BOOTS to roll forward with TAIKOMOCHI from out wide, hard to predict the tempo in these longer races. GREY LION looks to be flying for the new stable this time in, Matthew Smith coaxing the imported stayer to a dominant win last start and he has trialled well since. Expect him to settle closer from the good barrier and be hard to beat. EMPEROR'S WAY gets a small weight relief after his 2nd to GREY LION, but can sometimes take a small step back after a freshen. ABDON (prefers wet?) and TAIKOMOCHI (can he bounce back?) around the mark. WHITE BOOTS and BLACK ON GOLD decent roughies. LIVE AND FREE very capable if he is fit enough third-up, he can peak on his run early in the prep. [updated 8:17am]