Tricky race but found it hard to go past ISTHMUS (8) who has won both starts this time in, dominant in fast time fresh before winning well with 59.5kg as the $1.70 favourite last time. Gets some weight relief here and this looks a nice race for her. NIANCE (10) resumes. She's a progressive mare who won 3/4 last time in, her first Australian preparation. The only defeat came as a $1.45 chance so the market loves her and she's got plenty of upside. PASSEGGIATA (5) is usually a speed demon but was slowly away and settled last over 955m fresh. If she jumps cleanly she'll be hard to catch. CHINNY BOOM (2) was awful fresh but has ability on her day. GUMDROPS (1) did win a G3 second up last time in although she was just fair fresh.