Quality Asset has recorded two wins from as many starts back this time, and this looks a nice opportunity for him to win in town.

The Rockhampton-trained gelding was too good in Class 2 company at Townsville first-up, and absolutely dominated them at his home track last time.

Fitter third-up, he looks ready for this assignment.

Sayl takes his place in Race 2 on Princess Stakes Day, and he’s the one I want to be with.

The Iffraaj gelding has been up and racing for some time, but he has continued to race well in decent company, and he strikes this contest in peak order.

He gets some relief in the weights under an apprentice and might not be offered a better opportunity to win on a Saturday.

Taizai is overs in my opinion at Princess Stakes odds of $20.

The John Thompson-trained filly doesn’t win out of turn, but she also rarely returns a poor effort, and placed at each of her first four starts back this time before running fourth in the Group 3 Adrian Knox last time.

This is a drop in class from that contest, and we can have a good each-way go here at the price.

I am a big fan of Kisukano, and I think that she too is over the odds in her race on Princess Stakes Day ($10 at publish).

She was the only galloper to beat home Rothfire during their two-year-old season, and while she hasn’t hit the same heights as that horse, she has still etched out a lovely career.

She takes her place in this contest third-up and following smart placings on the Gold Coast and Eagle Farm, and she is ready to strike.

We’re up with $5 the field in this contest, but I am happy to stick with the early favourite Shamaton.

Shamaton needed his first run back when sixth, beaten three lengths by Lyrical Girl here last month, but proved too good for a similar field here last time out.

He’ll improve further into this contest, the 1200m is ideal and he is drawn to receive every chance under jockey Jim.

This is a very strong edition of the Mick Dittman Plate, but Ingratiating is the one I want to be with.

Ingratiating was a strong and consistent performer throughout his two-year-old season, and he was unlucky not to record a win at the highest level.

He’s had two starts this year, finishing midfield in the Rubiton Stakes and the Neds Oakleigh Plate, and he has since been freshened.

This is obviously a big drop in class, and he can stamp himself as one to watch throughout the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

Speaking of strong iterations of races, I can’t remember a better Tails Stakes! Group 1 winners, star milers and a lot more black type depth, this should prove to be an outstanding contest.

That being said, I’ve backed Private Eye in stronger races already this year, and with luck from out wide, I think he can win.

Private Eye has always been a good horse, but he went to a new level in spring last year, winning the Epsom Handicap most notably.

He was unsighted in the Doncaster Mile last time out, but his first two runs back this time were good, and I like that he has been back to the trials ahead of this race.