Verdad the clear favourite in Moonee Valley Vase field

The Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase will take place on Saturday afternoon and will be the final tune-up for three-year-olds that expect to be contesting the VRC Derby in seven days’ time.

Verdad from the Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock yard has opened as the clear favourite for the 2040m feature at Moonee Valley in Melbourne, Australia.

The son of Justify has been very good at his three career starts, recording a close second behind Griff in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes at this track before running sixth in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas last start.

Although the Chris Waller-trained Snowman finished sixth in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes at his most recent start, he was only 1.7 lengths off the winner, Raf Attack, after jumping awkwardly and being slightly held up.

Bringing a completely different form line, Air Assault from the Andrew Gluyas yard was a dominant winner in the Listed Hill Smith Stakes over 1800m and is expected to push forward and be one of the speed influences from a wide barrier (10).

Port Lockroy is coming through a Benchmark 72 victory at Randwick Kensington over 1800m, where the Annabel Neasham-trained colt won easily by 1.7 lengths and appeared to have a lot more to give in the concluding stages.

Of the remaining runners, the Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained Sunsource brings the best form.

The son of Zoustar caught the eye late in the Edward Manifold Stakes last start and was scratched from the Caulfield Classic to be saved for this run.