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By Nick Berney

An in-depth look at every runner in the $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

1. Ellsberg (Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou): is in career-best form, winning the Group 1 TAB Epsom (1600m) and then backing it up with a dominant performance to score in the Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m) last start. The gelding brings a strong ratings profile to this event, and his sectional profile suggests he will get the 1800m. In addition, he maps to have all favours, can win off slow/fast tempos and deserves to be the early favourite but is well-found.

Ellsberg (Pic: Steve Hart)

2. Laws Of Indices (Annabel Neasham): Started $26 in the Group 1 WFA Cox Plate (2040m) and was honest battling away well for eighth place. Prior to that start, he ran second in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) and hit the line hard to clock strong closing sectionals relative to the day. Additionally, he beat the Peter Moody trained I Wish I Win that day, who subsequently went on to win the Golden Eagle (1500m). The five-year-old is rock-hard fit, proven at the distance and is a definite chance. Over the odds.

3. Rustic Steel (Kris Lees): SCRATCHED.

4. Ayrton (Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr): Started $5 in the Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m) and had no luck after racing wide throughout. To his credit, he never shirked his task to the line and gave every indication that he is set to peak third-up. Before that start, he ran second to I Wish I Win in the Testa Rossa Stakes (1300m) and started at $3.8. The gelding is a significant improver back to dry ground where he produces his career peak figures and, if he can have luck from the draw, expect him to be in the finish.

5. Milford (Michael Moroney): Had every chance in the Coongy Cup (2000m) at Caulfield last start but failed in the testing conditions. He is proven at the trip and suited back to a dry track but will need to improve significantly.

6. New Mandate (Chris Waller): The import has trialled well enough and went through the line not extended in his latest heat at Warwick Farm over 1208m. He won a listed race at Ascot (GB) first-up last preparation and then, although well beaten, he contested the Group 1 Lockinge (1609m), which was won by European star Baaeed. He is a key late-market watch.

7. Uncle Bryn (Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young): Won the Sale Cup (1600m) 13 days ago in style and produced a career peak figure. He picked up his rivals sharply, posted the clear fastest final 200m split of the entire meeting and was eased down prior to the line. The gelding can sprint off slow/fast tempos, and his ratings/sectional profile suggests he will step off his last-start effort. Over the odds.

8. Longvillers (Chris Waller): Second of the Chris Waller imports is a 1600m specialist with strong group-level French form lines. He hasn’t had an official public trial and has a tricky draw to contend with from the 1800m start.

Longvillers at the Canterbury Quarantine Centre.

9. Diamil (John O’Shea): Wasn’t suited to settling worse than midfield in a slow tempo, but the gelding overcame that with a sharp turn of foot and clocked one of the fastest final 600m splits of the meeting to win at Randwick last start. His entire prep has surrounded this race and expect him to be cherry ripe for his grand final. Must go in exotics.

10. Sibaaq (Annabel Neasham): had nearly every chance four days ago in The Big Dance (1600m) after starting as equal favourite and ran well into third place. He raced as if the step up in trip would be ideal here, and he’ll be looking for a genuine tempo as he excels in high-pressure races.

11. Caesars Palace (Anthony Cummings): SCRATCHED.

12. Rebel Rama (Marc Conners): Was wide throughout in the Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m), albeit at a moderate pace but, to her credit, she stuck on well to hold third place. She has a positive barrier change; William Pike sticks, and her last win was on a dry track.

13. Ita (Bjorn Baker): Had excuses 4 days ago in the Little Dance (1600m) at Randwick and ran on well into sixth position. She is rock-hard fit but will need to improve significantly to make the grade.

Selections:

2. LAWS OF INDICES
7. Uncle Bryn
1. Ellsberg
4. Ayrton

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting