ILLUSTRIOUS (4) set the pace over 1400m at Waverley last start and held on grimly to win by a head. Well placed from a good draw, and having his racing well spaced is doing him no harm. Stick with him on top. CARTER JOHN (5) finished strongly to just miss by a nose over 1600m at Wanganui last time out, a week ago. He will be peaking third up from a spell, and he looks good enough to overcome a wide draw and go one better. GIRL TALK (3) has been in great form with two straight wins, the latest comfortably by more than a neck over 1600m at Whanganui last week, making it two wins from three runs this prep. Stick with her. CAN DO (2) was an overdue last-start winner four weeks ago over 1600m at Tauherenikau, Now that the penny has dropped, he should be thereabouts again.