Jimmie, Star Racing Writer

NOON IT IS will be better for the run tomorrow after being caught by PALACE GOLD when returning off a five-month lay-up last month.

The four-year-old United States-bred filly sat off the pace at 1100 metres while stablemate CITY FLIGHT led UPPA TUNE and RIO COBRE into the lane.

Straightening last, but taking the shortest route into the straight, NOON IT IS kicked into overdrive along the rail a furlong out in the 1100-metre event. She blew past RIO COBRE with a half furlong to run and was stealing home when a flying PALACE GOLD grabbed her at the wire.

At 1,000 metres straight tomorrow, NOON IT IS renews rivalry with PALACE GOLD, who has picked up five pounds and breaks from the unfavourable post-position one with top-weight 57.0 kilos.

Torrid pace

Both benefitted from a torrid pace last time out and will have to be at their sharpest. However, top-weight and an inside draw rule out PALACE GOLD's chances of repeating.

The speedsters, UPPA TUNE and in-form KIPLING WEEKEND, are drawn widest and will be at it from the word go.

AWESOME CAMILLE should also be in the mix, after leading KIPLING WEEKEND to the furlong pole on September 11, setting up a speed blitz out of the straight.

Guineas winner WILLIE GOLDSMITH is also being touted by the railbirds after a sparkling 59.3 on the round course last Sunday morning.

However, the three-year-old gelding has never faced top open-allowance sprinters and should get a baptism of fire, more so off a three-month lay-up.

NOON IT IS, nicely drawn and will have the stands' side to herself, tracking UPPA TUNE and KIPLING WEEKEND, who should be locked in battle with AWESOME CAMILLE.

Class is undeniable and NOON IT IS, fitted with a visor tomorrow, will be storming home under Omar Walker, tumbling on the speedsters inside the last furlong.

Wayne DaCosta's RUM PUNCH and Anthony Nunes' ARGUMENT DONE look set to return to winning ways in the eighth and ninth races, respectively.

RUM PUNCH failed to fire from post-position one on August 25, going 1300 metres, but should relish 1500 metres and stall eight in an 11-horse field.

The middle-distance pacer breezed six furlongs in 1:14.2 with stablemate PERFECT NEIGHBOUR last Saturday morning and will be hard to beat.

ARGUMENT DONE closed willingly at 1200 metres on September 28, beaten three and a half lengths by KIPLING WEEKEND. With a furlong and a half more to run, none will be closing stronger than Nunes' United States-bred.