All Star Cast Size Up Group 3 Easter Gift

MELBOURNE Cup winner Whiskey Riot will again meet his Australian Cup winning brother Fernando's Riot in what is shaping as one of the races of the year in Thursday night's group 3 Easter Gift at Sandown Park.

The eight runners have won 133 races (seven at group level) and an incredible $2,399,356 in prize money.

Joining star litter mates in the $25,000 to the winner event are 2018 Melbourne and 2019 Australian Cup runner up Black Opium, as well as Country Cup winners Often Imitated, Hard Style Rico and Tiggerlong Tonk.

Eight time group race finalist Snags McKenzie and former boom sprinter Shima Shine will also take their place in the field.

FIELDS, FORM & BEST PRICES 

All eight runners come into Thursday night in top form.

Whiskey Riot returned to Sandown Park last Thursday night for the first time since is Cup triumph with an emphatic victory in heavy conditions, while his brother Fernando's Riot did likewise at The Meadows on Saturday night, defeating Black Opium in the final strides.

Hard Style Rico held off the fast finishing Tiggerlong Tonk in a thrilling clash last Thursday night, while Snags McKenzie won at his last start at Sandown Park a week prior.

Often Imitated resumes after five week break after running second to Steinbrenner over 600m at The Meadows in February, while Shima Shine, who won nine of his first 11 starts before being plagued by injury, also resumes from a five week spell.

The Easter Gift was first run in 2014 and has previously been won by group 1 winners Dalgetty (2016), Worm Burner (2017) and Neo Cleo (2019).

The group 3 Easter Gift is race 6 on the card and will be run at 8.49pm.