The Villiers Stakes, one of the three great Randwick miles, has a new name these days (The Ingham) and a $2 million purse. Several of Australia's rising star milers have stayed in training to target it.

Meanwhile, another recently renamed race, the Northerly Stakes, takes centre stage on day four of Perth's Pinnacles carnival. The mighty warrior Zaaki will be looking to bring up his fifth Group 1 win, and first of 2023, in the calendar year's final major.

Ballarat Cup day is the focus in Victoria. Elsewhere it's Christmas Handicap day at Morphettville while the features at Eagle Farm include The Gateway, the Just Now, the Bribie, the Phelan Ready and the Calaway Gal.

You'll find Australia's best form guide for Saturday's Ballarat, Randwick, Eagle Farm and Morphettville meetings in this week's Best Bets, plus coverage of Friday night at The Valley and form for the Northerly.

On pages 4 and 5 you'll find four-state selections from some of the nation's leading form analysts as well as our popular Black Bookers, Sectional Stars and Video Stars features.

Best Bets ($6.50) is on sale Thursday morning in NSW newsagents, Friday elsewhere.