The start of the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival is five months away, but the countdown begins in earnest in the Northern Hemisphere this weekend with a host of key international races to be run.

Racing Victoria's (RV) international recruitment officer Leigh Jordon has travelled to Japan for Sunday's Group 1 Tenno Sho (3200m) which has been a launch pad for previous Japanese assaults on the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Elsewhere, there's feature races in France, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong that will showcase horses high up on RV's wish list for the Spring Carnival and ultimately prove important form references for Australian punters.

Included amongst two French features on Sunday night (AET) is the Group 3 Prix de Barbeville (3100m), a race won last year by subsequent Emirates Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden.

“The countdown to the Spring Racing Carnival really does begin this weekend with so many important races to be run across the globe,” Jordon said from Japan.

“Not only will these races help shape our efforts to recruit internationals down under for this year's Carnival, but they will also prove to be important form references for our punters when they do.

“The Tenno Sho showcases Japan's best stayers over the Melbourne Cup distance of 3200 metres and was contested by Delta Blues en route to his historic victory in the 2006 Cup.

“Similarly, the Barbeville in France last year saw Dunaden emerge as a Melbourne Cup contender when he defeated the 150th Cup winner Americain so it too commands significant interest.”

Jordon said that international form would be important than ever this year for Australian punters come the Spring Racing Carnival.

“Last year's Carnival boasted a record international contingent and the performances of those horses has further enhanced the profile of our races on the world stage,” he said.

“On top of the international trainers who have already expressed a desire to return to Melbourne, we have a growing market of international horses being purchased by Australian owners, horses like Jakkalberry, Beaten Up, Sanagas and Viola Ici.

“Some of these horses will remain with their current trainers, others will join Australian stables so these races and those coming up weekly from here forward in the Northern Hemisphere will prove to be important form references.”

Whilst the Emirates Melbourne Cup and BMW Caulfield Cup have proven the focal points for international runners over the past decade, Jordon's objective this year will be to grow participation in other races throughout the Carnival.

“With the Manikato Stakes moving to Cox Plate Eve, 15 days prior to the Patinack Farm Classic, attracting sprinters will be a focal point into the future, as will the attraction of weight-for-age performers for races like the Cox Plate and milers for races like the Emirates Stakes,” he said.

- Thoroughbred News

The economic benefit of the Spring Racing Carnival to the state of Victoria is on the rise

Victoria has emerged as the big winner from the Spring Racing Carnival with Minister for Racing Denis Napthine today revealing that the world-renowned event delivered more than $578 million for the state in 2011, an 8.4 per cent increase on the previous year.

Figures released today by Dr Napthine and Racing Victoria (RV) show a significant increase in expenditure for retail, hospitality and accommodation, along with a boost to raceday attendances across the Spring Carnival period.

“An economic impact study of the Spring Racing Carnival has once again proved this is one of Victoria's biggest sporting and entertainment events, and a major economic driver for the state,” Dr Napthine said.

“It is fantastic to see attendances at Spring Racing Carnival events increase to 692,000 in 2011 compared with 664,000 in 2010.

“This massive increase has translated into a major boost for Victorian businesses, with racegoers splashing out and spending millions of dollars across a broad range of industries including spending almost $44 million on fashion items and $37 million on food and beverages,” Dr Napthine said.

Other highlights from the economic impact study include:

· $32 million spent on accommodation by out-of-state visitors

· $9.43 million spent on personal grooming

· The sale of more than 70,000 hats or fascinators*

· The sale of nearly 60,000 pairs of shoes*

· $9.06 million spent on transport

(*only includes items purchased in Victoria for the purpose of wearing to the Spring Carnival)

Dr Napthine said the Spring Racing Carnival not only hosted some of the highest quality racing to be seen anywhere in the world, but also delivered a fantastic festival atmosphere in Melbourne and a range of regional cup events including Bendigo, Geelong and Ballarat.

“Last year 78,000 out-of-state visitors travelled to Victoria to attend a Spring Carnival meeting and spent $113.1 million while they were here,” Dr Napthine said.

“This is a great way to simultaneously showcase our state and bring in massive amounts of tourism dollars.”

RV Chief Executive, Rob Hines, said the Spring Racing Carnival was the envy of all states and the 2011 event had further enhanced its international profile.

“The Spring Racing Carnival is a world renowned event that is an iconic and pivotal component of Victoria's sporting, entertainment and cultural landscape,” Hines said.

“The 2011 Economic Impact Study has again highlighted the significant contribution that the Spring Racing Carnival makes to the Victorian economy and its importance to many businesses and communities right across the state.

“With record international participation in 2011, the Spring Racing Carnival commanded an increased global audience which furthered the promotion of the state and profile of Victorian racing on the world stage.”

Click here to view 2011 Spring Racing Carnival Economic Impact Study

- Racing Victoria

Malua Racing's new stable acquisition Linton will be aimed towards the Caulfield Cup in the spring but before a winter spell the grey will have just one run in Adelaide.

Trainer John Sadler named the Group One Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 12 and the Group Three R A Lee Stakes (1600m) on the same card as the options for Linton.

"He's going really well. I couldn't be happier with him," Sadler said.

"He took a while to settle in but since he has the more work I've done with the horse the more he's strengthened.

"I'm really pleased with him. Touch wood, at the moment he's lovely and sound.

"I'm not doing a great deal with him during the autumn, the Caulfield Cup in the spring is hopefully for him.

"He's certainly shown with his ratings his best runs are about the 2400-metre mark so hopefully we can get him back to near his best form.

"We may take him to Adelaide. I just don't know which way I'll go, he could even possibly have a run in The Goodwood or may even run in the Lee Stakes.

"I'll just see how he's going at that time."

Linton was sold to overseas clients of Malua Racing by Lloyd Williams after his last run when he finished last in the Group One Turnbull Stakes (2000m) won by December Draw in the spring.

The five-year-old has raced 16 times for three wins, six placings and $784,400 prizemoney.

As a three-year-old Linton won the 2010 Group Two Alister Clark Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley before finishing third to Rock Classic in the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington.

As a spring four-year-old the gelding won the Group Two Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield before finishing runner-up to Maluckyday in the Group Three Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington.

However he failed to stay the 3200m of the 2010 Melbourne Cup when 21st behind Americain.

He was runner-up to Shocking in the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington and third to the ill-fated Cedarberg in The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill during the autumn of 2011.

Last spring he had his preparation cut short after just two runs.

- Racing and Sports

Champion sprinting mare Black Caviar is primed to register her 15th consecutive win this weekend

Peter Moody had some bad news for the horses engaged to tackle Black Caviar in Saturday's $300,000 Group 2 Schweppes Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

At the Thursday morning media conference that has become customary a couple of days out from each of the unbeaten mare's races, Black Caviar's trainer said she had taken obvious improvement from her first-up win in the Schillaci Stakes and was as good as she has ever been.

“I think her first-up run's brought her on and I'm very pleased with her,” the Caulfield trainer said. “Naturally she's cleaned up in the coat a bit, she's a little bit brighter, she's a bit lighter on her feet and she knows it's game time again.

“I had to probably do a little bit more because the race didn't take a lot out of her, so she's had a couple of nice gallops and it's looking good for Saturday.

“I really think she's coming to the peak of her powers now. She's had no issues physically or mentally, she's in great shape and where previously she's had little niggles here and there, this time around she's 100 percent.”

Moody's report ensures the champion Bel Esprit five-year-old has little trouble accounting for her small field of four rivals and making it 15 wins in a row.

TAB Sportsbet has her at the prohibitive quote of $1.04 with resuming former Australian Horse of the Year Scenic Blast the distance second favourite at $21.

The Tony Vasil-trained Balavan, a winner of seven of his 13 starts, is at $26, Black Caviar's stablemate Doubtful Jack is a $31 chance with Here De Angels, who ran second to Black Caviar in last year's Australia Stakes, the $81 outsider.

Black Caviar thrust herself deeper into the stratosphere of Australian racing's all-time greats in the 1000m Schillaci, when she equalled Phar Lap's career-best winning streak of 14 races, but Moody said he was a lot more relaxed ahead of this weekend's engagement.

“I suppose with the Breakfast With The Best out at Moonee Valley and the Cox Plate, which is what the emphasis should be on because it is our (weight-for-age) championship, we've been given a bit of peace and we've certainly enjoyed it,” Moody said.

There's more than a touch of irony in that with Moody preparing one of the best-backed runners in the $3 million Tatts Cox Plate (2040m), classy mare King's Rose.

The former Kiwi, who has two wins and a narrow Group 1 second from her three starts for Moody, has been backed from $15 into $12 since drawing barrier two on Tuesday and Moody thinks she is as good a chance as any if favourite Helmet struggles at the Cox Plate trip.

“It comes down to the three-year-old, Helmet,” Moody said. “If he's another So You Think, that sort of level of horse who might be just a bit too good for the older horses (he'll win), but if not I really think it's a raffle amongst the rest and I've got a bloody good ticket.”

Full fields for Saturday's Moonee Valley card, which commences at 12.30pm, are available via the link

Induna raced into Victoria Derby contention with Geelong Classic victory

Darley has Australia's best sprinting three-year-old, our best middle-distance colt or gelding and it may also having the best staying three-year-old following Induna's impressive win in the Wednesday's $100,000 Listed Mr Papparazzi.com Geelong Classic.

In a week that Peter Snowden-trained stablemate Helmet is favourite for the Tatts Cox Plate, the blueblood colt emerged as a leading contender for the $1.5 million AAMI Victoria Derby – for which he is not nominated – with an emphatic win in the 2200-metre event.

The son of Elusive Quality took good progression from a 6.3-length Gosford win on 6 October to power home by 3.5 lengths from another Darley runner Cornell, who is in the care of Anthony Freedman, with Perfect Punch back in third.

Snowden's son Paul, who runs Darley's Melbourne stable, suspected his father would find it hard not to fork out the $82,500 Derby late entry fee on the strength of the win.

“He had to win and win well here to justify going on to a Derby start with him and obviously it's up to him now,” Snowden said.

“He's had a few runs under his belt, he's a pretty seasoned horse and it was good to see him hit the line today and run through it.

“He's going to run the (Derby) trip and that holds you in good stead. They're all a bit dicey this time of year and as long as he can stay (together) he'll be there.”

Well-backed from $7 into $5, Induna lived up to a brilliant track gallop at the weekend when he overcame being trapped wide out the straight the first time and also being the widest runner entering the final stretch.

“I worked him Saturday morning and to my eye he worked outstanding,” Snowden said. “I rang the old man just trying to get a gauge on him, how good he works and what kind of horse he is, but he didn't give him that much of a wrap.

“I thought he was pretty dominant today.”

Winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy said it was an impressive performance from Induna given the few little things he did wrong.

“Just being a little bit one-paced and being first time I've ridden him over a trip, I probably hit the front a little bit too soon and he did wobble around a little bit, looked at the barriers and looked at the saddling enclosure, but in the last 50 yards he really went again,” McEvoy said.

“He'll stay the trip and he's got to be some sort of chance in the Derby.”

The full result of the Mr Papparazzi.com Geelong Classic is available by clicking on the link

For the second year in a row, a French galloper has won the Centrebet Geelong Cup at its first Australian start

French stayer Dunaden is poised to emulate compatriot Americain after making a successful Australian debut in Wednesday's $225,000 Group 3 Centrebet Geelong Cup (2400m).

The Mikel Delzangles-trained entire emerged as a key player for next month's $6 million Emirates Melbourne Cup after becoming the fourth European in nine years to win the Spring Racing Carnival's premier country cup.

Americain went on to win the Melbourne Cup after his Geelong success and stable representative Geoffrey Fabre said following the path trod by his former master, Americain's trainer Alain de Royer Dupre, was always Delzangles' plan.

“It's been four or five months in the making,” Fabre said. “The idea was, when he (Delzangles) first got in touch with me, to come here fit and then two weeks (to the Melbourne Cup).

“Coming into the race we knew he'd settled in so well at Werribee, the two bits of work he'd done with Craig (Williams, jockey) were fantastic.

“He had to be ridden cold at the back which he was, the ground was a slight worry, and what he's done today is absolutely fantastic.”

A powerful sprint rounding the home bend carried Dunaden to victory. Williams settled the son of Nicobar in third-last position off what was a solid tempo set by Rebel Soldier and launched a slick sprint around the field from the 700m.

By the time the field turned for home the $6 chance was within a length of the leaders, had claimed the lead midway down the straight before edging away to score by three quarters of a length from Tanby ($3.10 fav), who was given every chance by Steven King.

The eye-catcher of the beaten brigade was 2008 Geelong Cup winner Bauer ($5.50), who settled in front of Dunaden, was held up while the fellow international was surging around the field but worked to the line powerfully once into the clear to be beaten just 1.5 lengths.

Importantly, the top-three placing qualified the Luca Cumani-trained Bauer for a start in the Emirates Melbourne Cup, lifting him from 64th to 42nd spot in the Order of Entry.

Dunaden's win presented Williams with his second feature Cup in a week, following Southern Speed's BMW Caulfield Cup win last Saturday, and the form hoop said the performance augured well for the Melbourne Cup.

“When the horse was introduced to us, to my agent Mark (Guest), he was more than delighted when he saw his form and once I got I feel of him I liked what I felt,” Williams said.

“They've done a great job the team here and the trainers back in France. His best distance is 3000 (metres) and above so it's going good.”

Fabre ominously warned that Dunaden would be even better at Flemington, where he has 54kg but is liable for a penalty. Racing Victoria handicapper Greg Carpenter will announce his decision on a penalty on Thursday.

“He'll be far better suited to Flemington and the two miles, which is his best distance, so we couldn't be happier really,” he said. “(Today) is a definite bonus win. Class won him today, not fitness.”

The full result of the Centrebet Geelong Cup, and Wednesday's eight other races on the card, are available here

Racing fans have the rare opportunity to buy into a genuine Emirates Melbourne Cup contender less than a fortnight about from the great race.

A 40 percent share in Unusual Suspect, currently owned in American interests, has been made available.

The Mick Kent-trained eight-year-old entire was one of the eye-catching runs of last Saturday's BMW Caulfield Cup, coming from among the tailenders on the home turn to work into sixth placing.

A Group 1 winner in America over 2400m on turf, Unusual Suspect has won or placed in stakes company on 19 occasions.

Kent's intention is to start Unusual Suspect in the $1 million Longines Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington on Derby Day, 29 October before backing up in the Melbourne Cup.

This year's Cup is worth $6 million, with a $3.5m winner's cheque, offering prospecting owners the chance of a healthy early return on their investment.

Unusual Suspect's investment value is not just confined to his ability to collect prize money. As an entire, a stud career beckons upon conclusion of his racing days.

His sire Unusual Heat has proven himself in the breeding barn having fathered multiple Group 1 winners including potential USA Horse of the Year Acclamation. Unusual Suspect is a full brother to Group 1 winner Golden Doc A and stakes performer Rushen Heat, while his third dam is the champion filly and proven producer Black Willow.

The dark bay stallion is a paternal grandson of breed shaping champion sire Nureyev and has plenty of presence with looks sure to catch the eye of any stud master.

All offers must be received by 5pm ADST time this Friday, 21 October. All reasonable offers will be considered and given the short time between the period of sale and the race, ability to transfer funds quickly is paramount.

Those interested in issuing a bid should contact Chris Blomeley at the Inglis Sydney Office on (02) 9399 7151, 0401 762 802 or by emailing 

Emirates Melbourne Cup hopes go on the line in Wednesday’s Centrebet Geelong Cup.

Co-owner Nick Williams is a lot more confident about Tanby's chances in Wednesday's $225,000 Group 3 Centrebet Geelong Cup (2400m) than he is about the gelding getting a run in the Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Having been allocated just 50kg for the Flemington feature, the Robert Hickmott-trained Galileo five-year-old sits in 56th position on the order of entry for the $6 million event that is limited to 24 runners.

Realistically he would need a penalty of up to 3kg to be a chance of gaining a run and while Williams doubts Racing Victoria handicapper Greg Carpenter would issue such a penalty off a Geelong win, he does think Tanby can give Carpenter something to think about.

“We'll need a miracle for him to get into the Melbourne Cup I think,” Williams said. “He's too far down the order and I don't think the handicapper will give that big a penalty.

“He is still in it but the race would need to fall away seriously for him to get a run.

“But he's in terrific order, we couldn't be happier with him. He's very well and I think he, Bauer and the French horse (Dunaden) would be the three that are the logical chances.”

Tanby spearheads the local assault on the race that has evolved into one of the key guides to the Emirates Melbourne Cup.

An impressive last-start second to fellow emerging stayer Shewan in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes on 8 October has him the $3.50 favourite in TAB Sportsbet's market on the event after being allocated the 53kg limit weight.

Topweight with 58kg is the Mikel Delzangles-trained Dunaden ($5), who is looking to emulate fellow French-trained galloper Americain, who announced himself to Australian racing fans via a Geelong Cup win before going on to enter his name into Melbourne Cup folklore.

The Luca Cumani-trained, Damien Oliver-ridden Bauer, who won the 2008 Geelong Cup before being nosed out by Viewed in the Melbourne Cup, has 56kg and is rated a $6 chance.

Williams suggested Tanby, a winner of six of his 13 starts, would take great benefit from his Herbert Power run and would benefit from a favourable starting position.

“He needed the run in the Herbert Power – he was four weeks between runs, stepping up to the mile-and-a-half for the first time – so I think you'll see a very good showing,” Williams said.

“(He's drawn) six of 13, which is absolutely perfect. He'll be like he always is, up there on the pace, and all things being equal he'll be in or around the money.”

Tanby will be ridden by Steven King in the Centrebet Geelong Cup, which is Race 7 on the nine-event card to be run at 4pm.

Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas are chasing another iconic Melbourne trophy

Only days after winning the BMW Caulfield Cup, Adelaide–based training duo Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas are eyeing off another of Melbourne's marquee spring races, the AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m).

Perfect Punch, who heads the in-form stable's assault on the $1.5 million staying contest, was among 23 three-year-olds declared for the Victoria Derby when first acceptances were taken today.

A win by Perfect Punch in the 29 October feature at Flemington would hand Macdonald his second Victoria Derby in four years, following the upset win by Rebel Raider in 2008 when he was training in his own right.

Of the 23 acceptors, eight ran in the NAB Norman Robinson (2000m) at Caulfield last Saturday, while another 10 are engaged in the Mr.Paparazzi.com Geelong Classic (2200m) tomorrow afternoon.

Perfect Punch, who has won three from five in Adelaide is joined among the Derby acceptances by The Age Caulfield Guineas runner-up Manawanui and the Norman Robinson victor Sabrage.

Sydney colt Manawanui will bypass Saturday's Tatts Cox Plate at Moonee Valley and headline the Mitchelton Wines Vase (2040m), a traditional Derby lead-up over the same distance on the support card.

Eight of the first nine placegetters in the Norman Robinson feature amongst the Derby first acceptors including the minor placegetters, Kiwi visitor Sangster and the Gai Waterhouse-trained Niagara.

Niagara is joined by Power Broker as the two Derby hopes for Waterhouse who won the race in 1995 with Nothin' Leica Dane.

Michael Moroney, who trained Second Coming and Monaco Consul to Derby victories in 1997 and 2009 respectively, has kept his chances alive in this year's event with Sabrage and The Deep South.

Other trainers who have previously tasted success in the classic staying test for three-year-olds that have horses still entered this year are Leon Corstens, Peter Moody, Bart Cummings and Graeme Rogerson.

Final acceptances for the Victoria Derby will be taken at 9am (AEST) on Wednesday, 26 October.

Click to view first acceptances and the order of entry.

Unbeaten star Atlantic Jewel headlines today's first acceptors for the Crown Oaks

Atlantic Jewel remains in line to participate in the Melbourne Cup Carnival's premier three-year-old fillies' race after today being among the first acceptances for the $1 million Crown Oaks.

The Mark Kavanagh-trained star, who is yet to be beaten in four trips to the races, was one of 20 fillies who remain in the running to contest the 2500-metre event, to be run at Flemington on Thursday, 3 November.

The daughter of Fastnet Rock has taken racing by storm since her debut win on the Geelong Synthetic track on 23 August and last time out effortlessly accounted for a slick field in the Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on 12 October.

A decision on an Oaks start will be made after Atlantic Jewel contests the $300,000 Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on AAMI Victoria Derby Day – Saturday, 29 October.

Thousand Guineas minor placegetters Mosheen and Sharnee Rose and fifth placed Rahveel are the beaten brigade who have today been paid up for the Oaks and a possible rematch with Atlantic Jewel.

Kavanagh has two other fillies still in the Oaks and both are among the best-bred horses in Australia. La Dolce Diva is a daughter of three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva, while Quench The Thirst is out of a sister to Redoute's Choice.

Bart Cummings staked his claim for a 10th Oaks win at Caulfield last Saturday when Gliding won the Listed Ethereal Stakes (2000m) and the daughter of Flying Spur remains in contention, along with stablemate Sushwap, a last-start midweek winner at Canterbury in Sydney.

The Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained New Zealand filly Dowager Queen, a luckless second to Gliding in the Ethereal Stakes, and third placed Gioe, a daughter of former Oaks winner Magical Miss, were also among the first declarations.

Gioe is one of three potential Oaks runners for Cranbourne trainer Mick Kent who had a race high three starters in Saturday's BMW Caulfield Cup. His other Oaks entrants are Vittoria and Pentimento.

Final acceptances for the Crown Oaks will be taken at 9am (AEST) on Monday, 31 October.

Click to view the first acceptors and order of entry.

Final Spring Racing Carnival raiders land at Tullamarine

The largest foreign contingent of horses ever to hit Melbourne for the spring carnival was completed on Monday morning with the arrival of the Godolphin pair Modun and Lost In The Moment at the International Horse Centre at Werribee. 

A total of 18 horses have arrived over the last six weeks although the German stayers Lucas Cranach and Illo, who have been bought by Australian owners, have since left Werribee to join local stables. 

English trainer Brian Ellison will also transfer his Melbourne Cup hopes Moyenne Corniche and Saptapadi to Jim Conlan's stables at Mornington. 

‘'Jim's got good facilities at his place and we'll also be able to take them swimming,'' Ellison said.

He said he was disappointed that Saptapadi got so far back in the Caulfield Cup when it was planned to ride him forward. 

‘'The jockey (Mark Zahra) thought he was doing the right thing getting on the back of December Draw but all that did was take him back through the field,'' Ellison said. 

Saptapadi came out of the race with cuts on both front and hind legs although none of them were serious. 

He said neither Moyenne Corniche or Saptapadi would run again before the Melbourne Cup unless there was danger they would not make the final field in which case they could start in The Lexus on Derby Day. 

Americain worked a little faster on Monday morning over his usual 2000 metres in preparation for Saturday's Drake International (Moonee Valley Cup) over 2500m and Bauer and Dunaden both showed they are ready for Wednesday's Geelong Cup (2400m). 

Americ Candas, assistant trainer to Mikel Delzangles, is happy with Dunaden's progress to the Melbourne Cup. 

Speaking through interpreter Remi Tremsal, Candas said it had always been the plan too follow the same path that Americain did so successfully last year. 

He said many more French trainers were now interested in bringing horses to Melbourne although the quarantine conditions which required French horses to serve their quarantine in England were still a problem. 

English stayers Jukebox Jury and Fox Hunt both were on the track for walking exercise on Monday although they will not start cantering until later in the week. 

The Ed Dunlop-trained Red Cadeaux, who finished third behind Jukebox Jury in the Irish St Leger at his last start, will go onto the track for the first time on Tuesday.

Assistant trainer Robyn Trevor-Jones said Dunlop was looking for an Australian jockey for Red Cadeaux and Hong Kong-based Brett Prebble had been approached to take the ride.

Goldolphin's travelling foreman Tommy Strang said Modun and Lost In The Moment would have a quiet couple of days to get over their 26-hour flight from England via Dubai and probably have their first canter on Saturday.

‘'I think they are ideal horses for the Melbourne Cup,'' Strang said. “Modun has just joined our stable and he's only had eight starts in his life so there should still be plenty of improvement in him.”

Top mare More Joyous relished a return to Caulfield to make it back into the winner’s stall on Saturday

More Joyous maintained her perfect Caulfield record with a win in the $180,000 Group 2 D'Urban Tristarc Stakes.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained five-year-old made it three wins from as many starts at the eastern suburbs track when she added the 1400-metre event to her Group 1 wins in the Toorak Handicap and Futurity Stakes.

“I think her best efforts have been here, ever,” Waterhouse said of the five-time Group 1 winner. “She's really top-class and Caulfield is a track that she adores.”

The daughter of More Than Ready relished the step up to 1400m to atone for her first-up third behind Sepoy and Tristarc Stakes rival Sister Madly in the Manikato Stakes (1200m) to score a fighting win.

Jockey Nash Rawiller had her well-positioned midfield one off the fence settling and while she cruised into the race rounding the home turn, she had to dig particularly deep to get past a game Sister Madly.

But More Joyous's fighting qualities came to the four when it mattered most, the $1.90 favourite claiming Sister Madly ($4.20) in the final 50m before going on to score by a short neck with Response ($15) working home into a third, a further length back.

Rawiller said it was a meritorious performance during a shower that hit Caulfield late in the day after the five-year-old also had to be resaddled in the mounting yard before the race given she still has plenty of improvement to come.

“It was a very tough effort,” he said. “Sister Madly had us under the pump there at one stage and getting around the home turn in the shifty conditions she wasn't at all happy, but she balanced up well and every time I asked her she picked up.

“I don't think she's anywhere near her best at the moment. She just wanted to win, that's what got her there.”

More Joyous, a winner of 15 of her 21 starts and $2,379,250 in stakes, will now aim to emulate 2010 Australian Racehorse of the Year, Typhoon Tracy, who claimed the Tristarc Stakes-Myer Classic double two years ago.

“Yes she is (off to the Myer Classic) and she should be able to win that,” Waterhouse said confidently. “It's just lovely to have a mare as good as her.”

The full result of the D'Urban Tristarc Stakes is available via the link

Southern Speed upstaged the boys to add her name to the BMW Caulfield Cup honour roll

South Australia celebrated on Saturday when Southern Speed broke a decade-long drought for mares in the $2.5 million BMW Caulfield Cup.

The Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas-trained four-year-old became the first female since Ethereal in 2001 to win the world's richest 2400-metre handicap when she defeated Green Moon and Tullamore.

For Macdonald, it was his biggest success in Melbourne and he was delighted to see the daughter of Southern Image improve off good lead-up runs, which included an Underwood Stakes second and Turnbull Stakes fourth placing.

“It's sensational, this is really the one we wanted,” he said. “When you go into a race with a good chance it's pretty important that things work right.

“She has raced very well since (the Stocks Stakes). I wouldn't say she hasn't had a lot of luck, but in the Underwood she was probably in front too far out and in the Turnbull she was probably on the fence for too long.”

In addition to joining Ethereal, Arctic Scent, Mannerism and Let's Elope as four-year-old girls to have won the Caulfield Cup in the past 20 years, Southern Speed also became only the third horse in the past 30 years to have won the Caulfield Cup at their first try at 2400m.
 

A gem of a Craig Williams ride helped her join Let's Elope and Northerly in that select group.

Williams made the most of a good barrier to settle her three horses back along the fence in a tempo that was typically frantic early but eased off to only moderate in the middle stages with Hong Kong raider Mighty High leading the way.

Williams was able to edge away from the fence approaching the home turn and after straightening he immediately set out after Green Moon, who had dashed to the front.

Southern Speed ($10) claimed the lead inside the final 150m, edging away to score by 1-1/2 lengths from Green Moon ($11), who ran a game race at his first start since his Newcastle Cup win on September 15.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained Tullamore ($20), stablemate of last year's winner Descarado was half a length back in third.

Williams was happy with where he landed in the run and was thrilled with the effort Southern Speed gave him in the home straight.

“She gave me a really good run throughout from the draw and it made it easy for me to sit on her and ask her late and then when I asked her she really produced and won quite commanding in the end,” Williams said.

“I just went through her gears and didn't over-rush her and just built her up and when I pressed the button we had to fight for about 150 metres with Green Moon. She got on terms and then I got really serious on her and asked for a bit more and she really ran away with it.”

Of the unplaced brigade, Manighar turned in a similar showing to last year to finish fourth, one spot better than 2010, while Lucas Cranach (fifth) was outstanding after being forced eight wide from the 600m. Unfortunately for trainer Anthony Freedman, the German import pulled up lame.

Mighty High ($8) dropped out sharply in the home straight to beat just one runner, that being $3.30 favourite December Draw, who raced midfield but was beaten before straightening and was effectively pulled up by jockey Michael Rodd.

“Just too bad to be true,” December Draw's trainer Mark Kavanagh said. “Obviously there's something amiss with the horse. He was galloped on from behind and we'll know more tomorrow.”

The full result of the BMW Caulfield Cup is available here

Another interstate victory takes centre stage at Caulfield

Sydneysiders were to the fore again in the David Jones Cup at Caulfield this afternoon when the Chris Waller-trained Foreteller ($10) proved victorious.

The colt by Dansili produced a barmstorming finish under the guidance of jockey Corey Brown to overhaul the leaders in a race that changed complexion over the concluding stages.

Foreteller was last when the field turned for the judge and once he found the crown of the Caulfield straight, he overpowered the early leaders to score by a length.

“It was a good win, the barrier that we drew was always going to be very sticky,” Brown said.

“I would have loved to be able to land him two pairs closer because on paper, I knew there was little bit of speed.

Waller has happy with Brown's efforts given the awkward draw of gate 11.

"The horse likes to be ridden quiet, the draw didn't help so we had no choice but to go back last,” Waller said

“To Corey's credit, he didn't panic and the horse even wobbled around the corner but once he got balanced up, he really let down nicely,” he added

Today's win was the seventh career win for Foreteller and was coming off a four-length defeat in the Group 1 Epsom last start at Randwick.

The early leader Platinum Passion, who finished 4th was only collared over the concluding stages by Extra Zero ($8.50) and Midnight Martini ($5.50fav) who ran 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Sepoy continued his Coolmore Stakes preparation with a history-making win in the Caulfield Sprint.

The Sepoy show rolled on at Caulfield on Saturday when the champion colt registered yet another win, this time in the $200,000 Group 2 Perri Cutten Caulfield Sprint.

Seven days after Black Caviar treated Caulfield racegoers with an electrifying win, the Peter Snowden-trained superstar set a weight-carrying record to take his record to nine wins from 10 starts.

The son of Elusive Quality made light work of his 55.5kg impost – 2.5kg above weight-for-age – to set a weight-carrying record for three-year-olds in the 1100-metre event.

Snowden said the win was yet another feather in the cap for last season's Blue Diamond-Golden Slipper double winner, who was coming off an explosive win over the older horses in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m).

“He had everything against him, not a lot to gain, but for us he just showed the true qualities that he has,” Snowden said.

“What he's done hasn't been done by very many horses, only champion horses and believe me, he's one of them.

“He is just a very good horse. The times he is running and the way he copes with his racing and everything around the stable, he's just a credit to himself.”

Sepoy began in his customary moderate fashion from barrier one but jockey Kerrin McEvoy allayed any fears he might be boxed in on the fence by popping off the rail at the 300m to sit just off the speedy Platinum Skye.

McEvoy was in no hurry to put his stamp on the race given Sepoy's big weight and cruised alongside Platinum Skye rounding the turn before releasing the brakes at the 250m.

The $1.20 favourite quickly established a race-winning lead and held on to score by 1-1/4 lengths from Curtana ($21), who finished a nose in front of Peter Moody-trained stablemate Mid Summer Music ($12).

McEvoy described the race as effectively barrier trial in preparation for his main spring target, the $500,000 Group 1 Coolmore Stakes at Flemington on Derby Day, 29 October.

“I was very happy with the way he did it,” he said. “If that grey horse (Platinum Skye) was going to lead us, we wanted to get into a spot where I could just pop off and be in a dominating position turning for home and he did it well.

“Peter's left a little bit in the two weeks' time being his main goal. That's the main one and today was like a barrier trial I suppose.”

The full result of the Perri Cutten Caulfield Sprint is available here

Sabrage flashed his Derby bona fides with an impressive win Norman Robinson Stakes win

Astute trainer Mike Moroney is eyeing off a third AAMI Victoria Derby after Sabrage emerged as an unlikely contender for the 2500-metre staying test with a strong win in Saturday's NAB Norman Robinson Stakes at Caulfield.

A son of former top sprinter Charge Forward, Sabrage lapped up the rise to the 2000m of Saturday's $125,000 Group 3 event to prove too strong for a field of Derby hopefuls.

Moroney, who has won Victoria Derbys with Second Coming (1997) and Monaco Consul (2009), said that's where Sabrage would be heading.

“I wouldn't have picked him as a Derby (type), we really thought he was our Caulfield Guineas horse,” Moroney said.

“He probably sits more like Second Coming. He's a pretty tough colt, whereas Monaco Consul we probably had to nurse through, he was a little bit more immature and that, but this horse here, he's a pretty mature type.

“He won a race at two and he's really handled the preparation (well). He's a very laid-back colt.”

Sabrage made the most of a super Damien Oliver ride to score the second win of his five-start career, that kicked off with a 1200m win in May.

Oliver found a prominent spot one off the fence with cover from barrier three and although he found himself in traffic for a few strides rounding the home bend, the gap came when Sangster dashed clear at the top of the straight.

Sabrage ($9) needed most of the straight to get there, but he claimed Sangster ($5.50) in the final couple of bounds to score by a long head. Niagara ($3.50 fav), who travelled behind the leader but got shuffled back rounding the bend, hitting the line strongly to finish third, 1-1/4 lengths back.

Oliver, already a three-time Derby winner, said Sabrage was definitely in the mix for this year's race, to be run at Flemington on 29 October.

“He ran out the 2000 quite strong today,” the Hall of Fame jockey said. “It (Derby) is another 500m, so it's not going to be an easy task, but it appears to be a reasonably open race so he is as good a chance as any.”

The full result of the NAB Norman Robinson Stakes is available via the link

The Sportingbet Ethereal Stakes taken out by Gliding.

Bart Cummings and Darren Beadman have been a formidable combination in Australian racing for decades winning a host of feature races.

The legendary trainer and now Hong Kong-based jockey joined forces again at Caulfield today for a dominant win in the Listed Sportingbet Ethereal Stakes (2000m) with Gliding.

Gliding ($9), a three-year-old filly by Flying Spur was given a beautiful ride by Beadman throughout and stormed away to win the black-type event by 1 ½ lengths.

“She put herself into race and travelled pretty kindly through the run and when I let her down, she quickened nice and it was a pretty soft win,” Beadman commented

Today's victory was Gliding's first in his six career starts and now looks set to be targeted at the Crown Oaks on 3 November at Flemington, a race that Beadman thinks will suit her

“She'll run the mile and half for sure,” he said.

Cummings is confident that the Wakeful Stakes-Oaks double is now an option for Gliding who stepped up to the 2000m trip for the first time today.

“The way she went today, she finished off quite well,” Cummings said.

“Marrego (Gliding's mother) won a mile and a half BMW so the pedigree indicates she could (get the distance),” he added.

The favourite in the race was the Graeme Rogerson-trained Dowager Queen ($3.00) who settled well back in the field in the run and rattled home late to run second despite being finding some traffic in the home straight.

Dowager Queen came into the race following a distant 3rd placing in the Group 1 Flight Stakes at Randwick last start, finishing over six lengths away from the eventual winner Streama.

Outsider Gioe ($41), trained by Mick Kent completed the placings and was one of three horses, including the winner, to come through the Edward Manifold Stakes at their last outing.

Click here to view full race results

The Group 1 BMW Caulfield Cup headlines a wonderful day’s racing at Caulfield on Saturday, the final day of the Melbourne Racing Club’s three-day carnival. Following are some fast facts that may be of interest;

• Five horses have started $2.50 or shorter in Caulfield Cup history. Tulloch won at the equivalent of $1.65 in 1957, Tobin Bronze ran sixth at $1.73 in 1966, Manfred won at $2.25 in 1926, while Eurythmic (1925, won) and Suleiman (1975, third) both started at $2.50. December Draw was posted the $2.40 favourite after Wednesday's barrier draw.
• Four of the past five Caulfield Cups have been won by horses at $13 or better. Viewed was $13 in 2009, Tawqeet (2006) and Descarado (2010) were both $17 and All The Good (2008) was $41.
• After 11 consecutive years where the winner had been placed at its previous run – including eight last-start winners – the past two Caulfield Cups have been won by horses coming off unplaced efforts, both in the Turnbull Stakes. Viewed ran seventh in 2009 and Descarado 14th last year. Southern Speed and Precedence were unplaced in this year's Turnbull.
• Half of the past 20 Caulfield Cup winners have come through the Turnbull Stakes and eight of those 10 have also run in the Underwood Stakes. Precedence and Southern Speed are this year's runners to have contested both the Turnbull and Underwood.
• No horse has completed the Naturalism Stakes-Caulfield Cup double that December Draw is out to achieve this year. Of the 11 Naturalism Stakes winners to contest the Caulfield, Douro Valley (second in 2007) is the only one to run a place.
• 11 of the past 20 winners have started from gate nine or wider. Barrier nine (four winners) is the most successful gate in that time, ahead of barrier 13 (three).
• Chris Munce last year became the seventh jockey to complete Australian racing's Big 4 – Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper – and Darren Beadman will join the club if successful aboard Mighty High. Beadman has won two Melbourne Cups, two Golden Slippers and a Cox Plate.
• Sepoy will set a weight-carrying record for 3YOs if he wins the Perri Cutten Caulfield Sprint. Campaign (1985) and Jet Spur (2005) are the only 3YOs to win the Sprint, which was first run in 1983, and they carried 52.5kg and 52kg respectively.

English stayer Saptapadi will get every chance in the Caulfield Cup after drawing well.

Brian Ellison's luck in Australia might finally be turning. There was no happier man at Wednesday's BMW Caulfield Cup barrier draw than the Englishman, who saw Saptapadi draw an ideal barrier for Saturday's $2.5 million event at Caulfield.

The six-year-old son of Indian Ridge, who ran a fine eighth in last Saturday's Herbert Power Stakes after being trapped wide, drew barrier six but will come into five if the emergencies don't gain a start.

“It's brilliant,” Ellison said. “He's drawn 16 of 16 here last Saturday and the run before that (when fifth in the Ebor Handicap) he'd drawn 22 of 22. It's brilliant drawing five.

“He's a big price. If this was England he'd be second or third favourite, but he's 50-1. He's a massive chance.”

The draw should ensure Saptapadi gets a cosier run than last Saturday, when he sat three-wide without cover for much of the 2400 metres but still finished just 3-3/4 lengths from winner Shewan.

Ellison said Saptapadi got further back than he would have liked, but put that down to the barrier and said Mark Zahra, who replaces Kerrin McEvoy aboard Saptapadi this week, delivered a glowing report after trackwork earlier this week.

“I just said to Kerrin, ‘just get him back from that draw' and he probably just went a bit too far back,” Ellison said of last week's run. “We were last passing the stands and then we were three-wide all the way,” Ellison said after the draw.

“He's thrived since. Mark Zahra rode him this morning and he just breezed over 800 and quickened over the last 400 and he felt great. I'm really happy with him.”

Saptapadi, whose only win in 13 starts came via a 2400m Doncaster maiden, had his price cut to $26 with TAB Sportsbet following his favourable draw.

He was one of several internationals who drew well. Fellow English raider Manighar drew one spot inside Saptapadi, German import Lucas Cranach – now in the care of Anthony Freedman – drew gate three and Hong Kong raider Mighty High drew the inside.

The exception was Manighar's Luca Cumani-trained stablemate Drunken Sailor, who was allocated barrier 18, but will come into 14 if the emergencies don't run.

Caulfield Cup victory would be particularly sweet for Ellison, whose previous trips to Melbourne have ended in disappointment.

In 2005 he had Carte Diamond injury himself in a trackwork accident, ultimately resulting in him being ruled out of the Melbourne Cup by stewards, while the following year Bay Story had to be put down after falling in the Lavazza Long Black on Melbourne Cup Day.

The full field for Saturday's BMW Caulfield Cup is available via the link.

Luca Cumani’s Caulfield Cup hopes sent for barrier practice at Werribee.

Luca Cumani's two runners in Saturday's BMW $2.5 million Caulfield Cup, Manighar and Drunken Sailor, both had barrier practice this morning at the Werribee International Horse Centre.

Aware that getting away on terms from the 2400 metre start is the first assignment for every horse in the race, travelling foreman Charlie Henson sent the pair ‘back to school' to brush up on their barrier manners.

After walking and then cantering a lap of the Werribee track, during which Manighar, ridden by Francesca Cumani, was in a playful mood refusing to go at one stage, both horses went behind the barriers in the 1600 metre chute.

Trying to simulate race day conditions they were led around for a couple of minutes before being placed in the barrier stalls.

When the gates opened, Drunken Sailor, ridden by Caitlin Jones, jumped cleanly about half a length ahead of Manighar.

Henson said Manighar “lacked a little bit of concentration” which is what he had also been doing in his trackwork.

“He has been happy and fresh but hopefully he'll be more switched on Saturday,” Henson said.

Manighar has drawn barrier five but will come into four if the emergencies don't get a run and likewise Drunken Sailor, who's drawn barrier 18, will come into 14.

“Hopefully Drunken Sailor can get across without too much trouble and at least be in the middle of the field which is where he likes to race,” Henson said.

Trainer Brian Ellison said he “couldn't be more happy” with Saptapadi going into the Caulfield Cup and barrier six was a big help.

“He'll go forward from the gate and hopefully get a sit behind the leaders,” Ellison said.

He is also happy with the progress of stablemate Moyenne Corniche since his good run at Caulfield last Saturday.

“He's gone on in leaps and bounds, he's absolutely thriving,” he said.

Reigning Emirates Melbourne Cup champion Americain obviously enjoyed his outing to Moonee Valley this morning where he had a canter around with Brad Rawiller in the saddle.

On his return to Werribee, Americain looked happy and relaxed as he enjoyed a pick of grass.