Just missed after simply being in a non-winning position not only 6 lengths from the lead at the 800, but still 4 lengths from the lead at the 400 in a "walking" tempo race shape. -11.4 and -9.7 first two sections into the wind impacted race shape, before +4.1 last 400 with the last 200 in isolation +3.3 on soft ground. The context was that 200 at the end of 1300 metres, was faster than any other race on the day including both 1000 metre races one of which was the Group 1 Moir! We rarely highlight the flash home runners, but this was explosive. She's set to sail past her -2.4 PB and can win similar to this BM74 shortly.

Subsequently: Twice unplaced before winner Melbourne Cup Day Flemington 03/11

Just airborne off a +2.5 when 2nd in a blistering 2000 at Randwick before winning the Metrop with +2.0, and in that and here found a soft tempo/monster closing race shape. Just -17.3 lengths below benchmark at the 800 had him 8.2 lengths from the lead, before +3.1 in the mid race meaning a huge 20.4 mid race squeeze. Closed with +7.3 last 400 which included +5.0 last 200. Even allowing for the soft tempo and getting deep into the lanes, the 5th best last 200 of the day at the end of 2500 is slick. Should run boldly in the Melbourne Cup Grand Final clearly in career best form.

Subsequently: 3rd Melbourne Cup

Bring on the Caulfield Cup! We sizzled him from his big 4th 3 weeks earlier here over 1700 when -0.2 lengths below benchmark in the high pressure race shape, and this significant elevation sets him up for the Group 1 prize. -4.5 at the 800 had him 4.2 lengths from the lead, before +1.9 and +4.0 last two sections showing excellent sustained closing staying speed, but it did included a 0.5 length late taper over the last 200. That says more to come conditioning wise. Placed at Royal Ascot in 2025 is very "real" form and it was over 2414 metres.

Subsequently: Unplaced Turnbull and Caulfield Cup before 2nd in the Melbourne Cup $41 into $26

Well beaten but ready! Found a high pressure race shape which meant settling 10.5 lengths from the lead at the 800 had him in a non-winning position going -7.0 lengths below benchmark. +6.7 from the 800 to 400 was a 13.6 length squeeze and it was the biggest of the day, with a last 400 of +5.1. This included a 1.2 length slowdown from the 400 to 200, before a sharp 1.8 length rebound. Produced the 4th best last 600 and 200 of the day, and it sets him up to run to his best in the Toorak or possibly Epsom from here. His PB is currently +3.2 set in the All Star Mile and a favourable race shape could see him eclipse that.

Subsequently: Unplaced Toorak before winner Melbourne Cup Day 03/11

Let's cut to the chase: This was an outstanding trial at race pace that says he's going to take a power of beating when he goes to the races. -3.5 settling 2 lengths from the lead at the 800, before +0.8 and +0.3 last two sections which included a 1.1 length slowdown from the 400 to 200 and the 4th best last 600 of the morning. He's coming off a short break from the QLD carnival with his last run 13/06 when winning the Gunsynd on heavy ground at Eagle Farm, with best to date IVR figures of +1.2 and +1.1. He's a stallion clearly learning his craft, and his best looks still in front of him.

Subsequently: Winner Rosehill 12/09 and winner Rosehill 26/09. REPOST AFTER WINNING GOLDEN EAGLE

A hidden trial, but after smashing the line here in her first trial 18/08 with the 3rd best last 200 of the session, this 2nd one strongly suggests this high class sprinting mare will be a "player" in quality sprints this time in and should not be underestimated when she returns to the races. Asked to "do nothing" under a big hold from McDonald settling 4.3 lengths from the lead, but her 200 increments showed +1.1, +0.9, -0.8 and +3.1. That says a 1.7 length slow down from the 400 to 200, before an electric 3.9 length turn of foot late. She won first up last prep with +0.8, and has a fully franked +7 range last 400 close. Stand by!

Subsequently: 2nd up Caulfield Group 2 placing before winner Flemington 31/10

Ready! Big closing mare who's reeled off the "picket fence" of the best last 800, 600, 400 and 200 of the day chasing the old warrior JIGSAW hard, and matched her best of last prep in doing so overall. -0.7 lengths below benchmark at the 800 when 2.7 lengths from the leader/winner, before +2.7 in the mid race and +4.2 last 400. Ran 2nd Derby Day last year over 1100 when +0.1 in her first Melbourne run which included a blistering +7.5 last 400. Her asset is straight line speed and retuning to that race looks ideal, and she should be very hard to stop from going one better this year. 

Subsequently: Winner Flemington 31/10

An outstanding win to go with a freak ride, pushing her PB from +4.1 set Rosehill March 2025 over 1500, yet there's a strong case to be made that it could have been better due to a slowdown in traffic. +8.9 at the 800 was the fastest she's ever gone in the first section, yet she was 5 lengths from the lead. Closed with +3.5 and -0.4, but the micro-split showed a 1.3 length slowdown from the 400 to 200, before a half length rebound over the last 200 when clear. The Empire Rose and/or Champions Mile Melbourne Cup week look logical next steps. 

Subsequently: Winner Empire Rose 31/10

Just crushing his rivals backing up his +2.0 best of the day a fortnight back over 1300, to extending his PB further leading throughout. -0.3, +0.1 and +3.0 was the perfect display of efficiency from both horse and rider. At time of writing will return to 1300 in 3 weeks time in the Silver Eagle and if he maintains this level will probably win again.

Subsequently: 2nd Randwick Silver Eagle 17/10 then winner Randwick Golden Eagle 31/10

Is this the Spring Champion "Grand Final" runner? 3rd at Group 1 mile level to TRON BOLT in his first prep Eagle Farm 13/06, and resumed with a sound 2nd 12/09 producing -2.6 lengths below benchmark. There he suffered a big 7.4 length slowdown. Then had two contrasting race shapes. Run off his feet in the brutal Golden Rose where going +6.6 lengths above benchmark at the 800 - the clear fastest of his career - still had him 7 lengths from the lead. Here -13.9 was 20.5 lengths slower first section! +1.7 and +6.2 last two sections with an excellent Ground Made up 7.7 length figure. Now has the grounding to peak at 2000.

Subsequently: 4th Spring Champion 24/10 then winner VRC Derby 31/10

A modest IVR figure to include, but it's right in the current range of the Melbourne 3yo Derby form as he heads south, and his 3 previous runs were all in the -2.6 to -2.0 range which puts him above them were he to take that level south. Race to race despite settling at the rear of the field he had to go 12 lengths faster first section from a fortnight earlier at Rosehill. -1.7 lengths below benchmark at the 800, before +0.2 in the mid race and -0.8 last 400. Despite the significantly increased exertion, his ground made up figure was still a strong 3.6 lengths after 7.7 lengths in the Gloaming. Looks a key player next Saturday.

Subsequently: Winner VRC Derby Flemington 31/10

First up 2nd prep Bjorn Baker and with another dynamic win to kick off after +1.4 at Randwick last September. here -0.9 stalking the leaders, before +2.4 in the mid race and +1.9 last 400. Did drop away a length over the last 200 which strongly suggests he can continue his pattern from last time in when 3rd to rising superstar AUTUMN GLOW in the Epsom with +3.4. He was 4 weeks between runs there and at time of posting is returning to Sydney to presumably be kept fresh again. He's going as well as he has at any stage of his career and deserves continued respect in elite races going forward.

REPOST AFTER $3 MILLION RUSSELL BALDING WIN RANDWICK 31/10