First up after winning the Manifold and Wakeful here last spring over a mile and 2000 respectively, but has produced a new PB and a clear best first up run. -3.1 at the 800 had her 3 lengths from the lead, before +1.5 in the mid race and +1.7 last 400. In addition she hit a flat spot of 1.3 lengths between the 400 and 200. Would assume she'll step up in trip now "job done" winning this $1million restricted race, and build on her stakes winning profile.

Subsequently: Winner Caulfield 21/03

First up after 437 days away from a one run prep October 2024, but has produced a huge performance to win first up. -4.6 at the 800, before +0.2 in the mid race and +1.5 last 400. This included the 3rd best last 600 and 2nd best last 200 of the day. Won a Listed mile Morphettville March 2024 with -0.4 ranked 2nd best of Adelaide Cup Day having been placed Magic Millions day, and despite this being a new IVR PB has always shown glimpses of talent. Can he avoid flatness of such a big performance from a long layoff? Time will tell, but he's put down a good marker.

Subsequently: Unplaced Magic Millions Day Gold Coast 17/01 then winner Caulfield 21/03

Goes to the paddock with the same tag she's had on her in her previous two starts at Moonee Valley (-3.3) and Caulfield (-0.2); Very promising! Improved again to another PB and her last 400 and 200 were genuinely electric, as the 2nd best and best splits of the day. -7.4 at the 800, before -0.8 in the mid race and +8.0 last 400 with the last 200 in isolation +5.1. Will they target the Group 1 Surround in the autumn over 1400 given her ability to relax early, or stay in pure sprints? Either way she's an exciting rising talent.

Subsequently: Spelled. First up 4th Oakleigh Plate then winner Caulfield 21/03

Outstanding mare just beaten by her freakish stablemate AUTUMN GLOW, and while the data says the narrow margin was slightly flattering, the reality is she's posted a new PB from her +2.3 when bolting in the Derby last autumn, and everything points to a new level from here. -13.3 at the 800 when stalking a very soft lead speed, before +0.9 in the mid race. That's a solid 14.2 length squeeze, and she then "let rip" with a blistering +8.9 last 400. Further context is seen via the 3rd best last 600 and the 2nd best last 400 and 200 of the day at the end of a mile. The Ranvet looks a logical next step.

Subsequently: Winner Ranvet 21/03 Rosehill 

Import who was 2nd up in his 2nd local prep, and improved his local best from -2.9 when winning over 2400 at Caulfield last October, and elevated from first up mile also at Caulfield when -3.4. As such he's got the win in BM88 company, but he's trending with more to come. -4.4 at the 800, and then +2.1 in the mid race. That 6.5 length move notionally saw him out with a benchmark close, but note a sharp 4.1 length flat spot slowdown from the 400 to 200, before a good 2.7 length rebound under full pressure last 200. How he performs on genuinely wet ground is an unknown.

Subsequently: Winner Rosehill 21/03

Slow maturing 5yo mare who got to a new level last prep with two performances in the +0.4 to +0.7 range, and here on a deteriorating track has returned with a Top 7 of the day win at a strong standalone meeting, breaking through at black type level. -4.0 at the 800 stalking the lead, before -2.4 mid race and +4.6 last 400. Whatever impact the rain had by now, she was still able to produce the 3rd best last 800 and best last 400 and 200 of the day under full pressure. Clearly turned up fit with just 70 days between runs and two trials leading in. 1100 in similar looks ideal from here.

Subsequently: Spelled. 1st up winner Rosehill 21/03

Was "blown off the park" by an outstanding winning performance from SHEZA ALIBI, but don't underestimate this run. Firstly he's equalled his PB when winning the Caulfield Guineas, and that was 3rd rather than 2nd up as he was here. Secondly what's very noticeable in the data is his early speed of +4.2 at the 800 was 10.5 lengths faster on a race to race basis, and as such should be a big "come on" factor to peak to a new level next start. Closed with +4.1 and -1.8 last 2 sections losing 0.6 of a length over the last 200 in isolation. Would presume a Rosehill Guineas/Doncaster path from here?

Subsequently: Winner Rosehill Guineas 21/03

Freak mare who made it 10 from 10, with 9 of them being top 2 IVR performances on the day, and 5 including this being best of the day. Slightly came off her +3.5 set a fortnight earlier, but under a different race shape that meant doing more was virtually mathematically impossible! Just -14.3 at the 800 sitting 2nd line, before +1.2 in the mid race. That +15.4 length squeeze was the best of her career. Closed with +10.1 last 400 which included +5.7 last 200. That was the best last 400 and 200 of her career, and she produced the best last 600, 400 and 200 of the meeting. Her +4.9 PB looks under threat from here!

Subsequently: Winner George Ryder 21/03

Nice horse! Excellent debut with the immediate filter to say he's a serious player in 2yo features going forward given not only a top 10 performance, but in this case the 3rd best of a Saturday city card. Stalked the lead going -1.2 at the 800, before +2.9 in the mid race, and -0.1 last 400. Lost 0.4 of a length last 200 in isolation, and the best last 800 of the day, but just the 31st best last 200 strongly suggests there's more to come. We look forward to tracking his progress.

Subsequently: 2nd Blue Diamond Prelude 07/02, then 3rd Blue Diamond 21/02 before winner Golden Slipper

Ready! While she was a well beaten 2nd to star filly SHEZA ALIBI who (at time of writing) is likely to take on the colts from here, this 2nd up performance after improving her speed and overall IVR figure (from -3.2 first up) was the perfect "bridging" run. -0.4 at the 800, before +1.4 in the mid race and -0.7 last 400 as the extra exertion told. Of note she peaked 4th up last prep with a +0.3 winning Cox Plate Day over a mile Moonee Valley, but she's trending ahead this time in. In addition she started the prep with blinkers off, so look for them to return shortly as the "button pusher". Kewney Flemington next???

Subsequently: 2nd Kewney Flemington 07/03 before winner $500,000 VOBIS Guineas Caulfield 14/03

What a return! Import effectively just starting his 3rd full prep with Chris Waller - after a Geelong Cup "cameo" spring 2024, and he's "screamed" the champion trainer has him right and ready to go to a new level. -3.5 at the 800 was very good speed for a 1400 given his staying profile, before -1.3 in the mid race and a booming +7.2 last 400. His all time Australian PB is +1.3 set winning over 2000 at Randwick 3rd up last September, and it would be no surprise if he sailed past that this time in. The Australian Cup looks a logical target from here before heading back to Sydney.

Subsequently: Winner Blamey 28/02. Winner Peter Young 14/03 Caulfield

All honours! Amazing performance by this 7yo who won this track/distance 2nd up 10/10 with +1.5 lengths above benchmark at the Friday night meeting, and that was breaking a drought back to April 2023. His Cox Plate Day win was +0.1 when leading throughout on his terms, but here has rebounded to a new level not produced since January 2023! +1.5 at the 800, +0.8 in the mid race before a slight late taper of -0.9 last 400. Clearly back in the zone with his old tenacity. Perhaps the Xmas Handicap Sandown from here?

Subsequently: Winner Group 1 Telegraph New Zealand! Winner Caulfield 14/03