Made it four from four with this first up return and dragged his PB from -2.2 saying the best is still in front of him. -4.9 at the 800 sitting third line, before a solid 8.3 length squeeze going +3.3 from the 800 to 400. Went on with it closing with +4.3 last 400, and the best last 800, and 2nd best last 600 and 400 of the day sustained close said he turned up fit. This is just BM78 level, so particularly stepping up to 1200+ from here placed conservatively should see him remain very hard to beat.

Subsequently: 4th Randwick 05/10 then winner Kenso 30/10 winner $1million Hunter Newcastle

Resumed with a new PB after winning three in a row to end his previous prep, and he really profiles as a sprinter on the rise with all four of his wins seeing him produce the best last 800 and 600 of the day. Here -6.5 at the 800 reflective of his "flop out" style, before +2.1 mid race and +6.0 running away. His other 3 wins saw last 400 splits of +5.5, +7.1 and +5.0. While he's yet to race out of the "1000 metres bubble" his ability to relax and work through his gears strongly suggests he'll cope with 1200 going forward.

Subsequently: Winner Ascot 16/11

Was 5 weeks between runs after an excellent +0.5 length above benchmark win Rosehill over 1100, while here after conceding from wide missed the placed, but has produced a better IVR figure and had the race shape dead against. -8.6 at the 800 and -1.8 in the mid race was a "nothing" first 800, but he closed with an excellent +5.9 which was the best last 400 of his career. Trending the right way and 3rd up 2nd prep from here could produce a big new PB without surprise.

Subsequently: Winner Kenso 30/10 then winner $1million Hunter Newcastle 16/11

Lightly raced 5yo who came to play first up to get black type, matching her Australian PB that she set 2nd up Sandown last March after a -2.2 first up win Pakenham. That strongly suggests she's immediately an improved mare this time in. Good early speed going +2.1 at the 800, before -1.5 mid race, and -6.2 last 400. Did actually dip 1.4 lengths from the 400 to 200, before improving 0.6 of a length last 200 under full pressure. Strong wet track indicator figure of +8.5, and we look forward to measuring her progress. More to come!

Subsequently: Winner Caulfield 16/11

4yo mare first up with just 2 prior wins, but a very strong SP profile reflective of a genuine talent who's often had circumstances against her. Primarily getting back too far, but here with good market support, Damian Lane had her out early just 1.3 lengths from the lead, and from there was able to use her trademark closing speed. -2.0 at the 800, -0.6 in the mid race, before +1.9 last 400 on a deteriorating track. Has an all time PB of +1.2 set at Gosford May 2023, and +1.1 set here in December, with multiple +4.1 to +5.7 last 400 sprints. Handles wet ground and looks set for a very strong campaign.

Subsequently: Spelled and resumed 16/10 Caulfield 2nd. Unplaced Flemington Derby Day then winner Caulfield 16/11

Regressed from his booming +3.6 lengths above benchmark win at Moonee Valley a fortnight earlier, but was absolutely entitled to given the high pressure race shape on the soft track. +5.8 stalking the lead was 7 lengths faster race to race on inferior ground, and why he was unable to sustain his position. +1.1 mid race before a complete -9.4 last 400 tank out, that included losing 2.6 lengths last 200 in isolation. Be very wary of writing him off going forward now rock hard fit, and at time of writing he's heading to the Epsom. He ran 2nd in the autumn Doncaster Randwick mile, and can run to his best there again without surprise.

Subsequently: Rosehill 12/10 and Randwick 19/10 before winner $2 million Five Diamonds Rosehill 09/11

Airborne! Resumed this prep gelded off sharp trials, but took three runs to get going and show the genuine early speed he possesses. However here he's gone from best of the day at the Warwick Farm Monday meeting with +0.7 lengths above benchmark winning over 1100, to improving another length stepping to 1200. At the 800 was going a fast +2.9 lengths above benchmark and virtually matched it going +2.2 in the mid race. Gassed out late despite winning easily going +1.4 from the 400 to 200, but then only -1.4 last 200. He's ready for a Saturday ratings race off this and can win again if he holds this level.

Subsequently: Winner Rosehill 09/11

This freak performance has put her in the stratosphere at a genuine Winx level (her best IVR figure was +16.3 set winning the 2015 Cox Plate). Sat 6 lengths off a brutal lead speed of +17.9 in going +11.9, before +6.2 in the mid race and +4.8 last 400. Raw time was +22.9 before adjustments for track speed and tempo. Her last 400 was 6.8 lengths faster than any other runner! Her 3 other Australian wins - all off soft tempos - produced +3.1, +2.9 and +2.6, but here we found out what she could do in a firm track murderous pressure race shape! 

Subsequently: Winner Flemington Champions Stakes 09/11

Lowered his colours to PRIDE OF JENNI, but did so elevating his IVR time race to race from in a blistering race shape on a good track, after beating her Flemington on very wet ground. +3.0 at the 800 was the outer range of his early speed comfort zone, yet he was 7 lengths from the mare! +3.0 in the mid race meant brilliant precision from Williams getting him to match his speed, with an "all out" +6.5 last 400. Raw time of +12.4 reflected the firm ground, but also the talent of the first two home. Did lose a length last 200. His all time best is +5.1 and he can probably get there next. Will it be good enough???

Subsequently: 2nd Caulfield and 4th Moonee Valley Cox Plate, before back to 1600 and winner Champions Mile Flemington 09/11

A brilliant display of sustained speed - and a perfect front-running ride - from this Ex-NZ 7yo mare 3rd up in her first local prep now with the Bjorn Baker stable. Led going +2.4 at the 800, +2.6 in the mid race and +3.8 last 400 including last 2 micro splits of +1.9 from the 400 to 200 and +1.9 again last 200. This strongly suggests this is her very best, but if she can maintain it, she'll remain very hard to beat going forward, and note her two Group 1 wins to date were at her 10th and 9th run for the prep, so her ability to handle racing is established.

Subsequently: Winner Rosehill 09/11

Outstanding return from this high class mare, and amazingly with a near identical performance from this race last year when +3.1 lengths above benchmark. Here -5.1 at the 800 effectively 4.3 lengths from the "real" lead, (lone leader BELCLARE was going at an unsustainable +2.8) before an outstanding 10.9 length mid race squeeze going +5.8 from the 800 to 400. Last 400 was +5.7 showing she sustained her close. Was twice close up in Group 1 sprints during the autumn with +2.6 and +2.1 and could well be at a new level. Her challenge if going to the Everest (likely) next start is (typically) being able to find 2-3 lengths.

Subsequently: Unplaced Everest, then 2nd Rosehill 02/11. Winner Flemington Champions Sprint 09/11

Hi quality mare who has produced another excellent performance with this +3.3 just eclipsing +3.2 and +3.1 as her next best all time IVR times. +3.4 at the 800 was the fastest she's ever gone first section, yet she was nearly 7 lengths from the (crazy fast) lead! +3.9 in the mid race meant she was the only runner in the first 7 home increasing her speed, before -2.7 last 400 with every runner depleted. That even first 2 sections should assist avoiding flatness at Flemington tomorrow, and particularly if it's the usual "building" speed. Deserves great respect.

Subsequently: Winner Champions sprint Flemington 09/11