Consistent sprinter Big Money returned to his best form with a fast-finishing victory in the 2016 Southern Cross Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon.

Big Money scored a very narrow victory in the 2016 Southern Cross Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

Rich Enuff was very well-backed in the lead-up to the Southern Cross Stakes, but jockey Kerrin McEvoy made the interesting decision not to take up the running on the Caulfield Guineas runner-up and Aussies Love Sport took up the running, while Big Money was settled in the second half of the field.

Rich Enuff went past Aussies Love Sport before he was challenged by Decision Time and Big Money appeared on the scene late, scoring a very narrow victory in an exciting three way photo finish.

Big Money was not overly impressive in the Summer Sprint (1000m) at Royal Randwick on January 16 or the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on January 30, but trainer Rodney Northam was very confident heading into the Southern Cross Stakes and he was thrilled to see his star galloper return to winning form.

“I thought he would take a couple of runs because he had a long spell and this race looked perfect for him today,” Northam said.

“We got a good track, which he really appreciates and it was just good to get him back in the winner’s circle.

“In the last week his coat has really got a glow to it and he is feeling well.

“Hopefully we can go on to something a little bit better.

“I haven’t really set a target and I thought that we would just pick her way through.

“We could either go to the Liverpool City Cup or there are a few other options.

“I’ll just see how he pulls up and we will go from there.”

Jockey Robert Thompson has travelled right around the country to ride Big Money and he timed his run to perfection to take out the 2016 Southern Cross Stakes.

Big Money was unable to perform at his best during his winter campaign in 2015 and he was troubled by a number of nagging injuries, but Thompson feels that the Choisir gelding is now in excellent condition and was quick to pay credit to the training performance of Northam.

“It is great that he is back on the winners list,” Thompson said.

“He had a shocking campaign last time and Rod have a lot of trouble with his feet, but he seems to be over that now and he still has the will to win.

“The leaders kept kicking, but the little fella pinned his ears back and wanted to get to them.”

Cox Plate winner Winx returned to the races with a fighting victory over Solicit in the 2016 Apollo Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon.

Winx made it six wins on the trot with a comfortable victory in the 2016 Apollo Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

Solicit took up the running in the early stages of the race and Kerrin McEvoy made sure that the race was run at a genuine tempo, while Hugh Bowman elected to settle Winx in the first half of the field.

Winx cruised up to her rivals without being asked for an extra effort from Bowman, but she took a while to get past Solicit – who was up for the fight – before she proved too good in the final 100 metres of the race.

Trainer Chris Waller revealed in the lead-up to the Apollo Stakes that he was very keen to see Winx return to the races as winner and he told the media after the race that he believes it is important for racing to keep her winning.

“Today is one of the most nervous I’ve been in recent years,” Waller said.

“There is a sense of importance about this horse that is almost on the cusp of being a superstar and I feel it is important for racing to keep them winning.

“I just think every time about Pete Moody and Black Caviar and what he must have gone through.

“I just think that it is fantastic for racing and I hope that everyone is with us.

“Every race is important now and the Queen Elizabeth is the bonus because of the big prizemoney.

“Every race will be taken very seriously and I would say that it will be a Group 1 next start that she is running in and hopefully she can get that.”

Bowman was always keen to ride Winx close to the speed in the Apollo Stakes and he admitted after the race that he did not want to give Solicit too much of a start coming into the straight.

The talented hoop was happy with the way that Winx responded when she was asked for an extra effort and he believes that the daughter of Street Cry still has plenty of improvement left in front of her as she builds towards the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

“I started to feel as though we were here for an occasion when everybody started lining the fences to take a photo of her on the way out,” Bowman said.

“She has really drawn the attention of everyone in racing and beyond.

“It is early on for her, she is still in the infancy of her career I think and she put the writing on the wall in the spring.

“It is a good return and hopefully she can continue on this path.

“The pace was genuine and I expected it might have been because I have ridden Solicit and I know her well.

“I knew that she was here and she was fit and well to make it a bit of a test.

“I was mindful that it might have been like that and in the middle stages I thought that I was getting a little too far out of touch.

“I needed to do that to keep my mare comfortable and she didn’t let me down when I needed her.

“She has had a good sweat and she is only going to improve as the distances increase.”

Winx has now recorded six victories on the trot and has not suffered a defeat since she finished second behind Gust Of Wind in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) in April last year.

First up specialist Sultry Feeling scored a tough win in the Group 3 $150,000 Robrick Lodge Triscay Stakes (1200m) at Randwick today.

Sultry Feeling scores a first up win in the Triscay Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

The James Cummings trained Sultry Feeling was having her first run back since finishing fourth to Scarlet Billows in the Group 3 $200,000 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day last year.

In the winning the Triscay Stakes, Sultry Feeling not only made it three first up wins from five attempts, but also broke her Randwick duck at her seventh outing there.

Wining rider Kerrin McEvoy has Sultry Feeling ($7) travelling right on the pace but it took nearly the entire length of the straight to wear done the leader Vergara ($4.20) before holding off the $3.70 favourite Peeping to score a three quarters of a length win with $12 chance Savoureux running on strongly for third with the favourite fading to fourth.

“She has overcome her six starts at Randwick for nothing now,” Cummings said.

“It was a good win in the Triscay there.”

“Hughie (Bowman) did a bit of work, trialled her for me, last week with her but he couldn’t ride the weight, Kerrin stepped in and substituted very well.”

“I didn’t expect her to be outside the leader, but there wasn’t much speed on paper so I expect a filly like her with speed to be able to put herself right there.”

“She has beaten off a very good mares in Peeping and Vergara, they are both very good horses.”

Cummings will now head to the Group 3 $150,000 TAB Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on March 19 and then he will pick out a race for over ‘The Championships’ at Randwick.

“I see her running in the Birthday Card and possibly back here for The Championships,” Cummings said.

“Great to get that Group win.”

Connection of the highly performed Kiwi galloper Hasselhoof are expecting a better showing when he lines up in the Listed $125,000 Pacific Hoists Parramatta Cup (1900m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Beyond Thankful, above, is one three Chris Waller runners to take on Kiwi Hasselhoof in the Parramatta Cup at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

The Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs trained Hasselhoof suffered his first defeat from seven starts when a plugging fourth to Bull Point in the $85,000 Gardenia Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on February 6.

At his previous start the Tavistock four year old recorded his sixth win on the trot in the Group 2 NZ$100,000 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie, New Zealand, on January 1, giving the co-trainers the confidence to head to Sydney for the Autumn Carnival.

Hasselhoof has drawn barrier seven in the eleven horse Parramatta Cup field and will be ridden again by leading Kiwi jockey Matthew Cameron who has been aboard the gelding in all his seven race starts.

Cameron was in doubt to make another appearance at the Sydney Autumn Carnival after suffering a spectacular fall at Matamata last Sunday, but luckily he escaped with only minor injuries and was given the all clear to hop back into the saddle after passing a concussion test on Tuesday.

“My face broke the fall and I was out for a couple of minutes, but I came to in the ambulance and remembered what I was there for,” Cameron told NZ Racing News.

“I’m lucky that nothing is broken and it’s good to come out unscathed.”

And Cameron expects Hasselhoof to perform better in the Parrramatta Cup with that run at Randwick under his belt.

“He obviously needed that run the other day … he was a bit above himself,” Cameron said.

“By all accounts he is thriving and I think the real Hasselhoof will turn up on the weekend.”

Cco-trainers Logan and Gibbs will wait until after the Parrramatta Cup to map a plan for the remainder of the Autumn and the four year old has been nominated for the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) and the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick during ‘The Championships’.

The Chris Waller trained pair of Libran and Beyond Thankful will be up against Hasselhoof again after finishing third and fifth in the Gardenia Handicap and the master trainer will also saddle up Loophole.

Beyond Thankful with Hugh Bowman to ride, has drawn the best of the Waller trio at barrier three, with Loophole with Kerrin McEvoy to jump from eight while Libran with Brenton Avdulla on board to jump from the outside gate.

Parrramatta Cup field: 1 Beyond Thankful (3), 2 Cafe Society (1), 3 Hasselhoof (7), 4 Arab Dawn (10), 5 Loophole (8), 6 Hippopus (4), 7 Libran (11), 8 Allergic (9), 9 Alpha Beat (5), 10 Landlocked (6), 11 Kellyville Flyer (2).

Kerrin McEvoy will be the new rider for Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan when he resumes in the Group 1 $600,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on February 27.

Kerrin McEvoy will ride Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan, above, in the Chipping Norton Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Murray Baker trained Mongolian Khan claimed his bit of Australian Turf History with a commanding win in the 2015 Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield with top New Zealand jockey Opie Bosson in the saddle.

But the Cambridge trainer has opted for McEvoy to partner the Holy Roman Emperor four year old when he kicks off his Sydney Autumn Carnival campaign.

“It’s only for the one race but it’s exciting to be on a Caulfield Cup winner,” McEvoy told AAP.

Mongolian Khan made his first public appearance at the Matamata trials in New Zealand on February 9 since winning the Caulfield Cup with Bosson reporting that he felt very well after he had trouble pulling him up after passing the post.

Mongolian Khan has also recovered from a life threatening case of colic and both Baker and Bosson were very happy with the stallions sixth placing in the 1200m heat.

“He felt good, very strong the last bit, then he didn’t want to pull up!” Bosson told Baker.

Baker was just glad to see Mongolian Khan competing at any level after he was close to death when he developed a severe case of colic following his win in the Caulfield Cup.

“He was a very sick horse for a while there,” Baker said.

“But the main thing is they didn’t have to operate. They did a marvellous job at the Werribee Clinic and it’s thanks to them that we’ve still got a racehorse.”

Mongolian Khan is nominated for both the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) and the Group 1 $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) both at Randwick on April 9, the second day of ‘The Championships’ and Baker is keen to get his Autumn Carnival campaign underway in the Chipping Norton Stakes.

“The Chipping Norton over 1600 metres at Randwick would be a good race to kick him off in,” Baker said.

Mongolian Khan is also a dual Derby winner with wins in the 2015 Group 1 NZ$750,000 TV3 NZ Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie and in the 2015 Group 1 $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.

In early betting for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au, Mongolian Khan is marked at $13 with the Chris Waller trained Cox Plate winner Winx heading the market order at $3.

Thousand Guineas winner Stay With Me gets her chance to bounce back from a first up defeat when she lines up in the Group 2 $175,000 Coolmore Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer David Hayes expects Stay With Me, above, to run an improved race in the Surround Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Stay With Me was sent out as the $2.60 favourite for the Group 2 $175,000 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick a fortnight ago at her first run since running sixth to Politeness in the Group 1 $500,000 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington during the 2105 Melbourne Spring Carnival.

At her previous start Stay With Me was victorious in the winning the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10.

But with a slow pace and a wide barrier, the David Hayes and Tom Dabernig trained filly was never in the race before finishing two and a quarter lengths fifth to Gerald Ryan trained Perignon.

Hayes expects Stay With Me to be back to her competitive best this week and with a better barrier, four in a field of ten, can see the Street Cry filly taking up a more prominent position in the early and middle stages.

“She has drawn a barrier, won’t get as far back,” Hayes said.

“Will love the 1400m and her training has suggests she has improved.”

“We expect her to bounce back here.”

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy was aboard Stay With Me in the Light Fingers Stakes and rides again this week and agrees with Hayes that the filly can only improve after having no luck a fortnight ago.

“It didn’t work out tempo wise, she is a filly that needs to be ridden with cover and from the outside draw we had to be a little bit negative early,” McEvoy told the Sportsman.

“After over racing a bit she emptied out in the last hundred yards.”

“We’d look for a better position on Saturday and we’d hope she can bounce back.”

“She is a better filly than she showed the other day.”

“The draw helps a bit and hopefully she can relax that bit better.”

McEvoy has been aboard Stay With Me on the track since the Light Fingers Stakes and is pleased with the way she has come through her first up run.

“I rode her in her work and she pleased me so there’s no doubt she has retained her ability, she just has to bring it to the table on Saturday.”

In the Surround Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au, Stay With Me is on the third line of betting at $4.40 behind the John O’Shea trained unbeaten filly Ghisoni at $2.60 and Light Fingers Stakes winner Perignon at $4.20.

Surround Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.60 Ghisoni, $4.20 Perignon, $4.40 Stay With Me, $7.50 Heartlings, $14 Single Haze, $16 Pearls, $19 Honesta, $21 Ambience, $101 Captured, $151 Shotgun Roulette.

New jockey Kerrin McEvoy is expecting a bold first up performance from Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan in the Group 1 $600,000 Precise Air Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Kerrin McEvoy will ride Mongolian Khan, above, in the Chipping Norton Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Regular rider, top Kiwi jockey Opie Bosson, will be riding the Murray Baker trained stablemate Turn Me Loose in the Group 1 $500,000 italktravel Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, giving McEvoy the chance to partner Mongolian Khan.

McEvoy has had a feel of the Kiwi stayer in track work leading up to his return to the racetrack following a severe case of colic he suffered after winning the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield during the 2015 Melbourne Spring Carnival.

“He looks really well in himself, he was nice and bright the other morning and he put up some solid work on the course proper,” McEvoy told the Sportsman.

“It all points to him being in good condition after that health scare back in the Spring.

“His mile recorded reads well, he was unlucky in a mile race in the Spring, we have Winx to beat but he is a quality horse in his own right.”

Baker agrees with McEvoy that Mongolian Khan has done well in the lead up to his return, but concedes that he can’t see him beating Chris Waller’s new super star Winx.

“I have been very happy with him, he has trialled up. He has had a jump out. Obviously well short of his best distance,” the Cambridge trainer told Racing Ahead.

“I think he should be running on at the finish but I don’t think he can beat Winx.”

“But take out Winx and it is a very even field. There is a lot of stayers resuming, they will probably be like him first and second run up, just hope they can keep Winx in sight.”

Baker did point out that Mongolian Khan was only beaten a length and a half when a first up seventh in the Spring in the Group 1 $400,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington at Flemington and expects him to put in another tidy first up effort in the Chipping Norton Stakes.

“He ran a nice race in the Makybe Diva, he ran on well late, he got tightened a wee bit that day,” Baker said.

“Randwick is a big track, he will have his chance to get somewhere near then anyway.”

A pleasing effort from Mongolian Khan in the Chipping Norton Stakes will then see him line up in the Group 1 $700,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 19 and then onto the Group 1 $1.5m The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill the following week.

Winx completely dominates the betting for the Chipping Norton Stakes and is the $1.35 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of the John O’Shea trained Hartnel at $7 and Mongolian Khan at $14.

Early market order for the Chipping Norton Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.35 Winx, $7 Hartnell, $14 Mongolian Khan, $15 Dibayani, $16 Hauraki, $26 Storm The Stars, $31 Magic Hurricane, $41 Centre Pivot, $81 Preferment, $101 Gust Of Wind, $126 Who Shot Thebarman, $151 Grand Marshall.

Talented mare Solicit has justified her resounding favouritism at Royal Randwick this afternoon; leading from start to finish to win the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes.

Solicit returned to winning form in this afternoon’s Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart

Jumping from the gates well, jockey Kerrin McEvoy allowed Solicit to stride forward and immediately take a position at the fore of the field, setting a noticeably quick tempo alongside Vergara and Amicus.

Rounding onto the final straight with a clear racing line, Solicit incredibly upped the tempo more and strolled clear of her rivals; maintaining a strong enough sprint to withstand a late charge from Zanbagh and breaking the course record in the process.

Trainer Gerald Ryan was pleased with Solicit’s return to winning form in the Guy Walter Stakes and confirmed the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) will figure as her next competitive point of call.

“She’s very hard to run down and she got on a roll,” Ryan said.

“She’s been terrific. She’s only had two runs when I first got her and a breather, then two more and a breather and three runs in the spring, so you don’t know how far she can get through a preparation.

“She’s still got to step up and win a Group 1 but that’s the whole reason she’s still racing.

“She’ll got to the Coolmore then might have to back up in the (George) Ryder because it’s a month between the Coolmore and the Emancipation.”

McEvoy delivered a typically strong performance in partnering Solicit to success in the Guy Walter Stakes and is confident the mare will enjoy the Rosehill Gardens conditions in a fortnight.

“I knew she was bowling along,” McEvoy said.

“She’s a big, strong brute of a mare and she’s done a good job there today.

“The extra 100m (of the Coolmore) might be a worry but she’s won over that trip before, so she’s just got to relax that bit better.

“Rosehill, she goes well there so that’s a nice chance for her next start for sure.”

Solicit is yet to post a maiden win at the highest level but added a fifth Group-level triumph to her name with success in the Guy Walter Stakes this afternoon.

Criterion has drifted out to 2016 Canterbury Stakes odds of $9, but co-trainer Tom Dabernig remains confident that the star entire can win the Group 1 event at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Criterion has the chance to record a fifth victory at Group 1 level in the 2016 Canterbury Stakes. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos

Criterion finished a gallant third behind Cosmic Endeavour and Catkins in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) last year before he ran second in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) and won the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in an extremely successful autumn campaign.

The Sebring entire performed well without winning during a stint in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom before he returned to Australia to take out the Group 1 Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes (2000m) and finish in the placings in both the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) and the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Criterion failed to fire in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin in December last year, but Dabernig is delighted with the way that the five-year-old has returned after a stint in the spelling paddock and he believes he is ready to run a big race in the 2016 Canterbury Stakes this weekend.

“He ran third in this race last year,” Dabernig told Racing Ahead.

“He has put on nice condition and we have been training him like a sprinter for his first-up tilt.

“He is thriving, he came off the farm in Sydney in great order.

“It is only a small field, but it is a quality line-up and Our Boy Malachi and First Seal are not going to be easy to beat.

“I think he will sprint really well fresh and he is going really win.

“We are going into the race with a bit of confidence.”

Criterion will press on to the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 19 and the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 9 after he runs in the Canterbury Stakes before he is retired to stand at Newgate Farm.

Peter Hayes won the 1992 edition of the Canterbury Stakes with Alishan, while David Hayes finished third with Zabeel in 1991 and Criterion last year.

Criterion is currently available at 2016 Canterbury Stakes odds of $9 with Ladbrokes and he is on the fifth line of betting behind First Seal ($2.75), Our Boy Malachi ($3.30), Kermadec ($6) and Holler ($7.50).

The 2016 Golden Slipper has a whole new complexion after Kiss And Make Up upstaged Capitalist to record an upset victory in the Todman Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon.

Kiss And Make Up led from start to finish to take out the 2016 Todman Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

Kiss And Make Up jumped quickly and jockey Kerrin McEvoy took the talented colt to the lead and jockey Blake Shinn elected to settle Capitalist just behind the leader.

Blake Shinn asked Capitalist for an extra effort at the 300 metre mark, but he was unable to respond and Kiss And Make Up kicked away to make it two wins from as many race starts.

Kiss A Make Up is the first horse that Gai Waterhouse has trained for John Singleton since their high profile falling out over More Joyous during the 2013 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and Waterhouse confirmed that the son of More Than Ready would press on to the 2016 Golden Slipper in a fortnight.

“We love throwing the cat among the pigeons and what a cat,” Waterhouse said.

“He is a cool dude and it is very exciting.

“I am absolutely thrilled for the group, he is a beautiful colt and he did it so easily.

“On to the Slipper.”

McEvoy rode Kiss And Make Up when he made his racing debut with a win in the Tab.Com.Au Maiden Plate (1200m) at Canterbury and he said that the juvenile had improved significantly since his debut win.

The talented hoop believes that the defeat of Capitalist has opened the Golden Slipper right up and he is confident that Kiss And Make Up still has some improved in him ahead of the Group 1 event.

“It is evident to see that he has come along in leaps and bounds,” McEvoy said.

“He is very tradesman like, he does his work and he knows what he is doing.

“Today he was a bit more switched on going towards the barriers and he gave me a nice ride throughout.

“He was quickening up the rise, so it was a good effort.

“It opens it up a little bit now, we were conceding Capitalist as a very hard nut to crack, but a week is a long time in the two-year-old season.

“This horse is a genuine little trier and he might improve that little bit more going into the Slipper.

“It is going to be exciting to be on him.”

Shinn remains confident about the Golden Slipper chances of Capitalist and he said after the race that he believes the son of Written Tycoon will be able to turn-the-tables on Kiss And Make Up in a fortnight.

Former Kiwi trained mare Bounding can make amends for her first up flop in the Oakleigh Plate when she steps out in the Group 1 $700,000 Banjo Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Kerrin McEvoy, above, will ride Bounding in the Galaxy at Rosehill. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Bounding was a well fancied $5 third favourite for the Group 1 $500,000 Clamms Seafood Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 27 but was never in the hunt to finish two and three quarters of a length ninth to the Peter Moody trained Flamberge.

But trainer Peter Snowden could offer plenty of excuses for her defeat after Bounding was highly excited before the race and sweated up badly and he expects her to be more relaxed on Saturday.

“I think it stemmed around it being a very hot day,” Snowden told Racenet.

“She had to go to the post preliminary for about fifteen minutes and she just melted.

“She was in a lather of sweat and she’s never been like that.

“Then she raced accordingly, reared up in the gates and nearly flipped over, over raced badly and that left her short.”

“With the benefit of that run and a bit more work under her belt I think she’ll present much better on Saturday.”

Snowden has been happy with Bounding’s work since she arrived back at her Randwick stables and she pleased race jockey Kerrin McEvoy in a solid gallop on Tuesday morning.

“Kerrin (McEvoy) rode her in work on Tuesday and said it was very strong work,” Snowden, who trains in partnership with his son Paul, said.

“Actually it was the best work of the day from my team.”

Snowden is not concerned with the prospect of a rain affected track for Bounding who has three wins and a second on soft tracks.

“If we get a soft track that won’t worry her either. She’s in the race up to her ears,” Snowden said.

The Rosehill track is currently rated a Soft 5 on Thursday with more showers predicted in the lead up to the weekend.

While under the care of Kiwi trainer Ken Kelso, Bounding was able to win the 2014 Group 1 NZ$200,000 Sistema Railway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie before being transferred to the Snowdens.

The Lonhro mare was able to win at her first run for the Snowden stable when she beat Rich Enuff in the Group 3 $150,000 theshark.com.au Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield during the 2015 Melbourne Spring Carnival and then ran third to Catkins in the Group 3 $125,000 Irresistible Pools Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on September 12.

Bounding has drawn nicely at barrier seven in the original draw but could come in two spots if all the four emergencies failed to gain a start.

Bounding has been rated as a $12 chance for the Galaxy with Ladbrokes.com.au who have the Gai Waterhouse trained English on top of their market order at $4.40.

The Galaxy market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.40 English, $6 Terravista, Fell Swoop, Malaguerra, $10 Our Boy Malachi, $12 Shiraz, Bounding, $14 Rebel Dane, Ball Of Muscle, $17 Flamberge, $21 Dothraki, Lumosty, Pittsburgh Flyer, Griante, $26 Boss Lane, $31 Miss Promiscuity, $51 Famous Seamus, Lord Of The Sky.

The United States bounced back from a tough run in the Blamey Stakes to record a maiden Group 1 victory in the 2016 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.

The United States was too strong for his rivals in the 2016 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

The United States finished second behind He Or She in a very quickly run Blamey Stakes last weekend, but the Macedon Lodge team elected to run the Galileo entire in the Ranvet Stakes and the decision paid off when he proved too strong for Hauraki and Criterion in the final stages of the race.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy gave The United States an outstanding run in transit, but he was quick to paid credit to the training performance of Team Williams and was thrilled with the turn-of-foot that the six-year-old showed in the final stages of the race.

“He was backing up within a week and it was a great job from Rob, Lloyd and Nick,” McEvoy said.

“It looked a nice race on paper, but we were awkwardly placed last on the rail and they had only gone really slow.

“I thought to myself that I just need to cut the corner now because I have a better turn-of-foot than these and that is what he showed.

“He really quickened up through a gap and I was in front within a 100 yards.

“He showed a good acceleration and it is well played to Lloyd and Nick for picking out this race after last start when he was only just beaten.”

Co-owner Nick Williams said that the original plan was to send The United States to the spelling paddock after the Blamey Stakes, but they elected to send him to Sydney for the Ranvet Stakes after he came out of the race in outstanding condition.

Williams confirmed that The United States will now head to the spelling paddock and he revealed that he could be set for the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) during the 2016 Spring Racing Carnival.

“It is a great honour to be here and I think that it is without question the biggest day of racing in the autumn,” Williams said.

“It was 99 percent that he would have gone to the paddock after the Blamey, but he ran so well and he ate up on Saturday night and on Sunday he was bouncing off the walls, so we thought that he deserves his chance in a Group 1.

“He will be in the paddock on Monday and off the strength of that I would suggest he will be on a Cox Plate campaign.”

Hauraki looked like the winner at the 200 metre mark but was unable to go with The United States in the final stages of the race, while Criterion knocked up late to finish third.

Trainer Lee Freedman is still confident that he will get Our Ivanhowe to the track even though he is under an injury cloud heading into the Group 1 $1.5m The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Kerrin McEvoy will be the new jockey for Our Ivanhowe if he is passed fit to run in the The BMW at Rosehill. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Our Ivanhowe is one of the top fancies for the weight for age feature but will have to overcome a minor foot injury if he is going to be passed fit to start.

The German import has developed a foot abscess and Freedman informed Racing New South Wales head steward Ray Murrihy who will organised a vets inspection on Saturday morning.

“He’s got a little issue with the foot,” Freedman told Racing.com’s Racing Ahead.

“He’s a bit scratchy. My farrier’s looking at him today. We’re doing all the normal things.

“Mr Murrihy was really good about it, appreciated the call.

“We’re just going to monitor it. It’s nothing we haven’t seen a million times.

“Hopefully, he gets there fine. If he does, he’ll be very hard to beat.”

Our Ivanhowe has had two runs back from a spell this Autumn and Freedman was really looking forward to getting the six year old onto a rain affected track and could see that happening this weekend with the Rosehill track rated a Soft 5 on Thursday morning with some showers forecast for Friday.

First up from a spell Our Ivanhowe finished an unlucky fifth to Bow Creek in the Group 2 $200,000 Crown Golden Ale Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on February 27 then ran fifth again to Preferment in the Group 1 $1.5m Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 12.

Freedman, who trains in partnership with his brother Anthony, has tinkered with Our Ivanhowe’s race day gear, switching from the blinkers to a visor.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy takes over from Ben Melham on Our Ivanhowe who has drawn barrier eight in the ten horse BMW field.

Our Ivanhowe is on the second line of betting for The BMW at $4.60 behind the Chris Waller trained Preferment who heads the Ladbrokes.com.au market order at $3.10.

The BMW market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.10 Preferment, $4.60 Our Ivanhowe, $5.50 Mongolian Khan, $8.50 Who Shot Thebarman, $9 Rising Romance, $11 Montaigne, $12 Almoonqith, $21 Grand Marshall,  $26 Storm The Stars, Arab Dawn.

German import Our Ivanhowe has been passed fit to start in today’s Group 1 $1.5m The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill after getting the all clear following an early morning vet check.

Trainer Lee Freedman, left, was always confident that Our Ivanhowe would be passed fit to run in The BMW at Rosehill. Photo by Taron Clarke.

The Lee and Anthony Freedman trained Our Ivanhowe had to be cleared by Racing NSW Senior Veterinarian Craig Suann after suffering a minor hoof problem during the week and will take his place in today’s 2400m weight for age Autumn Carnival feature.

Lee Freedman said that he was always confident that Our Ivanhowe would be able to line up today after he responded favourably to treatment over the last forty-eight hours.

“It is good. We had to pass a vet check this morning and Craig came out and we were pretty confident,” Freedman told Sky Racing’s Racing Ahead Saturday.

“We saw great improvement in it yesterday and this morning even before Craig got there I was very confident that he would pass any test as he trots up.”

“It is not the greatest trotter in the world, but he was the normal Ivanhowe.”

Freedman said that the foot abscess was only discovered on Thursday morning after trackwork and that Our Ivanhowe hasn’t missed any work in the lead up to today’s race.

“I was up here Tuesday and he was fine. Got a call Thursday morning from my staff up here that he had done his work, he missed no work, but pretty acute an hour after trackwork,” Freedman said.

“Which kind of made me feel a bit confident. To come on that quick it must have disturbed it right up and I think that helped us with a lot of the attention from my guys to get to the bottom of it.”

“I won’t be using that as an excuse, I think the horse is in good order.”

“He did nine furlongs on Tuesday and worked terrific on the course proper and did another seven or a mile easier on Thursday.”

“So he has missed no work at all.”

Freedman has to make a minor adjustment with Our Ivanhowe’s race day shoes and he will race in a three quarter plate on the affected hoof.

“No possibility of him running in glue ons because of the nature of glue ons it would have had to cover that area,” Freedman said.

“So we are going to go with conventional plates, with one of them a three quarter on his affected foot and he had that set on this morning when he trotted up and Craig said that I think you are on the right tram there.”

Our Ivanhowe will jump from barrier eight in the ten horse field with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle and is coming off a last start fifth to Preferment in the  Group 1 $1.5m Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 12.

Our Ivanhowe has drifted out in the betting at Ladbrokes.com.au since the hoof problem was discovered and is now marked at $6 after opening at $4.40 on Wednesday when the final field for The BMW was released.

The Chris Waller trained Preferment heads the market order at $3.70 ahead of Kiwi stayer Mongolian Khan at $4.60.

The BMW market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.70 Preferment, $4.60 Mongolian Khan, $6 Our Ivanhowe, $7.50 Who Shot Thebarman, $8.50 Montaigne, $10 Almoonqith, $11 Rising Romance, $21 Grand Marshall,  $26 Storm The Stars, Arab Dawn.

Gallante has delivered Macedon Lodge another staying feature race on Day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick; leading from start to finish in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m).

Gallante continued to receive big support in Sydney Cup betting markets this week and flew the barriers; immediately taking up the pace from the outside gate after comfortably crossing the field.

Settling into a great rhythm and setting only a fair tone for the classy field, Gallante headed Like A Carousel and Auvray past the post the first time.

Hugging the rails rounding onto the final straight, the son of Montjeu immediately responded when asked for an extra effort by jockey Kerrin McEvoy; kicking clear and hitting the line a length and a half ahead of Libran and 2015 champion Grand Marshal.

McEvoy delivered a typically brilliant performance aboard Gallante to win the 2016 Sydney Cup and was pleased to return Macedon Lodge a Group 1 triumph.

“It’s a great thrill to win this for Lloyd, Nick and Robert Hickmott,” McEvoy said.

“Lloyd just gave me a heap of confidence, he said the horse is flying, drops a lot in weight and handles the ground.

“He’s come on a lot from his last run and he’s had an un-orthodox prep into the Sydney Cup but Rob, Lloyd, Nick and the team have just shown what they can do.

“Lloyd just said do your best and we were able to pull it off.”

Nick Williams was on hand for Gallante’s win in the Sydney Cup and laid all the praise on the work of the Macedon Lodge team in turning the horse into a Group 1 winner, as well as McEvoy’s exceptional ride.

“We just love coming to Sydney, it’s one of the great places you can come to the races,” Williams said.

“To win this race which has been going for a long, long time, it’s one of the time-honoured races in Australia, it’s very exciting to win.

“Six months ago he got beaten at Pakenham and he’s had the ultimate gear change since then which has made all the difference because he had a shocking attitude.

“Really today is about all of the team – they’ve done a marvellous job turning this horse around. We knew he was a great stayer.

“He’s had a 15/10 ride by Kerryn McEvoy.”

Macedon Lodge are offered a great opportunity for a second Group 1 win on Day 2 of The Championships when The United States lines up for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at 4:35pm.

Last Saturday’s Sydney Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy has been booked to ride Kiwi youngster Sicario in the Group 1 $500,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy has been booked to ride Sicario in the Champagne Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Daniel Costello.

McEvoy was at his best when he rated Gillante perfectly out in the front to lead all of the way to win the Group 1 $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on the day two of ‘The Championships’.

Cambridge trainer Trent Busuttin said that Sicario will arrive in Sydney on Wednesday night to chase another Autumn Carnival Group 1 win after he and co-trainer Natalie Young collected the spoils when Tavago with Tommy Berry in the saddle race away to win the Group 1 $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on day one of ‘The Championships’ on April 2.

“The horse is booked on a flight tomorrow (Wednesday) night and at this stage he is more than likely to be going over,” Busuttin told the NZ Racing Desk.

Busuttin knows that Sicario is facing up against a smart filly in the shape of Yankee Rose who was very impressive in winning the Group 1 $1m Inglis Sires’ (1400m) on Australian Derby Day.

“If the filly (Yankee Rose) turns up she’ll be winning, but with two-year-olds you never really know and we’ve got nothing to lose,’ Busuttin said.

“If he stayed here to run at Ellerslie there’s the strong possibility of another wet track and that’s not ideal for this horse.”

“We’re under no illusions about the massive jump in class. It’s a fact that New Zealand two-year-old form is inferior to Australian form, probably anywhere in the world is inferior, but the reality is that he was booked to go over there with us anyway.”

Busuttin and Young are planning to relocate their training operation to Cranbourne and Sicario, along with Australian Derby winner Tavago, will be part of their new Victorian set up.

Sicario has only been to the races on two occasions for two seconds and is coming off a last start second to Luna Rossa in the Group 1 NZ$250,000 Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on April 2 on a heavy track.

Busuttin said that Sicario wasn’t really comfortable on the rain affected track in the Sires’ Produce Stakes and is hoping for a better racing surface this week at Randwick.

“The 1400m on a heavy track in New Zealand was like a swamp so I suppose that’s like a mile,” Busuttin said.

“We think he’s a pretty smart horse and I think he’ll end up a Group horse at some stage.”

In early betting for the Champagne Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au, Sicario has been marked as a $15 chance with Yankee Rose at the top of the market order at $1.35.

Early market order for the Champagne Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.35 Yankee Rose, $8 Prized Icon, Divine Prophet, Obscura, $13 Chimboraa, Faraway Town, $15 Sicario, $17 Jaws Off  Steel, $26 Crown Him, $34 Pop, $81 North Sky.

Inglis Sires’ winner Yankee Rose has drawn nicely at barrier four in Saturday’s Group 1 $500,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

Yankee Rose has drawn nicely at barrier 4 in the Champagne Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

The David Vandyke trained Yankee Rose will start an odds on favourite in the Champagne Stakes on the strength of her outstanding win in the Group 1 $1m Inglis Sires’ (1400m) at Randwick on day one of ‘The Championships’ on April 2.

Jason Collett takes over from Hong Kong based Zac Purton on Yankee Rose who will race without her blinkers this week.

The consistent Prized Icon has drawn just worse than midfield at barrier seven in the eleven horse field with Glyn Schofield taking over from Hugh Bowman who steered the James Cummings trained colt to a two lengths win in the Listed $150,000 TFE Hotels Fernhill Handicap (1600m) at Randwick last Saturday.

Bowman hops on Chimboraa from the David Payne stable and the Congrats colt will jump from gate three.

Kiwi youngster El Sicario, who raced as Sicario in New Zealand, is coming off a last start second in the Group 1 NZ$250,000 Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on April 2.

Kerrin McEvoy has picked up the ride on El Sicario who has drawn awkwardly at barrier nine.

Faraway Town ran a good race at big odds last start when third to Yankee Rose in the Inglis Sires’ and is certain to find the step up to the 1600m no worries.

Jay Ford sticks with the Matthew Smith trained filly who has drawn barrier eight.

Melbourne trainer Robbie Laing is willing to give last start winner Jaws Of Steel his chance in Group 1 company after the Sharkbite colt scored an impressive win in the $100,000 Mornington Sires’ (1500m) at Mornington on April 2.

Jaws Of Steel has drawn barrier two and Tye Angland takes over from Brad Rawiller in the Champagne Stakes.

The John O’Shea trained Obscura has drawn the inside gate with James McDonald to ride while Crown Him from the Anthony Cummings stable has drawn the outside barrier with Blake Shinn in the saddle.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy will be looking for some early luck on El Sicario after the Kiwi youngster drew a wide barrier in the Group 1 $500,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy will be hoping for some early luck on El Sicario in the Champagne Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Daniel Costello.

El Sicario came up with barrier nine in the eleven horse Champagne Stakes field and McEvoy will be trying desperately to slot into a trailing position in the early part of the race.

“From barrier nine we’ll try and get some cover somewhere in the run and give him the chance to show us his acceleration,” McEvoy told The Daily Telegraph.

El Sicario has filled the runner’s up stall at both his runs to date and after running second in a Matamata 1200m two year old Maiden on March 16, the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young trained gelding finished second in the Group 1 NZ$250,000 Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on April 2.

“His last start was a close second in the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes in New Zealand,” McEvoy said.

“They tell me he’s got a very good turn of foot and not many can keep up with him in trackwork.”

The New Zealand Sires’ Produce Stakes was run on a very heavy track and the prospect of another rain affected track at Randwick on the weekend doesn’t concern McEvoy.

“I’m not sure what the track will be come Saturday but it’s definitely been a bit soft recently and he’s proven that he handles the sting out,” McEvoy said.

“If you take out Yankee Rose then it’s a pretty even field and it certainly looks a year for a Kiwi raider to be competitive.”

The Randwick track was rated a soft 5 on Thursday morning with the Bureau Of Meteorology forecasting some showers today ahead of mainly fine weather in the lead up to the weekend.

El Sicario is regarded as one of the outsiders of the field and is listed as a $21 chance with Ladbrokes.com.au.

Inglis Sires’ winner Yankee Rose remains the short priced favourite at $1.45 for the Champagne Stakes even though she is under an injury cloud with bruising to her front feet and will have to undergo a veterinary check before being cleared to run.

Champagne Stakes  market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.45 Yankee Rose, $8 Prized Icon, $8.50 Obscura, $13 Divine Prophet, $16 Faraway Town, $19 Chimboraa, $21 El Sicario, $41 Crown Him, $51 Jaws Off Steel, $71 Pop, $126 North Sky.

Five of six of Chris Waller’s runners have drawn double digit barriers in the Group 3 $200,000 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) at the Hawkesbury standalone meeting on Saturday.

Strawberry Boy, above, is one of six Chris Waller runners in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup at Hawkesbury. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Waller will saddle up Junoob (barrier 18), Opinion (20), Beaten Up (16), Strawberry Boy (14), Amovatio (19) and Tales Of Grimm (3).

The final field of sixteen plus four emergencies was declared on Wednesday and if the all or some of the reserves fail to gain a start, some the Waller horses could move in closer.

Strawberry Boy has been installed the $5 favourite for the Hawkesbury Gold Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au and the wide barrier shouldn’t affect the on pace runner.

The Redoute’s Choice seven year old races in or near the lead and new rider Kerrin McEvoy should have no trouble finding a prominent position in the early stages on the gelding who could jump from gate eleven if all the emergencies stay at home.

Strawberry Boy has had one run back from a spell for a third to Hawkesbury Gold Cup rival Mighty Lucky in a 1400m BenchMark 100 Handicap at Randwick on April 16 and stable representative Charles Duckworth was happy with his first up effort.

“He ran very well first up with Taylor Marshall on board. Kerrin is back on board, he is retained for those owners now,” Duckworth said.

McEvoy, who is replacing apprentice Taylor Marshal, will be having his first ride on Strawberry Boy who is undefeated from two starts on the Hawkesbury track.

Beaten Up is also well up the market order at $8.50 in a very open betting race and heads to Hawkesbury with one run under his belt when a first up seventh to Hanava Cooler in the Group 3 $150,000 Hyland Race Colours Doncaster Prelude (1500m) at Rosehill on March 26.

Glyn Schofield take the ride on the eight year old who could come in four spots at the start if all four emergencies fail to gain a run.

“Was a good run fresh up. The extra distance will help him out,” Duckworth said about Beaten Up.

Both Amovatio and Tales Of Grimm are listed as $12 chances and Duckworth expects both to be running on at the finish.

Rory Hutchings takes the ride on Amovitao who was a last start fifth in the Doncaster Prelude but will need plenty of luck after drawing barrier nineteen in the original draw.

Tales Of Grimm is the only Waller runner to draw a single digit barrier at three and will strip fitter for one run back from a long break when eleventh to Mighty Lucky at Randwick.

Junoob at $34 and Opinion at $51 are both outsiders of the field and hopefully will be running on at the finish but Duckworth said that both the stayers will need more ground to produce their best.

“Junoob is resuming. 1600m is obviously short of his best. He will go back and hopefully attack the line late,” Duckworth said.

“And Opinion’s first trial wasn’t great but from then he has gone from strength to strength. He is resuming and he needs a lot further than this.”

Favourite Silent Sedition has drawn well at barrier seven in a full field of sixteen in the Group 1 $400,000 Schweppes Oaks (registered as Australasian Oaks) (2000m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

Silent Sedition, green and black colours, white cap, has drawn nicely at barrier seven in the Australasian Oaks at Morphettville. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

The Andrew Noblet trained Silent Sedition earned her spot at the top of the betting at $5.50 with Ladbrokes.com.au after winning the Group 3 $120,000 Schweppervescence Stakes (Registered as Auraria Stakes) (1800m) at Morphettville on April 23 with Craig Williams in the saddle.

Williams takes the ride again and is confident that the War Chant filly will be hard to beat over the 2000m.

“This is a race that I always felt this whole preparation she might be suitable to,” Williams told racing.com.

“She’s quite brilliant, so I’m not too sure she gets much further.

“This is the best chance for her to win a Group 1 as a three-year-old filly, because the Australasian Oaks is the 10-furlong race where most other Oaks’ are 2400m, 2500m.

“It plays well for her and her run style.

“She won the traditional lead-up race into it [the G3 Auraria Stakes], but it is going to be a very strong race.”

Silent Sedition is the winner of three of her eight race starts and secured her maiden win at the beginning of this campaign with a four lengths victory in a 1400m Cranbourne Maiden on March 4.

She followed that up with a win in the Listed $150,000 Bendigo Guineas (1400m) at Bendigo on March 19 before finishing second in a 1600m three year old filly’s Handicap at Sandown on April 9 before her win in the Auraria Stakes.

Second favourite Abbey Marie ($6) has also drawn well at barrier three with Luke Nolen taking the mount again after the pair combined to win a 1440m three year old BenchMark 70 Handicap at Caulfield on April 23.

On the third line of betting at $7 is the West Australian trained filly Arcadia Dream who has been given the visitor’s drew, barrier twenty, and will still jump from the  outside gate when the field if reduced to sixteen runners on Saturday.

Perth’s leading jockey William Pike has been aboard the filly for her last seven starts, including her last start win in the Group 2 $400,000 Schweppes W.A.T.C. Derby (2400m) at Ascot in Perth on April 16.

The Anthony Cummings trained Believe and John Sadler’s Bengal Cat are next in the betting at $8.50 and both fillies have also drawn awkwardly in the Australasian Oaks.

Believe with Kerrin McEvoy to ride drew barrier fourteen in the original draw and is coming off a last start third to Sofia Rosa in the Group 1 $1m James Boag’s Premium Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on the second day of ‘The Championships’ on April 9.

While Bengal Cat, with Thomas Sadler to ride, came up with gate nineteen and is looking for a hat trick of wins following her victories in a 1600m three year old filly’s Handicap at Sandown on April 9 and in the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Reef (1600m) at Caulfield on April 16.