The speedy Redzel will be tested for the first time going the Melbourne way when he lines up against a slick field of sprinters in the Group 3 $150,000 The Resimax Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Redzel, above, is going the Mellbourne way for the first time in the Resimax Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Steve Hart.

All of the front running Redzel’s three wins have been over the 1100m on Sydney tracks when he has run his rivals into the ground and co-trainer Paul Snowden is hoping he can do the same against his opposition this week going the reverse way.

Snowden, who trains in partnership with his father Peter, said that if the explosive Snitzel four year old can repeat his last start all the way win in the $85,000 July Sprint (1100m) at Canterbury Park on July 23, he will have more opportunities to pick up extra races over the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

“That’s the test for him on Saturday to see whether he can or not (go the Melbourne way),” Snowden said.

“He has never been away from home before and he has never been the reverse way of going.”

“So it is a little bit foreign to him at this stage but if he does get around the Melbourne way quite well, there is more options for him in Melbourne than there is in Sydney at the moment.

“Hopefully he can run well tomorrow and you might see a bit more of him (in Melbourne).”

Melbourne based Mark Zahra takes over from Kerrin McEvoy on Redzel whose with his blistering early gate speed should be able to overcome the outside barrier in the twelve horse field.

Redzel is raced by the very successful Triple Crown Syndications who will be looking for their second winner for the week after Rock Mylady carried their red colours to victory in a 1600m BenchMark 75 Handicap at Gosford on Tuesday.

Redzel is on the second line of betting for the Resimax Stakes at $6 at Ladbrokes.com.au and will be taking on the Stradbroke Handicap winner Under The Louvre who heads the market order at $3.10.

The Robert Smerdon trained Under The Louvre is having his first run back after winning the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 11 and has also drawn wide at ten.

While Under The Louvre has never won over the 1100m, he did run second over this course and distance behind stablemate Shamal Wind in the 2015 Group 1 $400,000 Oakleigh Plate.

The Tony McEvoy trained Shiraz is another Group 1 placed sprinter who will be running home hard at the finish and has been listed as a $8.50 chance.

Shiraz made up plenty of ground from the back when second to Griante in the Group 1 $700,000 Banjo Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill during the 2016 Sydney Autumn Carnival.

Market order for The Resimax Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.10 Under The Louvre, $6 Redzel, $6.50 Hellbent, $7,50 Miss Promiscuity, $8 Santa Ana Lane, $8.50 Shiraz, $13 We’ve Got This, $17 Diamond Oasis, $21 Trevinder, $31 Dan Zephyr, $67 Sunday Escape, $126 Jersey Whistler.

Jockey Daniel Moor will ride Doomben Cup winner Our Ivanhowe when he resumes for the Spring Carnival in the Group 1 $500,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Jockey Daniel Moor, above, rides Our Ivanhowe in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Moor takes over from Kerrin McEvoy who steered the Lee and Anthony Freedman trained Our Ivanhowe to victory in the Group 1 $650,000 Hardy Brothers Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

McEvoy will be riding at Rosehill in Sydney on Saturday and has the mount on the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Thronum in the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose Stakes (1400m).

McEvoy will be in contention to get back on the German import later in the Spring Carnival but Moor’s manager Dave Berry said he would be fighting to retain the ride.

“Nothing was set in stone,’’ Berry told The Herald Sun.

“But if he does the right job on Saturday hopefully he can stay aboard.”

Anthony Freedman said that McEvoy was in line to regain the mount on Our Ivanhowe deeper into the Spring but added that the door could still be open for Moor.

“You never know. But my understanding is that Kerrin might be back on when he comes down to Melbourne but Daniel is a good rider and a good part of our team,’’ Anthony Freedman said.

The Darren Weir trained Black Heart Bart heads the early market order for the Makybe Diva Stakes at $2.10 with Ladbrokes.com.au while Our Ivanhowe is on the fourth line of betting at $11 for his Spring return.

The second pick in the betting is Black Heart Bart’s stablemate Palentino at $6 ahead of Victoria Derby winner Tarzino at $8.50.

Our Ivanhowe performed okay during the 2014 Melbourne Spring Carnival with his best effort being a third behind Mongolian Khan and Trip To Paris in the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield before running tenth to Prince Of Penzance in the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.

The Freedman brothers have nominated Our Ivanhowe for both the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup again this year and he is also among the entries for the Group 1 $3m Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22.

Market order for the Makybe Diva Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.10 Black Heart Bart, $6 Palentino, $8.50 Tarzino, $11 Our Ivanhowe, $13 Rising Romance, $15 Alpine Eagle, Entirely Platinum, He Or She, $21 Sofia Rosa, $26 Happy Trails, $31 Tashbeeh, $34 Prince Of Penzance, $41 Tally, $201 Ayres Rock

Co-trainer Paul Snowden is confident that Tycoon Tara will prove tough to beat when she lines up for the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Tycoon Tara will contest Saturday’s Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes third-up. Photo: Steve Hart

Tycoon Tara has been a strong and consistent performer through her entire racing career since debuting for Simon Wilde in 2013, but has undoubtedly stepped up in class since transferring to the care of Team Snowden prior to her current preparation.

Given little chance of success in the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) first-up on August 6^th, the Written Tycoon mare dictated terms from the outset before pulling clear and posting a comfortable half-length victory.

Lining up amongst particularly talented company in the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) most recently on August 20^th, Tycoon Tara was again led to the fore of the field by jockey Kerrin McEvoy and comfortably beat Group 1 winner Le Romain to the line.

Snowden is confident that the mare can make it a spring three-peat and told Racing Ahead that the team cannot fault her condition leading into Missile Stakes 2016.

“I think the public perceived the first run as a bit of a fluke on a wet track,” Snowden said.

“She came out and won again and I dare say that it’s not beyond her to put three in a row.

“She’s absolutely thriving. She makes her own luck up on the speed, she can lead or sit off and sit outside.

“She’s got options to choose from, from seven, Blake knows her really well and I’m very, very pleased with how she’s going.”

Tycoon Tara has posted eight wins and a further four minors through her twenty-four start career so far and made a successful transition to black type company during the 2015 edition of the Autumn Carnival; whereby she secured consecutive wins in the Group 3 Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) and Group 3 Premier Signs Stakes (1400m) in Victoria.

Confirmed amongst a field of ten classy sprinters, Tycoon Tara will leave from barrier 7 and will be partnered by Missile Stakes jockey Blake Shinn.

Ladbrokes Australia currently rates Tycoon Tara a $9 chance in 2016 Theo Marks Stakes betting markets.

Newcastle trainer Kris Lees is hoping one of his four runners will secure the stable’s first win in the Group 3 $175,000 XXXX Gold Newcastle Cup (2200m) on the Beaumont track at Newcastle on Friday.

Sense Of Occasion, above, is one of four Kris Lees runners in the Newcastle Cup at Newcastle. Photo by Steve Hart.

Lees has provided a placegetter for the Newcastle Cup five times since 2003 and this year will saddle up last start Rosehill winner Sense Of Occasion, French Import Singing, Wyong Cup winner Slow Pace and Taree Cup winner Olympic Academy.

“It hasn’t been for the want of trying and, obviously, it would be great to finally win the Newcastle Cup,” Lees said.

“No matter where it is, every trainer wants to win their hometown Cup.”

“This looks to be our best chance with all of our runners going into the race in top form.”

Kerrin McEvoy will stick with Singing who has drawn nicely at barrier three in the fourteen horse plus one emergency field and the seven year old import has been installed the early favourite at $4.20 with Ladbrokes.com.au.

Singing has run second at his only two Australian starts in a 1900m BenchMark 93 Handicap at Canterbury on July 23 and in the Listed $100,000 Premier’s Cup (1900m) at Rosehill on August 27 when he was beaten in the run to the line by his stablemate Sense Of Occasion.

Tim Clark will ride Sense Of Occasion again but the Street Sense six year old won’t get much of a home turn advantage after drawing out wide at fourteen but Lees said that he would be hard to beat again after scoring a tough win over Singing last start and is on the third line of betting at $6.

“He raced wide and proved the better stayer on the day,” Lees said.

“No doubt he will be hard to beat.”

Slow Pace ($12) has drawn nicely at gate two with Robert Thompson to ride again after the pair combined to win the Listed $160,000 Carlton Mid Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) at Wyong on September 2.

“His Taree Cup run was all right, and I thought he would run well at Wyong,” Lees said.

“I probably didn’t expect him to win, but he dropped a lot in weight and the heavy ground suited him.”

Olympic Academy, barrier twelve with Tommy Berry to ride, is the outsider of the Lees four runners at $20 and is coming off a last start tenth in the Wyong Cup but was in the winner’s stall at his previous run when he took out the $80,000 Taree Cup ( 2000m) on August 21.

As usual the Chris Waller stable will provide the main opposition with top weight Junoob ($12) and Wyong Cup runner up and $5.50 second favourite Sacred Master.

Nine year old Junoob has been burdened with 59kg but is used to carrying big weights and he was lumped with 62kg when third two starts back in the Listed $100,000 Rowley Mile (1600m) at Hawkesbury on August 18 and then he carried 59kg last Saturday when fifth in the Group 3 $125,000 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.

Hugh Bowman rides Sacred Master who has drawn barrier seven and Brenton Avdulla is booked to ride Junoob who has drawn worse than midfield at ten.

Market order for the Newcastle Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.20 Singing, $5.50 Sacred Master, $6 Sense Of Occasion, $10 Orbec, Dee I Cee, $12 Junoob, Slow Pace, $15 Ruling Dynasty, $18 Dowdstown Charlie, $20 Olympic Academy, $21 Amexed, $31 Lord Disick, $61 Letchworth, $101 Quartermaster, $201 Kinsman.

Trainer Chris Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman combined to win back to back Group 3 $175,000 XXXX Gold Newcastle Cups (2200m) on the Beaumont track at Newcastle today with ex Kiwi stayer Sacred Master.

Jockey Hugh Bowman, above, scored back to back wins in the Newcastle Cup with Sacred Master winning today. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Waller and Bowman teamed up last year with Beyond Thankful and a repeat performance saw them back in the winner’s circle at Newcastle again.

The well supported Sacred Master, $4.60 into $3.70 was ridden a treat by Bowman who had him in the clear at the 800m to make his move.

Bowman had Sacred Master moving forward on the home turn and the five year old was able to sustain a long run to hold out the $14 chance Dee I Cee with Waller filling the third spot with old stager Junoob ($9).

The Kris Lees trained Singing was sent out the $3.40 favourite and after being given the run of the race by Kerrin McEvoy loomed up to the leaders at the 250m mark but failed to go on with it and missed a place to finish in seventh spot.

“It’s a great feeling. It’s a race I really tried to win a long time ago,” Bowman said.

“Last year I won the Wyong Cup and the Newcastle Cup with Beyond Thankful. This horse is a more progressive type than Beyond Thankful and it will be interesting to see where he goes.”

“I was able to put him to sleep early and I was aided by a really nice run in transit and he relaxed so well today.”

Sacred Master had a good staying record in New Zealand including a third in the Group 1 NZ$500,000 Barefoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie on March 12.

Lightly raced four year old Bon Aurum will chase a second Group 1 victory in the Toorak Handicap after winning the Group 1 $500,000 Yulong Park Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield today.

Trainer Ciaron Maher said  that he would step Bon Aurum up to the 1600m of the Group 1 $500,000 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield in fortnight while he is racing in winning form.

“I’m in two minds if he runs a strong mile, but I think this is the best vein of form he has been in and he is still on the way up and improving, a good time to test it out,” Maher said.

Maher set the Bon Hoffa gelding for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at the beginning of this campaign and he went into today’s race on the back of a win in the Listed $120,000 The Sofitel (1400m) at Flemington on September 10.

“We thought that we would kick him off back in a ratings race and if he made the necessary steps we can always lift the bar,” Maher said.

Winning rider Kerrin McEvoy settled Bon Aurum midfield well away from the fence and had him in clearing running when heads were turned for home.

Bon Aurum ($4.40) responded to McEvoy’s riding in the straight to claim the lead close to the post to record a half a length win over the consistent Voodoo Lad ($6) with Fast ‘N’ Rocking ($21) getting out late to find third spot.

“It was a great ride by Macca, very patient. He got him into that three wide line where he likes to be and really brought him on,” Maher said.

Maher credits a lot of Bon Aurum’s winning form to his staff, especially those based at Warrnambool where the stallion spends a lot of time doing beach work.

“This horse has taken a lot of work. He has spent a lot of time down with Mathew Williams in Warrnambool,” Maher said.

“He has done a great job with him. Just a testament to the environment down there at the beach. It is just great to get him back and claim a Group 1 with him.”

The favourite Counterattack ($3.80) was given every chance by Craig Williams and after looming up in the straight faded to finish sixth, two and three quarter lengths behind the winner.

Dee I Cee is a lightweight chance to give Gai Waterhouse another win in the Group 1 $750,000 McGrath Estate Agents Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse. above, is chasing another Metropolitan win with Dee I Cee at Randwick. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Waterhouse has saddled up the winner of the feature staying race of the Sydney Spring Carnival on eight occasions and if Dee I Cee wins this year she will share the trophy with new co-trainer Adrian Bott.

A win by the Istidaad gelding would also be the first Group 1 win for the new training partnership.

Waterhouse had previously won The Metropolitan with her first Group 1 winner Te Akau Nick in 1992, Electronic and Hula Flight in 1995 and 1996, In Joyment in 1998, Coco Cobanna and Dress Circle in 2000 and 2001, Herculian Prince in 2010 and Glencadam Gold in 2012.

Dee I Cee is an improving stayer who has worked his way up through the ranks and Bott is giving him a great lightweight chance on the 51kg minimum.

“Down in the weights I think he’s a great chance,” Bott told AAP.

Dee I Cee has drawn midfield at barrier seven in the thirteen horse field and new jockey Kerrin McEvoy is certain to give him every chance from the good draw.

“We couldn’t be happier with where he’s drawn,” Bott said.

“I think he’ll get every opportunity from there.

“If he’s good enough, which we think he is, he’ll be fighting out the finish.”

Dee I Cee is coming off a last start second in the Group 3 $175,000 XXXX Gold Newcastle Cup (2200m) on the Beaumont track at Newcastle on September 16 and will be clashing with the winner Sacred Master again in The Metropolitan.

“It was a brilliant run last start in the Newcastle Cup,” Bott said.

“We covered plenty of ground although he had cover.”

“He loomed up into it strongly. I think it’s a nice form guide going into the Metropolitan.”

Dee I Cee is marked at $17 for The Metropolitan at Ladbrokes.com.au while the Chris Waller trained Sacred Master is well in the market at $7.

Sacred Master’s stablemate Antonio Giuseppe sits at the top of the market order at $4.80 ahead of Sir John Hawkwood at $5.50 with the John O’Shea trained Allergic at $8.

Market order for The Metropolitan at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.80 Antonio Giuseppe, $7 Scared Master, $5.50 Sir John Hawkwood, $8 Allergic, $9.50 Who Shot Thebarman, $11 Magic Hurricane, $12 Storm The Stars, $15 Junoob, $17 Dee I Cee, $21 Sense Of Occasion, Grand Marshall, $81 Amexed, $301 Quartermaster.

Russian Revolution has continued his unbeaten career start with an impressive start-to-finish performance to win the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Randwick this afternoon.

Russian Revolution beat Astern to the line in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart

Despite being yet to taste anything but success, Russian Revolution was forgotten in Roman Consul Stakes betting markets as punters focused their attention on Astern and Golden Slipper winner Capitalist.

Jumping from the gates well, Russian Revolution was immediately led to the front of the field by jockey Kerrin McEvoy and settled into a good rhythm alongside Mount Panorama.

Hugging the rails rounding onto the final straight, the Snitzel colt mustered a big turn of foot and pulled comfortably clear of his rivals; maintaining a strong-enough sprint to beat a fast finishing Astern by half a length.

McEvoy delivered a perfectly-timed ride aboard Russian Revolution to win the Roman Consul Stakes and believes the horse will only improve from the run.

“He’s been improving all the time and he pleased leading into it,” McEvoy said.

“I know it wasn’t just a two horse race and we looked the only speed in the race with Gai’s horse coming out.

“I was able to get it easy through the first three furlongs and then just picked it up and they had to catch me.

“Full credit to the horse, he’s done a great job. It was all guns blazing last 50 but as I said, he’s a quality little colt in his own right and his best is ahead of him for sure.”

Peter Snowden was on hand for Russian Revolution’s impressive win in the Roman Consul Stakes and confirmed that the horse will travel to Melbourne for a tilt at the 2016 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on Derby Day.

“He did what everyone was frightened today, he led from the front so full credit to him – he beat them fair and square,” Snowden said.

“He ran a great time and there’s no fluke in that, he’s a very talented horse.

“It was pretty obvious we’d lead from that draw and that’s why I elected to run him in this race and not the open race. I just thought he could dictate this race from the front.

“He relaxed really well and he was very good late too, so plenty of upside to a very good colt. Great to see him get that victory over two very smart runners behind him.

“I think the Coolmore is definitely on the cards for Russian Revolution.”

Russian Revolution has posted four wins from as many starts since making his debut in June of this year.

A midfield barrier draw for Bon Aurum will give him a great chance to claim back to back Group 1 wins when he steps out in the $500,000 IG Markets Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Bon Aurum, above, is chasing his second G1 win in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Bon Aurum settled just worse than midfield when he came with a great rush to win the Group 1 $500,000 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 24 and trainer Ciaron Maher can see Kerrin McEvoy giving the Bon Hoffa four year old a similar ride again from barrier seven in the thirteen horse Toorak Handicap field.

“Hopefully he can draw a similar gate to last time and sit in the same sort of spot. He seems to like that,” Maher said today before the barrier draw.

Maher said that Bon Aurum had come through the Sir Rupert Clarke run in great order and he was happy with the stallion’s work at Caulfield on Tuesday morning.

“He’s in great order,” Maher said.

“He goes out to the mile on his home track. There’s a lot to like about it.

“He galloped on the course proper at Caulfield on Tuesday morning and worked well. Similar to going into the last race.”

Maher has no worries about Bon Aurum stepping back up to 1600m even though he was unplaced from two attempts at the distance during his three year old season with a ninth in the Group 1 $1m Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield during the 2015 Melbourne Spring Carnival and a thirteenth in the Group 1 $750,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington during the Melbourne Autumn Carnival.

“He’s a more relaxed horse now, travels better and therefore he’s finishing off his races better,” Maher said.

“He was a bit aggressive as a three-year-old but he’s a more rounded horse now and probably in his best form.”

The Lindsay Park trained He’s Our Rokkii is also racing in great form and has a great chance to win his fifth race on the trot after drawing the pole position.

Top Melbourne jockey Dwayne Dunn is in the saddle again after partnering He’s Our Rokkii in his last seven starts, including his last four wins and the former Kiwi trained four year old is stepping up to Group 1 class in the Toorak Handicap after scoring an impressive win in the $90,000 Sheen Group Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on September 17.

While He’s Our Rokkii can enjoy the comfort of drawing the rails, his stablemate Jacquinot Bay has to overcome the outside barrier with Damian Lane in the saddle.

Sydney’s leading trainer Chris Waller also has two runners and will saddle up Counterattack (barrier 8) for James McDonald and Craig Newitt will ride Cosmic Cube from gate eleven.

Melbourne’s premiership winning trainer Darren Weir also has a strong hand and will leg up Craig Williams onto Japanese import Tosen Stardom who will jump from gate twelve and Mark Zahra will ride the stablemate Royal Rapture (barrier 5) who is going for his sixth win on the trot.

Even though He’s Our Rokkii is taking a giant step up in class, the bookies at Ladbrokes.com.au have him listed as the $4 favourite for the Toorak Handicap just ahead of Bon Aurum at $5.50 and Tosen Stardom at $6.50.

Market order for the Toorak Handicap at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4 He’s Our Rokkii, $5.50 Bon Aurum, $6.50 Tosen Stardom, $9 Counterattack, $11 Royal Rapture, $13 Tivaci, $14 Awesome Rock, $15 Moral Victory, $16 Thames Court, $21 Jacquinot Bay, Miss Rose De Lago, $26 Cosmic Cube, $31 Great Esteem.

Front running filly Global Glamour repeated her all the way win in the Group 1 Flight Stakes with a similar performance to take out the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield today.

The genius of trainer Gai Waterhouse along with the efforts of new training partner Adrian Bott together were able to back up Global Glamour up from her win in the Group 1 $500,000 Sydney Airport Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick last Saturday to win her second Group 1 trophy in a matter of seven days.

Winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy took over the reins from Tim Clark and had the Star Witness filly travelling nicely in front and Global Glamour ($4.40) responded to the urgings of McEvoy to hold off I Am A Star ($21) with the West Australian filly Whispering Brook ($8.50) running a great race for third.

Co-trainer Adrian Bott said that Global Glamour has done a great job to back up in the week and would decide later in the week if she will go on further into the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

“She is an absolute star and I think she is obviously going to be a special filly that she had proven today. We thought that early from a very young age. We saw it on debut she won brilliantly by six lengths and we thought that she was going to be one of our favourites going into the slipper but that didn’t work but she had come back in such good order.”

“We saw her put it all together last start and today we saw her take it to a new level again.”

Today’s win by Global Glamour was Waterhouse’s first Thousand Guineas win and is her second Group 1 win in partnership with Bott.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be a part off her first winner,” Bott said.

“We haven’t thought too far beyond today’s race. It was a tough ask just to come down here today and back in seven days. We will take a deep breath and just let the dust settle and enjoy the moment today before making any firm plans.”

The Chris Waller trained Foxplay was sent out as the $4.20 favourite and after settling midfield was held up slightly in the straight but once in the clear ran on okay to claim fourth spot.

Melbourne Cup winning German trainer Andreas Wohler is not certain who is behind the betting move for his stayer Articus but said that the five year old is in great order heading into Saturday’s Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield.

German trainer Andreas Wohler, above, will saddle up Articus in the Caulfield Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.

Articus was at long double figures in early betting the for the Caulfield Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au and after as much as $41 being offered, the well performed German stayer now shares the third line of betting at $8.50 with the Darren Weir trained Real Love.

“I’m really surprised,” Wohler told racing.com at track work on Wednesday morning.

“When we planned to come over he was 50/1 and he’s one figure now, I think.”

Wohler has no concern that Articus has drawn just worse than midfield at barrier eleven and can see last year’s Caulfield Cup winning jockey Zac Purton giving him a sweet run in the middle of the pack.

“I think that’s good enough,” Wohler said.

“It could be worse.

“Something in the middle (was what we were after) and we’re not far from the middle.

“Hopefully it’s an even, fast-run race and I would like to sit midfield where the jockey will be happy.”

Wohler also has great respect for Godolphin’s English stayer Scottish who will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy and will jump from barrier seven and Lee and Anthony Freedman’s European import Exospheric who will jump from gate three with Damien Oliver in the saddle.

“You shouldn’t underestimate Scottish,” Wohler said.

“He’s a good horse and Exospheric; he had good form in Europe. But they all have to show it here as well.”

Articus was a winner two starts back in the Group 3 €55.000 Maxios Trophy (2000m) at Hannover in Germany on July 12 but at his latest outing could only manage to run fifth in the Group 1 €155,000 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis – Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (2012m) at Munich in Germany on July 31.

Wohler has had previous success over the Melbourne Spring Carnival when he saddled up Protectionist to win the 2014 Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.

Market order for the Caulfield Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.50 Jameka, $7.50 Scottish, $8.50 Real Love, Articus, $10 Exospheric, $11 Sir Isaac Newton, $16 Tally, Sir John Hawkwood, $26 Preferment, Tarzino, Our Ivanhowe, Sacred Master, $34 Set Square, $51 Almoonqith, $61 Pemberley, $71 Big Money, $81 De Little Engine, $101 Fanatic, Go Dreaming, $201 Vengeur Masque.

Godolphin’s English trainer Charlie Appleby rates Scottish as having some of the best form of the European stayers to contest the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy, above, takes the ride on English stayer Scottish in the Caulfield Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Scottish is the winner of three of his last five starts in England and also boasts a second to the highly rated Aidan O’Brien trained Highland Reel in the in the Group 3 £100,000 Gordon Stakes (mile and a half) at Goodwood in July 2015.

Scottish is well in contention in the betting at $7.50 with Ladbrokes.com.au for the Caulfield Cup and comes to Australia on the back of a last start win in the Group 3 £85,000 Strensall Stakes (1 mile, 208 yards) at York in England on August 20.

“He has competed well at a mile and a half back in Europe, a second at Royal Ascot and then a second to Highland Reel at Goodwood,” Appleby told RSN’s Racing Ahead.

“You can tie a bit into the form of Exospheric and I would personally put him bang up there and if anything he is just marginally in front. He is coming to this race in good form on the back of that win there at York.”

“I think it is a tight race but as long as he can get a nice passage around there and give him every chance he is going to be bang there.”

Appleby arrived in Melbourne this morning and went straight to the quarantine facility at the Werribee International Horse Centre and was happy with the condition of his Caulfield Cup runner.

“It has all gone well so far. I got into the barn this morning and seen the horses out on the track there and couldn’t be any happier with the way they looked,” Appleby said.

“He has just come off the track there and has just cantered a mile around and he looks in great order. He has moved well and he looks in great shape.”

Appleby is confident that Scottish will perform well at the 2400m and can see Kerrin McEvoy putting the Teofilo gelding into a forward position from barrier seven in the eighteen horse field.

“The track conditions are there to suit. We are stepping up to the mile and a half,” Appleby said.

“The trip doesn’t concern me and I just think the style of racing will suit him.”

“He breaks well from the gates and he has got plenty of early pace if needed so. Just get him out there and get him into a nice rhythm.”

“I imagine that Kerrin will be close to the pace because that is style of running back in Europe so we want complicate things. We will let him hit the lids and hope that Kerrin can get him into a nice position.”

“He has progressed well back in Europe this year on that last start when he won the Strensall very well. He is a year old than when he meet Highland Reel and he had done well and is in a good place at the moment.”

The other European trained stayers to line up in the Caulfield Cup are the Irish galloper Sir Isaac Newton and the well performed German galloper Articus while English import Exopsheric is now under the care of Lee and Anthony Freedman at Flemington.

Crown Oaks winner Jameka sits at the top of the Caulfield Cup market order at $3.60 at Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of the Darren Weir trained Real Love at $7, English stayer Scottish at $7.50 and German stayer Articus at $9.

Market order for the Caulfield Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.60 Jameka, $7 Real Love, $7.50 Scottish, $9 Articus, $12 Sir Isaac Newton, $13 Exospheric, $16 Sir John Hawkwood, Sacred Master, $17 Tally,  $26 Preferment, Our Ivanhowe, $31 Tarzino, $41 Set Square, $51 Pemberley, De Little Engine, $61 Almoonqith, $81 Go Dreaming, $201 Vengeur Masque.

Godolphin’s two English stayers Qewy and Oceanographer are looking to to gain entry into the Melbourne Cup when they go around in the Group 3 $300,000 Geelong Cup (2400m) at Geelong on Wednesday.

Oceanographer, above, is one of 2 Charlie Appleby trained runners in the Geelong Cup at Geelong. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Oceanographer has drawn barrier six in the ten horse Geelong Cup field with Ben Melham to ride while Qewy has drawn next to him at seven with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.

Qewy and Oceanographer are both weighted on the minimum with 50kg in the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 1 and a win in the Geelong Cup would help their chances of gaining a start in Australia’s most famous race.

A win by either of the Charlie Appleby trained stayers could attract a penalty for the Melbourne Cup and lift them up the order of entry for the ‘Race That Stops A Nation’.

“Oceanographer has settled in particularly well, and is working along nicely,’ Appleby said.

“We are hoping that Qewy can finish in the first three, which will enable him to qualify for the Cup, though he, too, is a long way down in the weights.”

Qewy is a proven stayer with a win over 3300m over the hurdles at Newbury in February last year and comes to Geelong with a last start second on the flat over 2800m in Handicap at Goodwood in England on July 26.

Oceanographer was a winner two starts back over 2000m in a Handicap at Doncaster followed by a seventh in a York Handicap on August 20.

The Godolphin royal blue colours will also be carrier by Arab Dawn who is prepared by their Australian trainer John O’Shea.

Arab Dawn has drawn the outside of the field with Dwayne Dunn taking the ride and is coming off a last start seventh to Real Love in the Group 3 $200,000 JRA Cup (2040m) at Moonee Valley on September 30.

Leading Victorian trainer Darren Weir has one runner in the Geelong Cup, Black Tomahawk, who is well overdue for a win after recording six placings from his last six starts.

Black Tomahawk has drawn nicely at barrier three and has Craig Williams back in the saddle replacing apprentice Michael Dee who rode the seven year old into third place behind Almandin and Assign in the Listed $120,000 italktravel Harry White Classic (2400m) at Caulfield on September 24.

Trainer Chris Waller will only have one Geelong Cup runner in Kinema after topweight Who Shot Thebarman was an early scratching after drawing barrier ten.

Craig Newitt gets the ride on the English import Kinema (barrier 1) who will be having his first outing the Waller stable following his last start eleventh in a 2800m Handicap at York in England on August 20.

Caulfield Cup runner up Scottish is no certain starter in the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 1.

Scottish, above in the royal blue colours running 2nd to Jameka in the Caulfield Cup at Caufield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Even though Scottish ran a brave second to Jameka in the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield last Saturday, the Charlie Appleby trained gelding looks likely to miss the Melbourne Cup and be kept for the Group 1 $2m Emirates Stakes (2000m) at Flemington four days later.

The weight for age Emirates Stakes is the renamed Mackinnon Stakes that has been moved from Derby Day to the last day of the four day Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The Godolphin stable was pleased with the effort of Scottish to finished in the runner’s up stall last Saturday but will probably take the advice of his jockey Kerrin McEvoy who thinks 2000m would suit him better even though he is well up in the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup.

“Charlie (Appleby) was very happy with his run and thought we should definitely have another crack here, we came here to win races,” Charlie Appleby’s assistant trainer James Ferguson told racing.com.

“He is still in the Melbourne Cup but Kerrin McEvoy had a slight question whether he stays or not and whether ten furlongs (2000m) might be the key with him, as it is back home.”

“The Emirates Stakes is looking more likely than the Melbourne Cup, but he is still in the Melbourne Cup and he is one of ours that is definitely already in, so we will have to have a long think and speak to the team back home.”

In a race that saw the lead change hands several times, McEvoy found himself in front on Scottish at the half way mark and had to the take the Caulfield Cup field up to the home turn and fought on extremely well in the straight to beat all bar the winner Jameka.

Scottish is currently listed as a $26 chance for the Melbourne Cup with Ladbrokes.com.au who have the John O’Shea trained Hartnell as the $5 favourite just ahead of the Caulfield Cup winner Jameka at $6.50.

English hurdler Qewy looks like gaining a spot in the Melbourne Cup after a tough all the way win in the Group 3 $300,000 Geelong Cup (2400m) at Geelong today.

Qewy, royal blue colours above, holds off a determined finish by Grey Lion, to win the Geelong Cup at Geelong. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The win by Qewy over the 2400m of the Geelong Cup qualifies him for the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November.

Winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy took the Charlie Appleby trained English raider straight to the front and Qewy ($4) was able to hold off a determine challenge by Grey Lion ($6.50) to record a long head with his stablemate Oceanographer ($2.90 favourite) coming from last to be three quarters of a length away in third spot.

All three placegetters could clash again in the Melbourne Cup after fulfilling the first qualifying condition which reads since 1 February 2015 inclusive, won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in an internationally recognised Group or Graded flat race run over 2300 metres or further; OR won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in the Queensland Derby, Queensland Oaks or Brisbane Cup.

Qewy had established himself as a strong stayer back in England, mixing his racing over the jumps and on the flat, and before today he last visited the winner’s stall when victorious in a 3319m Hurdle at Newbury in February 2015.

Travelling stable representative James Ferguson said he now hoped that the Godolphin owned seven year old would make his way into the final twenty-four horse field for the Melbourne Cup.

“I hope so now. That is the plan and we will see what happens,” James Ferguson said.

“At the moment if he goes up enough (in order of entry) and he gets in I am pretty sure he will run.”

Ferguson gave McEvoy a wrap for a great front running ride which he rated to perfection.

“I told Kerrin to just go. He stays all day, dropping back in trip,” Ferguson said.

“He has given it a beautiful ride and Ben (Melham) has given Oceanographer a brilliant ride, he has come third.”

“It is great for Sheik Mohammed to have a winner here and it is brilliant for the whole team and Charlie at home.”

If Qewy makes the final Melbourne Cup field he will be trying to emulate the feats of Geelong Cups winners Media Puzzle (2002), Americain (2010) and Dunaden (2011) who all went on to win the Geelong Cup – Melbourne Cup double in the same year.

Geelong Cup winner Qewy has earned a 0.5kg penalty for the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 1.

Qewy, above in the royal blue colours winning the Geelong Cup, has earned a 0.5kg penalty for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Kerrin McEvoy rode Qewy to an all the way win in the Group 3 $300,000 Geelong Cup (2400m) at Geelong for Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby and the Street Cry seven year old now has a great chance of making the final twenty-horse horse field of the Melbourne Cup.

The Geelong Cup win over Grey Lion and stablemate Oceanographer also enabled Qewy to pass the first qualifying clause in the conditions of entry with a win in a Group race over 2300 metres or further.

Qewy has now been re-handicapped to 50.5kg and is officially number thirty-one in the Melbourne Cup order of entry but will be able to creep up the ladder with the announcement today that the Chris Waller trained pair of Preferment and Sacred Master, both above the English stayer in the order of entry, won’t be contesting the Melbourne Cup.

“Qewy was a narrow winner of the Geelong Cup over fellow import Grey Lion in what was a truly run race,” Racing Victoria (RV) Executive General Manager – Racing, Greg Carpenter said.

“Qewy carried 1kg less than Grey Lion at Geelong, and is now handicapped to carry 0.5kg less than that horse in the Emirates Melbourne Cup.”

Melbourne Cup winners Dunaden (2011) and Amercain (2010) both received a 0.5kg penalty for winning the Geelong Cup before going on to win Australia’s most famous race while the Dermot Weld trained Media Puzzle was hit with a 1.5kg penalty for his Geelong Cup win before winning the 2002 Melbourne Cup.

Qewy had established himself as a strong stayer back in England, mixing his racing over the jumps and on the flat, and before his Geelong Cup victory he last visited the winner’s stall when victorious in a 3319m Hurdle at Newbury in February 2015.

Travelling stable representative James Ferguson said he now hoped that the Godolphin owned seven year old would make his way into the final twenty-four horse field for the Melbourne Cup.

“I hope so now. That is the plan and we will see what happens,” James Ferguson said.

“At the moment if he goes up enough (in order of entry) and he gets in I am pretty sure he will run.”

Qewy is currently marked as a $21 chance for the Melbourne Cup with Ladbrokes.com.au along with stablemate Oceanographer.

Hartnell also races under the Godolphin royal blue colours from the John O’Shea stable and heads the market order at $5 just ahead of Caulfield Cup winner Jameka at $6.50.

Early Melbourne Cup market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $5 Hartnell, $6.50 Jameka, $10 Bondi Beach, Almandin, $11 Heartbreak  City, $15 Big Orange, Exospheric, $17 Wicklow Brave, $19 Almoonqith, $21 Curren Mirotic, Gallante, Oceanographer, Qewy, $26 Beautiful Romance, Grey Lion, $31 Scottish, Our Ivanhowe, Real Love, $41 Excess Knowledge, Second Wave, Who Shot Thebarman, $51 or more the rest.

Second declarations for the 2016 Melbourne Cup will be taken at 10am (AEDT) on Monday, 24 October 2016.

Weather conditions in the greater Melbourne metropolitan region through the last 24 hours have undoubtedly strengthened Lucia Valentina’s chances of being crowned the 2016 Cox Plate winner at Moonee Valley in just over half an hour.

Lucia Valentina will leave from barrier 9 in the Cox Plate this afternoon. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

A noted wet track performer, Lucia Valentina has returned to blistering form in 2016 but is set to jump at longs odds in the Cox Plate as punters continue to rally around champion mare Winx and Godolphin entrant Hartnell.

Posting a career total of seven wins and six minors through twenty-nine starts so far, Lucia Valentina broke through for her maiden win at the highest level in the 2014 edition of the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), and won the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) during the subsequent Spring Carnival.

Unable to return to winning form until she produced a big performance to win the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at the conclusion of the 2015 Spring Carnival, the Savabeel mare was set on a trip abroad in December and ran a credible fifth in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin.

Resuming this year for fourth in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) on March 12^th, Lucia Valentina mustered a huge turn of foot to post her career-best result to date in the featured Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on Day 2 of The Championships.

Lucia Valentina has so-far finished fourth in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) and third in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) this time in, and should receive a dream run from barrier 9 in the Cox Plate this afternoon.

Kerrin McEvoy will take the ride on the six-year-old in the Cox Plate, who has firmed slightly into a quote of $18 only hours from jump.

European raider Vadamos is currently tied on the fourth line of Cox Plate betting with Lucia Valentina and is another runner than should not find much issue with the soft Moonee Valley track.

Vadamos has only finished outside the first three a handful of times through his eighteen career starts so far and will be partnered by Mark Zahra in the Cox Plate.

While yet to run in Australia, the Monsun entire has won all of the Group 2 Prix Du Muguet (1600m), Group 3 Prix Messidor (1600m) and Group 1 Prix Du Moulin (1600m) in France most notably this year.

Three-year-old Yankee Rose has drifted to Cox Plate odds of $16 but remains sole occupant of the third line of betting at Ladbrokes Australia, behind Winx ($1.85) and Hartnell ($3.70).

Update*

With just over half an our until the 2016 Cox Plate winner is confirmed, Winx has firmed into $1.75 favouritism, ahead of Hartnell ($4.80), Yankee Rose ($11) and Lucia Valentina ($15).

Nurse Kitchen upstaged Sezanne and I Am A Star to record an upset victory in the Moonee Valley Fillies Classic this afternoon.

Nurse Kitchen looked as though she was going to hit the line fairly for a nice third – as Sezanne stormed down the outside and looked the winner – but she absolutely rocketed home in the final 100 metres to score an outrageous victory.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy gave Nurse Kitchen a perfect patient ride, but he was quick to pay credit to the training performance of David Brideoake, who acquired the talented filly from Peter Moody.

“Full credit to David,” McEvoy said.

“She was jumping sharply in trip, she ran over 1200 last time and didn’t really have a hard run because she got into some trouble.

“She was stepping up in trip, but she really enjoyed it.

“She has a nice amount of ability and that is what she showed then.”

Brideoake was always of the opinion that Nurse Kitchen was a better horse than her performance in the Blue Star Group Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield on October 1 suggests and he was thrilled that she was able to prove that in the Moonee Valley Fillies Classic this afternoon.

Nurse Kitchen has only has the two race starts this preparation, but Brideoake suggested that she will likely head to the spelling paddock and could develop into an Australian Oaks-style filly during the autumn.

“She is just a lovely promising filly,” Brideoake said.

“She is very lightly-raced and has lots of upside.

“I think that we will just tread quietly and I think that she will be really there in the autumn.

“We have always thought she is a little immature and would take a little bit of racing.

“We will have a look at her in the next few days and decide whether that is enough for her this spring and that may be the case.”

Champion trainer Peter Moody was on hand to represent his wife Sarah Moody, who owns Nurse Kitchen, and he is also of the belief that the daughter of Savabeel will be at her best during the autumn.

“I am very proud to be here representing my wife with a filly that we bred ourselves,” Moody said.

“She is a nice filly, she has always shown nice ability and congratulations to David and his team.

“She has always shown us good ability, she has a pretty deep pedigree and I think she is going to be a lovely staying filly.”

Sezanne lost no admirers with her swooping run for second, while I Am A Star toughed it out to finish third.

The United States has justified his favouritism at Moonee Valley this afternoon; comfortably winning the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m).

The United States stormed home to win the Group 2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley this afternoon. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

The United States was undoubtedly the class horse is the small Crystal Mile field of six and the horse has stamped himself as a serious chance for the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (2000m) at Flemington in a fortnight with this afternoon’s triumph.

Jumping from the gates well, jockey Kerrin McEvoy settled The United States off the pace of Lidari, Federal and Ulmann from the gates, who set only a fair tempo in the Crystal Mile.

McEvoy produced the Galileo entire rounding onto the final straight and was a passenger as the horse comfortably overcame his rivals to secure a seventh career win in the Crystal Mile; beating home Lidari and an impressive Ulmann.

McEvoy produced a typically smart ride aboard The United States to win the Crystal Mile and revealed that it was not all smooth sailing for the classy import this afternoon.

“It was a bit sticky early because he’s not a great beginner,” McEvoy said.

“I just let him get into his stride and I was able to duck down inside Royal Rapture. He’s a big, strong horse and I was able to push him out, get him clear.

“Then it was just a matter of getting him mobile. No problems at the trip and weight-forage. Those other hoses that aren’t as highly-rated had to try and match him and they couldn’t do it.”

Prominent owner Nick Williams was pleased with The United States’ win in the Crystal Mile and conformed that providing he comes through the run well, will next target the 2016 Emirates Stakes (previously known as the Mackinnon Stakes).

“He missed a lot of work heading out of the Turnbull Stakes and we had to re-asses plans,” Williams said.

“All the team at the farm have done a wonderful job. He didn’t have much wrong with him; he probably had a bit of man-flu truth be told.

“I think he’s our best horse. He’s by Galileo who is the best sire in the world and out of a Pivotal mare, who is the best sire in Britain.

“He’s a tough horse and a great horse. All things being equal, it will be onwards to the Emirates Stakes on final day at Flemington, and hoping he can put in a similar performance.”

The United States has returned to racing in career-best form this year, and extended his record to seven wins and five minors through nineteen starts, in being crowned the Crystal Mile winner this afternoon.

Melbourne Cup hopeful Howard Be Thy Name will lead the field out for the Group 3 $300,000 Jayco Bendigo Cup (2400m) at Bendigo on Wednesday.

Howard Be Thy Name, above, is the top weight for the Bendigo Cup. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

The Darren Weir trained Howard Be Thy Name was today also among the second acceptances for the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 1.

Howard Be Thy Name was the winner of the Group 1 $500,000 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 14 but hasn’t been back to the winner’s circle in five runs since.

The Redoute’s Choice stallion had a brief stint in Brisbane during the Winter Carnival for a third in the Group 3 $150,000 Mullins Lawyers Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Doomben followed by a fourth to Eagle Way in the Group 1 $600,000 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm but has been unplaced from three Spring Carnival outings.

Howard Be Thy Name’s latest run saw him finish fifth to Assign in the Group 2 $400,000 Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 8 and will find Wednesday’s assignment a lot easier.

Irish jockey John Allen rode Howard Be Thy Name to victory in the South Australian Derby and will back aboard the four year old looking for another feature race victory, replacing Damian Lane.

Howard Be Thy Name has drawn nicely at barrier three in the nine horse Bendigo Cup field and is on the second line of betting at $3.60 with Ladbrokes.com.au while $2.50 favourite Our Century will jump from barrier four with Katelyn Mallyon in the saddle.

The Robert Hickmott trained Our Century is stepping up in class coming off a last start win in a 2400m BenchMark 84 Handicap at Caulfield on October 12.

English trainer Charlie Appleby is looking for another Country Cup’s win with Francis Of Assisi after Qewy carried the Godolphin royal blue colours to victory in the Group 3 $300,000 Geelong Cup (2400m) at Geelong last Wednesday.

Geelong Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy takes the ride on Francis Of Assisi ($7.50) who will jump from gate six.

Francis Of Assisi combined his flat racing with stints over the jumps and was last in the winner’s circle in October 2015 in winning a 3219m Hurdle race at Fakenham in England.

Market order for the Bendigo Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.50 Our Century, $3.50 Howard Be Thy Name, $5.50 Second Bullet, $7.50 Francis Of Assisi, $11 Ferro Nero, Bring Something, $16 Go Dreaming, $41 Blizzard, $51 Desert Samurai.