His trainer just wanted him to finish in the top five, but Rebel Dane caused arguably the biggest boilover in a feature race this calendar year as the entire shunned by stud farms across the country lowered the colours of Chautauqua in the Manikato Stakes.
Meet the 85-year-old Sydney retiree who, even though he owns Winx, rarely makes it to the track. But there won't be anyone cheering louder as a second consecutive Cox Plate win beckons.
Godolphin's jockey James McDonald knows Hartnell has to find at least dozen lengths to beat Cox Plate defending champion Winx but warns he has the horse to do it at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
The weight-for-age classic hasn't seen a match race like this since 2001, when Northerly beat Sunline.
Canberra's Thoroughbred Park is a long way for Hawkesbury's Nick Mitchell to come unless he's confident.
Moonee Valley's bold attempt to have two Group 1 meetings within 24 hours may end badly for the club with Saturday's Cox Plate facing the prospect of being run on an inferior track.
High-profile racehorse trainer Gerald Ryan - at the centre of explosive allegations by jockeys of historical sexual abuse - was allowed to set up stables in Queensland after fleeing Victoria under strict conditions.
Champion jockey Damien Oliver must wait to find out if his reckless riding charge will be downgraded and if he can ride in next weekend's Victoria Derby meeting.
The build-up to the Cox Plate has all been about the clash of Winx and Hartnell but punters have decided it's a one-horse race with bookmakers bracing for record payouts on the champion. mare.
James McDonald riding Hartnell today should be more Peter Cook on Kingston Town than fellow New Zealander's Gary Stewart and Lance Sullivan who favoured slather and wack in their epic 1986 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
One of Australia's leading tipsters passes on a few tips on how to enjoy your day and some of the horses to watch on Cox Plate day.
Every week night around six o'clock Chris Waller shuts down his laptop, turns off his phones and becomes like hundreds of thousands of young fathers around Australia.
Champion mare Winx has a two-length buffer on her Cox Plate rivals at the ratings but it is up to Hugh Bowman to ensure an uninterrupted run as she chases elite speed in the weight-for-age championship at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
One has a net worth once estimated at $18 billion and is the ruler of Dubai, the others are three brothers and their old next door neighbour who run poker tournaments, work in a timber yard and used to wag school to put 50 cent bets on at the local TAB.
The eyes of the nation – and much of the racing world – will be on Hugh Bowman as he exits the Moonee Valley mounting yard on Saturday afternoon and canters down to the most famous 2040-metre start in Australia aboard Cox Plate favourite Winx.
Cox plate third favourite Vadamos is without a jockey for Saturday's $3 million event after world champion rider Joao Moreira was unable to fulfill his engagements following unpredictable typhoon activity in and around Hong Kong where he is based.
Many are called. Few are chosen. And scarcely any ever show to real advantage.
Nick Olive trains two hopefuls for the 1200-metre Benchmark Handicap at Canberra on Friday.
Controversial jockey Danny Nikolic was allegedly sexually assaulted by prominent racehorse trainer Gerald Ryan in 1996 when they worked at stables owned by powerful racing identity David Moodie.
John Camilleri is scrambling to find another jockey to ride Vadamos in Saturday's Cox Plate after Joao Moreira was prevented from leaving Hong Kong because of Typhoon Haima.
Gai Waterhouse believes a race-day gallop from Randwick last Saturday points winners on both sides of the border this weekend as Broadside and Excess Knowledge chase different targets.
Cody Morgan's affinity with Highway races started when Bulls 'N' Bears won at Randwick on Cox Plate day – and he will solely be relying on the enigma to repeat the feat this year.
Remarkably, Terry Robinson reckons King's Officer will be better on the dry. Not a winter wonder, but a summer splendour.
The Melbourne Cup falls on Tuesday, November 1 this year with the Flemington barriers scheduled to open at 3pm (AEST) as race seven on the card.
They lured Australia's once-in-a-lifetime horse and came closest to sinking Black Caviar's unbeaten record - and now Royal Ascot officials are hellbent on making another Australian the No.1 drawcard at their world famous carnival next year.
There is an almost unnatural calmness about Chris Waller leading into Saturday's Cox Plate that highlights his immense confidence in champion mare Winx.
Chautauqua's stranglehold on the Australian sprint ranks may have been loosened after his shock Moir Stakes defeat, but it hasn't stopped his co-trainer Michael Hawkes from reminding everyone where the flying grey ranks.
Michelle Payne won't be able to ride any horse she trains which is set to run in NSW after the state's governing body refused to budge on its stance over dual licences.
Michelle Payne got straight into action after Qewy and Grey Lion went one-two in the Geelong Cup, immediately approaching the pair's connections
Irish trainer Willie Mullins took a significant step towards atoning for his minor placing in last year's Melbourne Cup when his stayer Wicklow Brave worked impressively at Geelong on Wednesday.