Racing writer for The Sydney Morning Herald
His owners had every intention of retiring him heading into the race, but Junoob showed there's plenty of life left in the old legs - if needed - with a commanding win in the listed City Tattersalls Club Cup at Randwick on Saturday.
John O'Shea could celebrate with Peacock at the end of Saturday's Gothic Stakes at Caulfield but Godolphin's other two runners made excruciating viewing as he watched the replay.
James Cummings and Blake Shinn had each experienced how hard it was to face the breeze and win going into Saturday's Caulfield Classic, so it was the last place they wanted to be with Good Standing was in front.
Racing is a sport of risk and reward, but when Ciaron Maher saw "an exquisite filly" he knew he just had to have her.
The Cox Plate favourite produced a stunning piece of work.
Godolphin stayer Scottish has Fiorente-like qualities, according to bookmaker Rob Waterhouse, and should be favourite for Saturday's Caulfield Cup.
Jockey Zac Purton flew into Melbourne on a mission on Friday to take another Caulfield Cup back to Hong Kong, this time for Germany, as he becomes the ultimate gun for hire.
It has been a year since Lankan Rupee appeared on a racecourse but the return of the former horse of the year has Mick Price hoping one of his favourites can match past glories.
Hartnell has been rated the equal Arc de Triomphe winner Found for his Turnbull Stakes romp making him the highest rated horse in Australia this season.
The big screen in the middle of Moonee Valley on Thursday morning featured defending champion Winx and Godolphin's Hartnell on either side of a countdown clock – a reminder it was nine days to the most anticipated race of the spring.
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