Defiantly books Melbourne Cup ticket
Australian Bloodstock-owned stayer Defiantly is heading to the Melbourne Cup after winning the ballot-exempt Group 2 Prix Kergorlay at Deauville.
The race has an outstanding history as a Melbourne Cup lead-up, with Americain and Protectionist both winning the Prix Kergorlay before going on to victory at Flemington.
Maher secures international Golden Eagle contender
The first international raider is locked in for the $10 million Golden Eagle, with Ciaron Maher securing exciting Ascot winner Amazing Journey.
Previously trained by Jamie Osborne, the Starspangledbanner gelding has won five of his 11 starts and will now head to Australia for the 1500m feature.
"He's a super-progressive horse with a great turn of foot," Maher's head of bloodstock Will Bourne said.
Knightsbridge destroys rivals in Pacific Classic
Knightsbridge produced a stunning performance to claim his first Group 1 victory in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, turning the feature into a one-horse procession.
The Bill Mott-trained five-year-old was stepping up to a mile and a quarter after an impressive victory in the Group 3 Monmouth Cup and could now be headed towards the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Daiquiri Bay wins Ebor thriller as Melbourne Cup picture heats up
Daiquiri Bay maintained his unbeaten season with a thrilling victory in the Ebor Handicap at York, prevailing in a three-way finish and booking his place in the Melbourne Cup.
Runner-up Hopewell Rock could also be Melbourne-bound after going down by just a head, with trainer George Boughey believing the 3200m Flemington feature is ideally suited to his progressive stayer.
"The Melbourne Cup has been the plan for a while," Boughey said. "He loves a big field, so I think he's absolutely tailormade for it."
Good news for Cruiserweight
There was positive news for Cruiserweight after the talented gelding was scratched at the barriers when favourite for Race 2 at Sandown on Saturday.
Cruiserweight has since scoped clean, with the stable believing he may have knocked his head at some stage before the race. He is likely to return to the races in around two weeks.
Everest or King Charles for Autumn Glow?
Connections of superstar mare Autumn Glow face a huge decision following her dominant victory in Saturday's Group 1 Winx Stakes at Randwick.
Arrowfield chairman John Messara revealed connections will meet next week to determine whether Autumn Glow targets the $20 million Everest over 1200m or the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes over 1600m, with both races held at Randwick on October 17.
Messara acknowledged there is significant interest in seeing Autumn Glow take on Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising in The Everest, but conceded the world's leading sprinter would present an enormous challenge.
$103 million worth of yearlings nominated for Blue Diamond
An extraordinary 1,348 juveniles have been nominated for the 2027 $2 million Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes, representing more than $103 million worth of bloodstock.
The nominations include 93 of Australasia's 100 highest-priced yearlings sold in 2026, including all of the top 47 and the $3 million Extreme Choice colt out of Group 2 winner Pretty Brazen.
Remarkably, Chris Waller leads all trainers with 133 nominations despite never having had a runner in the Blue Diamond, while reigning winning trainer Clinton McDonald has 24 as he chases a third victory in four years.
J-Mac heading south for Memsie
The Group 1 Memsie Stakes continues to build into one of the early highlights of the spring, with champion jockey James McDonald set to make the trip to Caulfield on Saturday.
J-Mac is expected to ride one of Autumn Boy, Birdman or Angel Capital.
Begg trio ready for Caulfield
Trainer Grahame Begg will saddle up De Bergerac and Pallaton in Saturday's The Heath 1100 at Caulfield, with the stable pleased with both sprinters heading into the race.
Pallaton is reportedly going particularly well, while stablemate Zakouma will begin his Melbourne Cup campaign in the Heatherlie Stakes with William Pike booked to ride.
Seize The Day begins Caulfield Guineas campaign
Te Akau Racing will unleash Group 1-winning colt Seize The Day at Caulfield on Saturday as he begins his path towards the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.
The talented three-year-old will resume in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) with Blake Shinn booked to ride.
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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