Derby Day delivered another spectacular chapter of the spring carnival, with Chris Waller and James McDonald dominating the Group 1 action at Flemington, while the Golden Eagle produced a dramatic finish and a heartbreaking result for favourite backers at Randwick.
From a $2.8 million colt delivering on his enormous price tag to an emotional Golden Eagle triumph, here's what caught our eye.
Royal Randwick
Pericles smashes the clock
Pericles produced a stunning performance to claim the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) in track-record time.
The Bjorn Baker galloper was given a perfect ride by Dylan Gibbons, settling just behind the speed before charging through along the inside to defeat Headwall and stablemate Caballus.
Starting at $17, Pericles stopped the clock at a blistering 1:14.05, collecting $1.725 million in prizemoney plus an additional $800,000 in bonuses.
Not a bad consolation prize after missing out on an Everest start!
Skyhook soars to Golden Eagle glory
Skyhook claimed the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) in a thrilling finish, narrowly defeating $71 outsider Decorum, with Beiwacht finishing third.
Chad Schofield continued his extraordinary spring, adding the Golden Eagle to his Everest victory aboard Tempted just a fortnight earlier.
Schofield only picked up the ride after regular jockey Kerrin McEvoy was suspended, while trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou celebrated the biggest victory of their partnership.
For Ryan, it was an emotional triumph after months of meticulous planning, with Skyhook delivering the stable a $5.25 million winner's cheque.
But spare a thought for favourite Sheza Alibi, who endured a nightmare passage and never found clear running. She went to the line with plenty left to give, and a quick turnaround at Flemington remains a possibility.
Flemington
The Roaring Sun shines for Waller
The Roaring Sun opened Derby Day with an impressive victory in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m), giving Chris Waller his sixth win in the race and third consecutive success.
Damian Lane produced a beautifully patient ride, settling the lightly raced colt back in the field before unleashing a powerful finishing burst to defeat stablemate and favourite Unhinged.
It was just his third career start and his first victory, suggesting there's plenty more to come from the son of The Autumn Sun.
De Armas puts her hand up for the Oaks
De Armas made a serious statement ahead of Thursday's VRC Oaks with an impressive victory in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m).
Blake Shinn produced a superb ride aboard the Chris Waller filly, allowing her to settle before sweeping into contention and putting the race away.
The 2500m Oaks distance looks well within her reach, although Waller will assess how she pulls up before deciding whether to back her up.
The Next Episode delivers on his $2.8 million price tag
The Next Episode stamped himself as one of Australia's most valuable young stallion prospects with a brilliant victory in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
The Ciaron Maher colt powered down the Flemington straight under Mark Zahra, holding off St Gotthard and Mbube to claim his third consecutive victory.
Purchased for a huge $2.8 million as a yearling, the son of Snitzel has now won five of seven starts and earned more than $2.1 million on the track.
It was also a remarkable comeback for Zahra, who returned to riding just a fortnight after his frightening Caulfield Cup fall.
The colt's value as a future stallion has now skyrocketed.
Stormy Marco storms to Derby glory
Stormy Marco produced a devastating finishing burst to win the $3 million Victoria Derby (2500m), delivering another Group 1 triumph for the formidable Chris Waller and James McDonald combination.
McDonald settled the favourite well back before bringing him widest into the straight, where he simply overwhelmed his rivals.
Cold Shower was excellent in second, while filly Quick Finish battled on strongly for third.
It was Waller's fourth Victoria Derby victory and McDonald's third, further cementing their remarkable partnership at the highest level.
Lady Shenandoah makes it five Group 1s
What a mare!
Lady Shenandoah continued her outstanding spring with a dominant victory in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), making it back-to-back elite-level wins following her Toorak Handicap success.
The Chris Waller superstar was heavily backed and never gave her supporters a moment of concern, powering clear under James McDonald to defeat Concord Connie and Idle Flyer.
The victory took her Group 1 tally to five and completed a brilliant Group 1 double for Waller and McDonald on Derby Day.
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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