With the AFL Grand Final shifting Melbourne's feature meeting to Sunday, The Great Game was spread across the entire weekend. Rosehill delivered the Golden Rose on Saturday before Caulfield took centre stage on Sunday with the Manikato Stakes and a stack of spring stars in action.
Here's what caught our eye.
Rosehill Saturday
Blue Door blows them away
Blue Door is seriously fast.
The Bjorn Baker-trained filly went straight to the front in the Group 3 Heritage Stakes (1100m) and simply ran them into the ground, putting 2.2 lengths on Ciaron's Star with Outspan third.
She's only had four starts, but this filly has some serious X-factor. Baker immediately floated an Everest tilt, and you can understand why.
Lazzura simply gets the job done
Lazzura was backed like defeat was out of the question in the Group 2 Golden Pendant (1400m) and delivered accordingly.
James McDonald gave the Chris Waller mare the perfect run before she put the race away, defeating Verona Rose and Modella.
The $2 million Invitation at Randwick is next and 1400m looks right in her wheelhouse.
Warwoven announces himself
Wow.
Warwoven absolutely annihilated a hot Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m), exploding away under Rachel King to beat St Gotthard by 3.16 lengths in a slick 1:20.93. Under Focus was third.
He's now completed the Run To The Rose–Golden Rose double and heads to Melbourne for a mouth-watering Caulfield Guineas clash with Blind Raise. Bjorn Baker has even floated the Cox Plate.
This was the performance of a serious racehorse.
Skyhook goes to another level
Skyhook just keeps getting better.
Kerrin McEvoy controlled the Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) from the front and the race was basically over before they straightened. Skyhook put 2.9 lengths on Estadio Mestalla, with Private Eye third.
The Silver Eagle is next before the $10 million Golden Eagle. He's putting together a preparation that says he belongs there.
Caulfield Sunday
Regal Ambition has Guineas written all over her
Regal Ambition bungled the start in the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1440m), but that only made what followed more impressive.
Michael Dee didn't panic, allowing her to find her feet before getting her rolling. She produced a powerful finish to run down Pretty Baby and score second-up.
The Hayes team has always had plenty of time for this filly and she now looks to be coming into her own. Full steam ahead to the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) on October 17.
Jenni is still Jenni
Nine years old and Pride Of Jenni is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down.
She rolled along in her trademark fashion in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) before putting the race away without Declan Bates even needing the whip. Treasurethe Moment chased home strongly for second, with Pounding third.
It was her third straight Feehan and another reminder that when Jenni gets rolling out in front, very few horses can live with her.
Mr Brightside was the big disappointment, finishing last for the first time in his 51-start career. His connections will see how the nine-year-old comes through the run before deciding where he goes next.
Diameter joins the Guineas conversation
Diameter had to fight for it in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m), but fight he did.
James McDonald found the gap and the Chris Waller-trained colt drove through to nail stablemate Somethings Burnin', with Scarole third.
He now heads towards the Caulfield Guineas, adding another genuine contender to what is shaping as a cracking edition.
Changing Colours lands the Stocks
Changing Colours stepped up in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m), giving Lucy Yeomans and Blake Shinn a strong feature win.
She defeated favourite Sass Appeal, with Too Darn Discreet third.
A deserved piece of Group 2 black type and another mare worth keeping an eye on as the spring rolls on.
Jimmysstar is back
That was the Jimmysstar we know.
Blinkers went on for the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) and Ethan Brown rode him cold before unleashing him. From near last, Jimmysstar produced a devastating finish to sweep past Extragalactic and Charm Stone.
It was his fourth Group 1 and his first win since last year's C.F. Orr Stakes. Even better, he produced the fastest last 800m, 600m and 200m of the entire meeting.
The Everest is now firmly on the agenda. On this performance, Jimmysstar is back to his explosive best.
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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