14 rivals for Mystic Journey

Star Tasmanian mare Mystic Journey (Needs Further) has drawn barrier 10 for Saturday's G1 Makybe Diva S. as she confronts 14 rivals including last start G1 Memsie S. winner Scales Of Justice (Not A Single Doubt) and last year's Melbourne Cup favourite Yucatan (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Mystic Journey was last seen when resuming in the G2 PB Lawrence S. last month, her 7th-straight win, and is searching for her second Group 1 success.

Scales Of Justice has drawn to her inside while veteran Godolphin Group 1 winner Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) is on her outside in barrier 11. Yucatan has barrier 2.

Other Group 1 winners in the field include Gailo Chop (Fr) (Deportivo {GB}) (barrier 6), Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}) (14), Mr Quickie (Shamus Award) (12), Oohood (I Am Invincible) (4) and Qafila (Not A Single Doubt) (7).

Arcadia Queen to resume in Theo Marks

Everest-bound mare Arcadia Queen (Pierro) will make her debut for Chris Waller in Saturday's G2 Theo Marks S.

The Group 1 winning mare has not raced since last December and accepted for both the Theo Marks and the G2 Sheraco S. but Waller opted for the former race after she came up with barrier 1.

It shapes as an intriguing race, with Zousain (Zoustar), Tom Melbourne (Ire) (Dylan Thomas (Ire}), Deploy (Fastnet Rock), Redouble (Redoute's Choice), Gem Song (Your Song) and El Dorado Dreaming (Ilovethiscity) all resuming.

Arcadia Queen heads the market, with emerging pair Trope (More Than Ready {USA}) and Baller (High Chaparral {Ire}) considered her major rivals.

Meanwhile, Enticing Star (Testa Rossa) will make her first Sydney appearance in the G2 Golden Pendant on September 28 before going straight into The Everest.

Lyre looking for further

The Freedman stable admit Group 1 winning filly Lyre (Lonhro) may find Saturday's G2 Danehill S. at Flemington a touch short.

Lyre ran 4th behind Exhilarates (Snitzel) in the G3 Quezette S. at Caulfield four weeks ago and stable representative Sam Freedman said the Godolphin filly is ready to step it up, although the 1200 metres on Saturday may not best suit her.

“She’s a filly who seems to get better the more racing she has. It’s possible that she might even be looking for 1400 metres now,” he said.

“Even in her first-up run she raced like she might be looking for further, but we’ll be waiting for the Guineas Prelude to get her out to that trip.”

“At Caulfield she just found it difficult to sprint with the others, but her last 100 metres was good.”

“And a run like that might toughen her up a bit as well.”

Reloaded to miss spring

Reloaded (Snitzel) has been ruled out of the spring by his trainer Chris Waller.

The 3-year-old colt has not raced since finishing 3rd in the G1 JJ Atkins S. at Eagle Farm in June. He had a couple of trials, but Waller has opted to put him away.

“He’s had feet issues that needed ironing out so you won’t see him until the autumn,” Waller told Racenet.

“That’s been the negative of a winter campaign in Brisbane."

“Putting him out now gives me the chance to give him a good eight-week spell and get his feet right."

Parr in the clear

Jockey Josh Parr has been cleared over his ride aboard Sedition (Exceed And Excel) at Warwick Farm on August 28.

Parr had been questioned over the ride in a BM70 H. after Sedition was unable to take a run at the top of the straight in the 1200 metre event, eventually finishing 3rd.

But after resuming their enquiries on Wednesday, they decided Parr's actions were not unreasonable.

VRC confirms Oaks Day revamp

Victoria Racing Club has confirmed a later start to VRC Oaks Day this year.

The third day of the Melbourne Cup carnival has declined in attendances from 2004 where it attracted 110,677 to just 61,355 last year.

As part of a revamp, the VRC has announced the day will start later at 1:50pm with the nine-race card to conclude at 6:25pm. There will also be shorter gaps between races.

"The updated program of events will also make it easier for those with work commitments to take a half-day or finish work and get to the track to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and first-class racing that the VRC's Melbourne Cup Carnival is known for," VRC Chief Executive Neil Wilson said.

Wait A Sec headed to Livamol

Group 1 winner Wait A Sec (NZ) (Postponed {USA}) returns to stakes company in the G3 Boehringer Ingelheim Metric Mile at Awapuni on Saturday, and co-trainer Guy Lowry is hoping he still has the class to measure up.

Lowry, who trains with Grant Cullen, said they were delighted to have the 9-year-old back on the track after he bowed a tendon and were pleased with what he showed first-up at Hastings last time out.

“I was pleased with his first run, he ran the third fastest last 600 metres in that race, although he finished last, and had 60.5kg on his back,” he said. “When you have got a bit of age on you it takes a while to get going again.”

He is heading back towards the race he won back in 2017, the Livamol Classic at Hastings on October 5.

“He has got a bit of a goal and that is to get to the Livamol,” he said. “I couldn’t imagine him figuring in the finish on Saturday, but to see him run a nice race would be great and then he can back-up a week later here (Hastings) in the Open 2000 metres."

“Hopefully he is getting somewhere where he needs to be for the Livamol.”

Flemington test for Glory Days

Recently crowned New Zealand Champion Stayer Glory Days (NZ) (Red Giant {USA}) takes her biggest step towards the G1 Melbourne Cup on Saturday when she contests the Vale Russell Cameron over 1700 metres at Flemington.

The G1 Auckland Cup winner and G1 Sydney Cup placegetter has arrived in Melbourne and trainer Bill Thurlow says she is ready to make her presence felt.

“She travelled over really well, is eating well and looks good,” Thurlow said. “I worked her this (Wednesday) morning and I couldn’t be happier, she is doing really well.”

“She has got a lot of weight on Saturday and she is only a little mare,” he said. “I honestly couldn’t see her winning on Saturday but if she is just running on well I would be happy.”

Craig Williams will take the ride on the mare, who has 52kg in the Melbourne Cup, on Saturday.