Mare doubles up

Spanish Whisper (Lope De Vega {Ire}) has confirmed her affinity with the Flemington 1400 metre trip with victory in the G2 Let's Elope S.

She claimed the G2 Kewney S. over the course and distance in the second start of her autumn preparation in March.

"She was placed beautifully by Mark Zahra in a good rhythm and she gave a good strong kick," co-trainer Tom Dabernig said.

"She is definitely more mature this preparation and more settled and hopefully she will go on into the spring and have a good preparation."

Dabernig said the G1 Toorak H. and the G1 Empire Rose S. were future options for Spanish Whisper.

Trinder a happy trainer

The winning run of Mystic Journey (Needs Further) came to an end in the G1 Makybe Diva S. at Flemington, but the mare remains favourite for the G1 Cox Plate.

She was upset by Western Australian visitor Gatting (Hard Spun {USA}) in Saturday's 1600 metre weight-for-age feature, bringing her to a seven race unbeaten run.

"As I've always stated we've never been scared of defeat," trainer Adam Trinder said.

"If you think you're going to win every time being in racing, you're in the wrong game effectively.

"I think she has run really well. If running second in a Group 1 is the worst thing that happens to us, we're pretty well placed in life."

Carnival options for filly

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Wayupinthesky (Snitzel) has earned herself an extended stay in Melbourne.

The filly remained unbeaten in two runs this season when she was too strong for her fellow 3-year-old fillies in the Listed Cap D’Antibes S. at Flemington.

“There’s not much of her, but she’s all heart and determination,” Peter Snowden said. “She’s such a competitor and was way too good.

“There’s more upside to her. She’s a 1200 metre horse and there are options during the carnival so we’ll keep here down here.”

Upset winner

Legionnaire (Stratum) produced a timely maiden victory in his first crack at black type company at Flemington.

The 3-year-old had finished runner-up in his previous two runs and went one better in the Listed Antler Luggage Exford Plate at odds of 30-1.

“It was a great run last start, he ran such good sectionals, and you have to believe in your own horse so we took a chance,” trainer John Moloney said.

“I left him out of the Caulfield Guineas though, he’s still a bit immature.”

Cup hopes with Alfarris

Alfarris (Fr) (Shamardal {USA}) will head to G3 The Bart Cummings after the gelding scored a fighting win at Flemington.

The 6-year-old held out stablemate Ventura Storm (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) by a nose to win the Very Special Kids Pin & Win Plate on Saturday.

Senior Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes said Alfarris was being set for The Bart Cummings on October 5, which rewards the winner with a ballot exemption into November's G1 Melbourne Cup.

"He'll be really fit and has been trained to peak for The Bart Cummings. Hopefully he can do it after just getting beaten with Jaameh last year, beaten by Avilius which is a good horse and hopefully there's not as good a horse in it this year."

Catalyst brilliant

Boom 3-year-old Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) treated his rivals with contempt when he produced a devastating home straight sprint to capture the G3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ S. at Ruakaka.

He overcame some trouble early in the run home to dash clear in the closing stages of the contest and win with consummate ease.

“It makes the job easy with a guy like him,” rider Troy Harris said. “I ended up in a good spot, but straightening I had to make the choice whether to kick up or pull back. Once I got out it was all over.”

Catalyst will now run in the G2 Sacred Falls Hawke‘s Bay Guineas at Hastings ahead of the G1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.

Stradivarius supreme

Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) has added success in the G2 Doncaster Cup to his impressive list of staying achievements.

"He's a lovely horse. I had no intention of coming here, but he was so fresh, rearing up and shouting all the time, so I thought we'd come and win the Doncaster Cup," trainer John Gosden said.

"It hadn't been the plan, but (owner) Mr (Bjorn) Nielsen was very good about it. He's a gorgeous horse to train, but he was getting so playful at home.

"I think Mr Nielsen's big plan, if the horse is happy and well, is to go to Ascot next year. He would love to win three Gold Cups. We'll try to do that if we can and we'll see what comes out of the Leger as potential challengers."

Birchley cleared

Queensland trainer Liam Birchley has been cleared over the ‘Aquanita eight’ doping case, but three other trainers including Robert Smerdon have lost their appeals against their disqualifications.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Friday found Smerdon, Tony Vasil and Stuart Webb guilty, but on a reduced number of charges.

The number of occasions over which Smerdon was found guilty was reduced to 78, from the 115 before the RAD Board. She found Vasil breached the rules of racing on two occasions, down from seven, and Webb on one instead of three.

The RAD Board banned Smerdon for life while Webb was outed for four years and Vasil for three.

Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal deputy president Heather Lambrick also said although she concluded Birchley was aware of top ups she could not be satisfied any administration took place regarding any of his horses.

Patience pays off

Trainer Chris Waller's waiting tactics with imported galloper Lord Gododdin (GB) (Camelot {GB}) were rewarded after the gelding won his first race in Australia at Doomben.

He won three times in England before being bought to come to Australia as a possible open company stayer and had lined up four times prior to his Gadens H. success on Saturday.

"He was a good 2nd at Caloundra at his previous start and he lived up to that here. Chris has taken his time with him but Lord Gododdin might have a bit of future," Waller’s Queensland manager Paul Shailer said.