Cup spot confirmed

The Chris Waller-trained Brimham Rocks (GB) (Fastnet Rock) has booked his berth in the G1 Caulfield Cup with his first Australian victory in the G3 MRC Foundation Cup at Caulfield.

Waller's Melbourne representative Johanne Taylor said the imported gelding had been disappointing in the autumn, but had come back this preparation in better shape than ever.

"He's certainly earned it, but I'm sure Chris is really happy just to see this horse return to form," Taylor said. "He was certainly convincing.

"He's a horse that I think has a lot of upside to him and whether Chris wants to give him another run, I don't know if it's completely necessary, but the options are there if Chris wants to.”

Ideal Epsom profile

Chris Waller believes there is a sense of timing surrounding Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) after the progressive gelding booked himself a spot in the G1 Epsom H. with victory in the G3 Bill Ritchie H. at Randwick.

"He's a really nice horse and it was good to see him fight strong that last 50 metres when it looked like he might have been beaten," he said.

Waller pulled the right rein by scratching Kolding from the G3 Cameron H. at Newcastle on Friday to run at Randwick, his win securing him a start in the Epsom in two weeks when he has 50.5kg.

"It's a winnable weight and there's a sense of timing, it's the race he's been set for after winning the race at Eagle Farm, the Queensland Guineas," he said.

Derby claims boosted

Danny O’Brien’s G1 VRC Derby plan for Skiddaw (Hinchinbrook) is going smoothly following a successful step up to a mile at Caulfield to win the 4CYTE for Living Legends H.

“He’s a colt we’ve got plenty of time for. As he’s stepping up in distance he’s showing the class he’s got,” the Flemington trainer said. “He’ll go to the UCI S. over 1800 metres next and then on to the Derby.”

Skiddaw appreciated a strong pace and when rider Ben Melham asked his for a serious effort he pounced and comfortably accounted for the front-runner The Lifeline (Pierro).

Major domestic success

Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman were out of luck with their 3-year-old Long Jack (So You Think {NZ}) at Caulfield, but there was a result to savour at home with Aretha (NZ) (Charm Spirit {NZ}) a gallant winner of the G3 Hawke’s Bay Breeders’ Gold Trail S.

The filly was first-up for the season and she made the running and didn’t buckle under pressure to get the deciding strike in over Bavella (Snitzel).

“She was very brave and I though Bavella had her for sure,” Forsman said. “We’ll pick a path to the G1 1000 Guineas with her.

“There’s no need to panic about that though. That would have taken a lot out of her, it was a big run.

Stylish start

Shared Ambition (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}) made a strong start to his Australian career with Chris Waller with a first-up success at Caulfield.

A dual winner in Ireland, the 4-year-old came from the back of a small field under apprentice Teo Nugent to claim the Grassroots Sports Club for Mirabel H.

Shared Ambition is out of a half-sister to the stakes winner and Group 1 performer Alasha (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}), dam of the dual Group 3 winner Alanza (Ire) (Dubai Destination {USA}).

Miss Federer too classy

Less than twenty-four hours after being crowned champion South Island 2-Year-old for her deeds last season, Miss Federer (NZ) (Swiss Ace) landed the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle S. at Riccarton.

“She had come on nicely from her first run where she hit the wall at the 100 metre mark,” trainer Andrew Carston said.

“I hadn’t been able to give her a trial before that race so I knew she would take plenty of benefit from it.”

Carston will now monitor the recovery of his charge before setting her for her next assignment, although plans for a start in the Gr.1 Gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas in November are still up in the air.

“People have asked me if she will get the 1600 metres of the 1000 Guineas and the simple answer is I just don’t know,” he said.

Swift’s Cup start ruled out

International superstar Taylor Swift will not be performing at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day following a change to her Asian Tour dates.

The Victoria Racing Club announced on September 12 that Swift would perform two songs in the parade ring before the Melbourne Cup.

Mushroom Events and the VRC made the announcement on Saturday.

"Regrettably, Taylor is no longer able to make it to this year's Melbourne Cup," Michael Gudinski from Mushroom Events said. "Changes to her Asian promo schedule have made it logistically impossible for her to be here.”

Classic hope

The classic potential of Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) was on show at Hastings where he won for the second time in his three-start career to set up Group assignments.

“A raw talent is a pretty great way to describe him as you could see when he wavered around in the straight,” trainer John Bary said. “He’ll go to the G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas and look to get a few more points to get in the G1 2000 Guineas.”

Despite showing greenness in the straight, Callsign Mav surged clear to beat the older horses in the Heart of the Hawke’s Bay 1300m.

On Guineas trail

Manchu (Redoute’s Choice) accounted for a competitive age group line-up at Hastings to press her claims for a trip south for the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.

The Brendan and Jo Lindsay-bred and raced filly led all the way in the Windsor Park Stud Stallions 3YO and she showed commendable fighting qualities to win at the second time of asking.

“She’d only had the one previous start and she was attacked here and fought them off,” trainer Lance Noble said. “We’ve always rated her and she’s nominated for the 1000 Guineas so we’ll pick a way there.”

Chrome colt tops

A colt by dual Horse of the Year California Chrome (USA) led the 11th day of selling with an US $85,000 (AU$125,571) final bid from Novogratz Racing Stable Inc. at the Keeneland September sale in Lexington.

Offered as Hip 3670, the May foal is out of stakes-placed Dirty Rush (USA) (Wild Rush {USA}), a half-sister to multiple-stakes winners Britt’s Jules (USA) (Jules {USA}) and Probation Ready (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}).

Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, Agent LXXXIII, the bay is a member of the first crops of yearlings by GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. hero California Chrome. Bred by a partnership of Taylor Brothers Properties Pollock Farms and Louis Brooks Ranch, the colt is a half-brother to Rush Now (USA) (Tiznow {USA}), a multiple-stakes winner and graded-placed.