Brutal stakes his claim

The $14 million The TAB Everest has shifted with Brutal (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) now a leading market contender despite Hawkes Racing refusing to count him in the mix after his G2 Premiere S. win at Randwick.

"They are things we don't discuss on race day. We are a stable that loves to see how our horses pull up," Michael Hawkes said.

"He will be on everyone's talking points. Is he good enough to run - of course he is. Will we run - that is yet to be determined.

"The plan was always to have two runs into the Golden Eagle. He's beaten the so called best sprinters in the land at the moment."

Mare bounces back

Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) is back in the mix for the spring features after her success in the G2 Hill S.s at Randwick.

Trainer Chris Waller said the G1 Cox Plate and the G1 Caulfield Cup were options after the mare latest victory.

"We just went back to the basics, that was why she was back last," Waller said. “It was good to see her settling a lot better.

"While she only won by a small margin, I think the run had a bit of merit considering where she's come from."

Sunlight a star

Sunlight (Zoustar) had co-trainer Tony McEvoy marvelling at her sprinting qualities after she led all the way to claim the thick end of the stake in the G2 Gilgai S.

“She’s incredible, a true star. She was in for the fight with the big weight (58kg) and done up proud,” he said.

Sunlight returned the perfect dress rehearsal for the $14 million The TAB Everest in a fortnight’s time.

“She showed she’s going to be a force and we love her. It’s exciting and we’re looking forward to it.”

Santa Ana Lane (Loe De Vega {Ire}) lost no admirers with his late finish from last to finish runner-up and the third placed Zoutori (Zoustar) came through his biggest test with flying colours.

Baby no surprise

The G1 Melbourne Cup hopes are alive for the connections of Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) after he booked his place in the race with victory in G3 Lexus The Bart Cummings at Flemington.

Trained by Paul Preusker at Horsham, he finished over the top of his rivals under jockey Jordan Childs to win by 1.5l.

"It was just a super ride and he's a super horse," Preusker said. "I think he's the real deal. "He probably wasn't really wound up for this, but he's a natural staying horse with a will to win."

Surprise Baby has now won five of his 10 starts and Preusker is considering sending him into the G1 Melbourne Cup without another run.

Stakes breakthrough

Haut Brion Her (Zoustar) has opened her black type account with a clear-up victory in the G2 Blazer S. at Flemington.

She took up a front-running roll and kicked clear under Michael Walker 400 metres from home to beat Pohutukawa (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}).

"She didn't handle Moonee Valley. She laboured around Caulfield and at Flemington with a nice sweeping bend and the long straight, it really suited her better," Waller's Melbourne stable representative Jo Taylor said.

"She was able to balance up and then finish her race off as well as we know she can."

Trainer vindicated

Trainer Shawn Mathrick's belief in Rich Itch (Danerich) has been rewarded with victory in the Listed Paris Lane Stakes at Flemington.

Stepping up to 1400 metres for the first time in Saturday's race, 4-year-old settled midfield under Dwayne Dunn before reeling in leader Romancer (NZ) (Redwood {GB} to win by a 0.5l.

"I've been spruiking him for a long time and I just think he'll get better," Mathrick said. "And if we can get him up to a mile he'll be better again.

"I always said if I could get him to a mile I thought he would be a Group horse. It's just been trying to get him there. We had a lot of trouble with his feet, but he's got a turn of foot that's super."

Off to Melbourne

Baccarat Baby (Casino Prince) is on her way to Melbourne after her first-up win in the Gallopers Sports Club H. at Eagle Farm confirmed the trip.

Trainer David Vandyke said the G1 Empire Rose S. for fillies and mares at Flemington on Derby Day will be her main aim.

"She was on trial for a trip down south and she's certainly earned it with that win," Vandyke said.

"I ran her in the Flight S. a year ago and she acquitted herself well. She was unlucky there and that's when we knew we had a serious Group horse on our hands. She should relish the 1600 metres at Flemington."

Perfect Group 1 trial

Rising star Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) tightened his grip on the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas with a runaway success in the G2 Sacred Falls Hawke’s Bay Guineas.

Tardily away, he mustered speed to go to the front 800 metres out and he careered away in the straight to win with the minimum of effort.

“It’s scary, he just keeps improving. He was slowly away and I opted to go forward and he was just way too good,” rider Troy Harris said.

Bred and raced by The Oaks Stud, the Clayton Chipperfield-trained Catalyst was unplaced on debut and has been unbeaten in four subsequent appearances.

Decision made easier

Trainer Brad Cox said that British Idiom (USA) (Flashback {USA}) didn’t necessarily have to cross the wire first in Friday’s GI Darley Alcibiades S. at Keeneland in order to merit consideration for a start in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita four weeks down the road.

But the chestnut, the well-backed third choice, made those discussions a fair bit easier, as she got first run on Perfect Alibi (USA) (Sky Mesa {USA}) into the short stretch and powered home to score by commanding 6.5l.

British Idiom is the first stakes winner of any variety for Flashback, who stood initially at Hill ‘n’ Dale in Kentucky before being relocated to Diamond B Farm in Pennsylvania.

Well-bred filly still unbeaten

A filly from the family of the champion mare Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) has continued the perfect start to her career.

Vegas Jewel (NZ) (Shocking) was successful on debut at Echuca and at The Valley on Friday evening finished strongly to win the Crown Resorts H. over a mile.

Offered by Rich Hill Stud, she was a NZ$130,000 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale purchase for Laurence Eales, who raced the filly’s dual Group 1 winning sire now resident at Rich Hill.

Vegas Jewel is out of a half-sister to the stakes winner Vegas Showgirl (NZ) (Al Akbar), who produced the peerless Winx.

Youngster makes ideal start

Ohio Showgirl (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) turned in a smart performance to win the 2-year-old event at Riccarton on debut.

She was awkwardly away from the outside gate and was parked wide all the way. Despite that and ducking in down then straight, she produced a sustained finish to come out on top in the Nobby Bussell Memorial.

“We’ve got a good, young team and we always knew she would be right in it,” co-trainer Matthew Pitman said.

Ohio Showgirl was bought out of Haunui Farm’s draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales by Pitman’s father and training partner Michael for $45,000. She is from the family of the G2 Wellington Cup winner Maygrove (Authorized {Ire}).