Filly set for Group 1

Co-trainer Peter Snowden has the G1 Oakleigh Plate on the program of Anaheed (Fastnet Rock) and the 3-year-old showed she was on target with victory in the G2 Rubiton S.

Anaheed was able to sit just off leader in Saturday's 1100 metre dash at Caulfield before surging clear.

"I was really surprised how well she won," Snowden, who trains in partnership with his son Paul, said. "She was coming in off one trial and a really soft trial at that.

"I was thinking she was maybe not quite as forward as I hoped she would be but she showed her real class. She was probably only 90 per cent there and she still won, so I'm really happy. She'll definitely improve off that run."

Australian Cup goal

The G1 Australian Cup is the target for Miss Sisska (So You Think {NZ}), who successful resumed at Caulfield.

She sat three wide in the Supergardens TS Carlyon Cup, but when rider Damian Lane asked the mare for an effort she bolted clear in the closing 300 metres.

“She had residual fitness from the spring and she trialled beautifully at Geelong,” trainer Grahame Begg said. “I knew she’d run very well and she deserved that.

“She’ll head to the Australian record and her record at Flemington is very good. She’ll probably have one more run before that.”

Cummings’ opinion vindicated

Trainer James Cummings’ pre-race confidence in Microphone (Exceed And Excel) at Caulfield wasn’t misplaced with the colt producing a powerful finish to win the G2 Hyland Race Colours Autumn S.

Despite having to give weight to his 3-year-old rivals courtesy of a Group 1 victory in the ATC Sires' Produce S. at Randwick last year, Microphone got home late under Damian Lane to score over 1400 metres.

"He put in a beautiful gallop during the week and he really gave us an indication he was bang on," Cummings said. "He worked well enough during the week to run him in the G1 CF Orr.

"While that was very tempting, he's done a very good job to achieve a win as a 3-year-old after being champion 2-year-old colt last season. It's a pretty satisfying achievement for the stable."

Bumper Wednesday program

The two major sales-related races from the abandoned Warwick Farm meeting will be run at the track's next midweek meeting.

The $2 million Inglis Millennium and $1 million Inglis Sprint have been added to Wednesday's program as has the Gardenia H.

The Listed Lonhro Plate for 2-year-olds will now be held at Randwick on Saturday, replacing the Pierro Plate.

Racing officials have indicated they will also look to find a new timeslot for the G3 Eskimo Prince S.

Gun ride

A copybook ride from Jason Waddell saw Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) race away with the G2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic at Te Rapa.

She lobbed along in the trail and was into the clear at the top of the straight and then lengthened stride to win untested.

“She’s top class and I got a gorgeous run as I anticipated. She was fair flying at the furlong and it was going to take something very special to beat me,” rider Jason Waddell said.

Trainer Shaune Ritchie said the way Jennifer Eccles ran out the 2000 metres had given him more confidence heading toward the G1 New Zealand Oaks over 2400 metres.

Filly demolishes rivals

The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) announced herself as a serious G1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby contender when she blew her rivals off the track at Te Rapa on Saturday.

The ultra-consistent filly elected to take on the boys alongside potential Derby rival Travelling Light (NZ) (El Roca) in the G2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas and she gave them all a lesson as she streaked clear to win the feature by a stunning 7.5l.

“I think we saw something a bit special. I’m just thrilled that she has fulfilled what I thought she could,” James said.

“When she worked last Sunday, it gave me goose bumps. I said to Robert (Wellwood) that I’ve been lucky enough to have some good 3-year-olds and I reckon this filly will rank right up with them.”

Minor setback

An elevated temperature forced the scratching of current G1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby favourite Dragon Leap (Pierro) out of Saturday’s G2 Waikato Guineas and the 3-year-old will now target next weekend’s G2.2 Jamieson Park Avondale Guineas.

“We take their temperature every morning and our vet seems to think that once we run his bloods during the week that he would be surprised if he wasn’t ready for the Avondale Guineas next week,” co-trainer Lance O’Sullivan said.

Dragon Leap currently sits at the top of the TAB Fixed Odds market for the Derby at a NZ$2.50 quote ahead of second favourite Travelling Light (NZ) (El Roca) at $4.

Motion denied

Ahmed Zayat has lost the latest round in the courts. Fayette County Judge Kim Bunnel has denied Zayat’s motion to have the court dissolve an order that appointed a receiver to take control of and sell off the assets of his Zayat Stables.

The original order to appoint a receiver came after MGG Investment Group sued Zayat for $23 million ($A34,465,102), alleging that he had defaulted on loans.

“We are pleased that the court has recognized the need for a receiver in this case,” said MGG lawyer Craig Robertson. “Zayat Stables requested that the order to appoint a receiver be dissolved or modified and the judge declined to do so. That’s what we were hoping for.

“We are happy that the receivership is in place and now it’s up to the receiver to identify, take possession of and liquidate their collateral. We look forward to that process happening.”

Back in form

Ryan's Fender (Helmet) has bounced to winning form at Caulfield.

After disappointing trainer Matt Cumani with an unplaced run over 2000 metres that had followed successive wins at Flemington and The Valley, the 5-year-old was then freshened.

Those tactics paid dividends in The Big Screen H. with the gelding showing admirable fight in the straight to win.

"I think he's a horse that is now better placed spacing his runs," Cumani’s assistant trainer Andrew Bobbin said. "It's been a pretty good training effort by the boss and without giving away too many secrets, the horse has had only the one gallop in that month."

Bright prospect

Trainer Desleigh Forster has tipped a bright staying future for Twilighter (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB), who overcame a wide gate in the Grinders H. at Eagle Farm.

"She has been getting back in her races and we decided to go forward from the bad alley," Forster said. "When she draws a good barrier she will be something to beat in a staying race.

"She has the breeding to be a good stayer and I reckon she can live up to that.”