Libertini stakes claim

Libertini (I Am Invincible) looks to have guaranteed herself a spot in the $15 million The TAB Everest field after upstaging Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) and Nature Strip (Nicconi) in the G2 Premiere S. at Randwick.

The Anthony Cummings-trained mare was an easy winner under rider Regan Bayliss and will now be hot property for the richest sprint race in the world.

"She just has to go home eat up and do well and back it up in two weeks’ time," trainer Anthony Cummings said.

Classique Legend finished second ahead of Deprive (Denman) with Nature Strip a battling fourth and he has now gone from a $3.50 Everest favourite to $8 with Classique Legend and Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}) equal top picks at $5. Libertini has come in from $34 into $6 despite not being confirmed for a slot.

Kolding far too good

Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) has earned a return to Group 1 company following his success in the G2 Hill S.

Trainer Chris Waller will now send him straight into the G1 Cox Plate after his dominant win at Randwick.

“He will go to the Cox Plate. He deserves to. He doesn't like Caulfield, but let's hope he likes Moonee Valley,” he said.

Kolding produced an undeniable finish in the straight under jockey James McDonald to have 2l in Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) at the post with Fierce Imact (Jpn) coming on for third.

Persan in Cup

Persan (Pierro) has won his way into the G1 Melbourne Cup after claiming the G3 The Bart Cummings at Flemington.

"He's been an amazing horse to do what he has done. I told the boss (Ciaron Maher) a month ago I felt he had the form to win a race of this nature," Eustace said.

Persan joined the Eustace and Maher stable earlier this year and has won six of his 10 starts and finished second on three occasions and third once.

The stable now has three starters in the Melbourne Cup as they already have Etah James (NZ) (Raise The Flag {USA}) and imported galloper Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) qualified.

"He came to us a nervous horse and we had to build his confidence up and build up his condition, which we did at our Ballarat stables," Eustace said.

Kah gets Cup ride

Trainer Charlie Fellowes has confirmed Jamie Kah as the rider of Prince Of Arran (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}), when he makes his third appearance in the G1 Melbourne Cup.

Fellowes had been on the hunt for a jockey after Michael Walker decided to partner the G3 Sandown Henry II S. winner Dashing Willoughby (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the Flemington feature.

Walker guided Prince Of Arran into third place in the 2018 Cup and they were runners-up last year.

“Jamie Kah will ride Prince Of Arran in the G1 Caulfield Cup and the G1 Melbourne Cup. She’s a brilliant jockey and I think her riding style will suit the horse,” Fellowes said. “I am really excited that she has agreed to take the ride.”

Internationals arrive

A flight containing 29 high-class international horses touched down at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport on Friday night heralding the official start of the overseas raid on the spring carnival.

Having been acquired by local connections, 13 of the 29 will remain on Australian soil after competing across the carnival, while the remaining 16 will embark on a hit-and-run mission in a bid to add another chapter to the success story of international raiders on Victoria’s marquee races.

The 29 gallopers boarded the flight after completing their mandatory two-week quarantine period at facilities in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and will spend the next fortnight at the TAB International Horse Centre in Werribee.

“It’s very pleasing to see such a high-quality group of horses arrive here in Melbourne to contest some of Australia’s greatest races,” Paul Bloodworth, Racing Victoria’s General Manager – International and Racing Operations, said.

Among them is Aidan O’Brien’s Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), arguably the most high-profile horse he has sent to Australian shores with a G1 English Derby win on his CV.

Jockey escapes serious injury

Jockey Melissa Julius escaped serious injury after a terrible fall at The Valley on Friday night that resulted in the race being declared void.

Victorian Jockey’s Association chief executive Matt Hyland released a statement on Saturday morning that said scans had cleared Julius of any broken bones.

"Doctors at RM (Royal Melbourne) hospital advise that scans have cleared Mel Julius of any fractures."

Julius fell from Obscura (Street Cry {Ire}) soon after the field in the Webb H. jumped and was knocked unconscious.

Munce runner scratched

Queensland Racing stewards ordered the scratching of a Chris Munce-trained runner as they opened an inquiry into the trainer.

Lady Brahmos (Smart Missile) was withdrawn from the Gallopers Sports Club H. on Saturday following a without notice inspection at Munce's stable.

The inspectors allegedly discovered that Lady Brahmos had been recently administered an injection, which is against the rules a day out from a race.

Blanket Guineas finish

The judge has his work cut out at Hastings on Saturday as he perused the photo finish to one of the day’s feature events, the G2 Dundeel at Arrowfield Hawke’s Bay Guineas.

Five horses went to the line with less than 0.5l between them and when the dust settled it was the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) who got in the deciding stride.

“I just didn’t think he would be able to do that here with the way the track has been playing,” Forsman said.

“To make up the ground in the last 200 metres, by a horse that is still maturing, speaks volumes for the ability he does have. He’s got a ton of ability and to see him do that is a bit of a buzz. I think he’s pretty smart.”

Dream result

Follow Your Dreams (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) justified co-trainer Kenny Rae’s confidence at Riccarton with success in the South Island’s first juvenile event of the season.

The colt raced outside the leaders and drew clear in the run home to credit his Mapperley Stud-based sire with his first New Zealand winner.

“I was a bit nervous because I’ve got a high opinion of him and I thought he could win,” said Rae, who is involved in the ownership group.

Bred by Kevin Hickman, Follow Your Dreams was purchased out of Valachi Downs’ draft by Rae at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for NZ$24,000. He is from the family of the G1 Flight S. winner Danglissa (Danzero).