Flit in contention

Flit (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) has boosted her claims for the upcoming Golden Eagle with success on Saturday in the Silver Eagle lead-up at Randwick.

The 4-year-old was able to track the Queenslander Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) off a genuine tempo and proved too good in the straight.

“She’s been flying this preparation without winning. Now she’s feeling good we couldn’t see her running a bad race,” trainer James Cummings said. “This horse has got a great turn of foot and she’s marched right into contention.”

Flit was ridden by Rachel King, who was also successful earlier in the program on the progressive Criaderas (Lonhro).

Peltzer to chase big prize

Peltzer (So You Think {NZ}) returned to winning ways in the G2 Stan Fox S. at Randwick and will be back in a fortnight’s time to chase a bigger pot of gold.

Co-trainer Gerald Ryan confirmed the 3-year-old’s next appearance would be in the Bondi S.

“Too right. I part own a share in the horse, he'll be coming back for the $1 million," he said.

Peltzer has been racing well in top company, he was a last-start fifth in the G1 Golden Rose S. and took advantage of a drop in grade on Saturday to lead all of the way.

Stallion credentials enhanced

The Spendthrift-owned Dirty Work (Written Tycoon) enhanced his stallion profile with a dashing victory in the G2 Schillaci S. at Caulfield.

The 4-year-old sat at the tail of the field in the McCafe-sponsored dash and unleashed with an electric burst to win for the fifth time in his career.

“He’s a stallion now and he’s a belting-looking horse with a great attitude,” co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said.

Rider William Pike gave credit to regular rider Tommy Berry who told him Dirty Work had an ‘amazing’ 250 metre sprint so held him up for a final run and the tactic proved spot on.

Everest chance?

In-form sprinter Wild Ruler (Snitzel) raised the question of his inclusion in the $15 million The Everest with a dashing win in Saturday’s G2 Polytrack Roman Consul S. at Randwick.

The 3-year-old was untested to claim the thick end of the stake for trainers Peter and Paul Snowden.

“I guess it’s my guys will talk to your guys. This is what it was all about today and it’s a Group 2 so not to be sneezed at,” Paul Snowden said. “We’ll look at our options and it’s food for thought.”

Rival trainer Chris Waller holds the last remaining slot to be filled for The Everest.

Visitors given all clear

Runners from Aidan and Joseph O’Brien’s stables have been cleared to run at the Melbourne spring carnival.

Racing Victoria stewards have been advised by Racing Analytical Services Limited that Zilpaterol was not detected in the out of competition samples obtained from the international visiting horses.

Following recent reports that feed used by both of the O’Brien stables in Ireland was found to be contaminated with Zilpaterol, stewards sought to determine whether the 10 horses from the two stables which arrived in Melbourne last weekend for the carnival were affected, but tested clear.

In-form filly strikes again

Swats That (Shamus Award) showed she was on target for a sterner test when she landed the G3 Thoroughbred Club S. at Caulfield.

It continued the filly’s winning form this season as she had been successful at her previous appearance in the G3 Champagne S. at The Valley and will run next in the G1 Coolmore Stud S.

“She sat back and relaxed and hit the line nicely. She’s doing a fantastic job and one of her main attributes is that she goes home and smashes her feed,” co-trainer Troy Corstens said.

Colt’s Guineas odds cut

Not An Option (Not A Single Doubt) has been elevated to co-favouritism for next month’s G1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas.

Following a successful resuming effort at Matamata on Saturday, the colt now shares the top line of betting at NZ$4.50 with last-start G3 Hawke’s Bay Guineas winner Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}).

“I’ve always thought he would love a mile and a big track like Riccarton, so we’re on target for the Guineas down there now,” trainer Tony Pike said.

“He will have one more run before we go to Christchurch, which will be in the G2 Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa.”

Trained by Tony Pike, Not An Option was making his first appearance since tailing the field home in the G1 JJ Atkins S. and had enjoyed a quiet lead-up trial before coming from last to win the Fairview Motors Matamata 1400.

Plein Ciel fancied

Plein Ciel (Ger) (Mamool {Ire}) has been in good form this preparation and presents as a strong chance to add Sunday’s Listed TAB Cranbourne Cup to his record.

The Danny O’Brien-trained 8-year-old has finished runner-up in two of his last three outings, including a most recent second in the G3 JRA Cup at The Valley.

Noncomformist (Rebel Raider) is third-up at a trip that should be ideal for him and a more competitive performance should be forthcoming while Tavirun (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) has a home track advantage and is a two-time winner at the distance.

Trap For Fools (Poet’s Voice {GB}) was a sound fifth when resuming in the G1 Underwood S. and with a major step back in class he has to be respected, even with 62kg. Polly Grey (NZ) (Azamour {Ire}) shapes as an each way hope after a solid effort for fifth in the G3 Naturalism S.

Back-to-back wins

Matamata mare Supreme Heights (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) added a second stakes victory to her burgeoning record when she took out Saturday’s G3 Wyndspelle Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders S. at Hawera.

The Mark Brosnan-trained 5-year-old had given an emphatic display of front running when taking out a Group 3 contest at New Plymouth at her last start and repeated the dose on Saturday in similar fashion.

Rider Michael McNab took over the reins on the mare from the suspended Sam Collett, but adopted the same game plan as he went straight to the front before stacking up his rivals in the mid-stages.

“The instructions were to ride her like last time where she led and dictated, but to also be prepared to take a sit if something wanted to go mad in front,” McNab said. “I ended up getting a soft lead and she got into such a nice rhythm.”

Tavi Mac takes Cup

Favourite Tavi Mac (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) provided his many followers with another thrilling performance when he dashed away with the feature race at Matamata on Saturday, the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup.

He carried topweight of 59kgs in the event, but gave no indication that the impost was in any way a hindrance as he bolted clear in the run home to win by more than 3l.

“I’m just thrilled with that as it isn’t easy to carry topweight and do it as well as he did,” Sharrock said. “He put them to bed pretty easily, the little beauty. It was a good effort for a little horse, but Opie (Bosson) rode him beautifully.

“When you get those top riders on it really shows. Opie hasn’t done a lot of riding for me but when he has, he hasn’t been beaten too many times.”