Santos - New Winner

Playing the long game by trainer Phillip Stokes could reap the ultimate result after rising imported staying star Deakin secured his spot in the Melbourne Cup by winning the Listed Lexus Roy Higgins (2500m) at Flemington.

The future is looking bright for Andrew Forsman’s two-year-olds, with sharp gelding The Espy defeating stablemate Belle Noire in the Saddlery Warehouse Cambridge and Tauranga (1100m) on Sunday.

Arrowfield Stud have been having a hot run during the autumn and while unbeaten Castelvecchio filly Verona Rose will have to wait until Tuesday to try her luck in the Group I ATC Vinery Stud Stakes, her sire made amends with a new stakes-winner in Adelaide where Comanche Miss captured the Listed SAJC Clare Lindop stakes (1600m) at Morphettville.

Weanlings by 107 different stallions including Frankel, Snitzel, I Am Invincible and Zoustar headline an Australian Weanling Sale catalogue that is deep in terms of both quality and quantity.

Exciting Bivouac daughter Luana Miss upset raging favourite Yes Queen (Yes Yes Yes) to run out an impressive winner of the Listed WATC Supremacy Stakes (1000m) at Ascot yesterday becoming the third stakes-winner for her young sire.

Closely related to Choisir’s triple US Group I winner Obviously, four year-old Starspangledbanner mare Soprano ended her season last year in North America where she placed in the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland and she made a winning return overnight in the UK.

Twin Hills Stud near Cootamundra on the South West Slopes of NSW is a long way from the Hunter Valley, but Olly Tait knows good horse country and recent results for horses bred and raised on this farm back up his judgment with Saturday stakes-winner Aviatress and exciting two year-old winner Prestige Ole both starting life at Twin Hills.

Lightly raced Santos filly Moorlands Miss overcame a wide run to score a brave first stakes win at just her fourth start in Friday’s Tasmanian Guineas (LR).

Newgate Farm have announced fees on a 16 strong roster of sires with no newcomers this time around and while flagship sire Extreme Choice has earned an increase to top the roster at $330,000, Capitalist and Russian Revolution have both been significantly reduced.

Hong Kong‘s champion Ka Ying Rising was brilliant again at Sha Tin on Sunday, winning the Group II The Sprint Cup (1200m) on his way to Champion’s Day and the much-anticipated Everest appearance.