Nothing is likely to ease the pain for James Mcdonald of having to watch the Cox Plate from the jockeys’ room, but a Victoria Derby (2500m) win would help a little.

Trainer John O’Shea has withstood the urge to tackle the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday with Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributer) in favour of the A$750,000 Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m) on the same card.

Connections of quality mare Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls) finally got the payday they deserved when the daughter of Sacred Falls won the inaugural A$2 million The Invitation (1400m).

Kiwi bred mare Flying Mascot (NZ) (Tavistock) turned in one of the performances of the day when winning the Gr.3 Tesio Stakes (1600m) at The Valley, the final event of the card on a dramatic afternoon of racing.

Top class three-year-old colt Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) may have given favourite backers heart palpitations, but his quality shone through late as he overhauled stablemate Commander Harry (NZ) (Reliable Man) in the shadows of the post to win the Gr. 2 Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) at The Valley.

Talented three-year-old filly Dream Queen (NZ) (Super Easy) has provided her new owners with a quick return on investment.

Four-year-old gelding Sacred Armour (NZ) (Sacred Falls) made a winning start to his career in Australia for South Australian trainer Travis Doudle, when winning a maiden plate over 1100m on Gawler Cup Day.