Expat Kiwi trainer John Sargent is tickled pink with Group One performer Brandenburg’s (NZ) (Burgundy) draw in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Paul Preusker can’t wait to see his quality stayer Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) step into the ring when he starts in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m).

Trainer Chris Waller has confirmed outstanding mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) will head to Melbourne for the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.

The powerful Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior stable may have added another string to their attack on the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) with Ballarat winner Redwood Shadow (NZ) (Redwood).

A total of 94 horses remain in contention for a start in the 2020 Melbourne Cup, the highest number of first acceptances in ten years.

Former top New Zealand apprentice Rory Hutchings achieved a milestone in his career when notching his 500^th win last Sunday.

Champion trainer Jamie Richards is hoping for another fruitful day on both sides of the Tasman on Saturday despite the stars not aligning for star mare Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m).

Champion jockey Damien Oliver has secured the prime ride on rising star Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) for the Caulfield Guineas.

Four-year-old mare High Emocean (NZ) (Ocean Park) has added black-type to her already impressive resume with a dominant victory in the Listed R.M. Ansett Classic (2415m) at Mornington on Sunday.

Chris Waller has declared the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) the target for Subpoenaed (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) after she defeated a high-class field of mares to win the Gr.2 Golden Pendant (1400m).

Crosshaven (Smart Missile) cemented his claims for a spring classic as a clear winner of the Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on Saturday.

Kiwi-bred three-year-old Savannah Cloud (NZ) (Savabeel) secured his maiden victory last start and trainer Phillip Stokes is hoping he can continue that form line at Caulfield on Saturday.

Tommy Berry’s partnership with brilliant sprinter Chautauqua has helped him to secure the ride on Victorian raider Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park) in the $15 million The Everest.

Trent Busuttin assesses the Melbourne midweek program as a crucial day for his three Victoria Derby aspirants, who will all be in action at Flemington.

Former Waikato jumps jockey Greg Cave has achieved a couple of milestones in Australia within the past few weeks.

Oceanex (NZ) (Ocean Park) is continuing to please trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr ahead of the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November.

The classic seasons for a couple of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr’s runners will start to ramp up this week.

Chris Waller has claimed a seventh Gr.1 George Main Stakes (1600m) crown at Randwick but not with the horse punters expected.

Kerrin McEvoy was happy to finally get the monkey off his back with an overdue victory aboard New Zealander Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) at Randwick.

Wise Counsel confirmed David Eustace’s opinion that he is a potential Victoria Derby contender with his victory in the opening event at Caulfield.

Age Of Chivalry (NZ) (He’s Remarkable) finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) last season and trainers Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra are hoping he can go one better in this year’s edition.

The John O’Shea-trained All Saints’ Eve (NZ) (Sacred Falls) scored a comfortable victory in the Gr.3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle on Friday, landing some valuable black-type for the well-related four-year-old.

Trainer John Sargent is expecting a return to form from talented galloper Brandenburg (NZ) (Burgundy), who lines up in the Gr.3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) at Randwick.

Chris Waller has gone back to the drawing board with Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park) and it has delivered the champion trainer an important epiphany.

Group One winning mare Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park) has secured a slot to run in the $15 million The Everest next month.

Saturday’s Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) favourite Showmanship (NZ) (Showcasing) is out for the spring with a tendon injury that has halted an exciting run of six-straight victories.

Trainer Clayton Chipperfield is getting used to training his stable star Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma) remotely.

The huge impression created by young unbeaten Sydney galloper Mo’unga (NZ) with his Rosehill stakes win last Saturday highlighted a significant week for champion New Zealand sire Savabeel, one which also uncovered another two of his possible three-year-old stars.

Hardy Kiwi galloper Travimyfriend (NZ) (Tavistock) caused a minor upset at Flemington on Saturday when coming with a well-timed run under Dean Yendall to land the Listed The Sofitel (1400m) and swamping the favourite Windstorm (Redoute’s Choice) to win by three-quarters of a length.

Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) runner-up The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) has confirmed his rating as a genuine spring Cups player after easily dealing with a quality line-up to win the Winning Edge Handicap (1700m) first-up at Flemington on Saturday.

There will be no Golden Rose start for Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) but the lightly-raced colt has stamped himself as a star of the future in the eyes of his trainer Chris Waller.

Crosshaven (Smart Missile) moved a step closer to being a factor in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) with his strong win in the Listed Exford Plate (1400m) at Flemington.

Trainer Rob Hickmott is keeping an eye on track conditions ahead of Saturday’s Listed Sofitel (1400m) at Flemington.

All Hallow’s Eve (NZ) (Sacred Falls) made the perfect start to her racing career when winning at Hawkesbury on Thursday.

Group One-winning mare Toffee Tongue (NZ) (Tavistock) will have her second hit-out of the season when she contests a 1700m handicap at Flemington on Saturday.

New Zealand-bred three-year-old Oceanography (NZ) (Ocean Park) has booked his ticket for the Victoria Derby Trial (1800m) at Flemington in a fortnight after breaking maiden ranks at Sandown on Wednesday.

High-priced youngster Cadenabbia (Redoute’s Choice) has added his first slice of performance to a rich pedigree.

Trans-Tasman trainer Michael Moroney will head to the races for the first time in five months on Saturday when he goes to Flemington to watch Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park) compete in the Gr.2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m).

The weights for the A$5.15 million Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and A$8 million Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) have been released by Racing Victoria, with the Kiwi contingent featuring prominently.

Lance O’Sullivan, who trains in partnership with Andrew Scott, was pleased with the fresh-up run of quality four-year-old Dragon Leap (Pierro), who finished 8^th in the Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Promising filly La Vernazza (NZ) (More Than Ready) will head to the spelling paddock after pulling up injured last week.

Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock) showed he has the potential to follow in his namesakes footsteps when winning over 1500m on debut at Geelong on Sunday.

Former New Zealand galloper Simply Optimistic (Encosta De Lago) recorded his first victory for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natale Young when successful in a benchmark 78 race over 1200m at Geelong on Sunday.

A patient approach with three-year-old colt Tanaawol (NZ) (Savabeel) paid off for trainers Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig at Geelong on Sunday.

Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo) barnstorming finish to land victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley forced part-owner John Carter into a change of plans on Sunday morning.

Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo) underlined Chris Waller’s brilliance as a trainer when he turned back the clock to win the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley and resurrect a career which looked finished.

Rising Perth star Showmanship (NZ) (Showcasing), with the help of a masterful ride from Willie Pike, took his record to seven wins from eight starts with an easy victory at The Valley.

The pride of the south, Group One winner Patrick Erin, will begin his spring campaign at Wingatui on Sunday where he will tackle the Vault 21 (1400m).

Trainer Paul Preusker believes his star stayer Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) can secure a start in the Cox Plate by winning the only race which carries a golden ticket into it, the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes at The Valley.

Kiwi mare My Gold Bracelet (NZ) (Pins) made a good start to her Australian career when finishing a close-up third in the Allan & Helen Angus Hcp (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday behind So You Swing (So You Think).