James McDonald with four winners and Damien Oliver with more records courtesy of two more Group One wins were the standout performers on Victoria Derby day. But another jockey can lay claim to creating a record of significance on the day also.

If anyone can overcome barrier 19 in a Melbourne Cup, then it’s Chris Waller and James McDonald.

2021 has been the year of Kiwi-bred gelding I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking), who showed his class and trademark fight when winning the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Veteran galloper Justacanta continues to thrive in Australia this spring and landed his second stakes race of the campaign when winning the Gr.2 Linlithgow Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Young Cranbourne trainer Matthew Brown has such a good opinion of Prix De Turn (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) that he is trying to land the colt’s maiden win in a stakes race on Victoria Derby Day.

Star New Zealand-bred mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) will likely take her place in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington next Tuesday.

Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young ran one-two in the Gr.2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) last Saturday with Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) and Commander Harry (NZ) (Reliable Man), and the expat Kiwi trainers are hoping to repeat the feat in the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.

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.

Quick Thinker (So You Think) has run his last race, with owners OTI Racing confirming injury has forced a premature end to the five-year-old’s career.

Mightybeel (NZ) (Savabeel) recorded his second consecutive win when successful in The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1800m) at Randwick’s Kensington track on Wednesday.

A favourable weather forecast is predicted to help the chances of Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man) in her bid for a second Gr.2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m).

Tavistock three-year-old Cotehele (NZ) will contest Saturday’s A$1 million Bondi Stakes (1600m) at Randwick for trainer John O’Shea, where he will attempt to turn the tables on Hilal and Coastwatch, who beat him home in the Gr.2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) last start.

Racing Victoria veterinarians inspected all 10 horses accepted to run in Saturday’s Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley.

Wednesday’s Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) winner Tralee Rose (NZ) (Tavistock) has avoided a penalty for the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on Tuesday week.

A decade and a half after Todd Pollard entered the racing industry as an enthusiastic schoolboy, he now finds himself front and centre of one the world’s most famous races, the Gr.1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m).

Tralee Rose has guaranteed her place in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after a game victory in Wednesday’s Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m).

The Tony Pike-trained Tutukaka (NZ) (Tavistock) confirmed his staying prowess when powering home to land the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) on Wednesday under a patient Damian Lane ride.

Trainer David Browne’s big game expedition to Victoria with the talented duo of Elephant (NZ) (Shocking) and Rhinoceros (NZ) (Vadamos) will take on a new look at the weekend.

At 31, trainer Jamie Richards makes most people seem like under-achievers.

Jockey Damian Lane is confident nine-time Group One winner Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) can bounce back to her best in Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) after impressing in a track gallop at Breakfast with the Best at The Valley on Tuesday morning.

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike believes quality three-year-old Tutukaka (NZ) can bounce back to form in Wednesday’s Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) as the Tavistock gelding presses on towards the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday week.

She’s a A$100,000 yearling purchase who has earned more than A$2.3 million in prize money to date, but Brad Widdup’s Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls) could have amassed plenty more if a couple of results had gone her way.

Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) will have to rise to a new level to be competitive in Saturday’s Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley, but his regular New Zealand rider isn’t counting out the star of the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival.

High-class four-year-old mare Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) has headed to Melbourne to chase a Group One target in preference to the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m).

Trainer Symon Wilde has a decision to make as to whether Kiwi-bred mare Tralee Rose (NZ) (Tavistock) will chase Wednesday’s Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) or be saved to run next in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m)

John Bary is hopeful Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) won’t find himself setting the pace for Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley.

Trainer Symon Wilde is in a quandary over what to do with his Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hope Tralee Rose (NZ) (Tavistock).

Although he couldn’t be on course at Randwick on Saturday to take in the sights, sounds and atmosphere of a truly special raceday, Peter Kean made sure he and his family made it a day to remember when Nature Strip (Nicconi)won the A$15 million The Everest (1200m).

Chris Waller will be looking for a vote of confidence from Damian Lane for his own belief to grow ahead of Saturday’s $5m Gr.1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m).

Connections are weighing up their options with leading Victoria Derby contender Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) and contemplating a start in next Saturday’s $5 million Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m).

Three-year-old Gunstock (NZ) (Tavistock) shot to the top of Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) markets as a $4.60 chance when proving too good for his rivals in the Gr.3 Neds Classic (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

The Andrew Forsman and Murray Baker-trained Quick Thinker is out of the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) after suffering a tendon issue.

Connections of last season’s Derby hero Explosive Jack are hoping the rain continues to fall in Melbourne ahead of the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday.

When opportunity knocks, Richard Litt grabs it with both hands.

Jockey Luke Nolen has been confirmed to ride triple Group One winner Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) in next Saturday’s Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m).

Cambridge trainers David and Emma-Lee Browne are now looking to elite-level targets at home with Rhinoceros (NZ) (Vadamos) after he picked up his third victory at Caulfield on Wednesday.

Connections of the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Quick Thinker (So You Think) were praying for a wet forecast ahead of the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday and their wish has come true.

Group Two performer Butter Chicken (NZ) (Savabeel) will be out for a serving of stakes success when she lines-up at Caulfield on Wednesday.

Australia’s darling of the turf, Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed), was crowned the country’s Racehorse of the Year following her outstanding season, which included five elite-level victories.

Country trainers will have their biggest day on the Australian racing calendar when they head to the big smoke of Sydney on Saturday for the A$1.3 million The Kosciuszko (1200m) at Randwick and no one is more excited than Cody Morgan.

The Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) is once again set to take place in front of spectactors next month with the Victorian State Government giving the green light for a crowd of up to 10,000 people to be on course at Flemington.

Te Akau have withstood the A$15 million carrot of The Everest (1200m) with exciting Kiwi sprinter Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock) and will continue towards the inaugural A$2 million The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick on October 23.

A bright future is being tipped for former Kiwi galloper Corretto (NZ) (Zacinto) after he broke maiden ranks in his Australian debut when winning over 1100m at Hamilton on Saturday.

Drinks were flowing at Epona Park on Saturday night, the boutique 40-acre property owned by Cambridge couple Tony Forlong and Jennifer Jones after they cheered home emerging star I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).

Emerging star Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) booked his place in the Gr.1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) later this month with his sixth consecutive win in Sunday’s Listed Seymour Cup (1600m) at Sportsbet-Ballarat.

South Island-based stallion Prince of Brooklyn, who stands at Grassyards Farm on the Taieri Plain near Mosgiel, sired his first winner on Sunday from his first runner when the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Brooklyn Boss won on debut at Ballarat.

Elephant (NZ) (Shocking) got a Group One welcome to remember in the Toorak Handicap (1600m), leaving his co-trainer David Browne forced to re-focus his campaign.

Quality four-year-old I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) confirmed himself as a rising star of Australian racing by beating some of the best milers in the land in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday at just his eighth start.

Outstanding mare Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) landed her fourth Group One win when showing all her tenacity to narrowly prevail in the Gr.1 Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield.

The transformation in Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma) has been amazing as the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained mare attempts a second Group One win.

New Zealand Bloodstock graduate Benaud (Reliable Man) will be after his first Group One scalp when he contests the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman have set their sights on another Derby triumph in Australia.

Annabel Neasham is still weighing up her options for dual Group One winner Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) but a Cox Plate start remains firmly in the mix.

Emma-Lee and David Browne are hoping their ‘once in a lifetime horse’ can pick up a Group One win on Australian soil when Elephant (NZ) (Shocking) runs in the Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

The connections of Inverell (NZ) (Shocking) will get a better gauge as to where their gelding sits in Derby calculations after he contests the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Jamie Richards will once again have a strong contingent racing in Australia this weekend, with two runners apiece at Randwick and Caulfield on Saturday.

Saturday’s Flight Stakes (1600m) winner Never Been Kissed (NZ) (Tivaci) has come through her maiden Group One victory well and is likely to back up in Saturday’s Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.

Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park) will need to prove herself the equal of More Joyous (More Than Ready) to win the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.

Talented three-year-old Prix De Turn (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) will contest the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday at just his second start.

Talented Kiwi import I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) will start a warm favourite in Saturday’s Gr. 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.

Gr.2 Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) winner Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) heads into Saturday’s Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) chasing a hat-trick of wins, and Trent Busuttin says he’s very pleased with his condition ahead of the A$2 million classic.

A course-proper gallop at Caulfield has I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) in perfect order at his second try at winning a Group One race.

Clayton Douglas could have his first starter in a Group One race later this week with OTI Racing considering running Inverell (NZ) (Shocking) in Saturday’s A$1m Moët & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.

Cambridge trainers David and Emma-Lee Browne’s golden run in Melbourne continued over the weekend when Rhinoceros (NZ) (Vadamos) added another win to their tally at Moonee Valley on Friday, while Border Leicester (NZ) (Redwood) picked up a meritorious second.

Trainer Symon Wilde remains hopeful of getting a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) start with Tralee Rose (NZ) (Tavistock).

Kiwi import Elusive Express (NZ) (Jakkalberry) justified favourite punters confidence when winning the Gr.2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m) at Flemington on Saturday for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman.

Waikato Stud-bred and raced filly Never Been Kissed (NZ) (Tivaci) proved too strong in Saturday’s Gr.1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, with the elite-level success coming at just her fourth start.

Wairere Falls (NZ) (Savabeel) capitalised on suitable conditions to win the TAB Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday, advancing his career record to five wins and eight placings from 23 starts.

Eight-year-old gelding Justacanta (NZ) (Per Incanto) landed his first stakes win when running out a strong winner of the Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1410m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Chris Waller is shooting for his fifth successive Turnbull Stakes at Flemington with Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) but the champion trainer has great respect for Incentivise (Shamus Award).