MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 05: Surprise Baby ridden by Jordan Childs wins race 8 the The Bart Cummings during Turnbull Stakes Day at Flemington Racecourse on October 05, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

RACE 1

1st- ANCESTRY, 2ND- JUNGLE EDGE, 3RD- HOLBIEN

Ancestry was far too good on the day, became only the third horse to cross Jungle Edge and once he did that it was over. Led with ease whilst overarching just a tad, but once they turned he was clear and home. Holbien was very good hitting the line well, pattern maybe suited those at the turn first but was a good run.

RACE 2

1st- SNEAKY FIVE, 2nd- THE ART OF FLYING, 3rd- TEMPEST CHARM

Sneaky Five was super impressive here, had the gun run in transit and managed to find the lead at the turn which proved more and more valuable as the day wore on. Tempest Charm hit the line well against the pattern, might be one to watch. While The Art of Flying battled on well but was no match for the winner.

RACE 3

1st- PORTLAND SKY, 2nd- BELLA NIPOTINA, 3rd- VALAQUENTA

Portland Sky was superb cruising to victory from the front, jumped out of gate 1 which had him stuck on the rail the whole trip. The rail wasn’t the ideal place to be but maybe wasn’t so bad early in the day. Bella Nipotina was solid, had to go 3-wide the trip and did so bravely. Was left behind at the turn but battled on well. Valaquenta was strong to the line and maybe looking for just a tad further.

RACE 4

1st- YES BABY YES, 2nd- ECUMENICAL, 3rd- MISS INBETWEEN

A good win for Yes Baby Yes after a strong second last start, was helped a lot by the pattern and became the fourth runner to win after leading at the bend. Was still very handy for her win though. Ecumenical ran well and looked every chance but pattern proved too much to overcome. Very disappointing runs from Thermosphere and Incredulous Dream.

Thermosphere had a really tough run leading into the Guineas and then backed up well the next week. Looks at the end of the campaign, while Incredulous Dream didn’t fire a shot after beating home Yes Baby Yes last start. Both fell away to the tail of the field.

RACE 5

1st- SOVEREIGN AWARD, 2nd- I AM ELOQUENT, 3rd- PARADEE

Another leader who got home first, Sovereign Award was all honours here though. Maybe went for home a touch early as the final 50m showed but it was good win. Made serious space on those behind with about 600m to go, using Greysful Glamour as a way to keep other contenders off the back.

Paradee hit the line very well but was out of the race when winner kicked clear at the 300m. I Am Eloquent was good in the finish with jockey Glen Boss saying the horse enjoyed the ground underneath as it was running closer to a heavy track than soft.

RACE 6

1st- CHERRY TORTONI, 2nd- KHOEKHOE , 3rd- JOHNNY GET ANGRY

The top two here were a class above those behind them, they gapped third by about 7 lengths. Cherry Tortoni was arguably the run of the day, was sat last in transit and made the move early. Bucked the pattern to an extent but was still first around the bend. Put to bed any queries surrounding the 2000m after that failure in Sydney last time out. Will press on to the Victoria Derby now.

Khoekhoe was just ahead of the winner in the run but was found chasing the winner around the bend, loomed at the 100m as the winner but couldn’t go past. Still a very good run. Captain Corelli was well supported in the market and looked the runner best suited by the pattern but went to water when challenged, suspect these were just too good. Johnny Get Angry looks a real stayer, maybe just took too long to get his engine started.

RACE 7

1st- HOMESMAN, 2nd, AGE OF CHIVALRY, 3rd- KINGS WILL DREAM

Homesman was dominating in his first run in over 200 days, led from start to finish in a tiny field. He loves it fresh and enhanced that record with a terrific run here, was never realistically under threat by any of these at G2 level. Seems to be his right grade, having said that he is now set for the Group 1 McKinnon Stakes.

Age of Chivalry was good, suited by the pattern but didn’t get the uncontested lead that the map predicted, his race was essentially over after that. Kings Will Dream battled on as he always does, was super tough but gave Homespun too much of a head start.

RACE 8

1st- MIAMI BOUND, 2nd- SHARED AMBITION, 3rd- OCEANEX

Miami Bound was back to her best here, has had an interrupted campaign but this run was the class we know she has. Came from last but again was right at the front around the turn. She will now head to the Melbourne Cup. Used Shared Ambition as trail into the race who looked the likely winner at the 300m.

Shared Ambition ran very well for second, had to do a lot of work after going back, made the move at the right time but was maybe just beaten by class. Ocean ran well for third, has been building nicely toward the Cup. Looks set to prime next Tuesday.

RACE 9

1st- SIR DRAGONET, 2nd- ARMORY, 3rd- RUSSIAN CAMELOT

Sir Dragonet was brilliant, ate up the the 2040m and marches on to the Melbourne Cup. Trailed into the race really well and let down with power. Will be a huge player in the cup. Armory ran really well on a similar trial as the winner, just didn’t have the turn of foot to stick with him.

Russian camelot was good, had to spend some petrol tickets early going forward which may have cost him. Ran really well and will now push on to the Melbourne Cup as well. Mugatoo was the run of the race, had to go wide the whole trip and was storming home in eye-catching fashion.

Probabeel very impressive and will likely be spelled now, Grandslam was a hard watch as they swooped the leader, offered little fight. Arcadia Queen hit the line well and may have been a real danger had the rain held off.

RACE 10

1st- LA MEXICANA, 2nd- TWAIN’S EXPRESS, 3rd- HIGHLY DISCREET

La Mexicana was super tough here, was challenged at the 150m and looked as good as done before fighting back to score. Showed real racing smarts in this one. Twain’s Express was good but maybe just found a very smart one here, lost no admirers though. Highly Discreet battled home well but there was a clear gap between the top two and the rest of the field.