Strong win here by SALTPETER but MIMI'S AWARD the one to follow. She was only second up and can go back against her own gender and be very hard to beat. The 1700m mares race on Cup day may be the logical next step.

EXTREME FLIGHT showed a good turn of foot to get a break on PRINCE ALEXANDER who unfortunately ducked in at a key stage when it appeared he may go past, ouch. PRINCE ALEXANDER appreciated a more conservative ride early in my opinion and ran a much improved race as a result. Expect they both go to the Carbine Club to battle it out again, and they would appear two of the stronger hopes subject to what has a crack from interstate.

All honours to DAISIES who was kept in a nice rhythm and held them all on the line. There are no standout fillies this year and she's obviously a leading Oaks hope. Prebble got it very wrong on the race favourite in KAPALUA SUNSET, shuffled right back she was given none however it must be said she was still a little disappointing once she eventually got clear. GLINT OF HOPE keeps trying and worked home solidly yet again.

GUNSTOCK appreciated the blinkers and the way this race panned out after receiving an excellent and patient ride from McNeil, he goes to the Derby and clearly hard to beat. EL PATRONESS was forward and worked early, Prebble then pushed the button very early and she was entitled to be vulnerable late, she lost no admiration from me. TIZ MAGIC was given none and is a big forgive, trapped wide, forced wider then asked to take off early and give the stablemate a cart, he can improve if he has not taken any harm from the task he was set.

BUFFALO RIVER was well supported before the jump and did a good job to hold on. Clearly he's a superior horse with some give in the track. KING MAGNUS was here off a freshen and ran on nicely, he has a neat turn of foot and a real appetite for the line, no surprise to see him bob up at Flemington.

COLLETTE was patiently ridden and showed her class and liking for the conditions when sailing on by in the straight. STEINEM the one I want to follow however, she was second up after being given none at Mornington, set alight a little early she will appreciate a step up in trip next time and hard to beat wherever she goes.

MILEVA made no lie of her jump out with a great effort up on speed. BLESS HER loomed to go past but just couldn't. NEVER TALK ran on very well in sharp fractions and can be followed going forward. VARDA the run with hidden merit, she was forced back to the inferior section and should be assessed on what she'd done prior.

Not a lot to say, INCENTIVISE brained them, he went early but it didn't matter, he will cop a penalty but hard to see anything beating him in the Cup off this. I doubt he is a betting opportunity there all the same. NONCONFORMIST and CHAPADA both ran quite good races but I can't say I really want to be following anything behind the winner.

OXLEY ROAD got the drop on a decent speed here and got his G2 to maximize the use of his bait and tackle down the track. Brilliantly placed in hindsight. CURRAN ran on well but found this class a bit hot at 1000m, certainly lost no admiration from me. I don't think the pattern suited MALKOVICH given he was on the inside, worth noting Lane also dropped his whip.