It was pleasing to see Michael Rodd make something of a comeback with two winners at Caulfield last Saturday (his first city winners since March!) and it could be the start of an extraordinary few months for him. He has some top rides lined up for the spring - and one of them is the brilliant Atlantic Jewel. Rodd rode AJ in trackwork at the weekend and was thrilled by the way she moved. It's not yet decided when she will return to racing to kick off her spring campaign but Rodd reckons whatever

It was pleasing to see Michael Rodd make something of a comeback with two winners at Caulfield last Saturday (his first city winners since March!) and it could be the start of an extraordinary few months for him. He has some top rides lined up for the spring - and one of them is the brilliant Atlantic Jewel. Rodd rode AJ in trackwork at the weekend and was thrilled by the way she moved. It's not yet decided when she will return to racing to kick off her spring campaign but Rodd reckons whatever races are chosen will be within her grasp. He says: 'She's incredible. What she does just blows your mind.'

You never know when the next superstar will arrive...On Sunday, 2YO Mulaazem bolted home by 10 lens at Sandown Lakeside - setting tongues wagging. And why not?There's a distinguished pedigree there. The colt is a half-brother to superstar sprinter Sepoy. Mulaazem, trained by (of course!) Peter Moody, turned in a sparkling performance to notch his first win following a debut 2nd at Echuca. Jockey Vlad Duric says: 'Even going around to the start, he cantered around nice on the ground...I was confident but when you let them off the bridle, it's a different ball game.' We will know soon enough whether Mulaazem is just a heavy tracker. The signs, though, are that he has what it takes to race at a high level on wet or firm.

Racing Victoria is setting high standards for itself for 2013. It says it's committed to continued international participation in Victorian thoroughbred racing event throughout the year. This will be achieved by offering improved scheduling, strategic synchronisation with the international racing calendar and the provision of world standard quarantine and biosecurity facilities and practices. Key Victorian Group 1 events will be developed for inclusion in a world "super league" of racing. RVL will also investigate the development of an international challenge series staged in Melbourne.