This Sunday, with the running of the Turnbull Stakes, we will see the next step forward for last years Melbourne Cup winner, Shocking, as he attempts to maintain his magnificent Flemington record, the glint of combat in Zipping's eyes, hopefully the re-emergence of Shoot Out and the first real clue if the different style preparation for Typhoon Tracy's march to the Cox Plate is a reality or a pipe dream.Also in the mix are this years hopefuls Metal Bender, Zabrasive, Jessicabeel, Linton, Moudre,

This Sunday, with the running of the Turnbull Stakes, we will see the next step forward for last years Melbourne Cup winner, Shocking, as he attempts to maintain his magnificent Flemington record, the glint of combat in Zipping's eyes, hopefully the re-emergence of Shoot Out and the first real clue if the different style preparation for Typhoon Tracy's march to the Cox Plate is a reality or a pipe dream.

Also in the mix are this years hopefuls Metal Bender, Zabrasive, Jessicabeel, Linton, Moudre, Dariana, Descarado and Valdemoro all of whom have given past indications this could be their year to really cement a place in racetrack history. Buried in the weights are the likes of Vigor, Speed Gifted, Faint Perfume and Monaco Consul whose ability at this class borders on the cusp of greatness but a victory would consolidate their potential to take the next step. To illustrate the depth of the race in this short preface I have mentioned sixteen of the twenty six weighted runners and a win by any of those mentioned, regardless of their perceived class, would not surprise one iota. Yours truly has backed Linton and Valdemoro in the Melbourne Cup so you know where my wallet extends to in the race.

The rest of the meetings sees Skilled looking to be a weight special in the Westfield Doncaster Stake as you would like to think Hay List is as well in the Gilgai Stakes but, thereafter, the programs complexity widens again.

I am particularly unimpressed with seeing a two year old race on the program. I believe there should be no two year old races until late January or early February in order to give the little tackers a real chance to grow. Obviously the racing clubs don't believe this but then again who am I to suggest we wait as I am just a punter.

As of yet I have not even had a chance to look at the weights for the Epsom Handicap meeting but there is no prize available for what I will be doing once I brew a cup of coffee and upload this blog.