Big things await SMOKIN' JOEY (two-year-old colt by Encosta De Lago - Dalzing, by Blazing Sword), Lee Freedman's hugely impressive winner of the Blue Sapphire (1200m) at Caulfield.

A full brother to Lee's multiple Group winner Our Smokin' Joe, the youngster raced right up to a powerful barrier trial by treating Saturday's opposition with disdain.

It wouldn't surprise to see several decent types emerge from last week's event, yet Smokin' Joey simply ‘had a lap' on them.

Warrnambool's annual Carnival is never short of excellent performances with up to 30 races staged and one of this year's better minor wins came from STAR OF GALILEE (four-year-old horse by Galileo - Famous Ruler, by Rancho Ruler).

After chasing home subsequent Group winner Fairy Oak in a Kilmore maiden, the six-race veteran made a very long run to take a 1700m maiden. He's city standard.

Tim Martin's good-looking gelding MONTON (three-year-old gelding by Catbird - Dynamic Flyer, by Marauding) is sizing the Queensland Winter Carnival with style.

Winner of the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes, Monton pulverized eight opponents in a 900m Rosehill barrier trial last Monday.

Martin has the chunky fellow entered for races like the AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (June 12) and Carlton Draught Doomben 10,000 (May 29).

Also entered for the Queensland extravaganza is Mike Moroney's recent Matamata maiden winner STAGED (three-year-old filly by Pure Theatre - Our Solvelda, by Grosvenor).

Six runs into her career, the youngster is no longer a maiden and her dominance last week suggests black-type competition is well within reach. She's an entry for the Queensland Derby and Oaks.

Already in Queensland is Alan Bailey's progressive ROCKET TO RIO (three-year-old gelding by Captain Rio - Fast Arrival, by Entrepreneur) a slick winner at the Gold Coast last Saturday.

This handsome chestnut has now won 2.5 races from six starts (including a dead-heat) and his character stood out a decisive 1800m Class 2 victory.

(From my Five to Follow column of last week, ROCKET TO RIO is due to run on Saturday at Ipswich, Race 9, No.4. In the column of April 30, START AGAIN is also due to run on Saturday on the Gold Coast, Race 2, No.16. And finally, of the five horses I wrote about on April 23, ANOTHER GLOW ran on Monday May 3 at Taree and finished sixth in Race 1, while FAIRY OAK ran on Sunday May 2 at Morphettville and won Race 3.)

Tony Brassel is senior form analyst with Sky Racing.