(Andrew Bensley is Sky Racing's premier commentator. His column will appear weekly on Back Page Lead.)

IT WILL be a bitter blow to racing if no Japanese horse is in the field of the 150th Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November. However, at this stage that looms as the likely scenario.

No Japanese horse has raced in the Cup since Delta Blues and Pop Rock scored the quinella in 2006. The outbreak of Equine Influenza caused problems for all overseas horses the following year but, since then, no sign of our northern neighbours.

Racing Victoria Racing Operations Manager, Leigh Jordon, aired his views this week on Sky Sports Radio by declaring that the lack of any decision by the Federal Government had been very disappointing, to say the least.

During the past 12 months, the governments of Australia and Japan have progressed seemingly at a snail's pace in efforts to introduce travelling protocols for racehorse travel but still there has been no firm announcement. Many will believe the governments should not be rushed because we certainly don't want a recurrence of Equine Influenza in Australia but, for mine, enough is enough.

Australia has been clear of EI for nearly three years. Leigh Jordon says Japanese trainers would need to know by the end of next week to permit preparation of horses for the Melbourne spring.

All I can say is good luck!

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I WAS pleasantly surprised in Brisbane last week by all the work that has taken place at Doomben. The brand new parade ring behind the grandstand equals any race track in the world.

The area allows the general public to look at all of horses before going onto the racetrack. With the horses now in that position, a new bar named after dual Doomben 10,000 winner Falvelon has been built at the front of the grandstand.

The facilities are first class and the Brisbane Racing Club should be congratulated on its efforts to attract people back to the races.

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VICTORIAN trainer, Patrick Payne, will be hoping his good fortunes continue on Saturday at Eagle Farm. Payne saddles up $26 TAB Fixed Odds chance Danaupair Starlet in the Group One Queensland Oaks after a latest start 8th in the Doomben Roses.

Payne is of the opinion the filly will be further improved for the Oaks, particularly going the Brisbane direction for the second time.

Race jockey, Michael Cahill, drove to Murwillumbah on Tuesday to work Danaupair Starlet and everyone was pleased. Payne has his sights set on winning the Oaks/Derby double after Fieldmaster was dominate in winning at Doomben on Wednesday. Ridden by Danny Brereton, Fieldmaster swept past his rivals and now is outright third favourite ($5 with TAB Fixed Odds) behind Kutchinsky and The Hombre in the Queensland Derby to be run on Saturday week.

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QUEENSLAND trainer, Jamie Lyons, is chasing his biggest success on Saturday at Eagle Farm and he's certainly not hiding the fact he believes Drenalin can upstage more fancied rivals in the Group Two QTC Cup.

Lyons reports that Drenalin is thriving and admitted the horse has been eating everything put in front of him. In the QTC Cup, Drenalin has to carry 53.5kg which, according to Lyons, will be the clincher.

At Drenalin's latest start, the horse was forced to go forward from a wide barrier and still fought on strongly. Race jockey, Brad Stewart, added to Lyons' confidence saying Drenalin is the best horse he's ridden for a long time.

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AND finally, the Dane Ripper at Eagle Farm is full of class. Victorian visitor, Matthew Williams, has Flying Tessie tackling Kiwi mare, Wealth Princess, and he can't wait for the challenge. Flying Tessie flashed home in the Glenlogan Park and Williams says she'll be ridden cold again, regardless of the barrier draw. Like any interstater, Flying Tessie is lapping up the warmer conditions of Brisbane and will also enjoy the larger Eagle Farm track.