(The RACING INSIDER will give his preview, and review, of each major day's racing through the Spring Carnival.)

Saturday proved a mixed bag for the Racing Insider - a nice win on the old boy Theseo, a collect on Shocking and a share of the $2250 Flemington quadrella - but there were a few hard-luck stories among that lot.

On a sloppy Randwick track on Saturday, our best bet, Theseo, turned back the clock with the dominating victory in the Chelmsford Stakes. Unfortunately, the other bet for the day, Tromso, was never going to run well on a wet track while value bet, Drumbeats, was a scratching.

The best bet in Melbourne, Star Witness, was a late scratching, whilst Linton could only manage third place upon his return to racing. The value bet, Spontaneous, could not find the front early and this put paid to his chances.

The races in Adelaide were abandoned after five races due to high winds, but bookies were left wishing the day never commenced. Lowly performed Belfast Boy opened at $21 in the ring before being sensationally backed into a starting price of $4.20. The horse was ridden very confidently out three wide before making his move on the turn and bounding away to an easy victory to the delight of punters across the country.

Horses to Follow

SHOCKING was absolutely brilliant in winning the Makybe Diva Stakes, and if he can deal with the extra 6kg he carried to victory in last year's Melbourne Cup then back-to-back wins looks more than achievable. Lloyd Williams has assembled a formidable team of stayers this year and C'EST LA GUERRE ran a very nice fifth, second up yesterday, after being held up in the early part of the straight.

The Danehill Stakes was dominated by the very consistent SOUL, but without a doubt the horse to follow is REKINDLED INTEREST, who hammered to the line after being last for most of the race. The Jim Conlan-trained gelding is entered for the Group One Caulfield Guineas and could represent big value for that race. SMOKIN JOEY from the Freedman yard put in a very nice return after his Brisbane Winter campaign, and he will be a chance come the 2500m VRC Derby later in the spring.

Kiwi, MR CHARLIE, made an ominous Australian Spring debut in the Season Handicap over 1700m, coming with a late surge to overhaul the equally impressive import, FANJURA, from the Lee Freedman yard. Both horses will be heading to the major cups later in the spring and must come in for serious consideration.

ALTIUS was born famous, being a half to champion gallopers Elvstroem and Haradasun, and on Saturday he could very well carry on the family lineage. ALTIUS settled third last in the 1400m Henry Bucks Best Dressed Stakes before showing a brilliant turn of foot in the straight to run into second place. The run was full of merit for a horse heading to the Victorian Derby, a race in which he will be a serious chance.

LARGO LAD was very well supported in The Sofitel (1400m) and didn't disappoint punters coming from stone motherless last to nail Jungle Ruler right on the line. The run of the race was the Peter Moody trained TESTA JESTA who was held up for a long time in the straight before easing to the outside and making significant ground over the last 300M. Once this horse gets up to 1800M and beyond with a strong tempo he will be winning a nice race.

THESEO was able to dictate the tempo in the Chelmsford Stakes and never looked like losing; however, METAL BENDER lost no admirers with a fighting second in a race not run to suit. The Chris Waller gelding was brilliant first up and Saturday's run showed he is right on track for races like the Cox Plate later in the spring. PURPLE backed up her excellent first up effort with another solid run in finishing third, and she shouldn't be too long out of the winner's circle.

In general, the races in Sydney were a little flat and outside of the main race the most impressive performances were NEESON (Tramway Handicap), who looks a leading chance in the Group One Epsom Handicap, and MORE STRAWBERRIES (Furious Stakes), who broke through for a long overdue maiden victory and looks set to play a major part in the Thousand Guineas.

Little known Queensland trainer, Roger Milne, is bound for Cox Plate day after his star horse CAPTAIN SONADOR returned from knee surgery in brilliant style to claim the Salt Design Open Handicap (1200m). Jockey, Chris Munce, settled the horse at the tail of the field before unleashing a scintillating turn of foot to demolish his rivals with ridiculous ease. CAPTAIN SONADOR boasts very strong form lines having pushed the very classy Shoot Out right to the wire in the Randwick Guineas in the autumn and Milne now has his eyes set on the Cox Plate with the horse. Currently $151 in Cox Plate Markets, Captain Sonador represents huge value for those who like to have a long range bet.

Next Saturday the attention turns to Moonee Valley for the Group Two Dato Tan Chin Nam (1600m) where we will see Liston Stakes placegetters, Whobegotyou and Shoot Out, again engage in battle. The race is the last chance for Cox Plate aspirants to tune up on the Moonee Valley Strath Ayr before the WFA Championship later in the spring, and the winner this Saturday is likely to challenge So You Think for favouritism for the great race. The Group 2 McEwan Stakes will see star sprinter Hay List make his Victorian debut fresh from a record breaking demolition of a smart field in the Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm.