Hay List. What a performance. He was simply outstanding in his a demolition job of the best sprinters in the land in the Group One Manikato Stakes on Friday night.

Sent out an unbackable $1.50 favourite, after being as high as even money during the week, the big striding ex-WA galloper gave his Group One rivals a galloping lesson. He looked impeccable in the mounting yard, a powerful ball of muscle, towering above his rivals and raced accordingly, in the process taking his career record to eleven wins from just thirteen starts.

After Hay List's dominant first-up effort I went so far as to say "to my eye, the big striding ex-Western Australian galloper will go through the spring undefeated", a statement I am happy to stand by.

Trainer John McNair said the main aim would be the Patinack Farm Classic over 1200m on Emirates Stakes Day, where he could potentially clash with unbeaten excitement machine Black Caviar in what would be a mouth-watering battle to round out the Spring Carnival.

It was a good weekend for favourite backers, with More Joyous completing the short-priced Group One double on Saturday with a comfortable win in the George Main Stakes at Randwick. She will now head to Melbourne and the Toorak Handicap (1600m) before possibly lining up against So You Think and Whobegotyou in the Cox Plate.

Racing Insider fans should have had a profitable weekend with a number of top selections doing the business. As well as declaring Hay List and More Joyous unbeatable, the Play of the Day (Shrapnel) and Best of the Day (Jolie Brise) both saluted on Friday night. Each-way bets Bullbars and Captain Sonador both managed third place, while value bet Save A Penny was unplaced after showing tremendous early speed.

A number of horses caught my eye over the weekend and should be winning in the near future.

The Graeme Begg trained All Silent was run off his legs early in the Manikato Stakes, but got motoring over the final furlong and was hitting the line better than any horse in the race. He is much better suited down the Flemington straight and will strip a lot fitter for a second up assignment, although he may again run into Hay List.

True Persuasion, who ran second, put in an incredible effort at his first attempt in weight-for-age company. The Mick Price-trained horse raced up on the pace and held his position to the line, while other on-paced runners were wilting. He should head back to handicap company next start and will be mighty hard to beat.

The JRA Stakes unearthed yet another Cups contender from the Bart Cummings yard in Precedence. However, it was the improved performance of SA galloper Alcopop that caught my eye. The onetime 2009 Caulfield Cup favourite had been a little disappointing in two runs this campaign, but showed a return to form with a promising fifth on Friday night. Trainer Jake Stephens has taken his time with Alcopop this time in and looks great value for the Caulfield Cup at $31. Linton put in a solid second-up performance after making good ground over the concluding stages to finish third and looks primed to peak third up next time out.

Party Hard is a veteran of just two starts, and has started 50/1 and 25/1. However, for mine, she stormed into 1000 Guineas contention with one of the runs of the night in the Champagne Stakes (1200m). Tailed out two lengths off the last horse coming towards the home turn, she quickly picked up in the straight and was flying to the post. She needs to register a win to get a start in the 1000 Guineas (for which she is currently 100/1), but she will relish the step up in distance to 1400m next start and then again up to the mile. She is a filly stacked with ability, and flying under the radar of punters at this stage.

2010 Magic Millions winner Military Rose showed she was getting back to her best with a fast-finishing third after being forced to race wide for much of the journey. She is a quality animal and will benefit greatly from the two Victorian runs. I expect her to be a winning chance next time she races. Completely forget Solar Charged's run on Friday. She failed to handle the track and got hopelessly lost coming around the home turn. It had been reported during the week that Chance Bye was improving the Melbourne way of going and she ran a nice race to finish fourth. Her campaign now seems back on track.

The George Main Stakes meeting in Sydney took centre stage on Saturday and it was the much-maligned Trusting that put in the best run of the day. While the mighty mare More Joyous did as she pleased in claiming her third straight win this campaign, Trusting atoned for a disappointing showing in the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle with a slashing Epsom Handicap trial. He settled midfield and struggled to gain clear galloping room in the straight, only getting a split at the 200m mark before diving through for a brilliant second.

The Bart Cumming's-trained Empires Choice was highlighted in this review a few weeks ago and did not let followers down with his run on Saturday. Second up from an injury layoff he was gallant over the concluding stages,  running into third place at 100/1. Once more he will derive great improvement from the run and will be a wining proposition next time he greets the starter.

The 1400m Bill Ritchie Handicap provided key Epsom Handicap chances a final hit-out before next week's Group One feature over the mile.  The winner of the race, Drumbeats, was incredibly impressive after racing wide through the race before careering to a relatively effortless 2.5L win. He is right on track for the Epsom next week and will give that race a mighty shake.  Outside of the winner, Fist Of Fury ran on nicely from the back of the field into fifth place. He looks to be reclaiming some of his early 3yo form that saw him run second in the Group 1 Coolmore Stakes on Derby Day in 2008.

Next Weekend will see two cracking days of racing with the Epsom and Metroplitan Stakes to be run at Randwick on Saturday and the Turnbull Stakes meeting at Flemington, now moved to Sunday due to the AFL Grand Final Replay.

At this early stage Trusting looks the horse to beat in the Epsom after his brilliant run on Saturday while the Flemington meeting will be enhanced by the return of boom 3yo Weekend Hussler in the Gilgai Stakes. By all reports the champion son of Hussonet has been working brilliantly this campaign and looks set to make a big impact upon his return to racing.

The Turnbull Stakes is shaping as a cracking contest with in form stayers; Moudre, Shocking, Dariana and NSW visitor Descerado heading a star-studded list of nominations.