Written on Friday, 28 October 2011 14:40
(Andrew Bensley is a leading commentator with Sky Racing and Sky Sports Radio)
Well, in the nicest way possible, the entrees are over and we now sit down for racing's main-course smorgasbord with four Group One days at Flemington.
To the opening day at Flemington and trainer John Sadler is confident Sister Madly can win the Salinger Stakes.
Sadler was delighted with the way Sister Madly went down the straight on Tuesday morning.
The mare went to the line hard held and Sadler just hopes Sister Madly settles better than her latest start when More Joyous collared her near the line.
Sister Madly has been pulling badly in her races this Spring and the team is hoping Damien Oliver can weave some magic.
Meanwhile, leading Sydney trainer, Chris Waller, has a small but quality team in Melbourne.
Waller was at Flemington's Breakfast with the Stars on Tuesday and he was content with the work of Foreteller.
The winner of the David Jones Cup at Caulfield obviously is thriving in Melbourne.
Foreteller worked solo around the bend and despite stargazing a little, the five-year-old extended strongly into his work.
Sportsman columnist, Warren Huntly, was taken with the way Foreteller charged to the line.
While it's another big step forward to contest the Mackinnon Stakes, Foreteller looks set to make his mark.
*****
CAULFIELD trainer, Robert Smerdon, has returned home from England after attempting to purchase a European stayer for next year's Melbourne Cup.
Smerdon may not have been at Sandown on Wednesday to watch his filly, Mosheen, gallop but I reckon jockey Craig Williams would've been straight on the phone.
Williams wanted to get a feel of Mosheen before the Myer Classic and the reports were positive.
Williams, whose controversial careless riding suspension comes into effect on Cup day, will ride Mosheen at 49.5 kilograms and is the lone three-year-old in the race.
The champion jockey is also on Dowager Queen in the Wakeful Stakes.
Since the fast-finishing run against the boys in the Norman Robinson, the filly has improved further.
The Rogerson stable know they could be running into a star in Atlantic Jewel but they are confident the 2000 and, even more, the 2500 metres of the VRC Oaks will suit Dowager Queen.
*****
SYDNEY trainer Joe Pride is hoping to emulate the Flemington carnival of 2010 with some black type success.
While last year it was Sacred Choice who won the Myer Classic, Pride admits Neeson is his kingpin this year.
Pride admits it has taken some time to work out Neeson but he now feels 1200 to 1400 metres is ideal.
Neeson may not have raced for a month but a trial last week has him primed for the Salinger.
*****
WHEN I was at the track last week for Racing Retro, the roses were starting to blossom and let's hope there are winners galore for the punters.
As exciting as Saturday will be, I still can't wait for the Emirates Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.
International jockey, William Buick, spoke with me on Sky Sports Radio this week and, despite having not been to Australia previously, he's well aware of the fanfare that goes with the Melbourne Cup.
Buick will be riding Godolphin-trained Lost In The Moment on Tuesday and he suggests the horse won't have any problem competing against a large field.
Buick said another big positive to his chances of winning Godolphin's first Melbourne Cup is a nice turn of speed.
The horse does get back off the pace a little but Buick says Lost In The Moment has the ability to win.
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Sadler confident in Sister Madly

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