Marenostro returned to the winners circle when taking out the Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
After running fourth to Oxford Poet in the Listed Winter Stakes the start prior, Marenostro met the Kim Waugh-trained runner better at the weights and took up a forward position from barrier 3.
Mareonostro was able to get the better of Oxford Poet over the concluding stages running out a half a length winner with Ruling Dynasty not too far away in third.
Returning a Timeform figure of 108, Marenostro ran equal to his previous best, achieved when winning at Rosehill in June.
The Racing and Sports field strength value of 107.8 is slightly below par for a listed race and was just about equal to the Listed Winter Stakes two weeks back of 107.9.
A horse Chris Waller has previously labelled a potential Epsom runner, Marenostro has now won 10 of his 26 starts but will need to show further improvement if he is to measure up in Group 1 company.
Oxford Poet continued his strong recent form and ran to a new peak rating of 108 some four pounds higher than his win in the Winter Stakes.
Ruling Dynasty, not far away in third ran to 107, his highest since winning the listed Tattersalls Club Club in October of last year (109).
Esteban continued his recent rise through the grades with another dominant win in the Benchmark 83 Handicap (2000m,), making it four victories in a row.
Settling up on the speed, the John Sargent-trained runner put away his rivals with ease to win by just under five lengths from Magical Stance with Lie Direct a further two lengths back in third.
Esteban has won his last four starts by a combined margin of just under 26 lengths and ran to a new peak of 106p, eight pounds higher than his previous win at Rosehill.
The time of 2:03:86 was well inside race par and certainly looks a progressive type heading towards stakes races.
The exciting son of Encosta De Lago will more than likely have just the one more start this campaign and won’t be seen during the spring.
The RSFS of 98.9 is right on par for a Benchmark 82 and having continued to raise the bar this preparation is certainly one to follow going forward.
Magical Stance was good again in second and ran to a Timeform rating of 98, only two pounds below his previous best with Lie Direct in third running to 85, two pounds below his previous effort at Randwick.
Pioneering made it three in a row when taking out the three-year-old plate (1400m) and seems to have put it all together leading into her four-year-old season.
Settling just off the leaders, Pioneering was able to get the better of Dee Nine Elle over the concluding stages for a narrow win, with Art Nouveau a further two lengths back in third.
Pioneering ran to a Timeform rating of 98, her highest since running second at Rosehill when returning from a spell in may.
Pioneering not only brought up her fifth career win but also a Sydney training record for Chris Waller of 168 winners in a season, breaking his own previous best.
Pioneering will need to continue to improve to be competitive in stakes races but she has certainly hit some good form in recent times and if placed correctly, can continue her winning form.
Dee Nine Elle ran to a new career peak rating of 91, two pounds higher than her win at Rosehill the start prior with Art Nouveau running to 87, slightly below his previous best.
