Chris Scholtz reviews racing around Australia on August 26

THE STARS

PARIAH: Always good to see a high class youngster come back in top form as a 3YO. Adds to what is looking a strong crop of colts for the spring.

.@blake_shinn produces an absolute gem of a ride aboard Pariah to win the G3 San Domenico Stakes for @SnowdenRacing1. pic.twitter.com/v1bhdqSQUO

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 26, 2017

TEAM HAWKES: Overshare proves again that no stable is better at getting the right result when they switch horses between Sydney and Melbourne and vice versa.

RAQUEL CLARK: Has really hit form in Adelaide with a fine treble at Morphettville. Doubt she will be in a rush to return to Tasmania.

MATT McGILLIVRAY: Fast emerging as a force in the Queensland riding ranks. Dominated the Gold Coast meeting with three wins.

BJORN BAKER: Keeps producing talented young gallopers. A classy Rosehill double with Addictive Nature and Bonny O’Reilly.

JOHN THOMPSON: The quiet achiever knows his horses. Has done a fine job wining five straight with Special Missile due to his astute placement of the horse.

He's a beauty! The @JTRacingRwik-trained Special Missile makes it five straight wins with a soft win in R8 at #Rosehill. pic.twitter.com/ULZwvCuP5s

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 26, 2017

THEY SAID IT!

• "In all seriousness he had 61 kilos and was thrown into this race being a quality handicap, so you like to see him running a nice race.” – Nick Williams sums up the return of Melbourne Cup winer Almandin at Moonee Valey.

• "With these older horses you keep them going most the time with little breaks along the way. They don't go to the paddock in the traditional sense." – An insight into the Team Williams methods from Nick Williams.

• "If she won a nice Group race in the next few weeks she might get a spot and she does go well at Randwick." – Robbie Laing’s thoughts on The Everest for Missrock.

• "Going through the field the barometer was which one of these could run second in a Goodwood - there wasn't many of them.”- Laing’s view of Missrock’s Carlyon Stakes opponents.

• “He's another colt that will go off to stud - that's what it's all about for them." - Wayne Hawkes after Overshare’s McKenize Stakes win for Spendthrift Farm.

• “She's a very special mare to me. She has won eight from 12 now." – Bjorn Baker’s admiration for his fine mare Bonny O’Reilly.

"She's a little darling!" Bonny O'Reilly caps off a great day for @BBakerRacing at #Rosehill. pic.twitter.com/o0EFRt2kfz

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 26, 2017

• "Bonny by name, bonny by nature.” – Tim Clark’s impression of his first ride on Bonny O’Reilly.

• "I was here with Lion Tamer and he went on to very good things. I'd like to think this guy is the same sort of calibre. He's still doing things a little bit upside down but he's got untapped potential" - Recollections and comparisons by Bjorn Baker after Addictive Nature’s win in the Ming Dynasty.

• “We will concentrate on the Run To The Rose and the Golden Rose. Anything else comes after that.” Peter Snowden focus for San Domenico winner Pariah.

• "After sitting on the lounge watching him win four in a row I thought I better send him a message and let him know that I'm here." – how apprentice Blaike McDougall spoke up to get the ride on Special Missile from his boss John Thompson.

• “Eleven out of 10 to the kid. He didn't panic and rode with a lot of confidence. He has ridden the horse every day so he deserved the ride and it was good to see him get the job done." – John Thompson compliments McDougall’s winning ride.

• "He's a real little gutsy bugger that gives his all every time he goes around. You can't install that in horses - it'll take him a long way." – More of Thompson on Special Missile’s future.

• “This is a good horse - he really likes to get out and go.” - Gold Coast trainer Toby Edmonds on his promising 3YOP Whypeeo

SIN BIN

HEATHERLY: Sure she was brave but those barrier antics remain a big worry.

CRAIG WILLIAMS: So hot and cold. Frigid again on Charlevoix!

SIR BACCHUS: He’s been too costly. To spell after pulling up lame.

RIDE OF THE DAY

BLAKE SHINN: One out of the box on Pariah. It could have been ugly from a difficult gate but his tactical ride was a pearler.

"At the top of the straight I was very confident." Hear from @blake_shinn after his brilliant ride aboard Pariah in the San Domenico. pic.twitter.com/ZfRDFCIspG

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 26, 2017

TALKING POINT

The 3YOS - COLTS v THE FILLIES: Is the pendulum shifting back to the colts as we head into the spring. The 2YO fillies had a great time last season but this looks a very strong crop of colts from what we have seen in recent weeks – Menari, Pariah, Addictive Nature, Overshare, Chauffeur to name a few – with plenty more to come. The likes of She Will Reign, Houtzen, Catchy and Tulip are on notice.

BLACKBOOK

AWOKE: Asked to do too much under big weight. Forgive run.

MARSUPIAL: Hard to beat against his own age.

MAHALANGUR: Wil make his mark over more ground.

CHAUFFEUR: Always promised to be better as a 3YO. Looks on track.

NO DOUBT: Going well. Ready to step up in distance.

ALMANDIN: Big return by the Cup winner.

SUNQUEST: maiden status in quick time.

BOOM TIME: Certain to benefit from good first-up effort.