Orchestral has returned to New Zealand after a sensational campaign, which culminated in a bold effort for third in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick.

On a day of great racing at Randwick, bonny Trelawney Stud-bred mare Pride Of Jenni was the undoubted star with her dashing display to win the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) under another daring Declan Bates ride.

The Listed Riccarton Park Function Centre Welcome Stakes (1000m) has been moved to a new position on the South Island’s racing calendar, but its first autumn running at Riccarton on Saturday brought no change to Te Akau Racing’s dominance of the two-year-old feature.

If ever a horse deserved a big race victory it is the consistent sprinter Imwonderfultonight, and the mare got that result at Otaki on Saturday when she took out the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m).

Underrated filly Epee Beel claimed her first career stakes victory in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) on Saturday, and in doing so brought up a special milestone for co-trainer Michael Pitman as she became winner number 2000 in New Zealand for the Riccarton maestro.

Wexford Stables have the future in the forefront of their minds with a couple of juvenile debutants at Te Rapa on Sunday.

After 10 wins, more than $4 million in stakes and three seasons of putting Go Racing’s name in lights in Australia, the Kiwi syndicators’ remarkable ride with Atishu is set to come to an end in Saturday’s Gr.1 Queen of the Turf (1600m) at Randwick.

Orchestral will aim to follow in the footsteps of some of New Zealand’s greatest fillies when she contests Saturday’s A$1 million Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick.

Nerano will be aiming for back-to-back wins when he lines up in the feature event of the program at Menangle on Saturday night.

He’s captured two of New Zealand’s biggest staying scalps and now Cambridge gelding Mahrajaan has crossed the Tasman to try and assert his dominance in Australia.

The Melbourne arm of Andrew Forsman’s operation has been boosted by the arrival of feature race contenders Positivity and Good Oil.

A trip to the Queensland winter carnival is in the mix for progressive mare Imwonderfultonight and she could firm up plans with another strong showing this weekend.

The rise of promising sprinter Platinum Attack continued at Trentham on Saturday, claiming his fourth win on the bounce in The Oaks Stud Premier (1200m).

Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray continued an outstanding season with their stayers when up-and-coming star Nereus powered home to win the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday.