2007 September | Australia Melbourne Cup and Racing News

On Saturday, top Spring contenders Miss Finland and Marasco clash for the first time this season when they run in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield. The race is set to provide an intriguing preview to the Cox Plate, as the horses are joint favourites to claim victory in the Spring Carnival feature event.

Spring racing kicks into top gear this Saturday when the Manikato Stakes, which is the first Group 1 event of the season, runs at Moonee Valley.

Gold Edition is the favourite in a quality field, but Lee Freedman, trainer of last year’s winner and recent Royal Ascot heroine Miss Andretti, will field another top contender in the form of the unbeaten Here De Angels.

Racing returns to Flemington Racecourse this weekend with the Makybe Diva Stakes heading the way. This race will provide valuable insight into the running form of premier Spring Carnival contenders such as Efficient, Tawqeet, Apache Cat and Marasco.