General | Australia Melbourne Cup 2008 and Racing News

Rosehill takes centre stage this Saturday with a superb card of racing. Golden Slipper hopefuls step out to prove their worth in the Silver Slipper Stakes, while Golden Slipper champion Forensics is seeking to become the first horse to claim the golden double when she takes on a competitive field in the Group 2 Golden Rose. At Flemington, Melbourne Cup champion Efficient is set to make an explosive return to racing in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes.

Miss Finland ($5.00) gets another chance to regain her former glory in the feature race of the day over 2000-metres, but it’s going to be a tough ask in a quality field which includes the likes of Princess Coup ($2.60), Sirmione ($4.00) and Fiumicino ($9.00).

Another boom three-year-old, on the back of an impressive first campaign and rapid rise to the top tier of racing, Light Fantastic ($2.70) leads the betting in a competitive 1600-metre race. He is followed by Playwright ($5.50), Marching ($6.00) and Largo Lad ($7.00).

The unstoppable Weekend Hussler (1.70) is seeking successive Group 1 wins with victory in Saturday’s sprint over 1200-metres. Carrying a hefty 56kgs, the boom three-year-old will face stiff opposition from Swick ($7.50) and Bon Hoffa ($15.00).

Despite a recent spell of poor form, no wins from six starts, and drawing barrier 12, Miss Finland (4.00) is still the favourite to win the Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. But the stakes are high for the champion mare - if she fails to perform again indications are that she will be retired after the event. Other strong chances in the field include Niconero (6.00), Publishing (6.00) and Casino Prince (7.00).

Saturday’s Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria’s richest race for two-year-olds, at Caulfield is set to be another thrilling contest. Currently, the Lee Freedman trained Wilander leads the betting in a very open race, but he faces stiff opposition from Mark Kavanagh’s Believe ‘n’ Suceed, as well as four David Hayes gallopers - the champion trainer is aiming for his third Blue Diamond Quinella in a row.

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Champion galloper, Apache Cat makes a run at back-to-back Group 1 victories in Saturday’s Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley. The recent Lightning Stakes winner is the firm favourite, followed by Miss Finland, Let Go Thommo and Stanzout.

A dynamite field, which includes 10 Group 1 winners, are set to contest Saturday’s C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield. Champion galloper Maldivian, who returns to the track for the first time since his dramatic Caulfield Cup scratching, is the punter favourite, but he will be challenged by the likes of Fiumicino, Princess Coup and Rubiscent.

Melbourne’s Festival of Racing kicks off this Saturday with a top class program at Flemington. Headlining the day is the Group 1 Coolmore Lightning Stakes (1000m) - the first leg of the 2008 Global Sprint Challenge. The race features a superstar field including Gold Edition, Miss Finland, Magnus and Apache Cat.

Maldivian makes his long awaited return to racing in the Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night, while the Blue Diamonds Stakes Previews, Zeditave Stakes and Kevin Hayes Stakes headline Saturday’s program at Caulfield.