Regal Roller has proved himself to be a genuine top line galloper with a strong win over the gallant Super Elegant on Saturday. Three wide all the way, the Roller knuckled down over the last 100 to win by a neck, in defiance of his poor first up record.

Media was excellent in winning the San Domenico - no doubt she will be a force to be reckoned with in the 'Princess Series' for 3YO filles. Mnemosyne, my tip, ran on to the back of Stratum in the straight which cost her severely - she flashed home though, and will be a force to be reckoned with in the Princess Series as well. I thought the well backed favourite Snitzel was underwhelming.

Nominations for Saturday's big races came out today. Can't you taste the Spring feeling in the air?

Moonee Valley, Saturday

Mitchell McKenzie Stakes, $100,000 - Listed SWP. 3YO Colts and Geldings. 1000m.

1 DANGER LOOMS John McArdle
2 FEROCITY Danny O'Brien
3 LANGARZA Colin Little
4 PERFECTLY READY Mick Price
5 SAIN VESUVIO David Hayes
6 SEIDNAZAR Peter G Moody
7 UNDOUBTEDLY Mark Kavanagh

Undoubtedly won the Blue Diamond, Danger Looms the VRC Sires Produce, Perfectly Ready was 3rd in the Blue Diamond (and was the quickest winner at today's Cranbourne trials), and Ferocity the Adelaide Magic Millions 2YO race.

William Crockett Stakes, $100,000 - Listed SWP. 3YO Fillies. 1000m.

1 ACCELERATION Ricky Maund
2 DINKUM STAR Don Magick
3 FREESTYLE Phillip Stokes
4 INSEPARABLE Robbie Laing
5 JADESCENT (NZ) Lee Hope
6 JESTAWINNA John Symons
7 JUNCTURE Graeme Rogerson
8 LANGNESS David Hayes
9 LEVELLER Graeme Rogerson
10 LUMINARY Graeme Rogerson
11 MEGADEAL Danny O'Brien
12 MOON FEVER Mick Price
13 ON THE LOOSE John Symons
14 PERSONAL ENSIGN Mick Price
15 TESTA REALE Tony Vasil
16 TRUE DOUBT Robert Smerdon

Freestyle has won four from five in fine fashion, including one at Group 2 level, Langness 'won' the aborted Blue Diamond preview (and was brilliant in doing so) but has since suffered from unexplained poor performance syndrome (I wish I was joking, it actually exists) except for a Listed race win in Adelaide (which is more or less the equivalent of a Moe maiden), Leveller is a talented Group winning filly owned by the canny Lloyd Williams, Personal Ensign is a Rubiton filly who has won twice in Saturday company, and Testa Reale was fifth in the Blue Diamond.

So as you can see, even with some attrition, it is sure to be an interesting race.

McEwen Trophy, $151,000 - Group III. 3YO & up WFA. 1000m.

1 BOMBER BILL Robert Smerdon
2 EDGETON Brendon Hearps
3 HOLDING Bill Mitchell
4 OUR QUIVIRA (NZ) Peter G Moody
5 PERLIN (NZ) Graeme Rogerson
6 RENEWABLE (NZ) Graeme Rogerson
7 STRATEGEE GEE David Brideoake
8 STRIKELINE Brian Mayfield-Smith
9 TARN PRINCESS Robbie Griffiths
10 TITANIC JACK Tom Hughes
11 TRULY WICKED Brian Mayfield-Smith

Bomber Bill looks almost a good thing so long as the track is dry (I know it is Monday, but listen to my reasoning). Edgeton, Holding, Our Quivara, Strategee Gee and Tarn Princess are way outclassed, Perlin and Renewable will find the 1000m too short. Strikeline, Truly Wicked and Titanic Jack are the three others, but Titanic Jack hasn't been at his best for 18 months. Strikeline is a live chance. Truly Wicked is another good chance - but I would fancy old Bomber to beat them both.

Rosehill, Saturday

Premiere Stakes, $140,000 - Group 2. 3YO & up WFA. 1200m.

1 CARRY ON CUTIE Graeme Rogerson
2 COURT'S IN SESSION Guy Walter
3 DANCE HERO Gai Waterhouse
4 IKE'S DREAM John Hawkes
5 SHANIA DANE John Hawkes
6 SNIPPETSON Guy Walter
7 SPARK OF LIFE Allan Denham

Only a small field but the quality is outstanding - five of the seven are Group 1 winners. Dance Hero won the 2YO triple crown (Golden Slipper, AJC Sires Produce, Champagne Stakes) and was a brilliant last start winner of the Missile, Carry On Cutie won the G1 Champagne Stakes, Ike's Dream won the G1 Coolmore Classic last Autumn, Shania Dane has won at Group 2 and 3 level, Spark of Life, who has won 9/15 career starts, including the G1 AJC Galaxy and Manikato Stakes, Court's In Session is the bold front runner who won the George Ryder and ran a courageous third in the Doncaster - he won over 1200m last preparation beating Our Egyptian Raine and Grand Armee, so who knows what he could do here?

So as you can see, not a bad field.

Last week nominations for the big Spring races came out:

Caulfield Guineas: http://www.ozracing.net.au/cgi-bin/rsb/public/format_wgt_rating.cgi/0810CAUL.DGN?State=V

Thousand Guineas: http://www.ozracing.net.au/cgi-bin/rsb/public/format_wgt_rating.cgi/1210CAUL.DGN?State=V

Caulfield Cup: http://www.ozracing.net.au/cgi-bin/rsb/public/format_wgt_rating.cgi/1510CAUL.DGN?State=V

Cox Plate: http://www.ozracing.net.au/cgi-bin/rsb/public/format_wgt_rating.cgi/2210M_V_.DGN?State=V

VRC Derby: http://www.ozracing.net.au/cgi-bin/rsb/public/format_wgt_rating.cgi/2910FLEM.DGN?State=V

Melbourne Cup: http://www.ozracing.net.au/cgi-bin/rsb/public/format_wgt_rating.cgi/0111FLEM.DGN?State=V

VRC Oaks: http://www.ozracing.net.au/cgi-bin/rsb/public/format_wgt_rating.cgi/0311FLEM.DGN?State=V

Nothing earth shattering there, but always interesting to have a look.

A new feature I hope to add to this column, which I plan to make twice weekely, is the Captain Callow section - in this we will follow the fortunes of Australia's #2 jockey - the magnificent Noel Callow.

Last Saturday the Captain had 5 rides:

Race 1: Automaton. 2nd paying $2.80.
Race 2: Pinezerio. 1st paying $6.00 and $2.10.
Race 5: Little Dozer. Unplaced (the thing is a cat though)
Race 6: Le Zagaletta. 3rd, but NTD.
Race 7: Schumpeter. Unplaced (makes Little Dozer look like a Ferrari - the start before he was beaten 16 lengths at Cranbourne)

So overall, 5 rides, for 1 win, 1 second, and 1 third. Return on $1 each way on all mounts - $10.90 - 9% profit! Find me a banker who can get you that return!

Until next time, best of luck punters!

Tim.