J-Mac confident in Zousain

Jockey James McDonald is confident his ride in the G1 Golden Rose S, Zousain (Zoustar) can bounce back off his slightly disappointing first-up run and be a serious threat in Saturday's race.

Zousain finished fourth, beaten 3.3l in the G2 Run To The Rose on a track McDonald felt was far from ideal.

"He's very good, obviously his last run didn’t indicate his ability, he's a lot better than that," McDonald told RSN.

"We struck a wet track which probably undid him there, but hopefully, getting back on to a dry track will see him show his true colours."

Zousain meets many of the same opposition again on Saturday, including the three horses which beat him home as well as highly rated stablemate, The Autumn Sun (Redoute's Choice).

"It's a very high quality field, a very even field and he's going to have to be at his brilliant best," he said.

"I think he's a colt that we will see a lot of over the spring. I reckon he's going to be awfully hard to beat."

Written By ready for return

Trainer Grahame Begg is confident he has pulled the right rein with G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Written By (Written Tycoon), who begins his campaign towards the G1 Coolmore Stud S at Caulfield on Saturday.

Written By has been given a good long break after a busy 2-year-old season which also included a fourth in the G1 Golden Slipper S.

"We were very conscious that he had a pretty busy schedule. Young horses, they need time to rejuvenate," Begg told Sky Sports Radio.

"It was a bit of no-brainer to focus on the one thing, which is the Coolmore, which is the first week of November and give him his opportunity to be right on the mark for that."

Written By steps out in the Skyline Education Foundation Plate over 1000m at Caulfield, where he carries 3.5kg more than his rivals.

"He'll run very well, he's a very competitive horse. There is no doubt, he has got plenty of improvement in him. We've taken him along nice and slowly. We thought 1000m was right on the mark for a first-up start."

Columb service at Flemington on Friday

Nick Columb's life will be celebrated at a special service at Flemington racecourse on Friday September 21.

Columb, a legendary figure in thoroughbred circles, passed away last month having suffered a stroke while on holiday in Spain.

A service will be held in the Committee Room at Flemington, starting at 11:00 am, with guests asked to wear colourful clothing to celebrate his life.

Night’s Watch aiming for Caulfield Cup berth

Night's Watch (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) is aiming to secure a Caulfield Cup spot in Saturday's G3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield

Trainer Darren Weir felt the 5-year-old would improve greatly off his third to Magic Consol in the G2 Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.

"He was sort of mucking around in the barrier and then he just didn't begin as cleanly as hoped, but Johnny Allen had to use him to be in a spot and then he loomed like he was going to win but then he evened out the last 100m," Weir told racing.com.

"Stepping out slow and having to use him a bit just took off that bit of brilliance late, but first go at weight-for-age I thought it was a terrific run."

"He's making the right steps for sure. I guess he has to take another step to 2000m but he's ticking along pretty well. Whether it's this year or not we'll see."

Scott Base and Wyndspelle spot on for Hastings

Scott Base (NZ) (Dalghar {Fr}) and Wyndspelle (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) are in superb shape ahead of Saturday’s G1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings according to co-trainer Johno Benner.

Benner said Scott Base (third) and Wyndspelle (sixth) had both impressed him last start in the G1 Tarzino Trophy and would relish the step up to 1600m,

“They were two of the better runs in the race I’d say,” Benner said. “I couldn’t really fault them and 1600m looks good for both horses.”

“We couldn’t be happier heading into Saturday. Everything is going to plan, they have both been working well and they are in good order. We have got two nice draws (Scott Base – 6, Wyndspelle – 4) to work with, so we’re pretty happy.”

Both will go to the G1 Livamol Classic after Saturday with Scott Base likely to then head to Australia.