Group 1 book for Avdulla

Brenton Avdulla was the toast of Rosehill 12 months ago when he won the G1 Golden Slipper S. on Estijaab (Snitzel) and he returns to the scene of his biggest triumph with another handy book of Group 1 mounts.

Avdulla doesn't have a ride in this year's Slipper, but he has other good opportunities and will ride Egg Tart (Sebring) for Chris Waller in the G1 Ranvet S. and promising sprinting colt Graff (Star Witness) in the G1 Galaxy.

In her last two appearances, Egg Tart has finished third in the G2 Apollo S. and fourth in the G1 Chipping Norton S.

"I think she's ticking over well," Avdulla said. "She handles the cut out of the ground so that will suit her, the 2000 metres suits and if she's anywhere near her best I expect her to run well."

Graff will have his first run in Sydney this preparation after two efforts in Melbourne Group 1 sprints.

"I'm looking forward to riding him. He hasn't been far away his last two up the straight," Avdulla said.

Well-bred youngster impresses

Regally-bred filly Miss Amelia (More Than Ready (USA)} showed a glimpse of the family ability at the Warwick Farm trials on Friday morning with a hollow win at the first time of asking.

Trained by Bjorn Baker and ridden by James McDonald, the 2-year-old settled off the pace before improving wide out and coasted to victory under a strong hold.

Miss Amelia is a daughter of Amelia’s Dream (Redoute’s Choice), a brilliant 2-year-old whose career was tragically cut short after two outings.

She had won by nine and a-half lengths on debut and then careered away with the G2 Silver Slipper S. by six and a-half lengths.

Amelia’s Dream, whose four foals to race have all been winners, was raced by Richard Pegum who has retained Miss Amelia.

Stablemates shooting for the Sun

Trainer Stephen Marsh will have a dual-pronged attack on Saturday’s G1 Rosehill Guineas, with last start G1 New Zealand Derby winner Crown Prosecutor (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) and Group 1 placed colt Vernanme (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) set to take on the highly touted The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice).

“They both travelled over really well, they got here last Saturday,” trainer Stephen Marsh said.

“They had a nice gallop on Tuesday and basically ran up the straight on Thursday morning. They’re in great order. I couldn’t fault them.

“With the rain around we thought the Guineas might come up a bit weaker and it certainly opens the race up,” Marsh said.

“The likes of The Autumn Sun and a few others are stepping up to 2000 metres for the first time whereas we are hard fit. We have just gone from 2400 metres back to 2000 metres so I think we have got a few things in our favour.”

Japanese hope arrives

A start in the G1 Doncaster Mile awaits Japanese visitor Kluger (Jpn) (King Kamehaha {Jpn}), who is in quarantine at Canterbury, having arrived in Sydney in preparation for The Championships.

He is expected to start ramping up his work in the coming days with his trainer Tomokazu Takano due in town next week to watch him gallop.

Takano won the Japan Cup in 2015 with Shonan Pandora (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

"He has settled in very nicely," Kluger's travelling groom Seiji Moriya said. "He is an easy going horse so there's not much worry about travelling. He's eating well, drinking well.

Two Charlie Appleby-trained Godolphin-owned horses, G1 Sydney Cup favourite Dubhe (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and G1 All Aged Stakes contender D'Bai (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) are scheduled to arrive this weekend to start quarantine at Canterbury.

Manuel heading to Sydney

Tony McEvoy scratched Manuel (Commands) from the Listed Hareeba S. at Mornington due to a combination of a wide barrier and a big weight.

He will instead send the horse to Sydney for the G3 Star Kingdom S. at Rosehill on Saturday week.

Manuel won the G1 C F Orr S. at Caulfield last month and McEvoy is planning an assault on another Group 1 race over 1400m, the All Aged S. at Randwick on April 20.

"Around Mornington you need to draw well," McEvoy said. "He hasn't got the speed to cross them at 1200 metres and he can't go back on that track with 61 kilos.

"The Star Kingdom fits in well with his program so we'll head that way.

"The All-Aged at 1400 metres could be a nice race for him and if it's wet it won't worry him."

Kiwi-bred moves to Queensland

Group 1 performer The Lord Mayor (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) has arrived in Queensland to further boost the ranks of the in-form Chris Waller Gold Coast stable.

He will make his Brisbane debut in the TAB Open Handicap over 1500 metres at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The Lord Mayor won twice in New Zealand when trained by Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott, but his best run was a fourth in the G1 New Zealand Derby last year.

Waller's Queensland manager Paul Shailer said The Lord Mayor was an ideal type for Queensland staying races.

"He obviously has a touch of class and had no luck in the Australian Derby when he clipped heels and while Saturday is short of his distance he should be competitive."

First for Group 1 stallion

Malibu Moon (USA) has been an outstanding source of success all over the world and on Friday he sired his first New Zealand winner.

His son Riding The Wave, who had been placed in one of his two previous runs, broke his maiden over 1400 metres at Avondale for trainer Nigel Tiley.

He was a $50,000 Inglis Premier Sale purchase and is out of the dual North American Group 2 winner Sefapiano (USA) (Fappiano {USA}).

Malibu Moon has sired 15 individual Group 1 winners, among them the Kentucky Derby winner Orb (USA), 2-year-old champion Declan’s Moon (USA) and Devil May Care (USA), a three-time winner at the elite level.

Jockey in fine touch

Jockey Tegan Harrison can complete a rewarding week if she continues her good run with trainer Chris Meagher on Divine Dice (Casino Prince) in the Listed TAB Goldmarket at the Gold Coast.

In an unusual situation, the Goldmarket was washed out last weekend and transferred to this Saturday's Gold Coast meeting even though it is not a metropolitan standard program.

Harrison has formed a strong association with trainer Chris Meagher and won on Divine Dice at its last start at Doomben on February 2.

She has been in good form with doubles at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday and Murwillumbah on Tuesday. She also won a race at Doomben on Wednesday.

"It has been a good week and I'd love to finish it off with a win for Chris who has stuck by me."

Trainer Kevin Kemp has Mr Marbellouz (Love Conquers All) in the Goldmarket and an Open Handicap at Eagle Farm but is set to head to the Gold Coast. Dale Smith has been booked to ride him in the Goldmarket.