There's little doubt two of the most noteworthy performances on a champagne day of racing at Flemington and Randwick on Saturday came from the imported stayers Almandin (GER) and Libran (IRE).
Last year's Melbourne Cup hero Almandin (GER) was simply breathtaking in the Listed Japan Racing Association Trophy (2500m) at Flemington.
Under a double handful from Damien Oliver, Alamndin (GER) came from midfield with a rails-hugging ride to demoralise his opposition by upwards of two and three-quarter lengths without breaking a sweat.
The chasing pack was led by the winner's stablemates Crocodile Rock (Galileo) with Aloft (Galileo) a short-neck back in third. (photo Grant Courtney)
An 8yo son of Monsun, Alamndin (GER) was making just his second start since his historic win in the famous 2-miler.
He prepped for the JRA Plate with a solid third over 2040 metres at Moonee Valley on August 26.
Less than two months away from the Melbourne Cup, bookmakers reacted to
"That was extraordinary - it's a long time since I've ridden a stayer with my feet on the dashboard so far from home," Oliver said.
"He's certainly come back better than ever. He's carried a lot of weight today (61kg) and it was not a bad field.
"It's great to see how he's come back and let's hope it all goes well from here - he's heading the right way and certainly in the right stable.
"Let's keep our fingers crossed he can just get there in one piece on the big day."
Part-owner Nick Williams said they are keeping an open mind on Alamandin's path to the Melbourne Cup.
It's very simple the horse will tell us where he goes. "Whether that's the Bart Cummings, the Herbert Power, the Caulfield Cup, the Cox Plate, the Moonee Valley Cup – Dad and Malcolm (McLaren) will make that decision in due course.
"I wouldn't encourage any punters to back him in the Caulfield Cup, but I wouldn't want to dissuade them from it either.
"That decision will be made in due course."
Remarkably Monsun has sired three of the last four winners of the race, beginning with Gai Waterhouse's magnificent Fiorente in 2013.
A brother to the Group II winner Atempo, out of the stakes-placed Tiger Hill mare Ametrin, Almandin is a three-quarter brother to Group 1 German Oaks heroine
Sparingly raced for an 8yo gelding Almandin (GER) advances his record to 6 wins, 4 seconds and 1 third from 14 starts with earnings of $4,249,058.
While Robert Hickmott trained the first three across the line in the JRA Cup, champion trainer Chris Waller went one better when his pupils finished 1-2-3-4 in the Group III Kingston Town Plate at Randwick.
It was one of Waller's least fancied starters Libran (IRE) who came out on top over Antonio Giuseppe, Life Less Ordinary and Who Shot Thebarman.
Carrying the colours of Highclere Racing, Libran looked to be back to the form that saw him finish second in the 2016 Sydney Cup when dashing clear in the closing stages under Glyn Schofield to win by one and a half lengths. (photo Steve Hart)
Waller credits Libran's return to the winner's circle for the first time in over one and a half years to a dry track.
"He just went missing in that wet autumn. This time last year he was going good, in fact, he missed the Spring but wet tracks cost him, he's on good tracks now, he was ridden patiently in a
"They took off at the 500m as if there was no tomorrow. He was ridden patiently and came home with a barnstorming run.
"He ran a very good race first-up and his work since then has been good."
A 4-time winner in England, Libran advances his overall record to 9 wins, 2 second and 1 third from 26 starts for earnings of $964,623.
A son of Invincible Spirit's French Derby winner Lawman, Libran is out of the winning Sadler's Wells mare True Crystal a daughter of the Lancashire Oaks winner State Crystal (High Estate) from the family of Group 1 Fillies Mile winner Crystal Music.
