Semi-retired horseman Mark Lupton is encouraged by reports on his top-class staying mare Etah James, as the eight-year-old daughter of Raise The Flag gets ready for a spring campaign.

Sky Punch (NZ) (Alamosa) upstaged odds-on favourite Dalasan (Dalakhani) at Morphettville Parks on Saturday to take out the feature event.

The road to the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) commences on Saturday for New Zealand bred mare Oceanex (NZ) (Ocean Park) when she contests the MRC Members’ Tipstar Hcp (1400m) at Caulfield.

Reliable Man filly Annavisto (NZ) was an impressive winner at Mornington on Thursday for Caulfield trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.

One of the numerous eye-catching runs in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on Saturday was the Team Hawkes-trained Zebrowski (NZ) (Savabeel).

Let’s Karaka Deel (NZ) (Dundeel) will be put on a Derby path after winning as a short-priced favourite at Swan Hill on Monday.

The Chris Waller-trained Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) turned heads with a stunning performance at Newcastle on Saturday which has resulted in the son of Savabeel being installed an early $8.50 favourite for the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on October 10.

The Bjorn Baker-trained Kiss The Bride (NZ) (Savabeel) recorded his second consecutive win in the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m), scoring by a half-length after getting the upper-hand in the closing stages over Birth Of Venus and Home Ground.

The handicapper will determine whether Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) gets a chance to deliver trainer Chris Waller his first Melbourne Cup but there is little doubt the mare is set for an outstanding spring.

The Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) understandably means a lot to leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller and he is hoping one of his four runners will be able to secure top honours at Randwick on Saturday.