Four-time Golden Slipper winning trainer Clarry Conners rates the fillies as the benchmark heading towards April's $3.5 million race. Two-year-old stakes racing swings into gear in Sydney this weekend with Conners to start his main Golden Slipper hope, Satin Shoes, in the Listed Widden Stakes (1100m) for fillies at Randwick.

Trainer Todd Howlett is comfortable with his decision to bypass the Hawkesbury Guineas with Star Of Octagonal to concentrate on riches closer to home.

Metal Bender and Sousa became the latest Easter graduates to quinella a Group 1 race in today’s Rosehill Guineas, in the process once again underlining how Easter brings together the very best yearlings the Southern Hemisphere has to offer.

VICTORIA'S most improved sprinter Secret Flyer, a Melbourne Autumn Yearling Sale Graduate, is right on target to land bets at odds as long as 150-1 in the Newmarket Handicap.

Outstanding filly HOLLOW BULLET (2003 Premier $10,000) indicated a big