Popular sprinter Emperor Max was finally able to add a much-deserved feature win to his outstanding resume when he put his seven rivals to the sword in the $300,000 Group 2 Stewards’ Cup (1400m) on Sunday.

Undefeated two-year-old filly Villa Verde will be aimed at the $3.5 million Golden Slipper next April by her buyer and trainer Shaun Dwyer following a dominant performance in the opening event at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, the Listed VRC 7News Plate (1000m).

TRAINER Mike Moroney fears the wet ground more than any rival with his Crown Oaks favourite Brazilian Pulse.

The Tim Martin-trained The Mikado has unleashed a slashing turn of foot to thump his rivals in the Listed Strada Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

ROSTOVA ($80,000 2008 Premier, 2f Testa Rossa-Space Talk) continued a dominant start to the new season for Inglis two-year-old graduates when she made an exciting debut to claim the Listed Schiavello Stakes at Flemington yesterday.