Where were the likely Derby aspirants a few weeks ago? The prospects were looking pretty slim, the cupboard was getting bare.

However, that all changed on Saturday at Caulfield when Polanski, and San Diego, vied for honours in the Norman Robinson Stakes, with the former receiving the nod by barely a whisker.

We still have the Mitchelton Wines Vase at Moonee Valley, on Saturday, where a likely Derby contender has been known to have emerged from.

Polanski was impressive at Caulfield, be it a slender win the colt, purchased for $4,000, is now on the verge of becoming a million dollar stake earner.

Trained by Robbie Laing, Polanski is a promising colt, he is doing all that could be asked of him, three wins from eight starts, with his present form suggesting he will get further.

That is the view of Laing and others, the colt is entitled to be favourite, his programme has been spaced two weeks between races that are not likely to alter now.

The colt was ridden for the first time on Saturday by Hugh Bowman, a master at riding stayers; he was impressed with the win.

“He is a beautiful big strong colt, I think he can improve on that, you haven’t seen the best of him yet, he is going to be a genuine Derby contender, I moved up to them easily, he idled for a while but when I gave him a kick he found plenty and there was still something left in the tank,” said Hugh Bowman.

He knows all about Derbies, he had already won a couple and is a big race rider with nerves of steel.

Polanski on the outside just shading San Diego