Long John turned the tables on his rivals winning an epic Caulfield Guineas after being seriously challenged in the straight.

The big money came forth late in betting, that saw his price tumbling from $4.80 to $3.80, to start a pronounced favourite.

He was in his comfort zone this time racing, never further back than fifth, with the leader, Éclair Big Bang, well within his sights all the way.

When the leader gave ground before the turn there was only one alternative for Kerrin McEvoy, he had to allow the gelding to go forward.

The favourite came around the turn full of running, he looked as if he was going to win by a sizeable margin until Divine Calling coming from near last, throwing out a desperate challenge in the straight.

Long John - Another Guineas winner for Darley

Long John was safely holding Divine Calling on the line; however the late surge by the Gai Waterhouse colt added a touch of spice to the finish.

The so called boom colt, Prince Harada, was badly deflated; he was never in the hunt at any stage of the race.

There is no point in laying the blame on a wide barrier; they can win from anywhere if they have the required talent.

It was just another case of winter form rarely holding up in the spring, a bit like putting the boys among the men, never a wise decision.

Peter Snowden and Kerrin McEvoy

Atlantic Jewel’s win in the Caulfield Stakes was merely a romp around “The Heath” for the great mare, increasing her stake earnings by another $242,000.

I watched the race along side of Mark Kavanagh, he didn’t say much, very little in fact, he is doing it tough leading into the grand slam, with the Cox Plate in just under two weeks.

His expression said it all, intense concentration, beads of perspiration on a furrowed brow with the eyes of the racing world focused firmly on him.

It is now the build up to the final round, in just under two weeks Mark Kavanagh has tasted the success, previously with Maldivian, but this time it is likely to be sweeter.

He has done all the hard yards with the mare, in and out of the stable so many times during that long lay off period.

Atlantic Jewel - Winning as she likes

She deserves all the accolades, a champion in every sense of the word, having missed her entire four year old season from the racetrack, through injury, she has bounced back in remarkable fashion, only champions come back as did Tulloch.

On Saturday in the Caulfield Stakes she missed the start by three parts of a length, however, there was no need for concern, she simply crossed over behind and followed the small field.

There was little change in running until the home turn was reached, once Michael Rodd released the brakes it was all over red rover, the mare sailed away to win as she liked.

Michael Rodd with Mark Kavanagh

Queensland performer, Solzhenitsyn, has firmly implanted his name in the record books after having won the Toorak Handicap in successive years.

He has a love affair with Caulfield that was evident after another barnstorming performance to win the race again, with an extra 6 kg more than he won with last year.

His trainer, Robert Heathcote, is a regular visitor to Melbourne, he seldom returns home empty handed, and to win a second Toorak, that was something pretty special.

The win increased the gelding’s stake earnings beyond a million dollars, it was his 13th win, with seven over 1600 metres.

He is completing free of debt, he owes his owners nothing, it is a clean slate as he has returned cheques 24 times out of his 34 starts.

Toorak Winner - Solzhenitsyn

There is no mention of him being a champion, but those that race him think so and that is all that counts, enjoy it while you can, there is no certainty you could ever replace him, lightning seldom strikes twice in the same place.

While all the accolades were for Solzhenitsyn, and rightly so, you could hardly miss the run of the French trained gelding, Trevieres, he came from well back in the field early, was finishing at the rate of knots when the judge called a halt.

He will not be out of place in anything that comes up, the Emirates on the last day of the carnival may pay the expenses.

Robert Heathcote holding Trophy

Aided by a great ride from leading Sydney jockey, Hugh Bowman, classy English bred stayer, Sea Moon, had a bit on his rivals in winning the time honoured Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield.

Bowman made sure Sea Moon had brought his A game to “TheHeath”, he had the entire sitting up close to the pace from the outset.

Oasis Bloom led for the majority of the trip, with Bowman, on Sea Moon, making sure there would be no loafing, the import was serving it up to the leader most of the way.

The plan worked to perfection, at one stage Sea Moon was almost at the girth of the leader, ready to exert his authority when called upon.

You might say that justice prevailed, as last week Sea Moon was first past the post in The Bart Cummings, only to lose the race on protest.

A lot was stacked against him with weights and measures, yet he has prevailed, it can only improve from here in, with his main mission being the Melbourne Cup.

There was a lot to like about the Irish gelding Simenon, he looked a genuine threat turning for home, he can only improve on that run, his last start was at York when he finished second in the Lonsdale Cup over 3200 metres.

 Sea Moon with Hugh Bowman up 

Lightly raced colt, Lion Of Belfort, is a highly talented young horse with a lot of potential, as was shown in winning the Blue Sapphire at Caulfield.

In a brief career he has put together three impressive wins in four starts in his first preparation.

No firm decision has been reached as to which direction Mick Price will take from herein, the Coolmore Stakes on Derby Day looks inviting, but whether he will take that path is yet to be decided.

Price could even send him off to the paddock with the lucrative autumn in mind, as he is not short in ability

He showed a lot of tenacity in winning, while it was a small field he still had to find the gaps to go through, it was a good learning experience.

Villa Verde bounced out of the gate quickly and led to the home turn, but gave little in the run home; she has not regained her two year old form to this stage.

Miracles Of Life again was disappointing, more sentiment than good judgement saw her start favourite, she never gave a serious yelp at any stage of the race.

She missed the kick slightly from the gate which didn’t assist, and while she was denied a run in the straight there was something missing, the ping was not there.

During the autumn she was the early precocious filly, the get up and run type, it is as if the others have now caught up with her.

Lion Of Belfort shows plenty of talent