Favourite, Gracious Prospect, looked home and hosed in the Routley’s Handicap at Caulfield, that is until Polanski, at much greater odds, appeared on the scene and snatched the prize.

He looked a different horse to the one that didn’t do much, in two previous runs, at the provincials.

We will know more about him in two weeks when he goes back to Caulfield, this time it will be 1600 metres.

If he can pull that off, Robbie Laing will have a wider smile on his face than he had on Saturday.

The mile, as we formerly knew it, would be a deciding factor whether the gelding is spelled and aimed towards the Derby.

Polanski winning at Caulfield

It could develop into rags to riches story if he won the Derby, as he was purchased for $4,000 as a yearling.

He is by Ratki, a top horse in his own right, he won 11 in the best of company, however, he did have a problem when he raced, he was never quite genuine.

One may recall the trouble they had with him going to the barrier at Newbury for the Lockridge Stakes, when he defeated Elvstroem.

Unfortunately Ratki has had so few runners, he was fatally injured in his box overnight a few years ago.

Robbie Laing, Dean Yendall, Jack Fraser

Imoto put punters in the right mood when she showed a touch of class in winning the Charlie Aguis Handicap.

She opened up as favourite, and that is where she remained, there was money for Moscow Pearl, the third place getter, and Orlando’s Bride she raced in centre field for much of the race.

Barbara Joy carted the field along at a solid pace until nearing the home turn; from there she soon began to weaken.

Imoto is by Bianconi, is a half sister to Yosei, whether she can attain BlackType status remains to be seen.

The mare was looking for a run at the top of the straight when the field began to bunch up, once the run came it was all over red rover, Imoto was away in a stride.

Tranquera, out of the Robbie Griffiths yard, has not run a place in her last five starts since winning at Mornington, back in September, turned in a nice run, a similar type of race this time in could suit her.

Moscow Pearl is another that came under notice, she battled away fairly well, she was on the pace for most of the way and held her position to the line.

Imoto was just too good

Bookies had good reason to applaud the result of the Arthur Gauci Handicap with the winner the Bendigo trained, Primitive Man, returning a dividend of $61 after opening up at $51.

It was quite a remarkable performance; after the field had covered 200 metres he was running fifth and appeared to be travelling well.

After another 100 metres he was stone motherless last, with more ground to make up than the early settlers.

He was still last 200 metres out; from there he simply flew, reminiscent of a Bernborough finish, he won by three quarters of a length, running the last 200 metres in 12.09 secs.

The gelding is trained by Shane Fliedner, he can produce one at times, however, this one had us dumbfounded.

Primitive Man on the outside charging home.

Fliedner even shook his head, he was entitled to, you don’t see runs like that every day in the week, it was some performance.

The gelding’s trainer, Shane Fliedner, commented after that there still is a lot of improvement to be seen in the horse.

Primitive Man is by Primus, among the better colts of his year in of 2005, yet he was never given a chance with limited mares.

Trainer - Shane Fleidner

Formidable showed a great turn of foot, plus plenty of tenacity, before her number could be posted as the winner of the Go Green Handicap at Flemington.

After leading for most of the trip she had to dig deep to with hold the challenges of Panzanella and Vicario, both were closing rapidly.

This was her second win in 11 starts for the owners, Barry and Midge Griffiths, and possibly her last as she goes under the hammer at the Great Southern Sale, at the Inglis complex, Oaklands Junction.

The owners are having an amazing run of success with their horses trained out of Flemington by the cousins, Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra.

Formidable was the best backed horse in the race, coming in from almost half her opening quote to start at $8.50.

After her narrow win she had to survive a protest lodged by Nick Hall, the rider of the second horse, Panzanella.

The favourite, Prettyhappyaboutit, didn’t run on as well as expected, she was a beaten horse a fair way out.

Formidable winning the Go Green Handicap

The win completed a winning double for the stable, and apprentice jockey, Damian Lane, who has settled in well since coming over from Perth.

He is a true professional with a lot of talent, he positions his mounts well in running, he is a likeable young man with a good future ahead of him, and riding for a stable that is giving him opportunities.

Damian Lane with Mathew Ellerton

While Leon Corstens was in Adelaide on Saturday, he left the affairs at Flemington to his capable deputy, Gary Gibb.

Leon left without a care in the world, when Gibb is at the helm the ship is running on an even keel.

Gibb is no stranger to the winner’s circle, he never tires of it, and there he was leading another winner when Felidea saluted in the Spotless Handicap.

Felidea winning at Flemington

He goes about his business, and that of the boss, in a professional manner, they have a great understanding of each other.

Gibb was apprenticed to Ray Hutchins, at Epsom, at a time when it was the biggest racing centre outside of Flemington.

The stable was riding high back in 1973 when Gala Supreme won the Melbourne Cup, one of many Cup winners trained out of the old course that was sold up for housing, those that wanted to remain training had to relocate.

Gibb finally plucked up enough courage to ask the boss for his daughter, Heather’s hand in marriage, Ray could hardly refuse.

The young couple settled in Berrigan, Bert Honeychurch’s territory, to establish a training base close to the local racecourse.

As they expected it was never going to be easy, but fortunes changed when Brummel Who won a two year old race at Deniliquin, then going on to win the Black Opal Stakes at Canberra.

Gary Gibb