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The good runs far outnumbered the disappointing ones in the Group 1 Winx Stakes so that’s a promising sign for the spring ahead but it also makes zeroing in on or two to pin the hopes on for next time that bit tougher.

You’d imagine we’ll see quite a few in the Chelmsford Stakes over the mile in a couple of weeks.

Osipenko would be the first one to take home, away from the placegetters. He had to be ridden right out of his comfort zone going back from the wide gate so his fifth placing was full of merit.

Punter’s Intelligence recorded his last 600m in 33.95 which was the race’s third best but he posted the fastest 600m-400m (11.37) and 400m-200m (10.97) so it’s no surprise he just blew out a bit late.

The four-year-old has a lot more tactical speed than he was able to show there and based on this return it’d be a surprise if he doesn’t pick up a nice race soon.

Montefilia was responsible for the fastest last 600m of the race (a slick 33.86) and last 200m (11.43) and that’s an encouraging sign at her first run at 1400m for a couple of years.

The winner Fangirl obviously hit the line well to score, she ran 33.94 for her last 600m and 11.52 last 200m, both second quickest of the race, for a deserved Group 1 win.

While not sectionally eye-catching, the return of Think It Over was a big pass mark in sixth place, and Duais worked home nicely late into eighth. She clocked 11.58 for her final 200m.

You’d have to say the jury is out on Lindermann, who found the lead reasonably well and ran a first 600m of 37.66 (so he didn’t really burn), Golden Mile and Mo’unga who didn’t fire while Derby winner Major Beel endured a tough run and probably can be forgiven.

There was some TAB Everest talk around Buenos Noches after his dynamic return in the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) and the times backed up his performance.

He posted the meeting’s fastest last 600m of 33.63 in a race where the speed was moderate early, the first 600m of 36.05 was slower than the Midway and the Silver Shadow run over the same trip but the overall time was faster.

So that adds some merit to the four-year-old, first-up with 58.5kg, who put the race to bed with a sizzling 400m-200m of 10.87 and sustained it to the line with 11.54 for the last 200m. That also suggests he’s open to improvement, which he will need to be to find himself in an Everest.

The somewhat surprise run of the day came in this race from stayer Sky Lab who came from a clear last to run fourth and ran 33.78 for his last 600m including the race’s fastest last 200m of 11.54. He did win fresh last prep but at 1400m in benchmark company so this return says he’s gone up a notch.

Whether he's a next run prospect depends on the race but at 1500m-mile second-up he'd be worth entertaining.

Kimochi put her hand up as a player in the Princess Series with her slashing return in the Silver Shadow, finishing a close third to Autumn Ballet.

She posted a 34.31 last 600m and was one of a few closers who are worth keeping an eye on for when the races get longer. The fastest last 600m went to Summer Loving, who was last on the turn, in 34.18 while her stablemate Amazonian Lass ran 34.32 for her final 600m but the fastest last 200m of 11.63.

It’s worth noting the next leg is the Furious Stakes and that’s also at 1200m.

Derry Grove might have put himself in the Kosciuszko picture with a runaway TAB Highway win though the run of his stablemate Centre Bounce shouldn’t be overlooked.

The winner did sit wide but with cover, which isn’t an issue at the 1100m, and he did run the fastest last 600m (34.39) and last 200m (11.77) but also was able to flow into the race.

Centre Bounce was a few lengths behind him and had to wait a bit and come across heels, and was still last around the 400m, but his last 600m of 34.44 compares well with the winner and he could easily pick up a Highway soon.

Fastest last 600m: Buenos Noches 33.63.

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