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Could this be the preparation where Kirwan’s Lane goes from a benchmark class horse to something better?

The four-year-old had already won five races prior to Saturday but his most recent win came with an exclamation mark.

On the back of a neat Brenton Avdulla ride, camping in behind runner up Ellsberg, Kirwan’s Lane reeled off a 34.08s last 600m.

That was three lengths faster than the second quickest with his last 200m of 11.44s 1.5 lengths faster than Ellsberg, who raised a second effort but didn’t have the late firepower to go with the winner.

The seven length margin back to third and overall time compared to the other 1500m race on the Rosehill card, won by Charleise, confirms that the win had plenty of substance.

Earlier, I Am Power built on his eye-catching Australian debut, when first up for two years, to turn the tables on Blondeau.

A brilliant front-running ride from Brenton Avdulla on Rammstein saw the rest of the field chasing a long way from home.

Don’t be fooled by the big margins back to 10th as despite finishing eighth Charretera clocked the second quickest last 600m split (33.66s) in the race.

That was bettered only by Blondeau, who despite being beaten as an odds on favourite, is worth giving another chance next time out. His last 600m sectional (33.46) was the fastest across the entire meeting.

That’s now something Blondeau has done in both of his runs back this preparation. He might want 1400m third up.

Overmann rewarded his followers with a determined win in the meeting’s two-year-old race but the third placed Three Wise Men is a youngster worth black booking.

Still eligible for maiden company, the Edward Cummings-trained gelding was particularly strong through the line with a 11.55s last 200m, the fastest in the race.

Now, Starla and La Grisa have just seven wins from their collective 46 starts but there is another win or two to be added to their records shortly if their respective returns are any guide.

Starla’s last 600m of 33.64 was two lengths faster than any of her rivals in the mare’s 1200m race won by Mirra Vision. Sure, she took the shortest way home but that late split was bettered on by Blondeau across the entire meeting.

She is effective out to the mile so keep an eye on her this campaign as she creeps out in trip.

La Grisa, meanwhile, was beaten by the barrier.

Forced back to last from the wide gate, the five-year-old grey rattled home to clock a last 600m of 34.18s, when fourth behind Mubariz, which was two lengths faster than the second quickest.

Glancing over her previous form, dry tracks look key to her performing at her best so keep that in mind when she reappears second up.

Fastest last 600m: Blondeau 33.46s

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