Four-timer for Shinn 

Blake Shinn has moved to within three wins of Jamie Kah in his chase for a first Victorian Jockeys' Premiership after Skywolf won the Catanach's Jewellers Handicap (1200m) to give him four winners for the afternoon. 

Shinn scored earlier wins with Outback Miss, Va Via and Lounge Bar Rubi while he was just touched out on Milford in the City Index Quality (2000m). 

However, his day was soured with a 15-meeting careless riding suspension incurred after his win on Va Via in the Marshall White Handicap (1200m). 

Shinn will commence his suspension following the Flemington meeting next Saturday. 

The jockey entered the Caulfield meeting with no more confidence than he had in previous weeks. 

"It's nice all my horses turned up and we've had a great day," Shinn said. 

"The form has held up and we're not on a wet track where there has not been any particular bias. 

"It's an unfortunate time to be getting a suspension and very disappointing on my behalf, but we'll regroup and come back bigger and better." 

Va Via explosive in Melbourne return 

Godolphin filly Va Via showed an explosive turn of foot in her return to the Melbourne way of going to claim the Marshall White Handicap (1200m). 

After a campaign based in Sydney that saw the filly have three runs, Va Via was sent south to claim the second win of her 15-start career. 

After settling near the tail, Va Via swept up out wide on the turn before racing away to a 5-¼ length win. 

Sean Keogh, in charge of the Melbourne stable for James Cummings, said Va Via had developed nicely since he last saw the filly. 

"We have not seen her down here in Victoria for a tick over six months or so," Keogh said. 

"She's developed into a lovely strong filly and no doubt her future looks bright after today." 

Keogh said the early season spring mares' races may be something the Godolphin team could consider with Va Via. 

"She did compete well when she was here as a two-year-old in some of the lead-up races and dabbled in Listed grade," Keogh said. 

"Now with some consistent form, maybe she can string some together for the team going forward." 

One-two result for father and son 

Lounge Bar Rubi led home a one-two finish for Mark and Levi Kavanagh when successful in the Lamaro's Hotel Handicap (1400m), defeating longer-priced stablemate Superstock. 

The win gave Blake Shinn his third winner for the day from the opening five races. 

"Blake is white hot at the moment, and we didn't really give him any instructions," Levi Kavanagh said. 

"We just said to give him some room and that is exactly what he did. He drifted back, got him into the right spot around the bend and let him chase home to the line. 

"That's what that horse does." 

Kavanagh said the stable will think about stepping Lounge Bar Rubi up in trip to 1600m, the distance of the Silver Bowl Series Final at Flemington next Saturday. 

"We'll have a talk to Blake to see whether he will get the mile and then see how he is on Monday and make a decision from there," Kavanagh said. 

Close finish goes the way of St Lawrence 

When St Lawrence sprinted to the front in the City Index Handicap (1400m), jockey Ben Allen thought he was going to record an easy win. 

But Allen had to pull out all-stops on the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained galloper to record a short-half-head win over Tonneofgrit with Barbie's Fox the same margin away third. 

"I was surprised when I felt them come up next to me," Allen said. 

"The way he let down I thought nothing was going to get near me. I was going to punch him along, but I hadn't fully tested him. 

"Once I gave him a hit with the whip, he lengthened good and was tough through the line." 

St Lawrence was racing for the first time since February and had to do it the tough way. 

"We were caught three-wide, but it wasn't too bad," Allen said. 

"It was a bit stop-start, but I was able to keep flowing on him and it was a good tough win." 

Gelding works wonder with Bridge 

A gelding operation and then gaining confidence racing through the ranks in lesser grade has worked wonders for Normandy Bridge. 

After an unsuccessful campaign in Sydney during the autumn where he raced in Group company, Normandy Bridge has registered two wins and two second placings in four starts since returning to Melbourne. 

Normandy Bridge notched a double for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace when stepped up to 2000m of the City Index Quality. 

"He's a horse that has shown good ability but has taken a long time mentally to come right," assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said. 

"We feel he's a mile-and-a-quarter (2000m) horse and the drop of rain we had before the race definitely helped him. 

"It was a great ride by Harry. He didn't rush it. He rode the horse, not the race. 

"We believe in the horse. He's got good ability and he can reach greater heights. Hopefully though the winter he can win a couple more of these ratings races and we can see where we can get to." 

Disaster narrowly averted 

Three trackworkers employed to replace divots post-race were lucky to avoid injury during the running of the Michael Walker Farewell Handicap (1100m). 

As the field approached the 600m mark, the three workers were still on the track with television footage showing two ducking under the fence while third rolls out of the way just prior to the horses arriving. 

Beau Mertens, who was on board leader Starlight Scope, was calling to the workers to clear the area. 

Retiring Racing Victoria Chairman of Stewards Robert Cram said it was lucky no-one was injured. 

"It has occurred before, but not very often, thank goodness," Cram said. 

"They've been spoken to by the track manager and the track manager will be spoken to by us." 

Quote of the day 

"The way he let down I thought nothing was going to get near me" - jockey Ben Allen after the narrow win of St Lawrence in the City Index Handicap.