Underdone Savannah Cloud lands Regal Roller 

Trainer Phillip Stokes always thought time would be the best friend of Savannah Cloud who returned with a surprise win in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m). 

A Group 3 placegetter before going out for a spell, Stokes thought the now six-year-old would be in for a profitable campaign this time around. 

But Stokes thought Saturday's Listed race against some handy sprinters may have been beyond him. 

"I really thought he needed the run today," Stokes said. 

"He's got a lot of cleaning up in the coat to do, so to start off the campaign like this is a real bonus. 

"I had him earmarked for a benchmark race in a couple of weeks' time, but I might have to re-evaluate that now. 

"But he did run second at his last start of his last preparation in a Group 3 race and that gave us some hope going forward. 

"He is a Savabeel and they get better with age. He's just strengthened up and looks great." 

Group 1 winner in waiting 

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Amenable made a winning return in the Thoroughbred Club Australia Handicap (1400m) which will put the entire on a path towards spring Group 1 races. 

The Epsom Handicap at Randwick and the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield, both over 1600m, are likely targets for the four-year-old who is a multiple placegetter at Stakes level. 

"Winning today definitely helps in getting his rating up," Kent Jnr said. 

"He's a good horse. He will get into these handicaps with a lightweight and hopefully he can win a Group 1 this campaign." 

Amenable was given time to balance up by jockey Damian Lane from his awkward draw. 

Kent Jnr said the stable had reasoned there would be good early pace. 

"There was a big push to the first corner. They kept rolling and he wasn't too far back," Kent Jnr said. 

"He was following the second horse, that gave a very good fight and is a good horse, but he (Amenable) is a smart horse and he's definitely improved. 

"It's very exciting." 

Lane said he had originally wanted to go forward on Amenable, but Price and Kent Jnr had talked him out of doing so. 

"Maybe that's the first-time trainers have been right over a jockey with tactics," Lane joked. 

Sydney trip for Beour Bay 

Trainer Shane Nichols is contemplating a trip to Sydney for Beour Bay after her win in the MRC Chairman's Club First Renewal Alan Yates (1400m). 

The Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) is on Nichols' radar after Beour Bay fought off the chasing pack to score a narrow win. 

Beour Bay was having the eighth start of her campaign after beginning the preparation with three straight wins and finally providing her owners with a metropolitan Saturday victory. 

"She's been terribly honest," Nichols said. 

"She started the prep with three in a row then she's been third, second, second and every run seems a hard run when they run a place, but today she was pretty tough. 

"There's a race for her in Sydney in a couple of weeks, the Mona Lisa, so she might go up and have a crack at a nice race. 

"I think while a mare is racing well, like she is, you would be remiss not to have a go. It's a race over 1350 (metres) and being on speed, it's not the worst place to have a crack. 

"She's not going to go into the deep part of the spring, but there's some options for her now that she is up in the ratings." 

Three on the trot for Viviane 

The Mathew Ellerton-trained Viviane registered a winning hat-trick when taking out the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1100m). 

The daughter of Written Tycoon had won previously at Sandown and over Saturday's course and distance and Ellerton admitted to mixed feelings both before and during the race. 

Viviane spent 10 days in the paddock after her most recent win on June 24 and Ellerton thought the mare may be vulnerable late on Saturday. 

And drawing barrier one also did not fill the trainer with a lot of confidence. 

"We weren't entirely rapt with barrier one as we had to use her up a bit and I grimaced mid-race when an outsider was racing her," Ellerton said. 

"We were coming off 10 days in the paddock and a bit of a freshen, so I thought she'd be vulnerable late, but she did well to kick and win." 

Viviane was ridden by Damian Lane on Saturday, but Ellerton was quick to thank apprentice Laura Lafferty for her work with the mare. 

"She has probably had a bit to do with her confidence," Ellerton said. 

"She has really clicked with her and was probably a bit stiff she wasn't on her today." 

First rate is First Mate 

Trainer Kylie Vella is itching to step First Mate up to 1600m after his impressive win in the MRC Chairman's Club Caulfield Aspirant (1400m). 

First Mate was having his first start since an eye-catching performance when fourth over the same course and distance last month. 

Vella said First Mate was scheduled to run at Flemington over 1600m on August 5, but missed a start. 

"I saw this race a little while ago, but we were meant to run over the mile at Flemington a couple of weeks ago and we're pretty keen to get him back up the mile," Vella said. 

"He's been up for quite a long time, but we've spaced his runs. We didn't think he would handle the wet, but he's gone really well through this prep on the wet. 

"(Owners) Frank and Karen (Butler) didn't want him back home because it's pretty miserable up there, so we're happy to get the win for them because they're our biggest supporters." 

Vella described the winning ride of Scobie Breasley Medallist Blake Shinn a 'perfect 10 out of 10'. 

"I don't think he needs instructions," Vella said. 

Quote of the day 

"I was just out there doing my job, but it was good to see the family's horse run a great race". - jockey Blake Shinn after winning aboard First Mate in the MRC Chairman's Club Caulfield Aspirant, defeating Big Brew, trained by his stepfather Lee Hope.