The Grahame Begg-trained mare did a lot of the work on speed in the Group 3 The Nivison (1200m), running the first 600m in 35.42, and she was still able to run the race's fastest last 200m of 11.02.
That's not a bad effort given Nash Rawiller rode her with intent, recording the fastest first 200m of 13.45, so for her to still be strong at the finish adds further merit to the win. Her last 600m of 33.22 was the race's second quickest.
She's already proven at 1400m so an 'invitation' seems a formality.
Well performed mares Dalchini and Call Di did their chances of earning a berth in that race no harm with excellent performances.
Punter's Intelligence sectional data showed Dalchini ran the fastest last 600m of the race (33.16) while Call Di was third best (33.24) – the latter coming of a freshen up and dropping in trip.
The mares recorded a faster overall time for the 1200m that the three-year-olds did in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes and by about three lengths.
Half a second was the difference looking at the first 600m, so it's no surprise that the young colts were able to scoot home a bit faster late.
King's Gambit recorded the meeting's fastest last 600m in winning the Roman Consul, he clocked 32.54 and while he didn't go around a horse he was responsible for the fastest splits for four of the six 200m blocks.
He also posted the fastest last 200m of 10.81 in a performance that he's always had in him but hadn't produced since his debut win.
It's no surprise that all attention was on the Snowden colt as he goes forward this spring but don't undersell the effort of Celestial Legend who ran fifth.
He simply wasn't as sharp at the 1200m but he stormed home late to be in that line vying for the placings, running 32.69 for his last 600 and his last 200m was only 0.03 slower than the winner. He's desperate for 1400m and further.
If Cepheus is one of the leading chances for the $3m Big Dance, then Cotehele will have a big say in the result of the $750,000 Little Dance in one month.
That's if he doesn't go the Wild Card on October 21 and sneak his way into the main event.
Cotehele probably needed about two more strides to haul in Cepheus and claim the $1.5m Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) but he's sizzled home in 33 seconds including the race's fastest last 200m of 10.92.
The gelding was runner-up in the South Grafton Cup behind Cepheus, so he's Big Dance eligible but unlikely to gain a start unless there's a high attrition rate among the winners of qualifying races.
Flying Crazy posted the race's fastest last 600m of 32.82, about a length faster than Cotehele. He hasn't won since May 2022 but has now put two good runs together.
The real Montefilia showed up in the Group 2 $2m Hill Stakes (1900m) and it was a race that featured some fast late sectionals. She ran 33.11 for her last 600m and her final 200m of 10.89 was also the race's best as she monstered the leaders.
A couple of lengths behind her was No Compromise and he matched the winner's final 600m as he made good ground from well back, showing he's on target for a staying handicap.
A couple more to note:
Peace Officer was excellent in running fourth in the Midway Handicap (1400m) running 33.50 for his last 600m, clearly the race best, and a final 200m of 11.05.
Unfortunately Kayobi bled in running second in the final race but he still ran the race's fastest final 600m of 33.05, two lengths faster than the next best which were Gringotts and Colour Sergeant (33.41).
Fastest last 600m: King's Gambit 32.54
