Going with a rapid-fire approach this week with so many points to indeed talk about. In Sydney we saw the return of Godolphin stars Anamoe and In Secret as well as the (now) 1st and 2nd Golden Slipper favourites win impressively.

In Melbourne there was controversy aplenty with Jacquinot winning the Orr on protest, Lofty Strike return with a bang in the Rubiton and more questions posed than answered in the Blue Diamond Preludes. Let's rip in.

Anamoe- the ultimate professional

The memories of Anamoe getting back to last and charging home to miss have all but faded into history (except for those on in both the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper). Being able to put himself in the race is half the battle- he got the 1-1 in the Might & Power, Cox Plate and on Saturday, winning all three.

His rating of 122 is a touch shy of what he managed first up last time in but is right in his hitting range having regressed second up last time in. He's not getting any better but he doesn't need to- he's still the rightful favourite for anything he runs in on our shores.

In Secret

A fair way off her absolute peak of 120, there wouldn't be much cause for concern for In Secret given 1. The manner in which she won and 2. She's basically in line with what she did first up last time in. A rating of 110, she didn't have the best of luck but her explosive turn of foot got her out of trouble.

Where she goes next will be interesting, with the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) likely before dropping back to 1200m in the Newmarket- a setup that worked perfectly for her in the Spring. She'd get ~51kg in the Newmarket and her peak would likely make her the one to beat there.

Cafe Millenium & Learning To Fly

I loved the debut win of Cafe Millenium because he's a living endorsement for 'scope'. A big, rangy colt by Not A Single Doubt, he reminded me a bit of The Autumn Sun, who didn't have that sharp acceleration but just motored through his gears once he got going. A rating of 105 on debut is up there with the best two-year-old debutants and with a couple of Newgate bubbles bursting in consecutive weeks, I think he's deserving of his place in the market. The Sires & Champagne over a touch further back at Randwick have his name written all over them.

Learning To Fly backed up a very strong debut rating, also of 105, narrowly bettering that effort with 106 here, coming from near last to win impressively. Given her 2kg allowance, she'd have the ratings edge on Cafe Millenium so far, however it's worth noting their raw times.

In Cafe Millenium's race, they went at an average tempo of 11.64 for an overall time of 1:04:03, the winner coming home in 33.63/22.45/11.48

Learning To Fly's race went at a tempo on 11.69 for an overall time of 1:04:27, the winner coming home in 34.40/22.95/11.88.

Off those times and sectionals, Cafe Millenium has the slight edge and I think he might end up being the better horse in time, whereas Learning To Fly is the more professional two-year-old right now.

Jacquinot

I was surprised that the protest was upheld here personally and this looks a potentially shaky bit of form. Jacquinot has run to 118 here, a touch of his Golden Rose peak. The six-year winning average of the Orr is 119.5, the other recent three-year-old winner Alabama Express running to 119.

I thought the most interesting thing out of the race was that Jacquinot is reportedly going to the Australian Guineas next- likely not the Futurity Stakes. I'd have to think with a bit of added fitness the likes of I'm Thunderstruck and Mr Brightside, not to mention the returning Alligator Blood could turn the tables. With the WFA Group 1 out of the way, I think going to a mile is a good call.

Lofty Strike

Loved the win of this horse who would've likely started favourite in a Blue Diamond had it not been for injury, running well in a Coolmore despite having a tricky preparation last time in. His rating of 116 was an equal peak here and I'd argue the best run of his career. On the minimum in the Oakleigh Plate he'll take plenty of beating. Considering Portland Sky was rated 110 going in, and equalled that rating when dead-heating to win with 50kg, Lofty Strike will be right in the mix.

Exploring & Barber

Godolphin dominated the Blue Diamond Preludes and will bring a strong team to the Group 1 feature but nothing has really stood up and said they're the horse to beat. Exploring (106) and Barber (108) both posted new peaks with Timeform, the filly going a touch better on the clock.

Exploring went roughly 3 lengths faster overall, coming home in 34.06/23.18/12.14, Barber sprinting quicker late in 33.45/22.67/11.67.

The race looks wide open and it wouldn't shock to see something down from Sydney (Steel City, Kundalini) or perhaps a horse like Veecee getting to 1200m improve sharply.