The Melbourne Spring Carnival is drawing closer with the first international contenders due to arrive.

The Melbourne Cup is among the options under consideration for Alfred Boucher after he came so close to completing a memorable York double in Saturday’s Sky Bet Ebor.

The six-year-old ran twice at York's Ebor Festival last week and nearly pulled off a staggering double.

At Royal Ascot there was a falling out between two of racing’s leading figures, John Gosden had taken issue with Frankie Dettori’s Gold Cup ride aboard Stradivarius and had not been reticent in sharing those thoughts.

Trawlerman landed the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap in a thrilling finish, thanks to another Frankie Dettori masterclass.