In what proved a headline-writers dream Shiraz continued to mature with age returning a narrow new peak in taking out the Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington.

Former Sydney-trained sprinter Pampelonne will stay in Victoria for Friday’s $100,000 Golden Topaz at Swan Hill in preference to a return to Randwick on Saturday.

Chris Waller’s Winter Challenge winner Coup Ay Tee can claim what promises to be a tightly contested Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) this afternoon.

Scone trainer Paul Messara has opted for Thursday’s $150,000, Group 3 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup at Hawkesbury with his in-form Mic Mac over taking on an avalanche of resuming Group winning horses in the Group 2 WFA Warwick Stakes at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

Champion Sydney rider Nash Rawiller looks set to add the G3 Missile Stakes to his imposing riding record when he sits atop crack sprinter Rain Affair in this afternoon’s feature at Randwick.