He seems to be sailing under the radar but the hulking UK stayer Muntahaa is the horse many overseas raiders fear in Tuesday’s $7 million Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

Some enthralling finishes captivated crowds through a bumper Group 1 program at Randwick on Saturday headlined by Hartnell winning the Epsom Handicap.

Imports, some new but others who have already established their Australian credentials, are set to play a big hand in the Melbourne and Sydney carnivals this autumn.

Highclere Racing got a significant return on its investment in Australian racing at Geelong on Wednesday when Exceed And Excel colt Knighthood won his first race.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse says her Group One placegetter Ecuador is in the right ‘head space’ for his first 2400m test at Randwick on Saturday in the WJ McKell Cup.