Just when the Sydney form, around the Golden Rose at Rosehill, was looking superior, particularly after Almalad, trained by Gai Waterhouse, triumphed in the Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night the local looked dynamic albeit against questionable opposition.

No doubt the Stan Fox Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday was strong and Shooting To Win was very good indeed. Perhaps he will clash with Rich Enuff in the Caulfield Guineas on October 11 but the local will be favourite.

The depth of Sunday's opposition was not as strong as the Stan Fox but jockey Tom Berry, experienced with the strength of both groups, rates Rich Enuff as at least the equal of Sydney's best.

Berry rode Almalad on Friday night and Valentia, the minor placegetter behind Shooting To Win in the Stan Fox, as well as partnering the wayward Liberation, which created turmoil to New Zealand three-year-old Our Vespa behind Rich Enuff.

Rich Enuff, too, impressed Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter, who said: "The official margin [2 lengths] belies the dominance of the winner. He could have won by six lengths."

By Written Tycoon out of Hotnuff, a Spartacus mare, Rich Enuff is a far bid from a yearling sales-topper and was bred by trainer Ken Keys.

While most were overwhelmed by the performance, myself included, Rich Enuff is a special horse, Waterhouse remains undeterred.

"They say no horse will beat him at Caulfield," Waterhouse said. "Well, what about a gelding [Almalad]?"

Rupee's bubble bursts

Lankan Rupee, the $1.55 favourite in the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night, is regarded as the world's top sprinter but was beaten a short neck by Buffering and drew mixed reviews.

Yes, he was not 100 per cent wound-up nor is he at his best at Moonee Valley. Also, he gave Buffering a questionable start, which necessitated stewards to question jockey Craig Newitt about his tactics after jumping first and allowing Buffering to lead.

Newitt said he was "mindful" that when beaten last start connections queried whether he had gone too hard, so he didn't want to engage in a speed battle with Buffering. Overall, it was a solid effort from Lankan Rupee but in the autumn he was a superstar, possibly in the Manikato mould. After Friday night the gelding is more of a real good sprinter than a world-beater.

Cult following grows

Tasmanian warhorse The Cleaner promises to add character and courage if not class to the $3million Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 26. Justifiably termed the "weight-for-age championship of Australasia", it takes on an international dimension this year, which makes the Apple Isle seven-year-old gelding trained by Mick Burles at Longford a David against turf Goliaths.

The Cleaner has the appeal of a take-no-prisoners frontrunner and jockey Steve Arnold used that pressure to advantage in Friday night's JRA Cup at Moonee Valley. Veteran Precedence was beaten 1 lengths and jockey Glen Boss was fined $1000 for not riding his mount out to the finish. Possibly the race lacked a class factor, but The Cleaner returned to booming acclaim from racegoers, and will have plenty of support in the Plate.

Dangerous business

The severe injuries to Clarry Conners at Hawkesbury last Thursday emphasises a dangerous aspect to racehorse training. Conners was kicked in the face in the mounting yard, sustaining fractures to his right eye socket and cheek, he lost teeth and received mouth lacerations, but has returned home.

Often horses lash out, as did Almalad after the Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday, but did not find a target. However, anywhere around thoroughbreds can be treacherous.

Take Brett Partelle. In 2010 at Wyong he suffered what was described as "a horrendous incident where he was basically crushed by a horse in the racecourse tie-up stalls and was very lucky to survive". He was hospitalised for 40 days. With court costs and a young family, the horseman is battling, thus the NSW Trainers' Association is holding a function at the Inglis complex, Randwick, on October 7 (4.30pm-7.30pm) to raise funds to assist Partelle and his family.

Disappointing

Bring Me The Maid, the $2.50 favourite in the Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield, could finish only seventh. Trainer Peter Moody said: "She went like a dromedary."

Horse to follow

Despite going down by a short half-head in the Rupert Clarke at Caulfield, Dissident, a winner at his two previous starts, will be a force in the spring group1s. He conceded six kilos to winner Trust In A Gust and few under 58kg have done as well.