• Co-trainer Peter Williams has always believed Emily Monk will develop into a better than useful stayer. If the mare's three straight wins over 1400m are any indication she will be a headliner.
Emily Monk sat three wide in the opener at Ellerslie and powered gamely up the home straight to win.
She is almost certain to back up over 1600m on Cup day on Saturday.
• Retirement seems to suit Jim Cassidy.
Four months out of a raceday saddle has put a healthy glow on the 53-year-old who entertained Cuvee patrons at Ellerslie on Saturday.
"The Pumper", as he's known, never once took a backward step on the racetrack and that hasn't changed in his personality since retiring during the Melbourne Cup carnival.
"A lot of the pain I was carrying has gone now," he later said privately. "I feel great." It shows.