Basically the Cox Plate was par for the Moonee Valley course this year, just another joust by man on horse for supremacy.
Three jockeys considered protests and one was outed for 14 meetings for careless riding.
Amongst the pandemonium late in the straight three-year-old Sweynesse failed to get a clear run.
Still, Racing Victoria's chief steward, Terry Bailey, felt it wasn't anything out of the ordinary for the weight-for-age championship of Australasia.
Despite recent criticism that our jockeys ride too tight and ply the whip without mercy, the rich spring prizemoney is again spurring a certain desperation.
Before the Cox Plate, Michelle Payne rode what was a daring race on Prince Of Penzance in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, but was subsequently suspended for 20 meetings over an incident in which Chad Schofield came down.
And in the main event, Nash Rawiller (Silent Achiever) was outed for 14 meetings due to interference to Criterion. He later viewed the official film to sort out whether to take action over another incident.
Damien Oliver (also Silent Achiever) and Tommy Berry (Foreteller) also sought confirmation of possible done-me-wrongs but couldn't find evidence.
The whip rule again was given a nice old bashing, this time by Steven Arnold on The Cleaner. The jockey was slugged $1000 for using the whip 23 times before the 100 metres, eight more than permitted, plus $500 for other breaches.
Rawiller was also fined $500 for whip misdemeanours, and Oliver $300.
Obviously at the Cox Plate meeting, including Friday night, we saw the best and worst of racing.
Ryan Moore masterful on Cox Plate winner Adelaide
Ryan Moore on Adelaide did a quickstep around the outside while rivals indulged in a frenetic rap dance during Saturday's Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
"A magnificent rhythm" is how James Bester, the Coolmore heavyweight, described the Ryan Moore blend on Adelaide.
Circumstances, particularly a hot tempo (first 1000m in 57.58 seconds), assisted Adelaide but he was a worthy winner, giving a performance that on figures rated with the best: Sunline, Northerly and Might And Power.
Moore was able to give him a trouble-free run, albeit wide, to record two minutes, 3.76 seconds for the 2040m. Actually, his time compared favourably to Might And Power's race record of 2.03.54, when he scouted the rails.
But the Moore touch produced claims that he is the best jockey in the world.
Every week we seem to produce a new title-holder. Zac Purton was crowned last weekend thanks to Admire Rakti's run in the Caulfield Cup, taking over from Joao Moreira, who had been anointed for his effort on He's Your Man in the Epsom at Randwick.
Moore deserves credit for striking the right motion at his first attempt around the demanding Moonee Valley circuit, particularly as the youthful Adelaide was also making his debut there.
Adelaide, being bred to northern hemisphere time, is only 3½ but had to carry 56 kilograms. Bester told ABC News Radio these 3½-year-olds should be weighted more leniently under the local weight-for-age scale.
But imagine what Adelaide would have done to Saturday's field with a handicap similar to our three-year-olds, who had 49.5kg.
With the floodgates now gushing, top horses from abroad make it harder, not easier, for them. Give the locals some chance at the major prizemoney.
Lankan Rupee has clock-watchers alarmed
"We would have to agree that Lankan Rupee [1.10.33] could not have run that 1200m quicker last night [in the Manikato] and yet was slower than Tawteen [1.10.24] and Fast 'n' Rocking [1.10.22] on the same program," Red Cadeaux commented on Racenet Opinion.
"Even allowing for some minor track deterioration I find it impossible to think any of those competing can get near Chautauqua [in the Darley Classic at Flemington]."
Considering the interference behind him, Lankan Rupee appeared lucky to score, but Timeform's Gary Crispe figures the "world champion" went at such a hectic tempo early backmarkers were entitled to run on.
"Lankan Rupee will be a better horse at Flemington," he said.
Sally Wynne makes a case against safety vests
Sally Wynne, in the current climate regarding the dangers on horseback, made a strong case against safety vests for jockeys.
"I have had falls with and without them," she wrote to Winning Post. "It is much easier to get myself into a protective ball without them.
"When we purchase our vests they come in small, medium and large. Shouldn't we be getting our vests fitted individually?
"No two torsos are the same."
Consider Wynne, who mentioned the breast aspect, and, say, Blake Shinn.
And finally Wynne has a crack at the media.
"Those in the media, many of whom have never been on a horse [guilty as charged] should stop crucifying jockeys over being caught deep and split second decisions we have to make," Wynne declared.
Moonee Valley bolter Fontiton a horse to follow
Two-year-old Fontiton, in 58.29, bolted away with Saturday's Inglis Banner at Moonee Valley at her debut in a time just outside that of Eight Bills (58.23), winner of the next race, over the same journey, 1000m. Eight Bills is a nine-year-old, but a reasonable measuring stick.
Sacred Falls disappointing in Cox Plate
Sacred Falls, one of the strong fancies in Saturday's Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, finished only 11th after having a trouble-free passage.
