A global glass that is overflowing....

You know how it goes. Falling attendances, dwindling betting turnover, plummeting viewing figures, not enough prizemoney to go around... Doomsday, no matter where you look.

Then, all of a sudden, a weekend such as this one arrives, to inspire, invigorate, re-energise. Globally, it is a race-fest that for 48 hours showcases just about everything that is good about the game.

Let us be guided by the international clock as we work our way through a series of races that should entertain and stimulate the sport worldwide -- and it is pleasing to report that Godolphin figures prominently in major G1 races in both hemispheres.

Godolphin trainer John O'Shea has been happy with the brilliant Astern since the colt made a fetching seasonal debut in the G2 Run To The Rose two weeks ago. Now, it's time for the real thing, the G1 Golden Rose Stakes, over 1,400m (7f), at Rosehill, Sydney, this Saturday.

The possible snag, to O'Shea's eye, however, is the wide barrier draw of 12 in the 14-runner field.

Stablemate Impending, who is also well-regarded incidentally, has drawn more attractively, in gate 2. The trainer quipped:  "I wish we could swap barriers."

The Chris Waller-trained Omei Sword and Winx's kid brother El Divino are the two obvious dangers to Astern.

On the same day, 1,000km (600 miles) south at Flemington, Melbourne, the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes is run. It celebrates the only horse ever to have won Australia's greatest race three times.
 
Black Heart Bart, already on the score sheet this Spring, will again be hard to beat, but it is worth noting that Prince Of Penzance, last year's Cup winner, is in the line-up, though 1,600m (1 mile) is way short of his true trip. Irish-born John Allen takes the mount.
 
On the other side of the world, the G1 St Leger at Doncaster, the world's oldest Classic (first run in 1776), has attracted 9 runners (three-year-olds only) this Saturday, while the G1 Irish St Leger (open also to older horses) will take place at the Curragh the following day.
 
A cluster of key G1 races form the foundation of Irish Champions Weekend, and as if that were not enough, Chantilly, north of Paris, will be a temporary venue on Sunday for the so-called Arc trials, conducted over course and distance as a prelude to the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe back there in three weeks.
 
But, unquestionably, the best race in the world this weekend -- that's how it looks on paper, anyway -- is Saturday's G1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
 
Will Harzand, the dual Derby winner, measure up against Minding, the exceptional filly of the same age? But, what of the extraordinary French challenge from New Bay and Almanzor, winners  respectively of the last two runnings of the Prix du Jockey-Club? They could be surprise interlopers in a finish that may prove memorable.
 
And Hawkbill and Moonlight Magic, the two Godolphin runners, both have good chances, based on their best runs to date. Hawkbill wants it on the soft side, so weather in Dublin is all-important in the 24 hours before the big race.
 
Don't give me any 'glass half empty' nonsense this weekend. The glass is clearly overflowing.