Global Weekly Preview: 'Last Chance Saloon' can be rough and rowdy

The racing party continues at Randwick, Sydney, this weekend, while horses are paying a visit to 'The Last Chance Saloon' at Oaklawn Park, Arkansas, USA, only hours later.

Funny how racing cliches usually revolve around a celebration of some description -- and even distinguished turf writers perpetuate such references without even blinking, particularly when the G1 Kentucky Derby is approaching.

These days, the 'Run For The Roses' is all about accumulating enough points to guarantee entry into the field on the first Saturday in May. You have to earn your right to run by doing well in key races beforehand. It's a good system.

With only three weeks left before the big day, Saturday's G1 Arkansas Derby is probably the last feasible qualifying round prior to the big one.

Classic Empire, who emerged top American juvenile male following a decisive Breeders' Cup win last season, has been battling to hold on to his top spot. A foot abscess following by an issue with his back cannot have helped.

But he clearly needs to win, or figure in the placings this weekend, to gain the necessary points to qualify.

"If he doesn't pick up any points, he doesn't deserve to be in the Derby," was trainer Mark Casse's blunt appraisal.

Classic Empire has drawn gate 2, which must give him every chance. He can take up a handy position on the pace, then move forward to challenge when jockey Julien Leparoux thinks appropriate.

But if there is a potential trouble-maker in the 'saloon' -- isn't there always one ? -- it is the unbeaten Malagacy, who continues to please trainer Todd Pletcher as he progresses through the ranks, chalking up three from three along the way.

The snag here is that Malagacy has drawn 12, the outside gate. That challenge is going to provide the necessary evidence to say whether or not he is good enough for the Derby. I expect him to make a lasting impression.

At Keeneland, the Godolphin mare Dickinson has a solid chance in the G1 Jenny Wiley Stakes, in which she faces seven rivals, including Lady Eli. Dickinson has won six from 13 starts -- and comes to this off the back of a G2 victory at Tampa Bay Downs.

In Sydney, The Championships have ended, but the G1 races keep coming. Whispered Secret, trained by James Cummings, has strong claims in the G1 Champagne Stakes, third leg of the 2yo  Triple Crown. He may get the Randwick 1,600m stronger than chief rival, Invader, the G1 Sires' winner.

While Le Romain, who was never sighted in the G1 Doncaster Mile on April 1, gets a chance for compensation in the G1 All Aged Stakes.

Finally, racecaller Greg Miles, the voice of Melbourne racing for nearly four decades, calls his last race this weekend. The 'Bravo Greg Miles' Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday will be the finale for one of the great professionals in sports broadcasting.