Messene emerged as a Doncaster contender with a gutsy win in the National Sprint.

Messene took a major step towards a run in next month’s Doncaster Handicap with a gritty win in Canberra’s Listed National Sprint on Sunday.

Group One winners Boban and Red Tracer made pleasing starts to their Autumn campaigns with impressive barrier trial efforts at Rosehill on Tuesday morning.

Rain Drum caused another upset at Rosehill to win the Shannon Stakes.

Leading Melbourne trainer Greg Eurell has elected to sidestep the feature races down south in favour of easier pickings in Sydney this afternoon.