THE sprinting landscape in Australia altered on Emirates Stakes day following one of the most keenly anticipated races of the spring, the Darley Classic over 1,200 metres.

Highlighted by the Eddie Lynam-trained Slade Power and the 123 rated ‘world’s best sprinter’ Lankan Rupee, it was, however, the improvers who stole the show, with a pair of Group 2 winners fighting out the Group 1 finish. On a fast surface, that had dried during the day, last year’s winner Buffering, a triple Group 1 winner, gave his fans a huge sight, kicking clear with 400 metres to run as Chautauqua and Terravista struggled initially to break free of the pack.