THERE might be a Group 1 clash of 1600m weight-for-age races in Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday, but both will be compelling contests.

Racing’s headline act, Winx, should continue on her record-breaking run in the $500,000 Colgate Optic White George Main Stakes at Royal Randwick, while Kementari and Humidor clash again in the $750,000 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.

The Daily Telegraph’s racing editor Ray Thomas looks at five major talking points from a bumper weekend.

1: SHE’S THE GREATEST
Winx has been so superior for so long now there is growing debate about where she ranks among the all-time greats of Australian racing.

The mighty mare is aiming for her 27th consecutive win in the George Main Stakes and is long odds-on to extend her famous winning streak and claim her 20th Group 1 success in the process.

Winx has such an extraordinary race record already that her achievements on the racetrack compare more than favourably with the great racehorses in Australian racing history, including the legendary Phar Lap.

Trainer Chris Waller hasn’t decided on Winx’s race program after the George Main Stakes but the chances are this will be the mare’s final start in Sydney this spring. Winx is a once-in-a-lifetime champion and deserves a bumper crowd at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

2: THE MINI-EVEREST
Redzel’s favouritism for the $13 million The TAB Everest goes on the line when he contests the Group 2 $200,000 The Shorts (1100m).

There are four confirmed Everest runners in the field – Redzel, English, Invincible Star and Brave Smash. The result of this mini-Everest showdown will have a significant bearing on Everest betting, where Redzel is the $5 favourite.

The TAB Everest has become such a dominant race that every feature sprint is inextricably linked to the world’s richest turf race, run at Royal Randwick on October 13.

There is still one spot to be filled for The Everset with slot-holders Max Whitby and Neil Werrett sifting through a short-list of sprinters but in no rush to lock in their runner and complete the 12-horse field.

Even Pierata, the $2.90 favourite for the Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) on Saturday, could burst back into Everest contention if he wins impressively.

3: THE EPSOM PUZZLE
Trainer Chris Waller is almost certain to avoid a clash with promising milers Kaonic and Paret as both are in a must-win situation to secure starts in the $1 million Epsom Handicap.

Kaonic and Paret are prominent in Epsom betting. Both are rated at $15 but the in-form Waller-trained duo have only 50kg in the big race and are way down in the order of entry.

Waller has entered both for the Group 3 $160,000 Cameron Handicap 1500m) at Newcastle on Friday and the Group 3 $160,000 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The winner of either race is exempt from ballot for the Epsom, run at Royal Randwick on September 29. Waller also has Tom Melbourne entered for the Newcastle and Randwick races.

Also on the Epsom trail are defending champ Happy Clapper, Kementari and Comin’ Through, who clash in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

4: THE REAL DEAL?
Unbeaten three-year-olds Brutal and Smart Melody faces the toughest tests at Flemington on Saturday.

The Team Hawkes-trained Brutal, brilliant winner of his only two starts, is the $2.25 favourite for the Listed $120,000 Antler Luggage Plate (1400m). Brutal is among eight last-start winners in the 13-horse field.

Smart Melody, runaway winner of her three starts, is the $2.90 favourite for the Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m). The Kris Lees-trained Smart Melody is also up against a quality field that includes seven last-start winners.

Lees also has Miss Fabulass and stable recruit El Dorado Dreaming running in the Group 2 $200,000 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. Miss Fabulass is attempting to emulate her dam, Samantha Miss, who won the Tea Rose Stakes 10 years ago

5: STAYING DEPTH
Unusually, there is some depth to the Sydney staying ranks this spring with 14 lining up in the Group 3 $200,000 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) on Friday, while there is a full field of 16 plus four emergencies for the Group 3 $160,000 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Godolphin’s boom stayer Avilius and Brisbane Cup winner Sedanzer continue their preparations towards The Metropolitan in the Group 3 $160,000 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick.

Avilius, the former French stayer, has looked sensational in his two Australian starts for trainer James Cummings while Sedanzer, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, is coming off a very good fourth to Unforgotten in the weight-for-age Chelmsford Stakes.

In early betting for the Group 1 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) on Epsom Day, Avilius is the $4 favourite with Sedanzer sharing the second line of betting at $8 with Ace High, Egg Tart and Unforgotten.