Mark Newnham-trained Invincible Ibis won the designated Classic Mile lead-up on Sunday in good style to make it four wins on end but advanced his Winning Factor rating only marginally.
The victory in Class 3 under 135 pounds may have been enough to make Invincible Ibis (pictured) the Classic Mile favourite on February 1, though his arch-rival Little Paradise was more impressive winning in a higher class thirty minutes earlier but rating only 87.
Invincible Ibis put up a Winning Factor rating of 90, still a point behind Little Paradise's best of 91, but both are still short of the usual level required for the Classic Mile winner.
The flaw in their ratings was identical - neither of them really flew through the final 400m sectional of their races, with Invincible Ibis ranking 33rd-best and Little Paradise 38th-best of the meeting down the home straight.
Their figures were undermined by strong early speeds in both races so the leaders very much came back to them in the latter stages, and we certainly didn't get to find out if they have stronger finishes in their locker when required.
So we thought the day inconclusive regarding thre Classic Mile but another win each certainly didn't hurt their form profiles, while some other Classic Mile prospects had their chances on the day affected by wide running or other trip issues.
The highest-performing 4yo on the day was actually sprinter Celestial Hero, who equalled his very best from Australia finishing behind Young Emperor.