On paper, it will look like a mighty triumph for Septimus, but in reality his eight-length Dante Stakes victory at York on Thursday was a questionable affair that should not overly concern the connections of the Epsom Derby favorite, Visindar.

Majors Cast has been knocking on the door in some of the best mile races in the world during the past year. On Saturday at Newbury, he will have a golden opportunity to notch Group 1 laurels for the first time in a subpar renewal of the Lockinge Stakes.

Short Skirt upset Alexandrova in the Group 3, $113,000 Musidora Stakes at York on Wednesday. A daughter of Diktat trained by Michael Stoute, Short Skirt thus assumed favoritism for the English Oaks over the Aidan O'Brien-trained Alexandrova.

Both of the principals had to overcome rough trips before Short Skirt crossed the line 1 1/4 lengths in front of the odds-on Alexandrova.

Three of Sha Tin's four Hong Kong International Races have received purse increases of $258,000 each, the Hong Kong Jockey Club announced Wednesday.

The 1 1/4-mile Hong Kong Cup has been boosted to $2,580,000 from $2,322,000. The Hong Kong Mile goes up to $2,064,000 from $1,806,000, while the Hong Kong Sprint receives an increase to $1,548,000 from $1,290,000. The distance of the Sprint has also been increased from five furlongs to six furlongs. The value of the 1 1/2-mile Hong Kong Vase remains at $1,806,000.

The Group 2 Dante Stakes, which will be run for the 49th time at York in England on Thursday, has long been the key prep for the Epsom Derby. Its last two winners, Motivator and North Light, have duly followed with victories in the Epsom classic, but this year's event, to be run at 1 1/4 miles, 88 yards for a purse of $272,000, may not be up to producing a solid challenger to the undefeated Derby favorite, Visindar.

Aussie Rules gave Aidan O'Brien his second 2000 Guineas title in a week on Sunday as Kieren Fallon steered Aussie Rules to victory in the $512,000 Poule d'Essai des Poulains on an incident-filled day at Longchamp.

Visindar passed his Epsom Derby test with flying colors at Saint-Cloud in France on Monday as he cruised to an easy four-length victory in the 1 1/4-mile Group 2 Prix Greffulhe.

Now unbeaten and unchallenged after three career starts, Visindar will try to give trainer Andre Fabre his first victory in the 1 1/2-mile Epsom classic on June 3.

Dance in the Mood returned to top form on Sunday as she won the initial running of the $1.6 million Victoria Mile at Tokyo for her first victory since the Japanese 1000 Guineas on April 11, 2004.

Dance in the Mood returned to top form on Sunday as she won the initial running of the $1.6 million Victoria Mile at Tokyo for her first victory since landing the Japanese 1000 Guineas on April 11, 2004.

Aussie Rules gave Aidan O'Brien his second 2000 Guineas title in a week on Sunday as Kieren Fallon steered Aussie Rules to victory in the $512,000 Poule d'Essai des Poulains on an incident filled day at Longchamp.