The weather outlook at Arcadia, California is very encouraging. No rain has been forecast for several days. Wednesday and Thursday will be sunny days. The Breeders’ Cup races will be run on Friday and Saturday. Friday will be a cloudy day with a high of 79 F. Saturday will not be any different and the high will be 78 F. Dry weather will be the ‘operative phrase.’

No wonder the Europeans love Santa Anita. Having an opportunity to race in the world’s most prestigious events in almost ideal conditions is a tantalizing prospect. Yes, the Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita continues to generate controversy but the reduction in the number of injuries means that artificial surfaces are here to stay.

Curlin was put through his paces on Monday. The world’s richest horse clocked 49.3/5 for 800 metres. Pyro needed 51.1/5 for the same distance. Student Council, a proven winner on Pro-Ride, covered 800 metres in 48 seconds. All three are from Steve Asmussen’s yard and will race in the BC Classic on Saturday.

Trainer Asmussen said, “they deserve to take their chances in the Classic. Curlin has definitely come back on his feet. He looked very eager today and went over the ground well. We are very pleased.”

Curlin is a 5-2 chance with Irish and British bookmakers.

Zenyatta will try to make it nine wins in a row in Friday’s two-million BC Ladies’ Classic. The Street Cry filly started racing at three. Zenyatta, trained by John Shirreffs, comes off a victory in Santa Anita’s Lady’s Secret on September 27. Given Zenyatta’s form and her fondness for the Pro-Ride surface, it will be futile to oppose her.

The Europeans are on their way. They should all be at Santa Anita by Wednesday. It is a strong European contingent and Aidan O’Brien has the lion’s share.

Jockey Sandy Hawley won the Living Legends Race at Santa Anita last Saturday. Hawley made it all on Tribal Chief, the 3-1 favourite, in a 1400-metre allowance-optional claiming race. The winning margin was six and one half lengths and the time was 1 21.03.

Sandy Hawley was delighted. “I love the fans here. Even when you lose, they don’t get upset. It is great to be back.”

The other seven luminaries were Chris McCarron, Pat Day, Gary Stevens, Jerry Bailey, Julie Krone, Jacinto Vasquez and Angel Cordero, Jr.

Laffitt Pincay, Jr, Jorge Velasquez, Eddie Delahoussaye and Milo Valenzuela were present at Santa Anita and signed autographs.

Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning won two Group I races at Newmarket on October 18. New Approach was a six-length winner in the Champion Stakes. The Galileo colt, winner of the Derby at Epsom in June, clocked 2 00.13 and beat the track record of 2 01 04 held by Palaca Music (1984).

Upton Grey set the pace and New Approach raced second. With 600 metres to run, Manning let New Approach go and the race was put to bed in a matter of moments. Twice Over ran on to take the runner-up berth. New Approach was the 11-8 favourite.

New Approach will now go to stud. He won eight races and lost three times in his career. Two losses came against Henrythenavigator. The other loss came in the Juddmonte International won by Duke Of Marmalade.

Trainer Bolger paid a tremendous compliment. “He has been improving. He was the complete package today. This is the best horse I have trained beyond a mile. He is a true champion.”

In 2007, when New Approach won the Dewhurst as a freshman, the colt that took second was Twice Over. The scene was repeated this year in the Champion Stakes.

Bolger and Manning won the 2006 Dewhurst with Teofilo who did not race as a three year-old. The 2007 Dewhurst went to New Approach. On Saturday, Intense Focus made it a hat trick for Bolger-Manning. In a three-way photo, Intense Focus beat Lord Shanakill and Finjaan. The favoured Rip Wan Winkle was held up and failed to deliver a blow. Ashram, Ryan Moore up, was finishing on.

Intense Focus, after a promising start, had been on a downward trend. He was an outsider. A Giant’s Causeway colt, Intense Focus is out of Doneleta, a Danehill mare.

The 34-runner 3400-metre Cesarwitch went to Caracciola. The 11 year-old was ridden by Eddie Ahern. Caracciola was a 50-1 chance.

I watched the Newmarket races at Maywood Park. Chicago is six hours behind London. The betting machines had a glitch. Newmarket was shown as South Africa but I had the issue sorted out as the program got under way.

In Australia, the Caulfied Cup was won by Godolphin’s All The Good, a 40-1 chance, ridden by Kerry McEvoy. All The Good will start in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Cup on Nov 4. There will be a two-kg penalty. If All The Good wins the Melbourne Cup, the Godolphin runner will become the first overseas horse to complete the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double.

All The Good won by three parts of a length with the help of an impeccable ride from jockey McEvoy. All The Good is now a 10-1 proposition for the race that stops a nation.

Jockey McEvoy, now in Australia for the Godolphin yard, spoke about his emotions. “It is a fantastic feeling. To don the Godolphin colors who have supported me all along, it is very special.”

Luca Cumani’s Mad Rush, overcoming road trouble, was fourth. A disappointed Damien Oliver said, “bring on Flemington.” Mad Rush is the general 5-1 choice for the Melbourne Cup.

Weekend Hussler was in the Caulfield Cup. He held striking position and failed to stay the 2400-metre distance.

Here is news from France. You may recall that there was a false start in the Prix de l’Abbaye on Arc day. The race was rerun at the end of the regular card.

Six British jockeys will have to answer questions in a hearing on Tuesday. They will be asked why they did not return to the starting when asked to do so. If found guilty of not obeying the starter’s instructions, they could receive ten-day bans. The jockeys will be represented at the hearing. They are Adrian Nicholls, Paul Hanagan, Frankie Dettori, Kevin Shea, Darryll Holland and Jim Crowley.

I leave for Los Angeles on Wednesday and will be there early afternoon. I will be at the official BC hotel. There are buses that take you to the track and other official events. There is a press center in the hotel. The latest information is available at the center. There are refreshments.

The BC races will be contested on Friday and Saturday. Zenyatta’s appearance in the BC Ladies’ Classic is Friday’s highlight, Saturday’s feature is the BC Classic in which Curlin will attempt to defend his title.

I am having second thoughts on Australia. It is enticing. It is a great opportunity. The length of the plane trip is a major concern. I am recovering from the Paris accident. I will decide in the next 24 hours.

I have begun counting the days as the trip to India draws nearer. My Indian itinerary is yet to be drawn. I am waiting for the ‘big race’ dates.