One of the most pivotal days of the Australian racing calendar is here.

It's one of the deepest, most fiercely contested Epsom Handicaps in the race's 161-year history. Storylines burst out of a jam-packed field over the famous Randwick Mile. As an unbeaten star crosses the Tasman, New Zealand mare Well Written is in town to take on the Australian riches, and she arrives as a genuine superstar. She has dominated the Kiwis, with wins in the Karaka Millions and The Kiwi, and a month ago she beat the best weight-for-age horses in the Group 1 Proisir Plate.

She won’t have it all her own way though as a classic winner is also chasing a breakthrough. The Chris Waller and James McDonald combination behind Autumn Boy are still chasing their first open-age success. His Caulfield and Rosehill Guineas wins have already secured a lucrative future at stud, but there's clearly more to come. His runner-up effort behind Sheza Alibi in the Makybe Diva Stakes showed it. Drawn barrier 1, he's perfectly placed to break through if he's good enough.

And the topweight is flying. Ceolwulf, trained by Joe Pride and ridden by Chad Schofield, couldn't be going better according to the stable. He hasn't won this preparation, but he has been right there, and running behind Autumn Glow is a formline that demands respect.

More Group racing at Randwick sees The Group 1 Flight Stakes for three-year-old fillies as another blockbuster. Striking Alibi and Global Goal are out to turn the tables on Bangkok Hottie, who is chasing a picket fence of wins. In the $1 million Group 2 Premier Stakes, Tempted, seen as the biggest threat to Ka Ying Rising's Everest defence, faces her toughest test this preparation. She meets a big field of some of the fastest horses on the planet, and every one of them wants a spot in the Everest.

Meanwhile in Melbourne, Flemington fires as usual with The Group 1 Turnbull Stakes, bringing together some of the best horses in the land. Last year's Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours returns to the scene of his triumph. Sir Delius is back to defend his crown, a year after this win made him favourite for both the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup. Cosmic Crusader has gone from strength to strength since heading east, and he's reunited with the Wizard from the West, Willie Pike. Fireworks are guaranteed.

A Melbourne Cup golden ticket is on the line in The Group 3 Bart Cummings Stakes which features a full field of the country's best stayers, each with a Melbourne Cup dream riding on the result.

The world is watching. To showcase the strength of the Flemington card, the World Pool is in play on races 7 to 10. Thanks to TAB and the Hong Kong Jockey Club, participating jurisdictions combine into one lucrative pool, and racing fans worldwide get to enjoy the best racing on the planet.

Sprinting stars, middle-distance champions and stayers with a single dream are all on show. It's one of the biggest days in Australian racing this week. Don't miss a moment.

Photo: SKY Racing