Flemington Blackbookers and horses to follow from Cox Plate day on October 24

We have identified the runners that caught the eye and are worth adding to your Blackbook following Saturday's meeting.

Hierarchy produced an encouraging Victoria Derby trial despite finishing eighth, beaten more than four lengths, in the Moonee Valley Vase (2040m). The three-year-old was taken back from a wide barrier and left with plenty to do before working home steadily in what appeared to be a preparatory run ahead of next Saturday's Derby. The son of So You Think, out of Group 1-winning mare Colette, was also noted by stewards as having laid in under pressure in the straight. He will need to find several lengths on the horses that finished ahead of him, but the rise to 2500m looks suitable, and a more favourable barrier could allow him to settle closer to the action. Expect him to be much more competitive in the Victoria Derby.

Nishioka produced an excellent performance for a maiden galloper when finishing fourth in the Crockett Stakes (1200m), beaten less than a length by Caddington. Sent out a $41 chance after placing in relatively modest maiden company at Bairnsdale and Kilmore, the Robbie Griffiths-trained filly settled towards the rear of the 10-runner field after drawing barrier nine. That was far from ideal on a day when the inside lanes and on-speed runners appeared to enjoy an advantage in the early sprint races. Despite the circumstances, she produced the fastest sectionals from the 600m to the 200m before peaking slightly over the concluding stages. It was a significant step forward against Listed opposition, and she looks to have plenty of upside. Expect her to break through in maiden company before too long.

Rey Magnerio was one of the more impressive beaten runners in the McEwen Stakes (1200m), producing the fastest final 200m of the entire meeting to finish fourth. The gelding drew barrier six in the eight-runner field and settled towards the rear while Mazu was allowed to dictate a relatively comfortable tempo out in front before being run down late by Smooth Chino. The race shape made things difficult for the backmarkers, but Rey Magnerio was particularly strong through the line and should take further improvement from his two runs this preparation. He has an excellent record in the better sprint races, having finished third in last year's Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) before winning the $1.5 million Gold Rush (1400m) in Perth. He looks to be building towards peak fitness and should be competitive in another Group 2 sprint during Cup Week, with a possible return to Perth later in the carnival also worth watching.

Saint George and Middle Earth both produced encouraging Melbourne Cup trials in the Cox Plate (2040m), with the rise to 3200m likely to suit both gallopers. Saint George finished fifth behind some of Australia's best weight-for-age performers despite encountering traffic problems in the straight. After settling towards the rear, he tracked Birdman into the straight but was forced to shift wider when that runner became held up. He was unable to secure clear running until near the 150m before finishing off strongly in an excellent performance under the circumstances. Middle Earth was also better than his eighth placing suggests after stumbling slightly at the start and settling further back than intended. The gelding balanced up in the straight and maintained a strong gallop all the way to the line, suggesting he will appreciate the significant rise in distance. Both horses should be approaching peak fitness for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 3 and are worth keeping firmly in calculations.