The Japanese Derby is one of the most popular days on the Japanese racing calendar and we are actually going to be there this time.

This is a G3 for 3yos over 2000m and is a trial for the German Derby which is run in July.

That is one of two G1s and there's also a G2 on the card.

There has been rain - enough to stop play for the day in the cricket at Leeds - and the going is sure to be on the slow side for this 1000m G2.

Stefano Botti is having a magic run at present as he saddled the first three home again in this week's feature, the Derby Italiano.

Hong Kong sprinter Lucky Nine took out the Kris Flyer and the John Moore trained pair of Military Attack and Dan Excel quinelled the SIA Cup.

Gary Stevens returned to racing in January after seven years in retirement and today he rode the Preakness and the Dixie Stakes winners at Pimlico.

Not amongst the most favoured for the race but there's no doubting his honesty as Penglai Xianzi got his win in the 1600m feature.

It's a public holiday in Germany on Monday and an unprecedented five UK runner will challenge in the Guineas.

Capannelle, the Rome race course, hosts a good card and the Italian Derby on Sunday.

This is the last of the big G1s for the 2012-2013 racing season and it looks like being huge.

13 fillies will contest this 2200m run and of course there are 4 S. Botti runners here but this time we will look outside that stable.

The weather may not be too cooperative but the cards for both Saturday and Sunday at the Curragh are excellent.

Favourite Bel la Vie toughed it out against Shannon Rock to take out the Grand Steeplechase de Paris on Sunday.

This year's version has received a unanimous thumbs up from the visitors who attended either as horse connections or media.

Meisho Mambo was the surprise winner of today's Japanese Oaks in her first appearance at the Tokyo track.

Godolphin's Farrh got a very soft win in the G1 Lockinge at Newberry on Saturday.

The sun is shining, the horses all ready to go and the big Singapore international meet will get underway at 3.00pm local time.

That is how one colleague has described today's card at Auteuil, featuring the G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris.

If anyone questions the mark Deep Impact has made on Japanese racing, have a look at today's Oaks field where the first three in the market are his daughters.