For a few hours this weekend Sydney's focus will be on a grand final of a different kind when Super Saturday returns to Randwick after a tumultuous year.

The 2007 Sydney spring carnival was cancelled when the outbreak of equine influenza closed all three training centres in Sydney and stopped racing for three months.

The team behind the spring cups bid of English contender Mad Rush have likened the stayer to last year's Melbourne Cup runner-up Purple Moon.

Francesca Cumani said Mad Rush, trained by her father Luca Cumani, was capable of going one better than Purple Moon in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 4.

The Chris Waller trained Baby Casino ran a creditable second behind News Alert when resuming over 1200m at Canterbury yesterday.

The 4 yr old Johannesburg gelding has been brought on with much patience by Chris, and should be ready to break through the bridesmaid hoodoo that has seen him run close seconds at each of his 3 race starts.

Baby Casino settled well midfield and despite lacking race fitness he finished the race of strongly, improving all the way to the line.

Unable to catch the race leader and eventual winner News Alert, the effort was nonetheless a solid indication of bigger things to come, with Waller acknowledging that the horse is still only 90% fit.

Waller has the horse looking magnificent and is confident that the half brother to Bellagio Wynn will doubtlessly improve as his preparation progresses.

Going forward Chris plans to step the smart bay up over the more suitable distance of 1350m at Wyong or perhaps a 1500m maiden at Newcastle.

Trainer Chris Waller believes the withdrawal of frontrunner Keen Commander from Saturday's Premiere Stakes will completely change the complexion of the Group Two race.