There was Group 1 racing aplenty over the Grand Final weekend, from Friday night through to Sunday, Melbourne to Sydney.Hartnell left onlkers with no doubt of his Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival credentials with a slashing win in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes over 2000 metres on Sunday, when the six-year-old gelding lked every bit as gd at Flemington as he did at his previous two wins in Sydney.Winning by more than three lengths over the Ciaron Maher-trained Jameka with stablemate Tally in third, Godolphin trainer John OShea noted that Hartnell had a lot of things go his way in the run. Those comments did little to downplay the impressive nature of the win, which has seen Hartnell firm to a $4.20 favourite (UBET) for the Caulfield Cup on 15 October.The Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) saw Serenely Discreet ($9) propelled into Crown Oaks contention with victory after a luckless run at Caulfield a fortnight earlier, as noted in ESPNs Racing Wrap. Adelaide-based trainer Philip Stokes said the extra rm in running and a suitability for the Flemington circuit had Serenely Discreet definitely on an Oaks pathway.On Saturday, the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick saw Haurakis withering run from the rear of the field take the million-dollar prize at the very last moment. The victory saw Hauraki firm into $13 (UBET) for the Cox Plate in three weeks time.All the way back on Friday night, the Mick Price-trained Extreme Choice tk out the Moir Stakes over 1200 metres. Successful in the Blue Diamond Stakes as a two-year-old, this colt showed would would be a three-year-old to contend with over the sprint trips. The worlds highest-rated sprinter and favourite, Chatauqua, was unplaced.Headline ActsHartnell: Immediately after Hartnells slashing win, James McDonald probably made the understatement of the year: Hes going well. He delivered it like Jerry Seinfeld cracking a gag while trying not to react to it himself.After winning his previous two starts by a combined margin of 13.6 lengths, Hartnell wiped clean his previously unsuccessful record at Flemington and re-affirmed his place as the Caulfield Cup favourite.Which way will he go, though? The Caulfield Cup (2400m) or the Cox Plate (2040m)?It is the hottest question of the Spring Carnival at the moment, and trainer John OShea isnt committing either way just yet. His biggest pointer so far is questioning whether he really wants his barnstorming gelding to take on Winx at Mnee Valley.Meanwhile, Jameka kept her Caulfield Cup preparations in a very positive light, finishing second, and was also a firmer into $4.60 with UBET.The Quarterback: Given his name and the exponential rise in the popularity of American sports among younger punters, it is fascinating that he can go around, and win, at a price like $7. The 2016 Group 1 Newmarket Handicap winner at Flemington (1200m) followed up over the same track and distance, and there is every chance that he has a lot more to deliver over the next five weeks.After winning in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes over 1200 metres, trainer Robbie Griffiths noted that he was unsure whether some of the other more race fit competitors might have had the edge on this six-year-old, who was first-up this preparation. That provides an ominous sign for others taking on The Quarterback in two other 1200 metres Group 1 contests ahead: the Manikato Stakes at Mnee Valley on Oct. 21 and the Darley Classic on Nov. 5.Talking Points3yos in the UCI Stakes: The UCI Stakes over 1800 metres often provides a reliable guide to the AAM Victoria Derby a month later. This time? The jury is certainly still out. Wine Bush won at 20-1, coming off some reasonable performances in midweek maiden grade in Sydney, but punters and experts alike werent hailing him a top Derby hope. The biggest plus possibly is the fact that Wine Bushs trainer, Chris Waller, did win the Derby with Preferment in 2014, but the handler wasnt overly enthused post-race, either.Around the corner, Under The Louvre: After being scratched from the meeting at Caulfield last Saturday, having drawn a wider barrier, much was anticipated from the Robert Smerdon-trained Under The Louvre at Flemington.Horses for courses? Perhaps. Although Under The Louvre has won once and placed three times at Flemington -- and on that record and gd lead-up form, he started a $3.70 second favourite in the Gilgai Stakes -- the straight course just didnt seem to be his go this time. Jockey Dwayne Dunn noted that Under The Louvre will be better over 1400 metres next time and around a corner. Thats around the home turn corner at the Caulfield Racecourse, which happens to be around the corner from his stable box.EyecatchersSerenely Discreet: We noted in the ESPN Racing Wrap a couple of weeks ago that this Adelaide-trained filly was luckless in her previous run at Caulfield. There were no such issues this time for her as she heads towards the VRC Oaks (2500m) on 3 November. Her win in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) pleased trainer Philip Stokes, with the bigger, wider Flemington circuit suiting her racing style. Serenely Discreet was a drifter on raceday from $6.50 to $9, but UBET have wound her price in to $9 second favourite for the Oaks.Pure Pride: The Group 2 Blazer Stakes (1400m) for the mares saw Pure Pride ($21) tightened for rm 800 metres from home, and she gained a clear run really only in the final 300 metres. From that point, she rattled home to finish second, beaten just half a length. Whether she can stand up to Group 1 company in the Myer Classic (1600m) on Derby Day may be a stretch to say, but there could be a black-type victory within her grasp sometime sn.BlackbkersTrenchant: Desperately unlucky, as described by jockey Craig Williams. Lk out for this one as he steps up to a mile. Just as Williams was pushing the colt forward along the rails, he lost all momentum when blocked for a run by Northern Lion. The gaps still didnt open up sufficiently in the run to the line.Bella Sorellastra: Finishing second to Serenely Discreet at $31, the run suggested that another win shouldnt be t far away for this filly by the very smart Irish sire Lope De Vega. She was suited by many winners and placegetters being able to run-on and figure in race finishes throughout the day, but still she is worth following after being awkward away from the starting gates.FlopsThrossell: Carried the hopes of many in this Derby lead-up run, not least this column, but the $3.50 UCI Stakes favourite was out of the picture going into the Flemington straight and finished 33 lengths last. Stewards found the colt measured an irregular heartbeat post-race, which will need to be remedied to their satisfaction before he is allowed to race again.Faatinah: While the winner, The Quarterback, was impressive, the $2.90 favourite, Faatinah, was most disappointing after an excellent win at Flemington four weeks earlier. Dropping out of the race with 200 metres to go, jockey Michael Walker was at a loss to explain the below-expectation performance.Victoria Racing Club: It was a pity that VRC officials didnt seize the opportunity and directly invite Western Bulldogs fans to continue their celebrations at Flemington. Little over a mile from the course, thousands of the Bulldogs faithful celebrated at the clubs spiritual home, the Whitten Oval. Where was the announcement of Free Admission for Bulldogs fans at Flemington today? Where was the marketing initiative to get the players onto a bus (remember that short distance) to parade down the famous Flemington straight in another picture-perfect moment in time? They werent there, and nor were hundreds if not thousands of others either. Adidas Nmd Levně Damske . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. Adidas Boty Pánské Nmd . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal. http://www.botynmdlevne.com/adidas-nmd-damske-levne/nmd-r1.html . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. Adidas Nmd Panske Cerne . Duchene scored two goals and had an assist, helping the Colorado Avalanche beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Friday night to match the best 10-game start in team history. Adidas Nmd r1 Damske . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee was dominant enough for one six-minute stretch to make up for any youthful mistakes it made the rest of the night.Robert Hubbs III scored 16 points to lead six Tennessee players in double figures Tuesday as the Volunteers capitalized on a 21-0 first-half spurt in a 103-94 victory over Appalachian State.Tennessee, which has seven true freshmen and one redshirt freshman on its roster, bounced back from a season-opening 82-69 home loss to Chattanga and avoided its first 0-2 start since 1965-66.I cant imagine theres a younger team, Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said. I do think we did some things better from the first game, but we still, at times tonight, acted like the really young basketball team we are.The Vols (1-1) trailed 11-9 early before reeling off 21 straight points by feasting on Appalachian State turnovers. Jordan Bone and Grant Williams each scored five points during that 21-0 run, which culminated with a 3-pointer from Jordan Bowden.Tennessee led by as many as 26 points during a first half in which the Vols forced 15 turnovers.I think we missed some easy ones and I think they ramped up their pressure, Appalachian State coach Jim Fox said. It slowed us down. Our guys were making uncharacteristic mistakes. If we passed the ball up, we caught the ball right by halfcourt so they trapped us. We were really tentative with things that we did. Credit them. They did a great job. Theyre tremendously athletic.The Vols werent quite as effective the rest of the way. Appalachian State (0-2) got the margin all the way down to seven with 58 seconds left but couldnt get any closer.Tennessee won with a balanced scoring attack.Lamonte Turner scored 15 points, Bowden had 14. Kyle Alexander and Williams each had 13 and Shembari Phillips added 11 for Tennessee.I feel like everybody on our team can score the ball, Bowden said. Everybody gives the ball and is not really selfish on offense.Ronshad Shabazz and Patrick Gd each scored 21 for Appalachian State. Griffin Kinney had 13 points and Kelvin Robinson added 12.ddddddddddddTHE TAKEAWAYAppalachian State: The Mountaineers inability to take care of the ball in the first half proved costly. Appalachian State had 15 turnovers in the first half. Tennessee outscored Appalachian State 22-8 in first-half points off turnovers. The Mountaineers deserve some credit for chipping away at the deficit rather hanging their heads once they trailed by 26.Tennessee: The Vols corrected many of the mistakes theyd made in their loss to Chattanga. Tennessee shot 1 of 16 from 3-point range and had 18 turnovers and four assists against Chattanga. The Vols were 8-of-19 on 3-pointers and had 26 assists and 12 turnovers Tuesday. Bone, who had just one assist in the Chattanga game, had eight assists and two turnovers against Appalachian State.LINEUP CHANGEBarnes responded to Tennessees season-opening loss by having Bowden and Phillips replace Admiral Schofield and Detrick Mostella in the starting lineup.Bowden had played just six minutes in the Chattanga game, but the freshman guard shot 4 of 8 from 3-point range and scored 14 points Tuesday.We started (Bowden) because he earned it, to be quite frank, Barnes said. The other night, the reason we switched the lineup a little bit is some of those guys that started (against Chattanga) didnt do the things that we wanted them to do defensively.REDSHIRT DUOBarnes said he is planning on redshirting freshman guard Jalen Johnson and freshman walk-on Jacob Fleschman.INJURY UPDATETennessee guard Kwe Parker missed a second straight game while wearing a walking bt on his left ft.NEXT UPAppalachian State hosts Warren Wilson College on Thursday.Tennessee faces Wisconsin on Monday in the first round of the Maui Invitational in Lahaina, Maui.---More AP College Basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.org---Follow Steve Megargee at www.twitter.com/stevemegargee ' ' '