Thursday, January 21, 2010

Autumn Racing Carnival 2010 – Prelude

Black Caviar
The first group race of the upcoming autumn racing carnival will be run at Moonee Valley this Friday night.

Australia Stakes field:LA ROCKET
ROYAL IDA
HERE DE ANGELS
FEROCIA
BLACK CAVIAR

The Group Two Australia Stakes (formerly the Carlyon Stakes) over 1200 metres, is of interest mainly due to the resumption of unbeaten filly Black Caviar, racing in open company for the first time, part of a very small field, against smart sprinters Royal Ida and Here De Angels. I am unfamiliar with the form of Ferocia and La Rocket, so can’t comment on their chances, though La Rocket has an interesting pedigree, being by Rock of Gibraltar from former champion mare La Bella Dama. Black Caviar should win this race; it’s all a question of by how much. I’d be very surprised if she didn’t win, as she is all class and has impressed all and sundry in recent trials.

The original nominations for this race also included Heart of Dreams (scratched), Lucky Secret (who won the race last year) and Denman. Denman will now start his autumn campaign in the listed Zedative Stakes at Caulfield on Tuesday (Australia Day), so I’m keen to see how he goes then, against smart colts like Carrara, The Handsome One and Spacecraft to name a few.

The VRC has caused confusion to regular followers of the races, by renaming the Carlyon Stakes the Australia Stakes. Last year the Australia Stakes was a group one event run in mid February at Moonee Valley. The race has had several name changes over the years, originally being the William Reid Stakes from 1925 to 1993, traditionally run the second Saturday of February. From 1994 to 1995 it was known as the ‘Australia Made Stakes’, then from 1996 onwards it was called the ‘Australia Stakes’ .

The reinstated ‘William Reid Stakes’ will be run at Moonee Valley on February 13. It retains its Group One status whereas the new ‘Australia Stakes’ has been relegated to a Group Two event. It is my intention to attend the William Reid Stakes meeting, where I hope to see Black Caviar in the flesh and perhaps more of my favourites.

Last Friday night, being curiously attracted to the name
Panipique, I had small bet on Race One, a maiden event for two year old fillies. Panipique won the race by a couple of lengths and paid a handsome $17.00. So, I’m all for following my hunches these days as it continues to be profitable.

No comments: