Autumn Racing Carnival 2009 – Week 8

I haven’t had much time to look at the form, but my general impression is that tomorrow’s racing card should be a ripper. There are four Group One races tomorrow, two in Sydney and two in Adelaide, as well several interesting Group Two contests.

The Sydney Autumn carnival is in full swing with the time honoured Group One Ranvet Stakes over 2000 metres, providing stayers like Viewed, Theseo, Moatize, Newport, and Vision and Power a chance to prove their credentials. Theseo is in top form only narrowly being defeated in the Australian Cup by Niconero a couple of weeks ago. Viewed is two races into his autumn schedule and has not been far away in the shorter races, running fourth on both occasions. Vision and Power was narrowly beaten by top mare Tuesday Joy at his last outing in the Chipping Norton, so is also in with a chance. Newport has been in the winning circle so could pull a surprise.

The Coolmore Classic is 1500 metre Group One race for fillies and mares, The great Sunline won it twice. Typhoon Tracy, who appears to me to have the potential to become another Sunline, will be facing her toughest test to date. She has again drawn a wide barrier. Her trainer joked that it was drawn to give the other mares in the race a chance. Typhoon Tracy overcame a wide draw last start and easily took the lead and won by three and a quarter lengths. Her main danger Hot Danish has been scratched I notice, though there will be plenty of other contenders such as the tough Gold Water, the honest Gallant Tess, last race winners Portillo, Neroli and the smart Absolutely Fabulous. Go Tracy Go – she looks the real deal to me.

Golden Slipper contenders get a chance to qualify tomorrow, the colts in the Todman Stakes, and the fillies in the Reisling Stakes. Reward for Effort, the winner of the Blue Diamond will be having his first run in Sydney and will be up against Real Saga who came third behind him in the Blue Diamond. The other main contenders in the Todman Stakes are Wanted and Purdey.

More Joyous who disgraced herself in the Silver Slipper by a bucking display shortly after leaving the gates, must win the Reisling Stakes to qualify for the Golden Slipper. Apparently her saddle slipped on that occasion. Darren Beadman will be riding her this time, giving her every chance to redeem herself. Her main dangers are Melito and Colour and the Bart Cummings trained Sunday Rose.

Other interesting races in Sydney tomorrow feature several of my black book horses. The Canterbury Stakes sees the return of Racing To Win and Forensics. Also in this race are All Silent, El Cambio and sole three year old, Northern Meteor, as well as Triple Honour, so it should be a terrific race. Whobegotyou who began his autumn campaign splendidly, though beaten into second place by Rockpecker, will be going for a win in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes. The ubiquitous Von Costa De Hero, who ran second in the Cadbury Guineas to Heart of Dreams is competing again in this race, as is Heart of Dreams.

Adelaide’s Morphettville track is the scene for two group one races tomorrow – the Schweppes Oaks for fillies and the Robert Sangster Stakes a sprint for fillies and mares over 1200 metres.

The Oaks has an interesting field which includes Gallica, Estee and Lamarr. The Robert Sangster has a large field of 20 horses and sees some of my favourite fillies running - the tough little Romneya, the beautifully named Damselfly, the very classy Champagne Harmony, and old fancy Sugar Babe. They will have to beat Absolut Glam who will start favourite.

The races will be on free to air television from 2.00pm so it will be another of those Saturdays where I can experience the thrill of the turf from my living room.