Sunshine, Hot Racing at Caulfield

Sebonack easily winning the Chairman’s Stakes

In contrast to the hot steamy conditions on the Australia Day race meeting at Caulfield, yesterday’s events at The Heath were run under sunny skies, but a cool breeze made being trackside far more tolerable.

In fact it was perfect weather for an afternoon at the track, though the races were not all that interesting.

I took my time getting to Caulfield arriving around 1.30pm, in plenty of time to witness the third race, the Neds’ Bet Live Handicap, a race over 2400 metres.

It was a pretty open field with Dirty Deeds the $5.00 favourite. Miss Five Hundred, who raced at the tail of the field for most of the journey, was the winner, holding off King’s Full to easily win by ¾ length. Salto Angel finished third.

Miss Five Hundred (lime silks) & King’s Full  fight out the Neds’ Bet Live Handicap  finish

The feature race of the afternoon was the Group 3 Chairman's Stakes; run over 1000 metres for two year old Blue Diamond aspirants. Last year Enthaar won this race, but this year’s edition was won by Hawks trained Sebonack having his first start. His win was quite impressive after he broke clear of the pack to zoom away and win by 1¼ lengths from Nanagui with Kiko running third.

Sebonack has a good lead on Nanagui as they charge to the finishing post

I didn’t make it a long day at the races, only staying for the next race which was the Group 3 Manfred Stakes, a race for three year olds over 1200 metres.

Generation was the warm favourite in the small five horse field and prevailed, winning easily from Zethus and Lina’s Legend.

Generation takes the lead down the straight to win the Manfred Stakes

My trip home was uneventful and less onerous than on Australia Day, the walk home from Ivanhoe Station, though tedious, hardly raising a sweat.

Next week features the first Group 1 race of the autumn racing season, none other than the Orr Stakes, at Caulfield again, where no doubt several quality performers will be kicking off their season.

Let’s hope for another pleasant and not too hot, sunny day for the occasion.