The Romance of Racing – Cox Plate Day Review

James MacDonald celebrates Romantic Warrior’s Cox Plate victory

It was a long afternoon at Moonee Valley Racecourse last Saturday as I arrived at the track much earlier than I normally would in order to grab a position on the fence.

The weather on the day was overcast with strong winds, which is hell for contact lens wearers of which I am one. However I did remember to wear sunglasses which provide protection from motes of dust that have a tendency to get under the lens and disrupt one’s view, not to mention being somewhat painful to suffer until they are wept out.

Catching my usual mode of transport, the 510 (Ivanhoe to Essendon) bus I arrived at Moonee Valley around 12.30pm and was able, after finding my friend Rebecca, to get some photo practice in Race 2, the Inglis Banner, a Listed race over 1000 metres for two year olds.

It was won by Bold Bastille who led from the start, beating Hayasugi by three lengths with Chosen Legend a further length behind running third.

Bold Bastille bounds up the straight to win the Inglis Banner

Race 3 was the Group 3 Tesio Stakes, run over 1600 metres. Hot favourite Wishlor Lass also led from go to woah and won easily by over a length from Thalassophile and Osmose.

Wishlor Lass on her way to the barriers

The rather more interesting Crockett Stakes was next up and Sheva started as favourite and finished third behind the winner Gumdrops and second placed Saltaire.

Gumdrops tackles Sheva as they gallop  to the finishing post

A Group 2 race over 1600 metres, the Crystal Mile was next to run and resulted in a win for Prowess, who just beat Antino with race leader Tuvalu holding on for a close third.

Crystal Mile finish – Prowess (yellow silks) prevails over Antino and Tuvalu

Prowess on her way to the barriers

Antino – a handsome beast - on his way to the barriers

Tuvalu on his way to the barriers

Race 6, the Group 2 Fillies Classic, also run over 1600 metres, resulted in another close finish with Skybird sustaining a long run from the back of the field to pip Grizinger Belle at the post.

Skybird about to overtake Grizinger Belle as they thunder up the straight

Skybird on her way to the barriers

As the first of the Group 1 races was the Manikato Stakes, scheduled as Race 8, there was only one more race before it was run.

This was the Group 2 Drummond Golf Vase, won by Apulia by two lengths from Verdad, with Air Assault running third.

Apulia holds off  Verdad to win the Drummond Golf Vase

In the dim distant past the Manikato Stakes used to be the first Group 1 race of the Spring Racing Season run in mid September, and the only race meeting I attended back in the early 2000s. I saw Miss Andretti win it in 2006 and Gold Edition win it in 2007 and do recall Spark of Life victorious on two occasions in 2004 and 2005.

The 2023 edition of the race is newly added to the Cox Plate daytime meeting, it previously being run on Friday night since 2012.

Star New Zealand mare Imperatriz was the major attraction on Cox Plate day, set to run in the Manikato Stakes, and she didn’t disappoint, winning easily by over three lengths from fellow mare I Am Me with Uncommon James running third.

Imperatriz wins the Manikato Stakes with ease

By winning the 2023 Manikato Stakes, she accomplished a rare feat, being  the first horse to win the three Group 1 Moonee Valley sprints – William Reid Stakes, Moir Stakes and Manikato Stakes – in a calendar year.

Imperatriz parades up the straight after winning the Manikato Stakes

I Am Me

Uncommon James

After the gratifying result of the Manikato Stakes, the Cox Plate could have been underwhelming, but of course it never is being, as the sign said, it is Australia’s Best Race.

And my favourite race.

The twelve runners represented a classy field that included the tried and true such as Mr Brightside, Zaaki , Alligator Blood, Gold Trip and Duais against Internationals Romantic Warrior and Victoria Road, and three year old light weighted contenders Militarise and King Colorado – in a word an intriguing mix of runners.

There was a bit of pomp and ceremony as usual with a bandstand being set up and the National Anthem was sung before singer James Johnson launched into Horses, the large crowd singing along to words that they knew.

Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior was the hot  favourite, though there was plenty of support for Alligator Blood.

As the race panned out, King Colorado and Zaaki were the front runners with Mr Brightside, Alligator Blood and Romantic Warrior all handy in third or fourth position. It was a frantic finish with Mr Brightside stealing the lead close to the post, but Romantic Warrior, running wide won the race by the narrowest of margins (a photo finish)  to claim the prize for Hong Kong. Mr Brightside hung on for second and Alligator Blood ran third.

Cox Plate finish – Romantic Warrior (no 1) overtaking the leaders

Romantic Warrior in the winners rug with elated connections

The afternoon remained fine throughout, the stiff wind a tad chill at times, but warm when the sun broke free of the clouds.

And so ended another Cox Plate, after which I headed home- catching a tram at Moonee Valley Junction to the 510 Bus Stop, where there was a bit of a wait for it to arrive.

Next Saturday is Derby Day at Flemington, which I’ll probably attend.

Break Dancing, Rappers and Racing – Caulfield Guineas Day

Griff wins the Caulfield Guineas from Veight

You may wonder at the connection between break dancing, rapping and racing, but my Saturday afternoon’s jaunt to the Caulfield Guineas meeting actually involved all three activities.

As the race I most wanted to see was scheduled as the last of ten, I took my time getting to the track and arrived as Race 4, the Northwood Plume Stakes was in progress. I watched it on a big screen and noted that She Dances was the winner.

After that race I headed trackside – a longish walk - to locate my friend Rebecca, who I found as usual near the finishing post.

A visit to stalls area was then in order to see if Amelia’s Jewel had arrived yet.

However, even though Amelia’s Jewel was not in her stall we did come across the Caulfield Guineas favourite Militarize in his stall. At his previous starts he had won the Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes, the Group 1 Champagne Stakes and the Group 1 Golden Rose in Sydney.

Militarize in his stall

Whilst we were out the back, we checked out the on course entertainment, which amusingly was some kind of Break Dance/Hip Hop competition.

The B Boys face off before demonstrating their skills as break dancers

The guy in red went first with his opponent watching from the sidelines

The guy in blue takes his turn

While all this happened the band on stage (electric organ/commentary and a drummer) played breakdance music rather loudly.

We returned trackside before Race 5 , the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes, a sprint over 1100 metres, was set to run,  and squeezed in on the fence closest to the finish line.

Asfoora led from the start to the finish and won by over 3 lengths from Uncommon James, with Chain of Lightning running third.

Asfoora burns up the straight unopposed

Uncommon James (no 2) and Chain of Lightning running second and third

The weather bureau had predicted a rainy afternoon, but apart from the occasional speck, it surprisingly remained dry though windy, and was even sunny every so often.

The Weekend Hussler, a listed race over 1400 metres, was up next and was won by Ayrton from Stageman and Rubamos.

Ayrton wins the Weekend Hussler

Formerly called the Caulfield Stakes, the Might and Power was the first of the Group 1 races to run and Alligator Blood, second favourite to Irish horse Just Fine, proved he was back to his best with  a determined win, defeating 2019 Melbourne Cup winner, Vow and Declare by two lengths with Duais running third.

 
Alligator Blood on his way to winning the Might and Power

Alligator Blood returns to scale with the clerk of course

Vow and Declare (no 2) and Duais vie for second place

We killed time before the next race by heading back to the stalls to see if Amelia’s Jewel had arrived, which she had.

Amelia’s Jewel in her stall

There was one more race before the Caulfield Guineas was set to run. This was the Group 3 Catanach’s Jewellers Vase, for mares,  run over 1600 metres.

Wishlor Lass, one of the few favourites to win on the day, didn’t disappoint her backers, leading all the way to narrowly win from Barbie’s Fox.

 
Wishlor Lass (pink silks)  battles out the finish with Barbie’s Fox

Militarize was the hot favourite for the Caulfield Guineas, but he missed the start and stymied his chances, but the winner Griff led from the start and held off a challenge from Veight to score by 1.75 lengths. Steparty finished third.

Griff on his way to the barriers

Veight on his way to the barriers

Steparty on his way to the barriers

The Caulfield Guineas trifecta paid a fortune, well over $1.500, with Griff paying $36.80 for the win.

We were obliged to wait for another 40 minutes for Amelia’s Jewel’s race, the Group 1 Toorak Handicap which proved disappointing, Amelia’s Jewel failing to run a place.

The finish was a battle between Attrition and Antino with the former winning narrowly in the end. Banker’s Choice snagged third spot.

The trifecta paid an even bigger dividend than the Caulfield Guineas.

Attrition & Antino battle to the finish line in the Toorak Handicap

All was not lost however as I managed to snap some nice photos of Amelia’s Jewel as she was on her way to the barriers.

Amelia’s Jewel

The main race in Sydney was of course The Everest which we watched on the big screen at Caulfield.  Think About It won the bickies from I Wish I Win with Private Eye running third.

Next Saturday is Caulfield Cup Day. Let’s hope the weather is alright, i.e. not raining or too windy.

On the way home from the races, on the Hurstbridge train, I was astounded to see and hear a young rapper doing his stuff in the same carriage as myself.

Who would have thought that after watching the break dancers at Caulfield, a rapper would distract me on the way home.

A strange coincidence!

Underwood Stakes Day Review

Alligator Blood wins the Group 1 Underwood Stakes

As the best races were to be run towards the late afternoon, I took my time getting to Caulfield, arriving just after 1.10 pm.

I watched, but did not photograph Race 3, the Pancare Recycle Plate, which was won by Cardigan Queen from Seradess and Le Danseuse Rouge.

The earlier races were not that interesting, but I got in some photography practice during the next few races.

Race 4 was the Here For The Horses Handicap for mares run over 1400 metres, which resulted in a win for the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman runner Nunthorpe, who won easily from Frigid and Yellow Sam.

Nunthorpe on her way to the barriers

Oz Empress won Race 5, the Jim Moloney Stakes, with De Sonic Boom and Poifect filling the minor places.

Oz Empress leads to the finish ahead of De Sonic Boom and Poifect

Buffalo River was the victor in Race 6, the Testa Rossa, leading from the start to the finish to narrowly hold out challengers Savannah Cloud and Corner Pocket.

Buffalo River wins the Testa Rossa

The next race held considerably more interest, it being the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude, where Steparty, winner of all five of his starts won the bickies from Southport Tycoon and Scentify by a short margin.

Steparty (no 3) coming wide to overtake the leaders of the Guineas Prelude

Steparty about to hit the front as they race to the finish line

There was one more race before the feature Group 1 and this was the Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup (registered as the Naturalism Stakes), run over 2000 metres, where the winner earns a chance to run in the Caulfield Cup.

Uncle Bryn won the privilege from race favourite Floating Artist with Alaskan God running third.

Uncle Bryn on his way to winning the MRC Foundation Cup

The Group 1 Underwood Stakes is run over 1800 metres and has been won by top class horses, most memorably from my point of view by It’s A Dundeel ten years ago in 2013, where he defeated star mare Atlantic Jewel, the one and only time that she was beaten in a race.

This year’s edition had attracted a good field of stayers that included the likes of Vow And Declare who had  won the 2019 Melbourne Cup.

Alligator Blood was the warm favourite and he prevailed, winning by over length from Tuvalu with Duais running third.

Alligator Blood on his way to the barriers

It was a bright sunny day last Saturday, perfect for an afternoon at the races.

Caulfield Racecourse is going through some kind of upgrade, so several areas that were accessible in the past were off limits, but surprisingly it was relatively easy to get a position on the fence to take photos.

Let’s hope that by the time the Caulfield Cup is run the renovations will be less obstructive and more areas will be open.

The main race meeting next week is on Friday night at Moonee Valley with the Group 1 Moir Stakes being the feature event, starring New Zealand mare Imperatriz, so next Saturday I will be watching the racing action at home for a change.

Queens of the Turf – Makybe Diva Stakes Day

Makybe Diva Statue at Flemington

When I read that Makybe Diva, three time Melbourne Cup winner, was to make a special appearance at Flemington, how could I not attend.

Fortunately there were no public transport disruptions last Saturday, so I arrived at Flemington shortly after 1.00 pm, in time for Race 3, The Sofitel, a race over 1400 metres.

This resulted in a win for Kalino who narrowly beat Umgawa and Detonator Jack.

The Sofitel finish – Kalino is the widest in purple silks

With time in hand I decided to tramp up to the stalls area for a look at Makybe Diva who was in Stall number 1.

A big crowd of admirers surrounded her stall, but I managed to get a few photos, including one of her with Glen Boss who rode her in all three of her Melbourne Cup victories from 2003 to 2005.

Glen Boss is obviously delighted to see Makybe Diva again

Makybe Diva in the stalls area

There was display on the public lawn close to her statue of symbols of her three Melbourne Cups.

Makybe Diva’s Cups Display

All this dilly dallying in the stalls caused me to miss Race 4, the Poseidon Stakes, but I had returned to my usual spot for Race 5, the Exford Plate, which was won by Griff from Surprise Coming and King of Fighters.

Griff (no 8) is the widest with Surprise Coming in yellow silks

The feature race of the day was of course the Makybe Diva Stakes, scheduled as Race 7, so there was still one more race to run before it occurred. Luckily, the weather on Saturday was fine and sunny, so it was pleasant to bask in the sun after the chill winter we had recently experienced.

This was the Cap D’Antibes Stakes, a sprint over 1100 metres that had attracted a largish field of 19 runners.

Shesallshenanigans (a mouthful of a name) was the victor at big odds, beating Stretan Angel and Skirt The Law to the post.

Shesallshenanigans (foreground)  wins the Cap D’Antibes Stakes.

Finally it was time for the Makybe Diva Stakes and the result was pretty much as predicted by the experts with Mr Brightside, tongue lolling out, winning the bickies from Alligator Blood with Osipenko running third and Princess Grace fourth.

Mr Brightside wins the 2023 Makybe Diva Stakes from Alligator Blood

Mr Brightside on his way to the barriers

Alligator Blood on his way to the barriers

Osipenko on his way to the barriers

Princess Grace on her way to the barriers

Mr Brightside celebrates with his connections in the mounting yard

Mr Brightside has won his last five races and is one of the shining lights of the Spring racing season.

Another bright light of this Spring is undoubtedly Amelia’s Jewel who contested and won the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.

Amelia’s Jewel was bred in West Australia and has had ten starts for eight wins and two seconds.

The Let’s Elope Stakes was her first start in Melbourne and she passed the test with flying colours, doing it easily after drawing the widest gate, winning by over a length from Life Lessons and El Patroness.

Amelia’s Jewel parading in the mounting yard

Amelia’s Jewel on her way to the barriers

Amelia’s Jewel overtaking Life Lessons & El Patroness

Amelia’s Jewel returns to scale after winning the Let’s Elope Stakes

I’m pleased that I was there to see her in the flesh and hope I get to see her race again later in the Spring. There is some talk of her tackling the Cox Plate.

It was pleasant being back at the big track. The roses were not yet in bloom; no doubt timed as always to reappear in stunning arrays during the Melbourne Cup  Carnival.

Next Saturday I plan to head to Caulfield for the running of the Group 1 Underwood Stakes.