Super Saturday at Rosehill

Signage at Rosehill Racecourse

Last year at this time I went to Sydney for Mystic Medusa’s Astrological New Year dinner, and whilst there attended the Ranvet Stakes meeting at Rosehill on the Saturday afternoon.

This year I’ll be home in Melbourne, but will be watching with keen interest the tremendous race card at Rosehill Racecourse.

The meeting last year was relatively low key, with only two Group 1 races, but NSW racing has rearranged their autumn program, so that this year several Group 1 races which used to be run later in the season, have been rescheduled and added more glitz to the third Saturday in March.

The feature race this year is the Golden Slipper Stakes, the richest race for two year olds in the world. Last year it was run on a bog track and fillies filled the first seven places with Mossfun defeating Earthquake and Bring Me The Maid.

Mossfun at Rosehill 22 March 2014

It appears this year’s version of the Slipper will be dominated by the colts, the Gai Waterhouse trained Vancouver in particular. His 3½ length win in the Todman Stakes recently was spectacular. However he has drawn the extreme outside barrier, which gives his rivals a slight chance of beating him. Furnaces and Headwater ran second and third in the Todman Stakes, so have to have a chance, but Exosphere who won his last start by 4 lengths is probably Vancouver’s main rival. I rather fancy Haptic who is yet to be beaten, but wonder if he has the same class as the favourite.

Fillies have won the last two Golden Slippers  (Mossfun 2014 & Overreach 2013) and the girls with a chance this year are Fireworks, Ottoman, English, Reemah and Lake Geneva (the latter two ran second and third in the Blue Diamond).

The Golden Slipper is scheduled as Race 7, but the first of the Group 1 races will  be the Ranvet Stakes, run over 2000 metres as Race 4.   Silent Achiever won it last year pipping the Queen’s horse Carlton House at the post. It would be great if she could win it a second time and she has good chance if she can beat the in form Contributor who has won his two starts this autumn and is the hot favourite. The Ranvet has a really intriguing field with stayers from Hong Kong (Dominant), Japan (Tosen Stardom) and New Zealand (Fast Dragon) here especially for the Sydney Championships, plus familiar  locals like He’s Your Man and Lucia Valentina.

Race 5 is the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas also run over 2000 metres, but for three year olds. 

Randwick Guineas winner Hallowed Crown is the one to beat. Trying to do so will be the unbeaten New Zealand Derby winner Mongolian Khan, Victorian Derby winner Preferment and runners up in the aforementioned races  - Volkstok’n’barrell (NZ Derby) and Sweynesse (Randwick Guineas).

As opposed to the small field for the Rosehill Guineas (7 runners), the Group 1 Galaxy has attracted a full field of 14 starters.  It is a sprint over 1100 metres and I’m delighted to see Miracles of Life and Rubick in the field.  Deep Field who had his colours lowered in the Lightning Stakes, and was further humiliated at his last start where he was beaten by the lowly Target In Sight, is also one of the contenders, as are the smart Sweet Idea, Avoid Lightning and Melbourne mare Chloe in Paris who has won her last three starts. I’m hoping little Miracles of Life can add some more Group 1  glory to her CV.

The final Group 1 race on the program is the George Ryder Stakes (1500 metres) which has attracted a full field of middle distance runners, many of them winners at Group 1 level. Super mare Cosmic Endeavour who won the Canterbury Stakes at her last start, will no doubt start as favourite. Other familiar names in the mix are Sacred Falls, Criterion, Moriarty, Weary and Royal Descent. Caulfield Guineas winner Shooting To Win and Kermadec, the unsuccessful favourite in the Australian Guineas, have bypassed the Rosehill Guineas to run in this and could easily be in the finish.  There are also two Japanese horses, World Ace and Real Impact who it is unwise to ignore completely.

The weather in Sydney is supposed to be cloudy with little rain, and the track is reported today as being good surface wise.

Update Sunday:

My speculations on the likely outcomes of the five Group 1 races were fairly accurate, even if I do not specify tips.

The Ranvet Stakes was won by Contributer – no surprise – with the Japanese horse Tosen Stardom running second and Lucia Valentina  taking out third.

Volkstok’n’barrell stormed home to win the Rosehill Guineas from Preferment and Hallowed Crown.

Sweet Idea won her first Group 1 in the Galaxy at long odds with Kuro running second and Miracles of Life doing well, after a pretty torrid run, to run third.

The favourite Vancouver confirmed the wraps around him with a stunning win in the Golden Slipper with the filly English giving Gai Waterhouse the Golden Slipper quinella. Lake Geneva ran third.

Finally, Japanese horse Real Impact held on narrowly  to win the George Ryder Stakes from Criterion. Three year old Kermadec ran third.

Lankan Rupee–Lightning Fast

Lankan Rupee  returns to scale after winning the Black Caviar Lightning

It was a day of weird weather, chaotic public transport and fabulous racing action, capped by the stunning victory of Lankan Rupee in the feature race.

Due to several events coinciding on Saturday – White Night, Cirque du Sol, Soundwave Festival and of course the Lightning Stakes meeting at Flemington - public transport was disrupted. When my local train arrived at Flinders Street Station I was expecting to step onto a Flemington Racecourse train on another platform as usual.  I was obliged to catch another train to Southern Cross station and link up to the racecourse train there. I found it on Platform 8A  and hastily boarded, only to have the train sit idle for another 15 minutes before it departed.  Coming home was hellish, but more about that later.

So I was rather later arriving at the track than I anticipated. I did manage to get there in time to watch race 3 The Vanity, and get some photos of the field.

Set Square who ran second

Wawail who ran third

Sweet and Speedy – the winner -  returns to scale

After that race I headed to the stalls area to see who had turned up.

I found WA colt Disposition in his stall…

…and Tawteen who was being prepared for the next race

Race 4 was the Indian Summer Handicap and I was expecting Tawteen to at least run a place, but she faded in the straight and finished 7th. The winner was Chloe in Paris.

Chloe in Paris leaving the mounting yard for the track

Runway Star finished second with Sweet Emily taking out third spot.

Sweet Emily on her way to the track

The early part of the afternoon was hot and sunny, before clouds started to build up over the course. It was a welcome relief to have the sun obscured but it was still very humid and oppressive.

Back in the stalls area, a number of new arrivals were waiting patiently in their stalls. Naturally I made sure to visit Lankan Rupee who was looking a picture of health.

And at one time was communing with stable mate Dany The Fox in the adjacent stall

Lankan Rupee with  Dany the Fox

A few stalls away, Deep Field had quite crowd of admirers in front of his stall.

Deep Field in his stall

Brazen Beau was close by looking as handsome as ever.

Brazen Beau in his stall

I also went and visited Silent Witness, the Living Legends representative for the afternoon, and gave him a pat as he grazed on the rose bushes.

Silent Witness

The fifth race on the program was the Lawn Handicap an unlisted race over 1400 metres.  I made it back to the public lawn in time to watch the race. It was won by Gracious Prospect with Swift Shadow and Amorino running second and third.

Also rans The Wingman and Infinite Energy return to scale after the Lawn Handicap

There was only one more race before the Lightning was due to run. This was the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes for Guineas bound colts and geldings.

Disposition was the favourite, but he was denied victory by the Gai Waterhouse trained Wandjina winning by a narrow margin. Stratum Star ran third.

Here are some of the contenders in the mounting yard


Disposition

Stratum Star

Wandjina – ear muffs and all

Merion ran fourth

A big dark cloud had by this time gathered over the course and the odd drop of rain was falling as lightning flashed and thunder rolled. Quite ironic really considering that the Black Caviar Lightning was up next.  There was a glitch in the video coverage caused by an electrical disturbance, so the feature event was delayed until the storm had passed.

Sky over Flemington at around 4.15pm

The storm mostly bypassed Flemington as the city and northern suburbs were subjected to a torrential downpour with only a passing shower hitting the course.

Anyway it was finally time for the race we had all be waiting for, the famous 60 second dash down the straight.

The horses had no sooner entered the mounting yard than they were mounted and heading for the track.

Lankan Rupee

Brazen Beau

Deep Field

Lankan Rupee’s trainer, Mick Price, stated several days ago the he was training the horse to take a sit during a race to conserve his blistering sprint until the end.  Previously his pattern was to race on the speed and was therefore left a sitting duck as back markers swooped and overtook him. This is what happened in the Darley Classic last Spring when he finished third behind Terravista and Chautauqua.

Deep Field started as favourite for the Black Caviar Lightning, but had his colours lowered, being left wanting in the straight.

The early leader was Fab Fevola who raced all by his lonesome on the outside. The rest were bunched in the centre Lankan Rupee running just behind Deep Field, stride for stride with Brazen Beau, who was on Deep Field’s inside.  Lankan Rupee took off at the 200 metre mark and sailed effortlessly past Deep Field with Brazen Beau in hot pursuit. Lankan Rupee won by nearly three lengths with Brazen Beau finishing second, relegating Deep Field to third place.

I was delighted with Lankan Rupee’s win, though I didn’t have any money wagered on the race.  The new race tactics worked a treat courtesy of the superbly timed ride of Craig Newitt, who made a special trip from his current residency in Singapore to ride the beautiful horse with a heart.

Lankan Rupee parades in the mounting yard after his win

Lankan Rupee’s next assignment is the Newmarket Handicap on
14 March, a race he won last year.  It will also have a top class field. Can Lankan Rupee turn the tables on Chautauqua and Terravista this time?

Throughout the afternoon I took time out to watch the race action in Sydney and was pleased to see Catkins win the Millie Fox Stakes from Plucky Belle and Avoid Lightning.

Hallowed Crown won the Hobartville Stakes, defeating a top field. Sweynesse finished second with Kermadec running third and the Silver Slipper was won by Headwater from Voilier and Mishani Honcho. Ottoman finished fourth.

I left Flemington after the Lightning Stakes and made it back to Southern Cross station. I should have caught another train to Flinders Street, but decided I would tram it the rest of the way home. This was a mistake, as I’d forgotten all about the White Night, and trams were few and far between, most of the central CBD being blocked to traffic.

Signage or information on tram movements was non existent.  In the end I caught a tram to the corner of Queen and Bourke Streets, then walked to La Trobe Street in the hope of connecting with an 86 tram to take me home.  I eventually found out that 86 trams were only running from the Nicholson and Gertrude Street corner.  So I caught a tram in La Trobe to Nicholson Street and walked to Gertrude,  finally managing to board the 86 tram and get home almost two hours after leaving Flemington race course.

Next week the racing is at Caulfield and features the Blue Diamond Stakes and two other Group 1 races, the Oakleigh Plate and Futurity Stakes. 

The racing action intensifies from now on in both Melbourne and Sydney as the Autumn Racing Carnival gears up for the Sydney Championships and in Melbourne, the Australia Cup.

Black Caviar Lightning 2015 Edition

Lankan Rupee exhibition gallop 14/2/15  at Caulfield

A great day of racing is coming up tomorrow with the prospect of the Black Caviar Lightning already quickening the excitement of first class racing with two of the top sprinters going head to head in the feature race.

Only six horses have accepted for the race – shades of the days when Black Caviar (after whom the race is named of course) graced the turf. The field however, though small, is select, with Lankan Rupee and the unbeaten and much hyped Deep Field both among the acceptances. Also in the mix is the handsome Brazen Beau who was last seen at Flemington winning the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes on Derby Day.

The above three are the main contenders and it is hard choose between them other than my personal preference for Lankan Rupee. Deep Field is having his first start at Group 1 level, and has won at Flemington over 1200 metres in a Listed race on Derby Day last spring.

But before the feature race is run, there are a number of interesting events beforehand.

I don’t think I’ll make it to the track by the first race, the Listed Talindert Stakes for two year olds. Half of the field are having their first start  and the one everyone will be watching is the filly Stay With Me who is a daughter of former champion filly Miss Finland by Street Cry.  Whether she’ll win is another matter, as she is up against a few more experienced youngsters in Jameka and Ragazzo Del Corsa.

Hopefully I will be at Flemington in time for Race 3, The Vanity, a Group 3 race for three year old fillies over 1400 metres. It has quite a classy field headed by 2014 Crown Oaks winner Set Square and the so far unbeaten Wawail aiming for her fifth win in succession.

Tawteen was originally nominated for the Black Caviar Lightning, but her connections opted for the easier Indian Summer  Handicap a race for fillies and mares over 1000 metres, where she has a better chance of winning. Her main opposition comes from Runway Star, Antarctic Missile, Cobblestones and Chloe In Paris.

The Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes is a race for Guineas bound three year colts and geldings run over 1400 metres.  The interesting runner  in this is Disposition, another classy West Australian having his first start in the eastern states. He ran a very close second in the Group 2 WA Guineas and the Group 1 Kingston Town Stakes and prior to that had been unbeaten in four runs. He is however up against the likes of San Nicasio, Stratum Star, Merion, Chivalry and Lucky Liberty.

The races in Sydney are at Rosehill this Saturday and the feature race on that course is the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes. For three year olds run over 1400 metres, it has attracted a really exciting field that contains Victoria Derby winner Preferment, Caulfield Guineas winner Shooting To Win, Golden Rose winner Hallowed Crown, Spring Champion winner Hampton Court and other smart runners like Scissor Kick and Delectation. The sole filly is Thunder Lady who won the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes and ran second in the Crown Oaks.

Old favourite Catkins, who kicked of her autumn campaign two weeks ago in the Group 2 Breeders Classic, winning it for the second time, resumes in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300 metres).  She barely overcame Lilliburlero  in the aforementioned Breeders Classic and will be up against her again, along with the well performed Avoid Lightning and Mardi, but I hope Catkins rewards her many fans with another win.

Also run at Rosehill on Saturday is the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes, a sort of preview of the Golden Slipper Stakes, where I’m interested in seeing how impressive first start winner Ottoman performs.  Main chances other than Ottoman are Headwater and Paceman and Voilier who all won their first starts as well.

The weather in Melbourne tomorrow will be hot and sunny, so the track will be good. Despite the heat, I’m looking forward to being trackside at beautiful Flemington again.

Omen Bets off: A Day for Favourites Instead

Dissident returns to scale after winning the CF Orr Stakes

It certainly was a long day at the races on Saturday, and fortunately after a wild wet and stormy night, the weather cleared to a bright and sunny afternoon and dried the track to a good racing surface.

I got to Caulfield in plenty of time to watch the second race , the Kevin Hayes Stakes and was pleased that my assessment in my last post that Afleet Esprit, Sabatini, Fontein Ruby and Royal Snitzel would be in the finish, proved spot on, with Sabatini taking the prize from Royal Snitzel with Fontein Ruby running third and Afleet Esprit fourth.

Sabatini hits the front , bursting between Fontein Ruby (outside) and Royal Snitzel (obscured)

The interval between races was 35 minutes early in the afternoon so there wasn’t long to wait for the first of the Blue Diamond Preludes to run. Fontiton was the short priced favourite for the fillies event and didn’t disappoint winning by a comfortable margin of 1¾ lengths from outsider Miss Gidget with Flamboyant Lass filling third position.

Fontiton in the mounting yard

Miss Gidget on her way to the barriers

Flamboyant Lass in the mounting yard

Blue Diamond Prelude (fillies) finish – Fontiton (blue checks) is about to pass Miss Gidget in the straight – Flamboyant Lass is a length behind.

Fontiton looks the most likely Blue Diamond winner at this stage. She’s one smart filly and her multitude of owners must consider themselves very lucky to have a share in her.

On St Valentine’s Day it was appropriate that Lankan Rupee, the horse with the heart, would be present for the occasion. He was not contesting any of the races, but there for an exhibition gallop. This was rumoured to occur between the third and fourth races.  However, the presentation for the fillies Blue Diamond Prelude went on so long that it was impossible at that time and took place after race 4.

I caught up with the love horse in his stall…

Lankan Rupee in his stall

And later watched his exhibition gallop between races four and five.

Lankan Rupee charges down the straight in an exhibition gallop.

In the colts and geldings Blue Diamond Prelude  Of The Brave started as favourite and he delivered, though only narrowly. In the straight he looked an easy winner, leading by several lengths, but Pride of Dubai, finishing fast on the outside almost stole the race. It ended up being a photo finish with Of The Brave getting the nod by a nose.

Of the Brave easily leads at this stage with Pride of Dubai back in the main pack (yellow silks & blue cap)

Pride of Dubai narrows the gap a moment later - Of The Brave still leads

Of The Brave parades after winning the colts Blue Diamond Prelude

Race 5 was the Group 3 Carlyon Cup run over 1600 metres. I was looking forward to seeing the Sydney horse Red Excitement but he had been scratched Saturday morning.  Jacquinot Bay was the logical favourite, but was pipped at the post by Smokin’ Joey.

Jacquinot Bay on his way to the barriers

Smokin’ Joey on his way to the starting gates

Race 5 finish – Smokin’ Joey storms down the outside to win on the line

All eyes were on classy sprinter Chautauqua in the next race, the time honoured Rubiton Stakes. Chautauqua hasn’t raced since finishing second to Terravista in the Darley Classic on Emirate Stakes Day last spring, but had won his previous two starts in sizzling fashion.

Chautauqua saddled up and ready to go in his stall before the race

Chautauqua ran at the back end of the field for most of the race and was blocked for a run in the straight. However, once clear,  he stormed down the outside to overtake Flamberge to win by a neck. Atmospherical ran third.

Chautauqua poses for the press corps after winning the Rubiton Stakes

I only had one bet all afternoon, as most of my fancies were the favourites and not worth betting on. I decided I’d have a bet on Hong Kong Captain in the next race, which happened to be the Autumn Stakes.  Profit Share was the favourite, but both he and Hong Kong Captain finished unplaced. Overlooked longshot San Nicasio was the winner with Zebulon and Firehouse Rock filling the minor places.

San Nicasio on his way to the barriers

Race 7 finish – San Nicasio leads comfortably down the straight

San Nicasio was the first of a double for Peter Moody who has been out of the winners circle recently and Dissident delivered the second.

It was late afternoon by the time the feature race of the day, the Group 1 Orr Stakes was due to start. I must admit I was somewhat wearied by then after being trackside for four hours, so it was a relief to get it over with, though worth the wait.

Dissident on his way to barriers

Dissident raced up with the speed in third or fourth spot and came down the outside in the straight to overtake the leaders Java and Entirely Platinum to go on for a solid 1½ length win. Entirely Platinum held on for second and Mourinho ran third.

Orr Stakes finish - Dissident hits the front with Mourinho on his outside and Entirely Platinum (orange silks) on the inside.

As I didn’t bet on the race I didn’t have to hang around for correct weight so headed for the station and home, weary but pleased to have  a Saturday afternoon at the races again.

My next four Saturday afternoons are covered, as the Melbourne autumn racing carnival heats up. Next weekend Flemington hosts the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes, where Lankan Rupee will be contending with a classy field of pretenders to the title of top Australian sprinter. The so far unbeaten Deep Field is one of them and Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Brazen Beau is another. It promises to be a great race.

I sporadically watched the Sydney races at Caulfield when I remembered to do so, and the results were less reliable than those in Melbourne. Contributor won the Apollo Stakes and 50/1 shot Adrift stole the Light Fingers Stakes from second favourite First Seal.

I was however pleased with the result of Sydney race 3, as I’d had a bet on Haptic on my online Sportsbet account and he payed very well, boosting my ailing account to a respectable amount, plus giving me a bonus $10.00 free bet to use at my leisure.

None of the Valentine’s Day omen bets came anywhere – all finished unplaced. I didn’t hazard a wager on any of them I should add.

The Roses Will Be Blooming - Derby Day 2014

Flemington Roses

The 2014 Spring Racing Carnival has only a little over a week to run, and then it will be all over for another year.

But to take it out in grand fashion, Flemington hosts four days of spectacular racing excitement, the first of these being Derby Day on Saturday.

Last year I attended Derby Day for the first time, and despite the crowds found it quite enjoyable, so I intend to brave it for a second time and get some value from my Flemington season’s ticket.

How can I resist, when such a fantastic racing card is programmed, with many of my black book horses scheduled to run. There are  four Group 1 races – Coolmore Stud Stakes, Mackinnon Stakes, Victoria Derby & Myer Classic – and all the other races are at either Group 2 or Group 3 level.

The first race is at 11.30am, but as it’s going to be a long day I don’t intend to arrive at the track until slightly later, in time for the first of the Group 1 races, the Coolmore Stud Stakes, scheduled at 1.30pm.

And what a great field it has! A race for three year olds over 1200 metres it has the cream of this year’s 3yo crop in the field, such as Rich Enuff, Scissor Kick, Rubick, Earthquake, Eloping, Brazen Beau and Kuro as the main contenders. Who to choose?  Rich Enuff will no doubt start as favourite, but I’d like to see Rubick or Earthquake take the prize. At least they’ll probably be at good odds for a change. Whatever, it looks a doozy of a race.

The Coolmore Stud Stakes is followed by the Group 3 Lexus Stakes  (2500 metres) and is for stayers hoping to gain entrance into the Melbourne Cup.  Top contenders are Geelong Cup winner Caravan Rolls On, Big Memory who won the Herbert Power Stakes,  Lord Van Percy and Marksmanship, aspiring Internationals, and well connected mares La Amistad (Makybe Diva’s half sister) and Let’s Make Adeal (Let’s Elope’s granddaughter).

Next up is the second of the Group 1 races, the Mackinnon Stakes, run over 2000 metres. It has a super field as well, with a number of the usual suspects aiming for more Group 1 glory – Happy Trails, Foreteller, Moriarty, Hawkspur, Brambles and Criterion – all seen recently running in either the Caulfield Cup or the Cox Plate. Also in the picture is Rising Romance who ran second to Admire Rakti in the Caulfield Cup and Sydney stayer, He’s Your Man, who won the Epsom Stakes at his last start.  Last year the race was won by International visitor Side Glance who is scratched due to lameness this year. However there are two mystery British horses – Farraaj and Amralah – who could steal it this year. I’ll be barracking for Rising Romance who deserves a win after running a close second at her last two starts.

The Victoria Derby has always been a real puzzle of a race, with any of the field likely to take out the prize. Gai Waterhouse has great confidence in her entry Hampton Court who is the favourite after he won the Spring Champion Stakes in emphatic fashion at his last start. However, favourites have a bad record in the Derby and it has mostly been won by an outsider or secondary favourites. So who else has a chance? For a start there’s Moonovermanhattan who won The Vase at Moonee Valley last Saturday, and Atmosphere who ran second  (whom I fancy a lot), Royal Standing who I just noticed is a half brother to Super Cool, and the other “cool” customer Magicool, who beat Atmosphere earlier in the season at Flemington in an 1800 metre race.

The final Group 1 race is the Myer Classic for fillies and mares, run over 1600 metres. Red Tracer beat her stable mate Catkins last year in this. Red Tracer is no longer on the scene having been retired to stud, but Catkins is still around and is part of the excellent field. Top pick is Sweet Idea who won the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes at her last start with Girl Guide running second and Catkins third. The favourite however is May’s Dream who is yet to win a race this spring, but is due for a win. Also in with a good chance is Star Fashion who has won her last two races and Forever Loved who has winning form at Flemington.

A sprint over 1200 metres, the Group 2  tab.com.au Stakes is the last race on program and is worth sticking around for, due to the presence of boom Sydney horse Deep Field in the field. He is unbeaten in four starts and broke a course record at one of his latest outings at Canterbury. Trying to ruin his party will be the rejuvenated Bel Sprinter who dead heated with Miracles of Life in the Caulfield Sprint earlier this month and Adamantium who loves the Flemington straight.

The weather is expected to be somewhat damp tomorrow in Melbourne. Even though today is a hot 30°C, a change is forecast to pass through overnight. If it is wet, at least it might deter the party goers from spreading their blankets all over the public lawn, and maybe even discourage them from attending at all.  I live in hope.