Doncaster–Derby Day 2017 Edition

I Am A Star – can she emulate Sunline and win the Doncaster Handicap at her tender age?

Doncaster – Derby Day at Randwick is one of the great days on the Australian racing calendar.  A few years back the two main events were run on different Saturdays, but these days they are featured along with the T J Smith Stakes and the Inglis Sires.

There’s something for everyone – a first class sprint (T J Smith), a race for two year olds (Sires), a middle distance nail biter (Doncaster Mile) won by many champions in the past, most recently by wonder mare Winx, and the ATC Derby for three year old stayers.

The first to run is the Inglis Sires, which is run over 1400 metres, where a full field of 16 runners have accepted. Quite a few of the contestants ran in the Golden Slipper with varying results. Slipper winner She Will Reign is not in the field, but the runner up Frolic and third placed Tulip are top chances. 

Melbourne based horses have been very successful in Sydney this autumn season, so they could dominate again, for instance Sircconi who won the Group 2 VRC Sires Produce Stakes at his last start.

New Zealanders are often successful during the Sydney autumn racing season, so it would be unwise to ignore Summer Passage, who won a Group 1 race in New Zealand at his last start.

Two New Zealand stayers are entered in the ATC Derby, Gingernuts and Jon Snow, both recent winners in Sydney, the former winning the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas, the latter victorious in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes. Both have competed against each other across the Tasman with Gingernuts getting the better of Jon Snow in the New Zealand Derby.

Of the locals Prized Icon, Inference, Anaheim and So Si Bon have the best chance of defeating the Kiwis.

The grey flash Chautauqua has a chance to redeem his reputation and make history by winning the T J Smith Stakes for the third time in succession, a feat never before accomplished in its twenty years of running.

He’s sort of back to his old self, and back to his favourite distance of 1200 metres after finishing a distant third in the George Ryder Stakes which of course was won by Winx.

The usual suspects are his rivals; Malaguerra, Fell Swoop, Japonisme, Terravista, Spieth and Rebel Dane, with three year old colts Astern and Russian Revolution, representing the greatest threat with a weight advantage.

As previously mentioned the Doncaster Handicap is a race for champions. You aren’t anyone in the annals of middle distance racing until you’ve won it. You only have to look at the list of previous winners to see what a prestigious race it is. Sunline won it twice as did Super Impose and Sacred Falls. Other top class milers who’ve won it are More Joyous, Haradasun, Private Steer and of course Winx.

This year’s edition has a super field with a good mix of quality milers and three year old aspirants. Of the older contestants, the top chances are Le Romain, Redkirk Warrior, Tosen Stardom, Happy Clapper and Palentino, whilst talented youngsters like I Am A Star and Hey Doc might well challenge their elders, having a weight advantage in the handicap conditions and with a bit of luck in the running.

For a change the Randwick track may not be as heavy as the recent Rosehill race meetings, with little rain falling this week in Sydney. It might even make it the better side of slow, though the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie that devastated North Queensland looks to be headed south and may rain on Sydney’s parade.

Update Saturday Evening

The undoubted star of the day was the grey flash Chautauqua, winning the T J Smith Stakes with a stunning finishing sprint from a no win position. We’ve see it all before, so it was great to witness the big grey back to his best and make history into the bargain, becoming the first horse to win the T J Smith three years in succession. He won by a neck to English, with Fell Swoop running third not far behind.

Favourites failed to feature in all the Group 1 events of the afternoon, even Chautauqua paying $6.00, unheard of odds a year ago.

The Inglis Sires trifecta was taken out by the boys and the highly fancied fillies were missing in action. Invader won, upstaging New Zealand colt Summer Passage and Trapeze Artist ran third.

New Zealand colt Jon Snow won the Australian Derby from outsiders Harper’s Choice and Hardham. Favourite, Gingernuts, left his run too late and finished fifth.

And the Doncaster Mile was taken out by 40/1 shot It’s Somewhat who beat Happy Clapper with 50/1 longshot, Sense of Occasion running third.

Next week is the Group 1 Sydney Cup, Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Australian Oaks and Queen of the Turf Stakes, which, god willing, I will be present to witness in person.

Golden Slipper Day Preview

Catchy after winning the Blue Diamond Stakes

This March, Melbourne has been experiencing a late summer. It has been consistently warmer this month than the previous three summer months.

In Sydney, however, rain has fallen relentlessly over the past three weeks, so the super race meeting at Rosehill on Saturday will no doubt be run on  a heavy track.  This is not all that unusual, as in the past heavy tracks seem to have been the norm for Sydney’s Autumn Racing Carnival.

The meeting  features five wonderful Group 1 races that put Melbourne’s recent carnival to shame with the quality of the fields mustered for the event.

The Group 1 Golden Slipper, the richest two year old race in the world, is the feature event. But the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes is the race that most racing fans will be keenly watching, with wonder mare Winx aiming for her 16th consecutive win.

She will face seven challengers, among them champion sprinter Chautauqua having his first start over 1500 metres.

Back in 2015 Chautauqua and Winx provided the wow performances of the Spring racing carnival, over a night and a day at Moonee Valley; the grey flash winning the Manikato Stakes on the eve of Winx’s first Cox Plate victory.

So it’s kind of wonderful to have them both competing in the same race at a middle distance. 

As for the rest of the field, Canterbury Stakes winner Le Romain and 2016 Epsom winner Hauraki are the next best.

The first of the Group 1 races to run is the Ranvet Stakes a race for stayers over 2000 metres. Top pick is of course Hartnell who failed to fire in the Chipping Norton Stakes (won by Winx). If he is anywhere near his best he should win. His main opponents are Antonio Giuseppe and The United States.

Victorian Derby winner Prized Icon is one of the main chances to win the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas, another race over 2000 metres. He’s a stunning black colt trained by James Cummings (Bart’s grandson). He may not handle the heavy track, but Inference the winner of the Group 1 Randwick Guineas certainly can. Also in contention is New Zealand Derby winner Gingernuts , with good wet form to his credit.

Fillies appear to have edge over the colts in the Golden Slipper (1200 metres) with Houtzen, She Will Reign, Catchy, Tulip and Frolic being the top chances. Pariah, Single Bullet and Diamond Tathagata are the best of the boys.

I think both Houtzen and Catchy are exceptional fillies, both unbeaten in four starts, and hope either one of them wins. Whatever the outcome, it looks a fascinating race.

The final Group 1 of the afternoon is a sprint over 1100 metres. The Galaxy has attracted a full field of fourteen sprinters. Top picks are English, Redzel, Fell Swoop, Heatherly and Russian Revolution.

In the racing news today it was revealed that Extreme Choice and Flying Artie have both been retired to stud. So I’m glad I at least got to see them race this autumn.

Update Saturday Afternoon

I’m pleased to note that the Group 1 results at Rosehill, eventuated pretty much as I imagined them. The track was extremely heavy with frequent showers of rain.

The highlight as expected was Winx stunning 7½ length demolition of the George Ryder Stakes field. She sailed effortlessly over the soggy turf to beat Le Romain, with Chautauqua squelching into third place.  It was an emotional experience watching her win her 16th race in succession and 11th Group 1. She’s simply amazing!

The other Group 1 races results:

The Ranvet Stakes was won by 3.3 lengths by outsider Our Ivanhowe who only wins on extremely heavy tracks.  Hartnell finished second and The United States ran third.

New Zealander Gingernuts relished the heavy going in the Rosehill Guineas winning by 7.3 lengths from favourite Inference. Victorian horse So Si Bon ran third.

Fillies ran the trifecta in the Golden Slipper with She Will Reign winning the bikkies from Frolic and Tulip. Alas, Houtzen who led for most of the race was caught napping and finished 5th. I think the heavy track was not to her liking. Ditto with Catchy who finished last.

Three year old Russian Revolution won the Galaxy narrowly from Redzel with longshot Jungle Edge close behind running third.

I was pleased with Russian Revolution’s win as I’d used a bonus bet on my Sportsbet Account – $20.00 to win.  He was a sort of omen bet, as I’m currently reading a novel that is set during the Russian Revolution, and a bet on the eponymous horse seemed to be the thing to do.

The Blue Diamond Stakes Comes Around Again

Catchy  - 2017 Blue Diamond Favourite

This coming Saturday will be the sixth time I’ve been to the Blue Diamond Stakes Day at Caulfield.

Samaready won the Blue Diamond back in 2012 where I recall the temperature being 40°C . She went on to win several other Group  races, most notably the 2013 Moir Stakes.

The most memorable Blue Diamond Stakes was the 2013 edition where fairy tale filly Miracles of Life romped in and everyone got very emotional.

Last year the two Mick Price colts Extreme Choice and Flying Artie ran the quinella.

This year’s field contains ten colts/geldings and six fillies.

Having watched most of the build up races I reckon the best chances are colts Property, Jukebox and Pariah and fillies Catchy, Tulip, Formality and Blondie. It being a mad two year old race over 1200 metres, run at speed, anything could happen, but I wouldn’t be surprised if one or more of the abovementioned were in the finish.

As well as the Blue Diamond Stakes, there are two other Group 1 races, the Futurity Stakes over 1400 metres and the Oakleigh Plate, a sprint over 1100 metres.

The Futurity is the first of the Group 1 races on the program, run as Race 5 and has a small field of nine runners. Black Heart Bart is naturally the top pick and short priced favourite.  He narrowly beat Turn Me Loose in the Orr Stakes who may be able to turn the tables on him this time.  Turn Me Loose is a particular favourite of mine, a really pretty young stallion who has been specifically aimed at this race, which he won last year.

Others likely to be in or close to the finish are Lucky Hussler,  Palentino and former Japanese horse Tosen Stardom.

A huge field has accepted for the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate, 18 in all. The interesting runners are Extreme Choice, Fell Swoop, Sheidel,
I Am A Star and Wild Rain.

The support card at Caulfield is also worth the price of entry, with two Group 3, and three Group 2 races.  I’m looking forward to seeing Jameka again, who is running in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes.

In Sydney at Randwick, the wonderful Winx will be aiming to win her 15th race in succession in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes. Most of her rivals are resuming stayers along with long time rival Hartnell who is yet to get the better of her.  Here’s hoping she keeps her winning sequence intact.

Great Expectations - 2016 Cox Plate

Winx rugged after winning the 2015 Cox Plate

The Cox Plate is my favourite race of the Spring racing season and this year it looks as if it will be a classic competition, awaited with excited anticipation by all fans of the sport of kings.

A cracker field of ten contestants have accepted and include superstar mare Winx who won the race last year by over four lengths, breaking the course record.

In this year’s Cox Plate she faces her toughest opposition from Hartnell who actually ran in the race last year and finished fifth, ten lengths from Winx.  He seems a different horse this year having comprehensively won his last three starts by large margins. His only defeat this season was his first up loss to Winx in the Warwick Stakes back in August, which she won by over three lengths.

Hartnell’s form was franked by Jameka’s Caulfield Cup victory, considering that he beat her by over three lengths in the Turnbull Stakes.

Winx form this spring is faultless. She has won all her starts effortlessly. My heart will be with her on Saturday as she goes for her thirteenth win in succession and second consecutive Cox Plate, a feat achieved by very few – prime examples being So You Think, Sunline, Northerly and Kingston Town, all champions.

Though it’s hard to look beyond Winx and Hartnell, and as we all know anything can happen in racing, others who could steal the show are lightweighted filly Yankee Rose, the highly regarded French horse Vadamos and Lucia Valentina, especially if the track is rain affected.

Black Heart Bart who has won two Group 1 races and run second in two others this season, has been pretty well overlooked, but is likely to be in the finish somewhere, though I doubt he can beat Winx or Hartnell.

Though I will not be attending the Manikato Stakes meeting on Friday night it being run at the late hour of 9.30pm, I’ll certainly watch it at home.

Last year the grey speedster Chautauqua provided, along with Winx in the Cox Plate, one of the wow moments of the Spring racing carnival with his stunning last to first win in the feature race. He’s out to redeem his reputation after his disappointing showing in the Moir Stakes.

The Manikato Stakes is run over 1200 metres, which is more to Chautuaqua’s liking, so one would expect him to win this time.

He’ll certainly be hard to beat, but trying will be old Buffering, the only horse still racing who competed against the great Black Caviar.  He may be past it, but I’ve thought that before and he’s proved me wrong.

Other challengers in the field with a chance to topple the star sprinter are Fell Swoop and The Quarterback and sole mare English. Golden Slipper winner Capitalist is a lightweight chance, but his form this spring has been disappointing where he has failed to beat his own age group.

The weather forecast for the weekend is pretty dismal with heavy rain on Friday, clearing by Saturday afternoon.

God knows what state the Moonee Valley track will be in after 8 races on Friday night and another 8 races on Saturday afternoon before the Cox Plate is run at 5.00pm, but it has coped in previous years remarkably well.

I hope to reach Moonee Valley rather earlier than I did last year, by catching a different bus to the one I would normally use, it being badly affected by Cox Plate traffic conditions on its route. The alternate route to Moonee Ponds Junction appears to avoid the main traffic snarls around Moonee Valley racecourse, so perhaps it will run on time.

The support card is mildly interesting, with the usual mix of Listed and Group 2 or Group 3 class races to watch while waiting for the main event, but I’m not going to consider them here.

Divine Prophecy– Twelve Straight Wins for Winx and Counting

Three horse race – Winx prevails over Black Heart Bart & He Or She in the Caulfield Stakes

It was one of the most unusual Group 1 races in recent racing history.

The Caulfield Stakes, with only three runners, ignited great interest and was the must see race of the day last Saturday at Caulfield and delivered the expected result with Winx winning her twelfth race in succession and eigth Group 1.

The feature race in fact was the Caulfield Guineas, run later in the day and the earlier races before the Caulfield Stakes were basically time fillers, so I won’t go into much detail about them here.

I arrived at Caulfield in time to watch Race 3, the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes.

Hear The Chant won it from My Country and Modern Wonder.

Race 3 past the post – first three home

Hear The Chant returns to scale

Race 4 was named in honour of 2007 Caulfield Guineas winner Weekend Hussler and run over 1600 metres.

Chetwood started as favourite and won the Weekend Hussler Stakes comfortably, by 2 lengths from Rough Justice with Sistine Demon running third.

 
Chetwood returns to scale

The bizarrely named Cape Grim Beef Steaks, masquerading as race 5 was up next. It was a Group 3  race for fillies, run over 1200 metres.  The number jackets worn by the strappers leading out the horses were styled as butchers aprons.

Silent Sedition on her way to the mountingyard – note strappers coat

Fortunately nothing grim happened during the race, which was won by Sheidel from Silent Sedition and A Lotta Love.

Sheidel wins the Cape Grim Beef Steaks

Sheidel returns to scale

With its usual lack of consideration for general admission patrons, Caulfield Racing Club had blocked off access to the mounting yard, so I spent most of the afternoon hanging out in the stalls area and concentrated on taking photos from the hill above them, of horses going to and from the barriers. Bugger trying to see over the hedge on the public lawn fence.

I  took a few photos of horses in their stalls, and snapped the following photo of 2015 Melbourne Cup winner, Prince of Penzance. It’s probably the last photo of him I’ll ever get, as he was injured during the running of the Herbert Power Stakes and will most likely be retired.

Little did I know as I photographed him that he had suffered a fracture to his off fore leg shortly before.

Patient creature – Prince of Penzance

Other stall photos of fortunately sound horses…

Bat Woman – Winx in her characteristic ear muffs waiting calmly in her stall

Winx stablemate Foxplay a pretty dark grey filly

Black Heart Bart

He Or She

Turn Me Loose – wonderful to see this pretty boy again

Race 6, the Caulfield Stakes was the one we’d all been waiting for and I snagged my position on the fence on the hill early to get a good viewpoint. A buzz of excitement reminiscent of the Black Caviar days rippled around the course as everyone jostled to catch a glimpse of golden girl Winx.

Winx on her way to the mounting yard from the pre parade ring

Black Heart Bart on his way to the mounting yard

He Or She on his way to the mounting yard

With the race being run over 2000 metres, the barrier stalls were set up on the track just after the turn beyond the stalls area…

Barrier stalls – Winx is about to be loaded

…so the horses leaving the mounting yard were bound to gallop towards them after initially cantering up the straight and turning around.

Black Heart Bart on his way to the barrier gates

He Or She on his way to the barrier gates

Winx on her way to the barrier gates

As only three horses were involved in the Caulfield Stakes, it didn’t take long to have them loaded and off.

The race was run at a leisurely pace, Black Heart Bart setting the pace in the lead, with Winx cruising in second place ahead of He Or She.  After the turn into the straight, Winx moved up level with Black Heart Bart on his outside, sailed past him, and zoomed away for an easy 2 length win, hardly raising a sweat. He Or She finished way back, 6 lengths from Winx.

Winx strolls back to scale

Winx returning to the stalls and a well earned hose down and rest after the post race hoop lah in the mounting yard

And me, I decided to desert my post and go and get a drink. It was a fortuitous move as by chance I ran into Winx’s trainer Chris Waller and cadged his signature in my racebook against her name.

When I got back, it was almost time for the Thousand Guineas, the fillies Group 1.

The Gai Waterhouse trained Global Glamour, who only the week before had won the Group 1 Flight Stakes at Randwick, started as favourite and marked herself as a class act by winning the Thousand Guineas as well.

She won by a length from local girl I Am A Star with WA filly Whispering Brook running a close third.

Just past the post in the Thousand Guineas – Global Glamour is on the far left

Global Glamour returns to scale

I Am A Star on her way to the barriers

Whispering Brook on her way to the barriers

Foxplay – finished fourth

La Luna Rossa – finished eighth

The colts and geldings were to strut their stuff in the next race, the Caulfield Guineas.  Godophin colt, Impending was the starting favourite. A blue blood, breeding wise, he is from Lonhro (2001 Caulfield Guineas winner) by Mnemosyne, who won the Thousand Guineas in 2005. However, he finished out of the placings in fourth spot.

The Hawkes trained Divine Prophet proved the winner, narrowly holding off Seaburge and Hey Doc on the line.

Down the straight in the Caulfield Guineas

Dwayne Dunn celebrates Divine Prophet’s win with a raised finger

Seaburge returns to scale

Hey Doc on his way to the barriers

Impending returns to scale

The final Group 1 race was the Toorak Handicap.  He’s Our Rokkii added a further picket to the fence against his name in the racebook, notching up his 5th win in succession. He was the favourite and a popular winner. Outsiders Great Esteem and Tivaci filled the minor places.

He’s Our Rokkii on his way to the barriers

Great Esteem (No. 11) returns to scale with Moral Victory

Tivaci on his way to the barriers

Much as I was tempted, I didn’t stay for the Schillaci Stakes, the final race on the program as it was now after 5.00 pm. It was won by three year old Star Turn from Malaguerra and Fell Swoop.

In Sydney Yankee Rose made history by becoming the first filly to win the Spring Champion Stakes.  She’s nominated for the Crown Oaks and Cox Plate, so we’ll hopefully get to see her in Melbourne before too long.

Next Saturday is Caulfield Cup Day – already! The Spring Racing Carnival is flashing by at the speed of light, so I’ll make the most of what’s left of it by attending the meeting. As well as the feature race, an added attraction is the return of the love horse Lankan Rupee in the Caulfield Sprint.

He or She? Bart or Winx–Caulfield Guineas Day

Sacred Elixir – one of the main fancies for the Caulfield Guineas

Still my heart!

A fantastic day of first class racing is coming up this Saturday at Caulfield with four super Group 1 races on the program.

For a start, the best racehorse in Australia, the wonder mare Winx will be making her first appearance in Melbourne this Spring in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000 metres). She’s scared off the opposition and will face only two other horses, Black Heart Bart and He Or She.

I can’t remember a Group 1 race with only three acceptances happening in my time, even when Black Caviar was racing, though I recall what seemed to be three horse races back in the 1960s when Tulloch, Lord and my old favourite Dhaulagiri competed against each other on several occasions, taking turns to win.

Anyway, Winx should shoe it in – perish the thought that she could lose.

The Caulfield Stakes is the first of the Group 1 races scheduled, and the second is the Thousand Guineas for fillies over 1600 metres and it has attracted a field of fifteen classy fillies. Sydney fillies Foxplay, Global Glamour and Smart Amelia will be taking on the local girls in what looks a great race.  La Luna Rossa, Legless Veuve, Harlow Gold, and Leotie all have good form at Caulfield and could deny the Sydney girls the prize.

Last year the Caulfield Guineas was run as the last race on the program, which made it an extremely long day. This year it will be run at the reasonable time of 4.30 pm.

Again it is a case of the local boys against the Sydney star colts Impending, Divine Prophet, Evacuation and Good Standing.

New Zealand colts Sacred Elixir and Saracino and local boys Hey Doc and Kaching all have a good chance to steal the show, particularly Sacred Elixir who won the Caulfield Guineas Prelude and previous to that the Group 1 J J Atkins over winter in Queensland.  I reckon Hey Doc has as good a chance as any. He’s been impressive the only two times I’ve seen him race and could be worth a small bet a good odds.

The Toorak Handicap is the last of the Group 1 races at Caulfield and is an open race over 1600 metres. It also has attracted a classy field that includes former Japanese galloper Tosen Stardom, Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes winner Awesome Rock , Rupert Clarke Stakes winner Bon Aurum, Royal Rapture who has won his last five starts in succession, and He’s Our Rokkii, also is in great form having won his last four starts. Any of the above could win.

The final race at Caulfield, which I will be sorely tempted to stay for, is the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes, a sprint over 1100 metres.  Turn Me Loose, the Murray Baker trained stallion will be having his first start for the spring in this race. He is an exceptionally pretty boy, and also a multiple Group 1 winner in Melbourne, but the Schillaci may be too short for him, his best distances being 1400 to 1600 metres.

Also back on the scene is Fell Swoop, a very talented sprinter who  has excellent form in Melbourne.

Flamberge, the top weight, has a great chance to take out the Schillaci Stakes, his first up form being first class. He’s also a double Group 1 winner winning the Oakleigh Plate and the William Reid Stakes back in autumn.

Other class acts worthy of consideration are Hucklebuck, Malaguerra, sole mare Ocean Embers and three year old colt Star Turn thrown in at the deep end with a lightweight.

Sydney’s autumn racing carnival finale features the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes, a race for three year olds over 2000 metres.  Top picks are Champagne Stakes winner Prized Icon and sole filly Yankee Rose backing up after running second to Global Glamour in the Flight Stakes last weekend.  Veladero also looks promising.

The weather on Saturday in Melbourne is forecast to be mild and possibly sunny, with a light wind, so it will be pleasant to venture once more to Caulfield to experience the thrill of Group 1 racing.

I don’t feel compelled to get there early, but anticipate arriving around 1.30 -2.00pm, so it won’t be as long a day as it was last year.

Doncaster–Derby Day at Randwick

Tarzino at Flemington – Australian Guineas Day 5/3/2016

Black type racing is over in Melbourne until spring, so it is cheering that the Sydney Championships can keep the interest alive for a few weeks yet.

And what a beauty of a race meeting it is this coming Saturday at Randwick with four Group 1 races on the cards,  involving several exciting stars of the turf.

The first of these is super star Winx, who will be endeavouring to add the prestigious Doncaster Mile to her list of Group 1 wins.

Winx reminds a lot people of the great New Zealand mare Sunline who won the Doncaster twice, and ran second in a third attempt, as well as winning two Cox Plates among many other Group 1 races, but Winx still has a long way to go before she equals Sunline’s record.

As she is only four, she has plenty of time if she stays sound. She is indubitably the most exciting racehorse in Australia at present, having won her last eight races, five of them at Group 1 kevel.

Naturally she will start as hot favourite for the Doncaster, and though it is hard to see her get beaten, other runners with a chance are Kermadec, runner up to Winx in the George Ryder Stakes and Doncaster Handicap winner last year, old rival First Seal, wearing blinkers for the first time, Turn Me Loose, who blew his chances last start overracing, and  Azkadellia who always runs an honest race.

As previously mentioned the race card boasts three other Group 1 races, the first being the Inglis Sires for two year olds over 1400 metres. There are no super stars in the field so it’s pretty wide open. Prime chances are Seaburge, Yankee Rose, Teleperion, Detective, Attention  and Zamzam.

The TJ Smith Stakes is a time honoured sprint and has attracted a classy field of contestants that include Chautauqua (last year’s winner) Exosphere, Terravista, Delectation, Flamberge and Fell Swoop.

Tarzino, the most promising young stayer in the country, is the top pick for the Australian Derby.  His main opposition comes from the classy Jameka, taking on the boys again, and Tally who is on a four run winning streak.

Despite Sydney having heavy rain earlier the week, the track at Randwick shouldn’t be too soggy, unlike last year, where the meeting was cancelled until the the next day due to the inclemency of the weather.

Update Sunday – The Wow Factor Again!

As anticipated, it was a fantastic day of racing at Randwick yesterday.

All the winners of the Group 1 events produced dominant performances.

Yankee Rose won the Inglis Sires by 2.5 lengths from Telperion with longshot Faraway Town running third.

Tarzino was on his wrong leg in the Australian Derby and failed to run a place. The race was won by an outsider, the New Zealand trained Tavago romping in by over three lengths. Jameka ran her usual honest race and finished second ahead of Tally in third place.

The grey speedster Chautauqua, as is his style, produced a heartstopping last to first finish in the TJ Smith Stakes, winning the race for the second time in succession.  Fell Swoop ran the race of his life and finished second ahead of the filly English.

And, wonder horse Winx, who looked in non winning position in the straight with 300 metres to go,  having raced at the tail of field for most of the race, broke through a wall of horses to score a two length victory over Happy Clapper and Azkadellia in the Doncaster Mile.

Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill & Vale BLU

Extreme Choice parades in the mounting yard after the Blue Diamond Stakes

There are no race meetings in Melbourne this coming Saturday, but the keen Victorian racing fan will be more than compensated watching the action from Rosehill on TV or computer.

The feature  is of course the world’s  richest two year old race, the Group 1 Golden Slipper.

It is run over 1200 metres and has a full field of 16 acceptors, comprised of nine colts and seven fillies. The top two contenders as far as I’m concerned are the Blue Diamond winner and runner up, Extreme Choice and Flying Artie.

It’s probably a better quality field than the Blue Diamond Stakes and others with the credentials to win are colts Kiss and Make Up, Defcon, Astern, Capitalist and fillies Scarlet Rain and Calliope.

As well as the Golden Slipper, there are four other Group 1 races, the George Ryder Stakes, Ranvet Stakes, Rosehill Guineas and Galaxy, all with quaility fields.

Winx will be gunning for her fifth Group 1 win in the George Ryder Stakes (1500 metres).  She faces old rival First Seal, New Zealand wonder horse Turn Me Loose, and her stablemates Press Statement and Kermadec.

The Ranvet Stakes is run over 2000 metres and has attracted a good field of nine runners. Criterion is the class horse. He has an excellent record over the distance and at the track, so is the one to beat. Mongolian Khan may give him a run for the money, as could Hauraki, Dibayani and The United States, backing up after running second last Saturday at Flemington.

The Rosehill Guineas, for three year olds, is also run over 2000 metres. Victoria Derby winner Tarzino and Randwick Guineas winner Le Romain are the main chances, though sole filly Jameka, who beat Tarzino on Cox Plate day last spring, with her light weight could spring a surprise. She proved with her Crown Oaks win that she handles soft going, which is the likely track rating for Rosehill on Saturday.

No quality raceday would be complete without a Group 1 sprint, and the Galaxy fits the bill.  A full field of fourteen runners have accepted.

I’ll be barracking for Fell Swoop who narrowly missed out on winning his first Group 1, beaten by Flamberge, in the Oakleigh Plate.  He has won over the distance (1100 metres) and at Rosehill on soft going previously, albeit against lesser opposition.

Flamberge shares top weight with Terravista, who is the one to beat, though his record on soft tracks is iffy. Gai Waterhouse trained filly, English, who ran second in the Golden Slipper last year, and won her only start so far this autumn, is also worth consideration.

Rest In Peace Better Loosen Up

Better Loosen Up at Flemington – Australian Cup Day 2015

Living Legends announced this morning that Better Loosen Up had passed away the previous night after suffering a sudden heart problem. He was eased away in his paddock surrounded by his friends.

He was 30 years old, a good age for a horse, and had spent his retirement lovingly attended at Living Legends, being a particular favourite of CEO and Chief Vet, Dr Andrew Clarke.  Better Loosen Up was affectionately known as Blu and was a legend of the turf in the early 1990s winning the 1990 Cox Plate, Mackinnon Stakes and Japan Cup, and the 1991 Australian Cup.

I’m pleased I had the chance to see him couple of times; at Flemington on Australian Cup day in 2015 and at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day, where he led the field out.

Update Sunday – The Results

I watched the racing action at Rosehill on TV this week, though it felt unfamiliar after spending the last few months of Saturdays at the track.

At least, watching the races on television you get to see them in more detail.

Anyway, there were a few surprises and the cream rose to the top in other cases.

The United States, backing up from running in the Blamey Stakes the week before won his first Group 1 race in the Ranvet Stakes. Hauraki ran second and Criterion finished third.

Winx proved that she is a star and the best horse in Australia by comfortably winning the George Ryder Stakes from her stablemates Kermadec and Press Statement. Turn Me Loose took off like a rocket and led for most of the race, but was a spent force at the finish, overracing proving his downfall.

The Rosehill Guineas was Tarzino’s for the taking, which he did with style. Montaigne ran second and the brave Jameka hung on for third.

Magic Millions Two Year Old Classic winner, Capitalist proved he wasn’t a one hit wonder, winning the Golden Slipper from Yankee Rose and Flying Artie. Extreme Choice missed the start and had a torrid time trying to catch up, and was unlucky all round.

And the Galaxy was taken out by the long shot Griante with outsiders Shiraz and Dothraki filling the minor places. The trifecta must have paid a fortune.

Extreme Choice Shines in the Blue Diamond

Extreme Choice parades in the mounting yard after winning the 2016 Blue Diamond Stakes

Last Saturday, Melbourne woke to a mild sunny day that was perfect for attending the first class race meeting at Caulfield, where three excellent Group 1 competions delivered on their promise of thrilling racing action.

As planned, I arrived at Caulfield Racecourse about 20 minutes before Race 3, the Angus Armanesco Stakes was scheduled to start and watched the fillies parade in the mounting yard…

Catch A Fire

Mossin’ Around

Pasadena Girl

Egypt

… then found a good postition on the fence to observe the race.

Pasadena Girl started as favourite, and performed really well, running third to runaway longshot winner Catch A Fire, who beat Mossin’ Around by over two lengths.

Down the straight in the Angus Armanesco Stakes - Catch A Fire leads the rest of the field.

Catch A Fire’s saddlecloth number was 8, and remarkably horses wearing saddlecloth number 8 won four of the nine races on the program.

As Mahuta had been scratched from the Autumn Classic (race 4) the new race favourite was Tally (number 8 saddlecloth) who justified his support by easily winning the race from Flying Light and Top Ravine.

I watched this race from the other side of the stalls area. The prime spot on the hill above the stalls area was fenced off to restrict the area to young members. What a waste of a useful space! There were more security personnel than young members so it was observed.

Race 4  finish just past the winning post – Tally (blue silks) leads

Tally on his way to the barriers

Flying Light on his way to the barriers

Top Ravine returns to scale

Whilst in the stalls area, and as there were a wealth of horsey stars in attendance, I cruised through to see them.

Extreme Choice in his stall – as good as gold

Flying Artie next door

Zamzam smooching with her strapper

Fell Swoop – ear muffed to keep him calm

Flamberge

Mourinho with his devoted strapper

Suavito

Fawkner

The United States

The beautiful Turn Me Loose – photos don’t do him justice

Back trackside, Race 5, the Peter Young Stakes was about to begin.

Irish import Bow Creek, whom I’ve overlooked despite other pundits having a high opinion of him, started as favourite, and finally delivered on his promise with a convincing win in the 1800 metre race. Fenway finished second. Good old Mourinho who was kicked by Fenway before the start of the Orr Stakes, and passed fit to race, and finished second last,  ran third in the Peter Young Stakes, which he won last year.

Bow Creek on his way to the barriers

Fenway on her way to the barriers

Fawkner on his way to the barriers

Happy Trails on his way to the barriers

Mourinho on his way to the barriers

Fawkner finished a distant third last after a torrid run six horses wide. He may be a spent force, so it wouldn’t surprise if he was retired. Happy Trails fared slightly better finishing seventh. Bow Creek was outstanding, as he missed the start and had to make up ground, then was held up by a wall of horses, but after finding a gap he exploded away to win by 1½ lengths.

Peter Young Stakes finish – Bow Creek breaks through.

The first of the Group 1 races, the Futurity Stakes was up next, and with its classy field was the best race of the afternoon.

As it was a 1400 metres race, I went back to the spot on the other side of the stalls area.

The race lived up to its promise, with Turn Me Loose the popular winner.  This time he raced back in third or fourth spot instead of leading, and surged late to grab Suavito (third) and Stratum Star (second) to win by ¾ length. Hucklebuck overraced in the earlier part of the race and ended up uncharacteristically leading, then faded to finish eigth. Unfortunately Boban bled from both nostrils and is banned from racing, so that is the last we’ll see of him, which is a pity as he was great horse on his day.

Boban

Stratum Star

Hucklebuck & Stratum Star

Politeness

Scissor Kick

Suavito

The United States

Turn Me Loose

Futurity Stakes – just past the winning post -  head on shot

For the Blue Diamond Stakes I returned to the public lawn and grabbed a good spot early to see the young things head out to the track.

The late afternoon sunlight was glaring and bad for photos, so the few I took are darkish.

However, I got a good photo of the finish down the straight where Extreme Choice is several lengths ahead of his stablemate Flying Artie, and the rest of the field is out of the frame. The filly Zamzam finished third six lengths behind the leading pair.

 
Extreme Choice burns up the straight with Flying Artie in hot pursuit.

Extreme Choice in the winners rug in the mounting yard

Extreme Choice does look special. Only a small horse, he has a calm temperament and is yet to lose a race. He’s now favourite for the Golden Slipper Stakes, which he could well win too.

I stayed at the course for the final Group 1 race, the Oakleigh Plate, and decided to have a small wager on both Fell Swoop and Heatherly. Top weight Flamberge, who has a good first up record and has won at Group 1 level before, was unfavoured in the betting. He started at 30/1 and won by a nose from Fell Swoop who was held up in the straight and couldn’t quite catch the Flamberge. Heatherly, who was prominent throughout and led for most of the race hung on for third.

Oakleigh Plate finish down the straight – Flamberge (yellow silks) is about to overtake Heatherly (red cap) with Fell Swoop charging down the outside

Flamberge parades after winning the Oakleigh Plate

After collecting my winnings on Heatherly and Fell Swoop for a small profit, I headed for the station and home.

The afternoon at Caulfield sped by very fast even though the interval between races was back to its usual 40 minutes. 

Thank goodness MRC have finally come to their senses and not run the feature event as the second last last race on the card.

I did get to watch the Chipping Norton Stakes on the big screen while waiting for the Blue Diamond Stakes to start. Winx enhanced her claims to being the best horse in Australia with an easy win from Dibayani and Hauraki.

Next Saturday the action is at Flemington for the Group 1 Australian Guineas meeting, whilst Randwick hosts the rival Randwick Guineas and the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes.

Here in Melbourne we at least get the first chance to see star New Zealand colt Xtravagant in the flesh.