Welcome Back Little Rascals–Easter Racing

Petits Filous at Flemington 15/9/15

Even though it’s Easter, there is plenty of racing action this weekend, at Moonee Valley Thursday night, and at Caulfield and Rosehill on Saturday.

The feature race at Moonee Valley is the Group 1 William Reid Stakes, where a good field of 12 sprinters will be vieing for the prize. Top chances are Lucky Hussler who won the race last year, Holler who took out the Australia Stakes earlier this year at Moonee Valley over the same distance, and Japonisme who ran third in the Lightning Stakes and won the Coolmore Classic last spring.  And you really can’t overlook recent Group 1 sprint winners Flamberge and The Quarterback, though they have no form at Moonee Valley.

I don’t intend to go to the Moonee Valley meeting, but I’m looking forward to heading out to Caulfield on Saturday for their Easter Cup meeting, ostensibly to see Petits Filous in race 4.

She has not graced a racetrack since running unsuccessfully in the Moir Stakes last spring, after previously winning her first four starts by impressive margins.

As race 4 , the Jack Elliott Handicap (1100 metres), is as the race title says, a handicap, she has been weighted according to her rating, at an  imposte of 60kg giving her rivals a big weight advantage. Her opposition however is fairly weak, so she will possibly win.

I’m also keen to get a look at the sole offspring of the late Typhoon Tracy, who is entered in the last race at Caulfield on Saturday. A colt by Street Cry named Last Typhoon, he has raced seven times for two wins on rural tracks. This is his first race in the big smoke, so who knows how he will fare.  His mum was a great favourite of mine, so I hope he can do her proud.

The Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes and The BMW are the feature races at Rosehill on Saturday, so I’ll hopefully get to watch them at Caulfield.

Jameka is the top pick in the Vinery Stud Stakes, a race for three year old staying fillies over 2000 metres. She appears to be a class above her rivals, though Risque and Stay With Me may give her a run for the money. Others with a chance are NZ fillies Capella and Valley Girl.

The BMW is run over 2400 metres, so a field of 10 tried and true stayers will be contesting it. Preferment looks to be the one to beat, but trying hard will be Mongolian Khan, at his favourite distance, Arab Dawn an attractive British import, Who Shot Thebarman, Rising Romance and three year old Montaigne.

Heady Brew–Australian Guineas Review

Palentino, hot & sweaty in the mounting yard after winning the 2016 Australian Guineas

We woke to an overcast sticky morning in Melbourne on Saturday and those conditiions prevailed for the rest of the day.

That suited me fine, as the lighting for photography was excellent -  not too bright or too dark.

I arrived at Flemington Racecourse earlier than anticipated, in time to watch  Race 2, the Listed  3AW News Talk Sport Stakes, a race over 1000 metres for two year olds.

It ended up with Selenia winning from Alter Call and Creativity.

Selenia returns to scale after winning Race 2

The Flemington roses were rampantly in bloom, particularly in the stalls area, where rose hedges surround the bird cage walking ring and the stalls. The bushes were so high that it was difficult to get clear shots of horses in their stalls and many a photographer looked as if they had been playing with feisty kittens after being in the area.

Living Legend Brew was the first horse I came across as I entered the lower stalls area and his kindly attendants brought him out for a pat. What a thrill!

Brew outside his stall

He’s a big boy, but gentle and friendly and I was delighted to meet him. I still recall vividly his Melbourne Cup victory in 2000 . That year my astrological analysis of the field led me to decide that a strong Cancerian influence was the main aspect of the day.  Brew’s name, signifying domestic duties, was spot on for Cancer.  It also helped that he had the breeding of a Melbourne Cup winner – Sir Tristram from Horlicks -  a blue blood indeed.

He started from Gate 24, and his saddle cloth number was 24 as well which made him a light weight chance. A very young Kieran McEvoy was his jockey.

Brew, sporting a yellow rose in his bridle

Whilst in the area I cruised through to see which Guineas contenders had already arrived.

The Darren Weir contingent were in Stalls 12 to 22, though not necessarily in the same stalls allocated in the race book.


Mahuta

Palentino

Perfect Reflection

Along with the three year olds, former Western Australian mare Real Love was there as well. She was favourite for Roy Higgins Quality scheduled as Race 4.

Real Love

Back track side, Race 3 was about to start, so I made my way to the prime spot just past the winning post to get action shots of the finish and the field returning to scale.

The Mrs Mac’s Bakery Sprint, for fillies and mares, is run over 1100 metres, and last start winner Estaminet started as favourite, but failed to fire, finishing well back in the field.  New Zealand filly Miss Seton Sands, having her first start in Australia, narrowly won over Exclusive Lass and Hijack Hussy.

Race 3 finish – please note camera angle looks as if Exclusive Lass is the winner.

Estaminet returns to scale

Miss Seton Sands returns to scale

Exclusive Lass returns to scale

Hijack Hussy returns to scale

The stalls area at Flemington is in two sections, the front stalls being easily accessible from just outside Carbine’s stall, but you have to walk down Crabapple Lane to access the back section.

More Guineas contenders were stabled there, including hyped New Zealand colt Xtravagant, who had quite a crowd of interested spectators outside his stall.

Xtravagant in his stall

Close by was Tarzino along with the other Mick Price runners, whom I failed to get photos of, or couldn’t identify.

Tarzino in his stall

Vanbrugh

Bon Aurum – very pretty

Jameka in her stall

Back  in the front stalls was Divan who was entered in the last race on the program, which I didn’t stay to watch.

He was being rather naughty in his stall, pawing the ground and tossing his head around, which I remarked to his strapper, who said that at home he was a lamb, but he got excited coming to the races.

Blue blood Divan – a handsome fellow

Back trackside the Roy Higgins Quality was the next race to run, and Real Love was the warm favourite.

She didn’t disappoint, finally winning her first race in the East after running a place in her last two starts.

Real Love wins the Roy Higgins Quality from Dandy Gent – Black Jag ran third three lengths behind.

Real Love returns to scale

After tramping back and forth from the stalls to the upper public lawn several times I felt like a break, so went a bought a drink and watched the Canterbury Stakes from Sydney on the big screen.  Holler, who was underestimated in the betting, won from First Seal with Kermadec running third.

The earlier Todman Stakes resulted in a boilover as well, when the Gai Watherhouse trained Kiss and Make Up rolled the highly touted short priced favourite, Capitalist.

Brew was parading around the mounting yard as I waited for the Canterbury Stakes to screen and grazing on the centre lawn whilst the Living Legends chief vet posed for photos with him.

Brew in the mounting yard

Only two more races were scheduled before the feature, and they were only of interest in helping the time pass.

There wasn’t much of a crowd, certainly not a spring racing levels, and the kids were kept well out of the way in the Kids’ Zone and entertained in various ways. I saw Peanuts characters wandering around and posing for photos.

Charlie & Lucy

Snoopy posing for photos outside the Phar Lap Club (Kids’ Zone)

Race 5 was the Group 3 TAB Rewards Stakes an open handicap over 1400 metres. It resulted in Red Bomber beating Burning Front and Puccini. It was Red Bomber’s first win in a year.

Race 5 finish – Red Bomber on the outside beats Burning Front (orange silks) and Puccini (inside)

Red Bomber on his way to the barriers

Burning Front on his way to the barriers

Puccini on his way to the barriers

In Race 6, the ATA/Bob Hoysted Handicap, race favourite Malaguerra romped in by almost two lengths from Grane and Thermal Current.

Malaguerra wins the ATA/ Bob Hoysted Handicap

Malaguerra returns to scale

Grane returns to scale

Thermal Current returns to scale

The Randwick Guineas was scheduled to run 15 minutes before the Australian Guineas, so I wandered back towards the mounting yard to get a better view of the big screen to watch it.  Le Romain caused an upset, beating  hot favourite Press Statement, who was blocked for a run and couldn’t catch him in the straight.  Rank outsider Gold Ambition ran third.

A similar scenario occured in the Australian Guineas where Xtravagant was the hot favourite, but failed to run a place. He burst from the gates at lightning speed and led for most of the race. He was overtaken in the straight by a mass of horses and Palentino pushed through at the last minute to win from Tarzino and the filly Risque.

As happened when he won, then lost, the CS Hayes Stakes, there was a protest against him from second place, Tarzino’s jockey, alleging interference, but this time the protest was dismissed. A collective groan rose up when the protest siren was sounded – not again!

Australian Guineas finish

Palentino returns to scale

Tarzino on his way to the barriers

Xtravagant on his way to the barriers

Xtravagant has returned to New Zealand, his colours lowered considerably. 

Flemington roses – a plethora of brilliant colour all along the straight

I went home after the Guineas, not staying for the Frances Tressady Stakes or the Antler Luggage Trophy, where Divan ran second again to runaway long shot Tom Melbourne.

It’s back to Flemington next Saturday for Super Saturday which features the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap and the Group 1 Australian Cup, always a fabulous day of racing with  a quality support card.

The final Group 1 of the Melbourne Autumn racing carnival is the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley on 25 March, which I may attend, even though it’s a night meeting.

Back On Track– Group One Racing Returns

Turn Me Loose at Flemington – Emirates Stakes Day

You can tell that first class racing has returned, with quite a few of the Spring stars resuming this coming Saturday.

The Group 1 Orr Stakes at Caulfield has a classy field that contains fourteen Group 1 winners all vieing for the prize.

In Sydney at Randwick, Cox Plate heroine Winx kicks off her autumn campaign in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes.

The main action of the day is at Caulfield with an excellent support card of Group 2 and Group 3 races, that include the two Blue Diamond Preludes – one for fillies, and one for colts and geldings.

The Orr Stakes (1400 metres) is a real brain teaser with all of the 18 strong field having a chance, but personally I’m pleased to see New Zealand stallion Turn Me Loose return to the fray. He greatly impressed all and sundry in the Spring with three consecutive wins, the last being the Group 1 Emirates Stakes.  His record first up however is iffy, so he may need a run.

*Hucklebuck, Mourinho, Rebel Dane, Trust In A Gust all contested the Group 2 Australia Stakes and were beaten by the three year old Holler. However, they were only beaten by a short margin over a shorter distance and do have a run to their advantage.

Boban has won first up, as has old trooper Fawkner, so neither can be dismissed out of hand, nor can the two other Darren Weir runners Lucky Hussler and Stratum Star.

There are three Group 1 winning mares in the race – Rising Romance, Suavito and Fenway, one of whom could one-up the boys.

I intend to get to Caulfield in time to watch Race 2, the Group 2 Kevin Hayes Stakes, for three year old fillies run over 1200 metres, so I can get a look at star New Zealand filly Risque, now being trained by David Hayes & Tom Dabernig. She won the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas at her last start.  Her opposition doesn’t look all that threatening, The Big Dance. Calaverte and Mossin’ Around being the best of the rest.

The fillies Blue Diamond Prelude is scheduled as Race 3 and has attracted an interesting field of two year old fillies, most with a win under their belt. Sword of Light who won the Blue Diamond Preview on Australia Day is probably the top pick, though Zamzam could be up to the challenge, considering that she won her first race by two lengths, as could BD Preview placegetters Emphatically and Dream First. I’m interested in the Gai Waterhouse filly Thyme For Roses who is the daughter of Augusta Proud, a classy filly I followed some years ago.

Cohesion who comprehensively won the colts Blue Diamond Preview is the leading contender in the boys Blue Diamond Prelude. Others with a chance are Sydney colts Defcon and Star Turn, and local boys Weatherly, Capannello and El Venetian who all contested the Blue Diamond Preview with moderate success.

As Racng Victoria is testing a shortened interval between races, i.e. 30 minute intervals, it won’t be such a long afternoon as in past years so the racing program will whizz by in a flash.

Before the Orr Stakes there are two other quality races, the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100 metres) where dual Group 1 winner Politeness will be starting her autumn racing season up against the highly regarded filly, Heatherly, followed by the Group 2 Autumn Stakes, a race for three year olds over 1400 metres.

Australia Stakes winner Holler is the main contender in the Autumn Stakes, up against some very smart colts, such as Mahuta who has won his last five starts, Victorian Derby winner Tarzino, and Vanbrugh who won the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes. Hawkspur’s little brother Devil Hawk is also in the field, though his form is not inspiring.

The Apollo Stakes at Randwick is scheduled to run five minutes before the Orr Stakes. It will therefore be a challenge to watch both races. Unless they show the Apollo Stakes on the big screen at the racecourse, I’ll have to wait until I get home to watch a replay. The 30 minute interval trial has ignited a brawl between the NSW and Victorian racing bodies due to the difficulties in planned live race coverage on Free To Air and Paid TV, with several races clashing time wise.

Anyway, the Apollo Stakes is a must see simply because Winx is in the field. Solicit is seen as her nearest rival. Though several of Winx stablemates (Who Shot Thebarman and Grand Marshall) are in the field, they are not really suited at the distance (1400 metres).

* Hucklebuck is an unlikely starter after drawing the widest barrier, his trainer being reluctant to force the horse to overexert himself so early in the season.

Holler Victory–Australia Stakes Review

Australia Stakes finish – Holler holds on to win the prize

Saturday dawned wet and gloomy,  but it cleared in the afternoon to a mild and sunny day with light southernly winds. Perfect weather in fact for going to the races.

Taking my time getting to the track, I arrived at Moonee Valley around 2.30pm, in plenty of time to watch race 4, the WT Partnership Handicap, for three year olds run over 2040 metres. Flying Light was the warm favourite, and he didn’t disappoint winning comfortably from O’lonera and Zandarall.

Race 4 – down the straight – Flying Light leads

Killing time until the next race, I wandered out to the stalls area to look at the horses, and following my friend George’s example, decided to take photos of the Australia Stakes field.

Holler – a very attractive looking colt

Hucklebuck – just as pretty as I remember him from Spring 2014

Old trooper Mourinho with his devoted strapper

Rageese – another handsome Godophin colt

Sirbible the Alice Springs contender

Trust In A Gust

It Is Written

For race 5, the Gold Star (1514 metres), I decided to watch the action from the other side of winning post. Burning Front started as favourite and blitzed the rest of the field winning by almost three lengths from Khutulun and Del Prado.

Burning Front streets ahead wins the Gold Star

Burning Front on his way to the starting gates

Khutulun on his way to the barriers

Del Prado on his way to the barriers

There wasn’t much of a crowd at Moonee Valley, which is how I like it, so I enjoyed the few hours I stayed at the course.

Next up was race 6, the Campolina Handicap, another race over 2040 metres for all comers.

Long shot Wales was the winner, beating home race leader Use The Lot with Schockemohl running third.

Race 6 – down the straight – Wales (red silks) overtakes Use The Lot (inside) with Schockemohl (grey) on the outside

Wales returns to scale after winning the Campolina Handicap

The class race of the afternoon was of course the Group 2 Australia Stakes. Rebel Dane was the favourite as expected, but true to form he failed to deliver, only managing to run third.  Smart three year old colt Holler beat his older rivals by a length with Churchill Dancer, Rebel Dane and Hucklebuck finishing in a bunch, less than a head separating them. It will be interesting to see where Holler goes after this.

Holler poses for the press after winning the Australia Stakes

I called it quits after the Australia Stakes and headed home.

It was pleasant being back at Moonee Valley watching the racing action. A nice sweetener for the real Autumn racing carnival, set to kick off in three weeks with the first Group 1 race of the season on 13 February at Caulfield.

Caulfield on Australia Day (tomorrow) beckons with an interesting race card, so I’ll probably attend, getting there early to watch the Arabian horses in action, then staying for the two Blue Diamond Previews.