Charity Race Day at Caulfield

Magnapal – heading to the gates prior to winning the feature race

I couldn’t be bothered previewing the races last week, but I did attend the race meeting at Caulfield on Saturday, and enjoyed the outing despite it being a fairly low key event.

It was worth it to go along and see my old favourite, Apache Cat, present as the special guest from Living Legends. They’d set him up in the Kid Zone – well sheltered from the ankle biters in an enclosure adjacent to it.

He loves his photo being taken and posed beautifully for the above shot and didn’t mind a pat either.

The charity day mentioned in the title of this post refers to the cost of entry to the course, where 80% of it would go to a charity of one’s own choice, which could be selected from at list at the ticket booth.

I took my time getting to Caulfield as the more interesting races were on later in the afternoon, so I arrived around 1.45pm, in time to see Race 4, the Bendigo Bank East Malvern Handicap, for mares over 1400 metres.

A dreary old man who seems to haunt the races – I see him practically every time I attend any race meeting – was ear bashing one of my photographer friends  as I joined her at the fence.  One thing in the old codger’s favour was that he’d picked the winner, KayJay’s Joy as one of his five bets and she earned him $9.50 for the win.  She beat home Danestroem and Mossbeat.

KayJay’s Joy on her way to the barriers

Race 4 down the straight – KayJay’s Joy is about to overtake Danestroem

Killing time to the next race, I went off to the stalls area to see who had arrived -  not many of the feature race contenders.

Race 5, the MRC Foundation Plate looked mildly  interesting as it had several  Guineas bound fillies in the field, such as Giulietta and Don’t Doubt Mama.  The latter ended up winning, with Sacred Eye running second and Thames Court taking third.

Race 5 down the straight to the finish line

In between the Melbourne races, I did manage to watch the action at Randwick on screens around Caulfield. I noted with interest that Rebel Dane, who has always promised much, yet failed to deliver, finally won.  He has had a throat operation since his last race appearance in autumn, which appears to have done the trick as far as his performance on the track is concerned.

The Canberra wonder horse Fell Swoop was running in Race 6, the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes, so I decided to test my luck on the punt and have a bet on him. He started favourite at odds of $2.50, though I managed to get $2.70 from the Bookies.

Fell Swoop showed great tenacity to win the race, so I was glad I hadn’t jinxed him with my bet.  Charlie Boy ran second and Java third.

Fell Swoop on his way to the starting gates – note the blinkers & ear muffs, which are taken off at the barriers.

Java

Charlie Boy

Race 6 down the straight – Fell Swoop is about to overtake Charlie Boy with Java on the outside in blue silks

Race 7 was the Group 3 William Hill Sprint Series Heat 2 Stakes, for mares run over 1200 metres.  I decided to have a small bet on Wawail who had great first up  form, having never been beaten when fresh. Alas she was hampered from running in the straight with a wall of horses blocking her progress and finished second last. Politeness and Griante stormed down the outside to run the first two places with Jessy Belle running third.

Wawail on her way to the barriers

The feature race of the day was up next, the Group 3 Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup, formerly known as the  Naturalism Stakes. It is a race over 2000 metres and the winner qualifies for the Caulfield Cup.

A good field of 16 starters were contesting it. The United States who was narrowly beaten by his stable mate Chance To Dance at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago, was the favourite.  I thought that with his light weight he was pretty much a certainty, but as is the fickle hand of fate as far as horse racing goes, he was beaten by the narrowest of margins by Magnapal, whose form I had totally overlooked. Genuine Lad finished third.

Magnapal   rugged after winning the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes

The United States

La Amistad – Makybe Diva’s little sister

Hawkspur

Race 8 down the straight – Magnapal & The United States go head to head to the finish line.

I called it quits after the Naturalism Stakes and headed home after collecting my place winnings on The United States.

Though it wasn’t as exciting as the previous two meetings I’ve attended, it was enjoyable being out in the Saturday sunshine of early Spring and watching  beautiful equine athletes in action.

The feature race at Randwick, the Group 1 George Main Stakes resulted in a win for Kermadec with the ever dependable, but unlucky, Royal Descent running second. The Gai Waterhouse trained Pornichet finished third.

Next weekend the racing action is again at Caulfield and features two Group 1 races – the Underwood Stakes and Rupert Clarke Stakes, as well as two interesting Guineas Preludes for three year olds.

The Aftermath–The Derby & Melbourne Cup

Victoria Derby winner Preferment returns to scale

Weatherwise, no two days could have been less alike.

On Derby Day it was cold and windy with occasional showers, and on Cup Day it was hot and sunny in the main.

One good thing about the weather on Derby Day was that it discouraged the party crowd from filling the public lawn with their blankets, and even reduced crowd numbers from the year before.

So Derby Day was that much more enjoyable, with getting a drink, finding a good spot to watch the races, or placing a bet, being easy.

I arrived fairly early at Flemington racecourse, in plenty of time to watch the first Group 1 race, it being the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

It was won by the very handsome Brazen Beau, from outsider Delectation with Kuro running third. The favourite Rich Enuff must have had enough after his gruelling battle with Shooting To Win in the Caulfield Guineas, as he finished well back in 7th place. And Earthquake and Rubick wore themselves out with a speed competition on the inside and also finished well back.

Brazen Beau returns to scale after winning the Coolmore Stud Stakes

Next up was the Lexus Stakes where Signoff earned himself a place in the Melbourne Cup field, beating home Big Memory and La Amistad.

Signoff returns to scale after winning the Lexus Stakes

The second of the Group 1 races the Mackinnon Stakes followed 40 minutes later and Happy Trails finally got his day of glory for this spring with the narrowest of victories over He’s Your Man.  English horse Farraaj ran third.

Happy Trails leads the field back to scale after being declared the winner of the Mackinnon Stakes.

The Derby as usual resulted in the favourite being nowhere in the finish. Hampton Court obviously didn’t have the staying power to run the distance and finished eighth.  Chris Waller won yet another Group 1 race with his runner Preferment, who certainly could run the distance, beating home Bondeiger and Nozomi by a short margin.

Preferment in the winner’s rug posing for the cameras.

By this time it was about 4.00pm and there were still two races to go. the final Group 1, the Myer Classic and the tab.com.au Stakes.

My money was on Sweet Idea in the Myer Classic, but she was beaten into second place by longshot, but talented, mare Bonaria, who appreciated the sting out of the ground (due to the rain). Catkins, reliable as always, ran third.

Catkins on her way to the track

Sweet Idea leaving the mounting yard for the track

Bonaria returns to scale after winning the Myer Classic

The last race on the program was worth staying for to witness up and coming, unbeaten sprinter, Deep Field, win his 5th race in succession.

I took a number of photos of him…

Deep Field in his stall earlier in the afternoon

Deep Field in the mounting yard

Deep Field returns to scale after winning the tab.com.au Stakes

Deep Field won by a length from Driefontein and In Cahoots

The Melbourne Cup

As previously mentioned Melbourne Cup day was hot and sunny, so the annual race goers were out in force at Flemington yesterday. I made it to the course, on a mostly empty train at about 2.00 pm, one hour before the big event. I therefore had plenty of time to make my way through the hordes of partying patrons, spread out all over the grass, to my usual possie on the fence next to the path where the horses leave the mounting yard. As there are sliding  gates there one can just stand around and get front fence positioning when the gates are closed.

Once in position I stayed put and luckily arrived at the right moment, as the security guys closed the gates shortly afterwards, and kept them closed until after the Melbourne Cup was run.

There wasn’t long to wait for the main event, and in the meanwhile you were entertained by the pre-race pomp and circumstance, such as the ceremonial handing over of the 2014 Gold Cup by last year’s winning trainer, i.e Gai Waterhouse. She paused just in front of me on her way to the mounting yard and saluted the crowd with said Cup.

Then there was a choir who sang Heroes Live Forever, then the National Anthem.

It’s rather ironic that the first song can’t apply to Admire Rakti and Araldo who tragically lost their lives yesterday, casting a sombre light over the day, though no doubt memories of their sad passing will linger for many years.

I am therefore glad that I managed to photograph both of them as they made their way to track.  Admire Rakti, other than being agitated by the crowds and noise, gives no indication that he is suffering a heart condition. How would you know anyway?

Rest In Peace Admire Rakti

Rest In Peace Araldo

As mentioned before the place was packed, but I must admit it did add to the atmosphere of excited expectation as the horses paraded in the mounting yard, then made their way to the track.

Mounting Yard gate

The crowd opposite where I was standing

The winner Protectionist on his way to the track

Ever the bridesmaid, never the bride – Red Cadeaux returns to scale after the race.

Protectionist returns to scale after his victory in the Melbourne Cup

Having not attended the Melbourne Cup for 43 years, it was quite a change being there in person rather than watching the race on TV.  I didn’t find out about Admire Rakti’s death until I got home, so left the course in good spirits after the Melbourne Cup and waited for the next train on a crowded platform.

Would I attend it again? Quite possibly, now that I know the worst about the crowds. Actually I didn’t witness any loutish behaviour while I was there, and the people standing near me on the fence were all pleasant and friendly.

I didn’t even attempt to place a place a bet at Flemington, but used my online betting account with Sportsbet to have each way bets on Admire Rakti, Fawkner, Lucia Valentina and Who Shot Thebarman.  Fortunately Who Shot Thebarman ran third and paid a reasonable dividend for the place, so I got back half of what I had expended on the race.

I could have written at greater length on my day at the Derby and Melbourne Cup, but time constraints have forced me to keep it short.

As I type, I have only an hour or two to have dinner and get to Rod Laver Arena for the Rolling Stones concert.

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.

Spotlight on the Spring Racing Carnival–Super Saturday

Puissance de Lune – Makybe Diva Stakes day 13/9/14

With the AFL season over, Melbourne’s sporting focus shifts to the Spring racing carnival as the build up to the big event on the first Tuesday in November gathers pace.

This Saturday Flemington hosts the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes on its hallowed turf along with an interesting card of support races.

In Sydney at Randwick, they have their Spring racing carnival all happening on one day, with three Group 1 races – the Epsom Handicap, Flight Stakes and The Metropolitan to run this Saturday.

Tomorrow is expected to be fine and sunny, so I’ll be off at the races again to take in the sights and sound of first class racing.

I hope to arrive at Flemington in time to witness Race 3, the Group 3 Bart Cummings, a race for stayers over 2520 metres. Last year it was won by Sea Moon, but he lost out on a protest to Araldo. He’ll be kicking off his spring cups campaign in this race again.  Up against him is the Chris Waller trained Who Shot Thebarman who won his first start at Flemington a few weeks ago and appears the top contender. Also in with a chance are Ibicenco, Ethiopia and Marksmanship.

The next race of interest on the program is Race 5 , the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes run over 1200 metres. Chautauqua is the top pick after he comfortably won the Bobby Lewis Quality at Flemington at his last start, beating Temple of Boom, who is obviously the next best. The Moody trained Il Cavallo, Gai Waterhouse trained Longma and New Zealand mare Bounding all have a chance as well.

Another Group 2 race, the Edward Manifold Stakes for fillies run over 1600 metres looks to be a worth watching. With top filly Thinking Of You scratched from the field to run in the Flight Stakes in Sydney, the race is wide open and up for grabs to smart fillies like Veuvelicious, Fontein Ruby, Pittsburgh Flyer, Golconda and Maastricht.

Race 7 is the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000 metres) and has attracted a full field of 16 runners, plus emergencies. Last year’s win ner was the reliable and generally overlooked Happy Trails who pipped Puissance de Lune at the post. Both of these horses are in it again along with regulars Green Moon, Super Cool, Hawkspur and Silent Achiever. The current  favourite is Lucia Valentina, but she is currently under an injury cloud so may not start.  It’s a difficult race to assess as quite a few of the contestants have the form and ability to win. I’m hoping Super Cool can take the prize. His trainer Mark Kavanagh intimated as much to me when I briefly spoke to him at Caulfield the last time I was there, and had the opportunity to ask about Super Cool’s chances in the Underwood Stakes.

I will probably linger at the course for Race 8, the Blazer Stakes, another Group 2 race, this time for mares, run over 1400 metres. Bonaria, Politeness, May’s Dream and Suavito are the top chances.

On to the Group 1 races at Randwick..

The first of these to run is the Epsom Stakes (1600 metres).  Top miler Boban has been disappointing so far this Spring, but he may appreciate being back at the scene of his victory in this race last year, so I’m not giving up on him yet.  His stable mates Royal Descent and He’s Your Man are  his top rivals, along with Toydini and Laser Hawk. It’s another hard race to pick the winner.

A small field of 7 fillies will contest the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600 metres) and include Winx, First Seal and Thinking Of You as the top three chances. This race has been won by top class fillies like More Joyous, Samantha Miss, Sunline and Guelph to name a few, so which filly will add her name to the winners list? Beats me.

The Metropolitan is a Group 1 race for stayers run over 2400 metres. It’s another conundrum of a race with a large field of 16 contenders. I rather fancy La Amistad in this as it’s up to her favoured distance.  For some reason Spillway is the favourite though I can’t work out why, as at his recent starts he hasn’t been all that eye catching.  Junoob won his start in the Group 2 Hill Stakes, narrowly beating Criterion and Bagman, so has to have chance of scoring again. Kingdoms, a High Chaparral boy also has the credentials to win.

The tracks at both Flemington and Randwick will be in good shape, so wet form need not be considered this time for either meeting.

I’m also keenly looking forward to Sky Racing’s Star Stable competition, which starts this weekend. I’ve picked my stable and many of my selections are racing tomorrow, so I’ll be interested to see how they fare.

The Thrills Continue–Racing at Caulfield & Randwick

Silent Achiever in the mounting yard at Caulfield – Memsie Stakes Day

Caulfield is offering free entry on Saturday for the Underwood Stakes meeting, so naturally I’ll sally along to take in the atmosphere of first class racing once more . And hopefully Melbourne’s weather will play nice, after this past week brought a return to winter chill.

The feature event is the aforementioned Group 1 Underwood Stakes, run over 1800 metres. Last year Atlantic Jewel and It’s A Dundeel fought out an exciting finish down the straight with It’s A Dundeel the victor by the narrowest of margins.

This year’s edition has a pretty good field as you’d expect in a Group 1 contest.  The top contenders are Silent Achiever who in my opinion is the top pick, Foreteller who always runs an honest race, Happy Trails ditto, and Star Rolling who won the PB Lawrence Stakes at  Caulfield in August. Of course I’d love old fave Super Cool, who is backing up in this race after running last week, to show some of the form that won him the Australian Cup – his last win in fact.  Lidari and The Offer also have a chance.

The support card is mildly interesting though not top class. A few of the horses I follow are engaged in a few a them.

The Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000 metres) is one for stayers hoping to win a place in the Caulfield Cup.  Top pick is the Chris Waller trained Our Voodoo Prince. His name is a clever interpretation of his breeding (out of Kingmambo x Ouija Board). Spillway has had two runs so far in his Spring campaign, running second to Star Rolling in the PB Lawrence Stakes and fourth in last week’s Makybe Diva Stakes, so he is one of the top chances and must win this to have a hope of running in the Caulfield Cup.  Bonfire has claims with close seconds in his only two runs this spring in Sydney. The most interesting runner is Zanbagh who ran second to Rising Romance in the Sydney Oaks. And when will Let’s Make Adeal make some headway? She has generally been disappointing of late.

The Group 3 Sportingbet Sprint Series Heat 2 Stakes (1200 metres) is run after the feature race, and looks to have attracted a really good field of smart mares. Samaready makes a welcome return to racing in this event and is the class act if she is back to her best.  It’s good to see She’s Archie’s daughter May’s Dream back on the track again. This race is too short for her, so she is not expected to win. She won the South Australian Oaks at her last start in April. Also in the field is Spirits Dance who in Autumn built up  four wins on the gallop and shouldn’t be dismissed, A Time For Julia who ran a close second to Gregers in the Cockram Stakes and Shamal Wind who has a good record first up and can fly like the proverbial over the distance. Throw in Jessie Belle and Girl Guide as place chances.

The final race on the program at Caulfield is the Le Pine Funerals Handicap and is of interest only because Cauthen is in the field. He was thrown in at the deep end at his last start in the McEwen Stakes and finished sixth. I had a look at him on that day and he has grown into an impressive looking young horse.  With his light weight and the services of top jockey Tommy Berry he may show the form that had him beating Long John and Shamus Award back in Spring last year.

In Sydney the racing card at Randwick is much better.  The Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600 metres) is the feature race of the day and has almost the same field that contested the Chelmsford Stakes on
6 September, with a few variations. Anyway you’ve got Hawkspur who won the aforementioned race by a nostril from Royal Descent who is also in the field along with Sacred Falls who ran fourth. He will appreciate the good track that is finally likely for Randwick on Saturday and is a top contender over the distance. Perhaps Lucia Valentina can repeat her incredible win in the Tramway Stakes if that effort didn’t overtax her, and maybe the spruiked sole three year old Panzer Division can give all the older horses a galloping lesson.  Also New Zealand mare Rising Romance, who won the Sydney Oaks is sure to feature somewhere.

Earthquake will be out to redeem her reputation in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400 metres). It’s obvious she is not suited to heavy tracks after her defeat at her last start in the Furious Stakes where she ran third. The winner on that occasion was Winx who will be aiming to keep her perfect unbeaten record intact in the Tea Rose.  Also in the picture are Peggy Jean and Alpha Miss.

The other interesting Group 2 race at Randwick is the Hill Stakes run over 2000 metres. After two horses were scratched, a field of six will compete for the honours. These include La Amistad, Criterion, Bagman and Moriarty. I’ll be torn between barracking for La Amistad and Criterion.

All in all it looks to be a good day of racing, and so you would expect as the spring racing season progresses.  It’s less than month to the running of the first of the big Cups – the Caulfield Cup – so my Saturday afternoons are taken care of for the next month or so.

Shining Jewel & other highlights at Flemington, not to mention a Royal Birth…

Dissident returns to scale after winning the Makybe Diva Stakes

It promised to be a great day of racing action at Flemington last Saturday and it didn’t disappoint. The sterling race card delivered in spades a series of sensational races. Commanding Jewel took out the the Let’s Elope Stakes for the second year in succession, and Dissident signalled that he was a serious Spring contender winning the Makybe Diva Stakes.

I was obliged to arrive at the track earlier than I would have liked due to the Flemington train schedule, where the final train heading to the track left Flinders Street at 12.50 pm. I caught the one before as the train from my home station didn’t really sync with the later train going to Flemington.

So I arrived at Flemington just after the first race on the program, and as is my wont I headed directly to the stalls area to see which horsey stars had already arrived.

The Living Legends were there, so I dropped by to say hello to Apache Cat and Paris Lane.

Apache Cat in his stall munching on straw

Paris Lane in his stall

In case you don’t remember, Paris Lane won the 1994 Caulfield Cup and MacKinnon Stakes and ran second in the Melbourne Cup the same year, so he’s getting on in years these days – 24 years old in fact. There is a precinct at Flemington Racecourse named after him.

Also out and about was the promising colt Divan, and a very attractive young fellow he is. Alas, his run in the Living Legends Stakes was very disappointing where he finished at the tail of the field.

Divan in the walking ring

Commanding Jewel was being walked in the ring at the same time and I managed to get some lovely head shots of her with her strapper.

Commanding Jewel in the walking ring early in the afternoon

Race 2 the Sofitel Girls’ Day Out 2000 was in progress as I made way back to the public lawn. A race over 2000 metres it had a good field of stayers trying their luck at the big track.

Who Shot Thebarman was the winner, beating Jacquinot Bay by 2½ lengths with Prizum taking third spot. Who Shot Thebarman is part of Chris Waller’s stable and won the Group 1 Auckland Cup earlier this year.

Who Shot Thebarman returns to scale after winning the Sofitel Girls’ Day Out 2000

More stayers were engaged in the next race, the Spring Is The Season Handicap which is run over 1700 metres. Top weight Brambles was the victor, his first win since he won the Queensland Derby in June 2012. He fought off a determined effort by Big Memory to win by a narrow margin, with Signoff a further 2½ lengths away in third place.

Brambles returns to scale after winning the Spring Is The Season Handicap

The next four races were the ones that in which I was most interested.

The first of these was the Listed Living Legends Stakes, so I found a possie next to the mounting yard to get photos of the contestants as they paraded or went to the track.

.
Chivalry

Divan

Silent Whisper

The race was won by Merion who managed to overtake Chivalry at the post with Zebulon running third.

Merion returns to scale after winning the Living Legends Stakes

The first of the Group races and a real gem of a competition, the Group Two Let’s Elope Stakes  was next up.  Commanding Jewel, who was forced to race three wide for most of the race, took the lead in the straight and managed to hold off a fast finishing Dear Demi to win by a short margin. Nautical finished third.

Dear Demi returns to scale

Commanding Jewel returns to scale after winning the Let’s Elope Stakes for a second time

Back in the stalls area more horses had arrived, including old favourite Super Cool.  I always try and get a photo of him whenever he is racing, and am pleased with this one with Jade his strapper who as ever obliges me by posing with him.

Super Cool & Jade

Meanwhile back in the mounting yard the Living Legends were parading…

Paris Lane & Apache Cat parading in the mounting yard

…and the Danehill Stakes contenders joined them shortly afterwards.

Rich Enuff – the winner

Looks Like The Cat – ran second

Brazen Beau – started favourite but was unplaced – a stunning looking colt

Ghibellines – ran third

Sole filly Go Indy Go – unplaced

Being a 1200 metre race it was a dash down the long straight with Rich Enuff prevailing over Looks Like The Cat with Ghibellines three lengths or so behind them scoring third place. Rich Enuff was  having only the third start in his career, but it was his second win in succession. Looks Like The Cat so named owing to the big white blaze on his face similar to Apache Cat, narrowly missed winning and is one to watch in the future.

Rich Enuff returns to scale after winning the Group 2 Danehill Stakes

Despite arriving at Flemington early, the afternoon passed in a flash. It was a brilliant sunny day, so a pleasure to be outside. I was not feeling particularly lucky, so hardly had a bet at all, not wishing to put the kiss of death on my fancies.

In between the Flemington races I  did manage to watch a few of the Sydney races and was pleased to see Catkins romp in by several lengths in the Sheraco Stakes, though La Amistad was disappointing. I watched a replay of the Golden Rose when I got home as I left Flemington before it was it run. Hallowed Crown gave the fairly new partnership of Bart Cummings and his grandson James their first Group 1.

Soon enough it was time for the feature race the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes. I was tossing up between putting my money on Dissident or Boban and settled for the latter as his odds were slightly better.

I watched the parade in the mounting yard and snapped pictures of the main contenders as they filed out to the track.

Boban – unlucky 5th

Fawkner – an eye catching second

Puissance de Lune – third again

Super Cool – a much improved 8th

Dissident raced up on the speed this time and took the lead in the straight, holding on to win his second consecutive Group 1 from a fast finishing Fawkner. Puissance de Lune did well to come third.

Dissident rugged after winning the Makybe Diva Stakes

I didn’t stay long after the main event as I had to get home to feed the cats before heading out again to dine at a friend’s place.

It was an very enjoyable day at the races even if my only two wagers were unsuccessful. I’m not there to gamble anyway. I just love looking at the horses and following the racing action. It’s endlessly fascinating to this dedicated racing fan.

And of course the big racing news over the weekend was the birth of Black Caviar’s foal, a lovely little filly. There are pictures all over the web of the proud mother and babe, and of course her website has a good selection.

Next weekend Caulfield Racecourse is hosting a free entry race meeting which features the Group 1 Underwood Stakes.  And in Sydney at Randwick the Group 1 George Main Stakes is the feature event of another interesting race meet.