The Caulfield Cup–The Usual Conundrum

Lucia Valentina – Flemington 4 October 2014

After looking at the race card for this Saturday’s Caulfield Cup meeting, I’m rather regretting that I did not purchase an early bird ticket for the event. Rather than having an uninteresting line up of support races, I’ve noticed that quite a few old favourites, that I have not seen in action this Spring, are racing at Caulfield on Saturday.

For instance, Manawanui, who has not been seen in Melbourne for a year is entered in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes. He ran in this race last year but finished unplaced.  Since then he has had only one run, in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap on 20 September this year, which he won.

Also racing on Saturday is Catkins in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes, and Miracles of Life in the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint.

So it looks almost as good a support card as that on Caulfield Guineas Day. But the thought of having to wait once again for the feature race late in the day dampens my desire to be there. I’ll watch them all on TV for a change.

The main focus of this post is the Group 1 Caulfield Cup. Again, it is a difficult race to analyse with so many factors to collate. A full field will contest the race and it is comprised of a mix of Internationals – Admire Rakti and Bande from Japan, Dandino (has been scratched) and Seismos from England – seasoned imports and locals (including those from New Zealand)

Lucia Valentina is the deserved favourite after her stunning win in the Turnbull Stakes.  There are those who say she is a risk at 2400 metres, after she ran third in the ATC Oaks behind Rising Romance and Zanbagh, but she is bred to run the distance and has the Zabeel factor with her sire being Savabeel, a son of the great Zabeel. The only other runner with the Zabeel factor is Brambles. Last year’s winner Fawkner had it through his sire Reset.

The other locally bred runner who I fancy  is Who Shot Thebarman who is in great form having won his last two races by over two lengths. The only query is that both those wins were on the wide open spaces of Flemington, and he hasn’t actually ever run at Caulfield. He is one of four Chris Waller trained horses entered in the race. The others are Hawkspur, Junoob and Moriarty, the latter two being last start winners in Sydney. Chris Waller has never won the Caulfield Cup, so no doubt will be hoping one of his stable can take it out. He seems to have a great strike rate in Group 1 races, so it’s quite possible he’ll succeed.

Of the Internationals, it wise to be wary of the Japanese runners, after they ran the quinella in the 2006  Melbourne Cup.  With Bande scratched, that leaves Admire Rakti as the sole Japanese representative, and he could easily steal the show as he’s highly regarded in International racing circles.

It would be my ideal finish if Lucia Valentina and the other four year old New Zealand mare Rising Romance could run the quinella.

Truth to tell, anything could win with the field being evenly matched. With known front runner Bande scratched, who knows who will take on that role now. Lloyd Williams’ two Moons (Green Moon & Sea Moon) will race closer to the speed it has been reported. As was seen at Caulfield last Saturday, those on the speed were the most successful.

Update: Saturday Night

Victory for Japan!  Japanese stayer Admire Rakti won the Caulfield Cup, so it appears they are back big time.

The New Zealand mares Rising Romance and Lucia Valentina came second and third –so near yet so far from my ideal finish.

Thanks to a bet on Rising Romance I basically came out evens on the day, no loss no gain.

I watched all the action on TV and even if I thought it would be better being there on the scene, considering the crowds, I was glad I decided not to attend.

Of my watched favourites, it was great to see little Miracles of Life come back a winner, even if she had to share the victory with Bel Sprinter in a dead heat. Catkins ran third in her race, and Manawanui finished fourth in his.

Next week is the Cox Plate, my favourite of the big three races – can’t wait!

And So It Came To Be–Underwood Stakes Day Review

Foreteller on his way to the barriers prior to winning the Underwood Stakes

The undoubted hero of the day at Caulfield on Saturday was Foreteller, who took out the feature race, the Underwood Stakes in fine fashion, thus adding a third Group 1 race to his CV and giving his trainer Chris Waller a two State Group 1 double with Sacred Falls winning the George Main Stakes at Randwick.

As there are nine races on the program in Melbourne throughout Spring, the races are run at 35 minute intervals, so an afternoon at the races passes fairly swiftly. Previously the interval was 40 minutes, which on occasions was a tad too long.

Arriving at the course around 1.40 pm, just after Race 3, I as usual dallied around the stalls area. Not many of the stars had arrived at that point so I headed for the public lawn and mounting yard to view the runners in Race 4, the TMB Printing Handicap, a race over 1400 metres for three year old fillies.  I decided to have a little money on Fontein Ruby who I had witnessed beating the boys at Flemington at her last start. She’s a lovely black filly, but my bet must have put a hoodoo on her chances as she ended up unplaced.

 
Fontein Ruby in the mounting yard

The winner was Thinking Of You from the Peter Moody stable, with favourite Pickin’ Time running second 2½ lengths behind and Pittsburgh Flyer scoring third place.

Thinking Of You on her way to the barriers

My luck was out all day, so I should have given up after that race.

Despite my lack of success on the punt I did manage to take some good photos. As the day was not bright – in fact it was somewhat overcast and chilly –  the light was good for photography.

Back in the stalls area Silent Achiever had arrived, so I took to the opportunity to snap a few head shots.

Silent Achiever in her stall

She was being a bit naughty, chewing on her tether, pawing the straw on the floor of her stall and kicking the back of it.

The Offer was being walked in the walking ring, so I got a photo of him as well.

The Offer in the walking ring

Back in the mounting yard the runners were assembling for the fifth race on the program, the Dalziel Racing Tile Importing Handicap, a race for mares over 1400 metres. I was most interested in seeing Spirit of Heaven, Lights of Heaven’s younger sister.

Spirit of Heaven in the mounting yard

Of course my wager on her ensured she failed to run a place. The race was won by outsider Star Fashion, from favourite Suavito with Nadeem Miss running third.

Race 5 finish down the straight – Bloomingdale Miss leads but Star Fashion (lime & yellow silks, pink cap) is about to overtake her.

There was only one more race to run before the feature, and that was the Naturalism Stakes. For stayers, it is run over 2000 metres, and the winner gets automatic entry into the Caulfield Cup.

I viewed the runners in the mounting yard and on their way to the starting gates.


Let’s Make Adeal in the mounting yard

Spillway in the mounting yard

Bonfire in the mounting yard – finished third

Gris Caro the winner on his way to the barriers

Our Voodoo Prince on his way to the barriers

Entirely Platinum – finished second

Gris Caro raced up with the speed  beside Bonfire through most of the race and beat off a fast finishing Entirely Platinum to win by a nose, with Bonfire a similar short margin holding third. Spillway, who started as favourite, was blocked for a run and finished seventh.

Gris Caro, Entirely Platinum and Bonfire fight out the finish up the straight in the Naturalism Stakes

My money was on Our Voodoo Prince so naturally he came nowhere.

It was not a day for favourites at all, with only the winner of Race 9 gratifying favourites punters.

Next up was the Underwood Stakes so I made sure to stake out a spot on the fence next to the mounting yard.

Foreteller in the mounting yard

The Offer in the mounting yard

Super Cool in the mounting yard

Back on the public lawn at the fence one is given plenty of opportunities to take action shots as the horses leave the mounting yard to go to the barriers…

Happy Trails

Stipulate

Star Rolling

Lidari

Super Cool

Silent Achiever

No mare has won the Underwood Stakes since Tristarc won it way back in 1985, so the odds were against Silent Achiever from the start. Even so she started as favourite, but only managed to run fifth, though only two lengths off the winner.

For a while there watching the race, it looked like 50/1 shot Crackerjack King was going to cause a boilover. It was a very close finish with Foreteller diving through to win from Happy Trails by a nose with Crackerjack King holding on for third a length away.

Underwood Stakes finish  down the straight – Happy Trails, Crackerjack King & Foreteller & Lidari (obscured on the fence)  in a line of four, with Super Cool and Silent Achiever behind.

Foreteller’s win was popular with the crowd. He has a habit of winning Group 1 races every so often. You just have to predict which one it will be. Alas I didn’t have money on him this time, as I favoured the mare, so at least he was spared my kiss of death.

Foreteller in the winners rug after winning the Underwood Stakes.

I stayed for Race 8 as I wanted to photograph Samaready and May’s Dream. I got some lovely shots of Samaready, so it’s lucky that I did. After her failure in the Sportingbet Sprint she has been retired to stud, where she will have an appointment with All Too Hard in due course.

Samaready in the mounting yard

May’s Dream – she’s a small, pretty, lightly built mare

Shamal Wind

Forever Loved

Girl Guide – the winner

Spirits Dance

Refusing to give up after my run of losses, I threw one last dice to bet on Spirits Dance who I thought had as good a chance as any and was at good odds. For a moment I thought she would win, but she was overtaken by Girl Guide, A Time For Julia and Shamal Wind and finished fifth.

Girl Guide is a half sister to Gregers and obviously has some of her talent on the track. She was third favourite, so it wasn’t such a surprise to see her win.

Race 8 finish down the straight – Spirits Dance is leading on the fence with A Time For Julia on her outside. Girl Guide is in hot pursuit in third spot about to overtake.

After that race I called it quits and didn’t stay for the final race of the day. I did however take the opportunity to go check out Cauthen in the stalls to get a photo of him.

The handsome Cauthen in his stall

I enjoy my Saturday afternoon outings to the races. These low key Group 1 race meetings are much more pleasant than the big race days like Derby Day and the Melbourne Cup. They’re not crowded and the atmosphere is friendly and cheerful.

Attending as often as I do, you run into the same people – other keen photographers like Geo Hillis and amateurs like me, as well as regular race enthusiasts who also enjoy an afternoon at the track. So a big hello to Artie if you should chance to visit this blog – look forward to catching up when next I’m at the track. And please feel free to steal my photos for your blog, whatever it is.

The local racing action next weekend is happening on Friday night at Moonee Valley and on Sunday at Caulfield. The AFL Grand Final dominates Melbourne next Saturday, so no major race meetings are scheduled, though Sydney has racing as usual.  The Group 1 Moir Stakes is run at Moonee Valley, and the Group 1 Rupert Clark Stakes features at Caulfield. I’m still deciding if I’ll go to either meeting.

Speaking of the Sydney races, the outcomes from last Saturday saw  an old favourite of mine, Manawanui, win his first race for several years. He’s been plagued by injury problems and returned to racing after a long break on Saturday. It’s good to see  him back in the winners circle.

Earthquake, having her first run over 1400 metres, was beaten again into third place in the Tea Rose Stakes. Outsider First Seal took home the bikkies from Winx.

Junoob beat Criterion in the Hills Stakes, and as previously mentioned Sacred Falls took out the George Main Stakes from stable mate Royal Descent with 60/1 shot Laser Hawk running third.

The Moon & the Stars – The Underwood Stakes

Atlantic Jewel at Moonee Valley

Wow! The excitement is building as the spring racing carnival gathers momentum. Next Saturday Caulfield Race Course features the Group One Underwood Stakes. Run over 1800 metres it has attracted a 5 star field of acceptances, that includes glamour mare Atlantic Jewel aiming for her perfect 10.  Remember what a big deal it was when Black Caviar was gunning for the same number of wins in the 2011 Newmarket Handicap? No doubt if Atlantic Jewel prevails she will well and truly become the ruling star of the turf, if she is not one already.

Caulfield offers free entry on Saturday, so I’ll be there for sure. The feature race is the last on the cards again, but fortunately the most interesting races are towards the end of the day, so I’ll anticipate arriving around 2.00pm, so it won’t be such a long day as the Memsie Stakes meeting.

So, the Underwood Stakes…

My loyalties will be torn again, as along with Atlantic Jewel, other favourites Puissance de Lune and It’s A Dundeel will be contesting the race, making it a truly fascinating competition. Throw in Foreteller who pipped Puissance de Lune in the Makybe Diva Stakes, two more moons in Green Moon and Sea Moon, classy New Zealand mare Silent Achiever and old trooper Manighar and you certainly have a top class race. 

It is Atlantic Jewel’s hardest race yet. She will start as the favourite at short odds. It is rare to see horses of the calibre of Puissance de Lune and It’s A Dundeel at odds of 7/1 and 9/1 respectively, so it would be worth putting an each way wager on both, should Atlantic Jewel fall short of expectations, but I fervently hope that she prevails.

Before the feature event there are a two Group Three races and one Group Two.

The first of the Group 3 races is the Sporting Bet Sprint Series Heat 2 Stakes (1200 metres) for mares, which has a nice field of well performed runners. The Sydney mare Catkins has a good chance in this especially if the track is on the soft side. She ran a close second to Commanding Jewel in the Let’s Elope Stakes a fortnight ago. Her main rivals will be Octavia who has a good record at Caulfield, the Darren Weir trained Lake Sententia who has winning form from the autumn, and A Time For Julia who ran third in the Let’s Elope Stakes and has the Peter Moody/Luke Nolen/Caulfield factor in her favour.

The Group Three Naturalism Stakes (2000 metres) has a full field (16) of stayers hoping to qualify for the Caulfield Cup. The winner of this race is guaranteed a start.  It’s a mix of locally bred stayers and imports, so it’s a hard race to call. On form, Brisbane Cup winner Quintessential looks the top pick, along with recent Heatherlie Handicap winner Ibicenco, and Pakal and Mr O’Ceirin who have run places earlier in the season. Also in with a chance is Let’s Make Adeal who ran fourth in the Makybe Diva Stakes.

A group of talented fillies will be fighting out the Group Two Thousand Guineas Prelude over 1400 metres.  You’ve got Quezette Stakes winner Kiss A Rose, the highly regarded Gregers, The Huntress and last start winners Marianne, Politeness and Miracle to Me.

Another Group One race is featured in Sydney at Randwick. It’s the George Main Stakes run over 1600 metres. It has a top field that includes my old favourite Shoot Out who won this race last year.  He’s now seven years old so is getting on in years, but he loves Randwick and has won on the course four times.  He is however up against some really classy runners, such as Doncaster winner Sacred Falls, Queensland Derby winner Hawkspur and ATC Oaks winner Royal Descent, who are all his younger stable mates trained by Chris Waller. Also in the picture is super smart mare Streama  who could well be in the finish and Golden Rose runner up Dissident, a lightweight chance.

Familiar names have aroused my interest in the outcome of the last race on the cards at Randwick. The Shorts is a sprint over 1100 metres and has good old Hay List on his second run back from an injury enforced break. He didn’t do too badly last start, finishing fifth behind Decision Time in the Concorde Stakes, but I fear his best days are behind him, so don’t really see him winning this.  Also part of the field is Manawanui who hasn’t raced since finishing well back in the Doomben 10,000 in May. He was an extremely promising horse back in his younger days winning the 2011 Golden Rose, but he hasn’t won a race since Cox Plate day 2011.  The top pick in the race is Sessions who will most probably fight out the finish with Decision Time, Hidden Warrior and the interesting, but underrated Aeronautical.

So bring on Saturday, it’s exciting stuff. Hopefully the weather will continue to be pleasant and dry as has been case on each race day so far this spring.

Sydney Autumn Carnival Grand Final

It’s A Dundeel – can he win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes?

The heart pounding excitement of first class racing continues this coming weekend with a total of six Group One races in two states.

The Sydney autumn carnival culminates with the Sydney Cup meeting at Randwick, and Adelaide kicks off its small autumn racing carnival at Morphettville with two Group One races for fillies and mares.

Black Caviar may be gone from the racing scene, but other champion gallopers will be strutting their stuff on Saturday.

For instance, It’s A Dundeel, surely a bright new racing star, will be taking on the older horses for the first time in the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000 metres). He’s up against a field of tried and true stayers/middle distance runners like Manighar , who though disappointing so far this season, could return to form, Silent Achiever, who ran an excellent second to Fiveandahalfstar in the BMW recently, and the Chris Waller trained import Reliable Man. However, I think It’s A Dundeel with his lightweight advantage should win, or at least I hope so, if he repeats his performance in the Derby.

The second of the Group One races at Randwick is the Champagne Stakes, a race for two year olds over 1600 metres.  It has some very classy youngsters, including Guelph who won the Sire Produce Stakes a fortnight ago, and Scandiva who ran second on that occasion. Also in the picture is Criterion who will appreciate the extra distance, after running sixth in the Golden Slipper last start where he was not really suited. The same goes for Fast N Rocking who ran fifth in the Golden Slipper and second to Miracles of Life in the Blue Diamond. I have been following the colt Star Wars, mostly because I like his name but also because of his breeding – Starcraft by Rose O’ War, who were star performers back in their day. Rose O’ War actually beat Sunline once. Anyway, Star Wars hasn’t done anything to write home about so far, but he has been running on heavy or slow tracks most of the time, so the addition of blinkers and a good track may make a difference. Another worthy of consideration is the Gai Waterhouse trained Equator who has won his last two starts in lesser grades.

The Sydney Cup, like the Melbourne Cup is hard to assess, run as it is over 3200 metres. It is hard to go past Kelinni who won the Listed JRA Plate last week and also ran fourth in the Melbourne Cup last year.  There are two sons of Zabeel in the field – Maluckyday who ran second to Americain in the 2010 Melbourne Cup and has been racing well of late, and Tremec who recently won, at long odds, the Group Two Chairman Stakes.  Niwot won the Sydney Cup last year, so we know he can run the distance, though he is getting on in years, but may be able to repeat the feat. The sole mare in the race is Aliyana Tilde who ran third to Tremec and New Zealander Blood Brotha in the Chairman Stakes.

All Too Hard resumes his interrupted autumn campaign in the Group One All Aged Stakes (1400 metres). He was scratched from the Australian Guineas back in March, due to a virus infection but has now recovered after a longish spell. This may be his last race in Australia or anywhere; it depends how he goes in this race. We have the mouth watering prospect of him up against super Sydney mare More Joyous, who has been extremely unlucky so far this season. Also sure to be competitive is Epaulette who ran second to Black Caviar in the T J Smith Stakes and Rain Affair who ran third in the race. It will be interesting to see if All Too Hard can go out a winner like his big sister. He beat Pierro last year in the Caulfield Guineas and Pierro beat More Joyous in the Canterbury Stakes, so he has a really good chance if he handles the Sydney way of going.

The final race on the card at Randwick is the Listed Hall Mark Stakes (1200 metres) which is of interest to me due to the return of Manawanui to the race track. He has been out of action since September last year, when he was banned for three months due to a bleeding attack.  So he’s had a long break. He is running against a full field, many of whom are resuming after spells too. I’d be delighted if he won, but he may need the run. He might be worth a small wager at long odds. Whatever, I’ll be sure to watch the race.

At Morphettville , the first of the Group One events is the Sporting Bet Classic (aka Robert Sangster Stakes), which is sprint over 1200 metres for fillies and mares. Super filly Snitzerland is the top pick and will no doubt start as hot favourite. She has yet to win a Group One race, so this is her best chance to achieve it. The Peter Moody trained Kulgrinda appears to be her main danger. She won her first race for a while on this track two weeks ago, beating Platelet and Avoid Lightning who are also part of the field. Local mare Just Discreet also is worth considering.

The other Morphettville Group One is the Australasian Oaks (2000 metres) and has attracted a full field of hopeful fillies.  They appear pretty well matched, so it’s hard to pick the likely winner. Three New Zealand fillies have been sent across the Tasman for this race – Blanket Bay, Her To Eternity and Aurora Lights -  but they may be outclassed by Australian fillies Molto Bene and Global Balance.

In The Interim…

I have indeed been slack in posting of late. Blame the renovations as they distracted me more than I thought possible and made me disinclined to write.

Anyway the renovations are long completed, all the furniture moved back in and the boxes unpacked.  The new floor is a 100% on the old one – polished boards vs carpet looks far better and is easier to clean.

Here’s a before and after photo of the living room.

The old fire place is gone and a new flame fire gas heater has replaced it.

A large ornate Art Nouveau dresser used to dominate the right hand wall of the living room, but now it stands in the spare (aka computer)room, along with my sweet little escritoire and an antique oak chair I souvenired  from a flat I rented in the 1960s, when the building was about to be demolished. These three items of furniture appear to go together nicely.

Actually, I’d forgotten what the escritoire looked like, as it had been hidden in the bedroom for years, covered with B’s clothes. So it was a surprise to rediscover it and find it a pleasing and pretty piece.

Art Nouveau Dresser


Chair and escritoire.

So the computer room is a mix of old and new – antique furniture with metal filing cabinets and a computer of course.

Willy the cat coped well with the renovations, hardly stirring a whisker at the turmoil and noise. These days he’s become more sedate in his habits, spending the bulk of the day asleep on the bed or on my lap  (if I let him) pestering me until he gets his way.  Today, while eating his  breakfast he was monstered by a mob of Indian Mynahs, forced by the birds to abandon his plate and flee, and yesterday he caught sight of the feisty young Piccolo in the back yard and slunk back inside, reluctant to tackle her head on.

Here’s a photo I shot of him yesterday evening.

Willy

Despite not writing my usual previews of the Spring racing, I have been following them closely and have attended a few race meetings.  First I went to Caulfield on a soggy day in August for the PB Lawrence Stakes and did manage to get a photo of Heart of Dreams, who has since been retired.

Heart of Dreams

In September I attended Dato Chin Nam Stakes day at Moonee Valley and was interested to see that Linton’s coat has lightened considerably. Here are two photos of him, one taken in February 2010 after he won the Alister Clark Stakes, the other taken this September.

Linton  - February 2010	Linton – September 2012

Most of the horses I planned to follow this spring have resumed  quite a few with wins. More Joyous, now 6 years old, has accounted for her opposition easily in two runs back.

Shoot Out started his Spring campaign in the Group One George Main Stakes with a striking win. He will be contesting the Group One Epsom Handicap this coming Saturday and could well be successful again. He’s the last of the High Chaparral boys of 2010, the others, Descarado, Monaco Consul and So You Think all having retired to stud. 

Star colt Pierro has had two runs this season and won them both. He raced at Moonee Valley last Friday night in the Bill Stutt Stakes. He handled the track as if he’d been racing there for seasons, and blitzed the rest of the field with his stunning turn of foot, winning by 5 lengths. I contemplated going to the meeting, specifically to see Pierro, but the miserable weather put me off. I might attend Caulfield Guineas day in mid October, which is next on Pierro’s agenda. He has now won all eight of his starts and is yet to be beaten.

All Too Hard has been very disappointing this spring, failing to gain a place in his last two runs. Also Mosheen has failed to fire so far, perhaps not fully recovered from a throat operation she underwent mid year. And Manawanui has been banned from racing for three months after bleeding in his first run back.

The good news is that Black Caviar will return to the racetrack next autumn, all going well.

There are five Group One races scheduled this coming Saturday which will no doubt give some early pointers to likely winners of the BIG three – Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.

And lastly, I’m currently reading (for the second time) Michael Chabon’s new novel Telegraph Avenue, a wonderfully written exuberant novel set in the Berkeley/Oakbank area of California that covers such arcane subjects as 1960s/70s black music, jazz, funk, and blaxploitation movies. The novel is centred around a second hand vinyl record store called Brokebank Records, run by two friends Archy Stalling and Nat Jaffe, which is under threat from a projected giant multimedia development called Dogpile to be built close by.

Telegraph Avenue is replete with dazzling prose and colourful, likeable characters, one of which is a parrot. There is also a cameo appearance by Barack Obama and a 12 page sentence that is quite extraordinary to read. No wonder I felt like reading the book twice in succession.

Spring is in the air despite the rotten weather

RIP Typhoon Tracy

The spring racing season is gathering pace judging by the race card at Caulfield this coming Saturday, where three races have caught my attention; so much so I might venture out that way this weekend to take in the action.

But before considering the up and coming races, I feel I must comment on the tragic death of Typhoon Tracy earlier this week. She died, after delivering her first foal, from a suspected ruptured broad ligament. The foal, a colt by Street Cry, survived and is by all accounts doing well – there are some lovely photos of him on Peter Moody’s twitter - and he looks just like his mum. Tracy’s death is very sad news for those of us who followed her career until her retirement in 2011 after winning the Orr Stakes for a second time. She was one of my favourite racehorses at the time and she retired with six group one wins under her belt and as 2010 Horse of the Year.  I was looking forward to seeing her children race in the future, but now who knows if her foal, if he survives, will hit the racetrack. I like to think of her running around in horse heaven, part of a herd of class mares along with Sunline, Hot Danish and Pinker Pinker etc.

Other news of a disappointing kind, is that Atlantic Jewel will miss the spring season due to a tendon injury and Manawanui could well miss it as well, having performed under par during recent hit outs. And of course Black Caviar will not be seen this spring either, though there is a faint chance she will return in autumn next year if she is not retired.

So on to the racing card at Caulfield…

Races 3 and 4 are 1100 metre sprints for three year olds, the first being the Listed Vain Stakes for colts and geldings. The Travelling Man is one of the field of nine contestants. He ran third to Planet Voyage in his first run for the season, leading for most of the race to tire at the end. Planet Voyage is also running in the Vain Stakes and will most likely start favourite. Other chances are South Australian gelding Psychic Mick and Underestimation, who both have good form from autumn.

The Quezette Stakes is the fillies equivalent of the Vain Stakes and the exciting Samaready will be starting off her spring campaign in this.  She won the Blue Diamond Stakes then ran third in the Golden Slipper, before being spelled, so it will be interesting to see if she returns in winning form. Her main competition appears to come from Elite Elle, who is yet to be beaten after three starts, the last on heavy going and Ephemera, one of Peter Moody’s stable with Luke Nolen in the saddle.

The Group Two PB Lawrence Stakes (formerly the Liston Stakes)  is the feature race of the meeting, and has attracted a classy field of middle distance runners. Heart of Dreams is one, Rekindled Interest is another, as is last start winner Ready To Rip. But interest will be focussed on Western Australian, Luckygray, who has been going great guns on his home turf with 10 wins from 13 starts. Also of interest is Seville, an European import and Zamorar who has only been narrowly beaten in his last three starts though expectations in each case were high. I have never seen Heart of Dreams in the flesh, though I have been following him for years, so am looking forward to seeing him live and maybe getting a good photo.

There’s also a nice mare’s race – the Group Three Cockram Stakes - following the PB Lawrence Stakes with the likes of Yosei, Glows, Lucky Penny and Le Societe among the chances.

In Sydney, All Too Hard will be kicking off his spring campaign in the San Domenico Stakes, a Group Three race over 1100 metres for three year olds. He faces a small but select field of five other runners, which include Driefontein and Snitzerland who was a close second to Pierro in the Golden Slipper Stakes in the autumn.

The weather in Melbourne has been cold and wet in the main over the past week or so, so the Caulfield track will most likely be rated on the slow side, especially as tomorrow’s weather prediction is for more rain. However it is likely to clear on Saturday, so a pleasant day at the races is not without hope and the light should be good for photographs.

Sydney Racing Carnival kicks off with the Randwick Guineas

Manawanui – favourite for the Randwick Guineas – photo by Paul Rovere from The Age

There is no scheduled race meeting in Melbourne tomorrow, though there is a rather nice card at Moonee Valley tonight, which I shan’t be considering here.

I’ll be concentrating instead on the feature race at Randwick in Sydney tomorrow, the Group One Randwick Guineas, a race for three year olds over 1600 metres.  Manawanui is the current favourite, and deservedly so, as he technically won his last race, the Hobartville Stakes, only to lose out to an upheld protest. His biggest rival is  Mosheen, the only filly in the race, but what a super filly she is. She thrashed the boys in the Australian Guineas at her last outing and could well do it again. I’m really torn between the two of them and am reluctant to pick one above the other. 

However, it may not all go the favourites’ way as Hobartville Stakes eventual winner Wild And Proud from the Gai Waterhouse stable, could put up a fight, as might his unbeaten stable mate Lazer Hawk. Also worth consideration is Strike The Stars who has good, though not winning, form against Mosheen, running second to her in the Australian Guineas, albeit three lengths behind her.

The Peter Moody runner Moment of Change with the doughty Luke Nolen in the saddle is another in with a chance. He finished third behind Manawanui & Wild And Proud in the Hobartville. And then there’s  Ocean Park who has come from New Zealand with good form and Doctor Doom who won the Group One Spring Champion Stakes back in October last year.  Whatever eventuates, it looks a must watch race.

Flash – Black Caviar To Star in the Lightning Stakes

Black Caviar back again this weekend in the Lightning Stakes

Well I was going to break up the horse racing entries with other stuff, but here we are at week’s end, and I didn’t get an opportunity to go the Mad Square Exhibition at the National Gallery despite my best intentions. That will have to wait until next week.

Tomorrow however, Basement Discs are hosting their first in store performance for 2012 -  The Orbweavers, a young, well regarded Melbourne band who have been described as having “a delicate and subtle sound” and are inspired by the natural world - so I’ll attempt to review the mini show tomorrow afternoon.

In the meantime, there’s the autumn racing carnival to consider, with another Group One on the cards at Flemington this Saturday. It’s the Lightning Stakes a sprint down the famous straight over 1000 metres.  Peter Moody has decided that Black Caviar , rather than having a gallop in the morning, might as well do it in company in the afternoon; and incidentally set her up for her 19th win in as many starts.  Back after a long break, after suffering a life threatening leg infection, Hay List returns to do combat with the Queen for the fourth time. She beat him by 3.3 lengths in last year’s Lightning Stakes and is likely to do so again this time.

There are those that say, that coming back in distance makes Black Caviar vulnerable, but I don’t agree. She’s a once in a lifetime racehorse and those sorts of racehorses can do remarkable things.

Not that any other of seven horses in the Lightning Stakes field, are likely to threaten BC, there are some interesting runners, Foxwedge for instance, who was one of the outstanding three year olds in the spring, being competitive against the likes of Sepoy and Manawanui.

The rest of the card at Flemington looks better than normal. In the first race Black Caviar’s little half brother All Too Hard will be having his first start in the Talindert Stakes, so it will be interesting to see how he performs.

Super filly Mosheen, who won the Manfred Stakes in fine fashion last start will no doubt start favourite in the Group 3 Vanity Stakes, a race for three year old fillies over 1410 metres. Her main opponents – at a quick glance - seem to be Shopaholic, Great Dame and Notice Received.

Helmet makes a welcome return to the track in the Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes, for three year old colts and geldings, also run over 1410 metres. He is the top pick, but solid performers like Instinction Sabrage, Decircles and That’s The One may give him a run for the money.

Sydney racing at Warwick Farm on Saturday looks just as interesting. Gai Waterhouse has a couple of her Golden Slipper hopefuls running, Driefontein (the controversial winner of the 2yo Magic Millions Classic) in the Widden Classic and  Raceway in the Canonbury Stakes.

Manawanui makes a welcome return to the racetrack in the Group 2 Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200 metres) though he’s up against some smart young fellows, like the unbeaten Peter Moody trained Moment of Change, Hot Snitzel, King Saul, Rekindled Alliance, Doctor Doom (though this race may be a bit short for him) and Darci Be Good.

The Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes the three year old fillies equivalent of the Royal Sovereign Stakes has a super field that includes Karuta Queen, Streama, Hallowell Belle and Al’s Magic Miss among others.

So lots of excitement all round promised for this Saturday in both Melbourne and Sydney.

I’ll be going to Flemington to take part once again in the Black Caviar Cheer Squad. It is 40 or so years since I was last there, so I’m looking forward to exploring another of Melbourne’s racetracks. The Squad will be accommodated in a prime spot near the mounting yard next to the track, so more photo opportunities abound. Apache Cat and Silent Witness will also be on display, so I shall be sure to pay the old boys a visit.

The weather will most likely be fairly warm and humid, but it isn’t expected to rain.

Autumn Racing – A warming of the cockles

Karuta Queen returns tomorrow at Warwick Farm

Up to now, other than the triumphant resumption of Black Caviar last week, there has not been much to write about on the Australian racing scene.

Sure, there was the drama surrounding the upheld protest of second against first in the Magic Millions Two Year Old Classic, where Driefontein eventually was declared the winner over her stable mate No Looking Back , and there was also the running of Blue Diamond Previews a few weeks back where the more fancied runners were outgunned by long shots The Travelling Man (colts) and Malasun (fillies).  There is no Sepoy this year so far, though I am prepared to be surprised.

Anyway, tomorrow at both Caulfield and Warwick Farm there are a few races worth watching, simply because a few stars of the spring carnival are making an appearance, most notably the very pretty and speedy filly Karuta Queen, who recently won a trial by 17½ lengths.

Karuta Queen will be contesting a sprint over 1000 metres, race 3 on the cards at Warwick Farm. It has been raining heavily  all week in Sydney, so if the racing does go ahead, the track will be heavy going.  This shouldn’t bother the little queen as she handles all surfaces. Unanimously would have been her biggest competition, but he will instead race at Caulfield, so that leaves grey mare Social Rank as her major opposition.

At Caulfield, all eyes will be on VRC Oaks winner Mosheen in the Listed Australasia Stakes. It is run over 1200 metres, which may seem a little short for a staying filly, but Mosheen has won over shorter distances in the past. She is the class act in the race, but Rifleman , who has won his last two starts, may give her a run for the money, as might Secret Hills, who ran second to Helmet in the Guineas Prelude in the spring. American Dream also has a chance.

The weather in Melbourne has been fine all week and no rainfall is expected, hence the track will be dead to good.

I’m interested to see how hyped colt Jimando performs in the Listed Emirates Airline Stakes (1100 metres). Will he live up to the hype? Apparently he’s a  big, strong, young fellow, and the hype is based around his one and only start back in October which he won it by 3¼ lengths and the high regard his trainer has for him. His main opposition appears to come from the filly Formidable and other colts If I Could and Timely Truce.

The first Group One of the Autumn racing season is only a week away. From then on, many of the horses who caught the eye in Spring will be beginning their autumn campaigns. Caulfield Cup  heroine, Southern Speed, began with a bang, unexpectedly winning the John Dillon Stakes on Australia Day. She is scheduled to compete against Black Caviar in the Orr Stakes next weekend, representing quality opposition for the unbeaten mare in her first start over 1400 metres. Sure to be a fascinating race.

Others due to resume shortly are super duper three year old Manawanui, old favourite Shoot Out ,who returns after a long break and with a different trainer (Chris Waller).  Super sprinter Hay List is also due to resume soon having recovered from a life threatening leg infection. Champion three year old Sepoy will have only one more run in Australia before heading to Dubai and eventually Ascot. He’ll be sorely missed, as will Helmet, who is also destined to finish his career overseas but will race a few more times in Australia before that occurs.

I’m also looking forward to Pinker Pinker’s return which is likely to be in the Futurity Stakes on February 18th, which is also on Black Caviar’s schedule.

Music News

Also warming the cockles of my heart is the news that the delightful Eilen Jewell will be touring again this year. She has been invited to perform at the East Coast Blues Festival, but will also be doing sideshows in Melbourne and Sydney. Not to be missed!

Spring Racing Carnival 2011 – Derby Day

Manawanui – can he win the Derby?

It’s Derby Day again! One of the most interesting race meetings of the Melbourne Spring racing carnival, it is always run the Saturday before Melbourne Cup Day.  Four Group One races are featured along with some pretty interesting group two and three competitions.

The feature race is of course the Victoria Derby for three year olds over 2500 metres. It’s a gruelling race for such youngsters, and many of its winners fall by the wayside, never to be heard of again. However, some do go on to greater glory, Elvstroem for instance, and Efficient as well, and I’m sure there are more.

This years edition has Manawanui starting as favourite. He won the Mitchelton Wines Vase at Moonee Valley last Saturday, which was over 2040 metres, so he has to run a further 460 metres to win this, fighting off a much larger field than he faced in the Mitchelton Wines Vase. I must admit I’ve developed a fondness for this horse – like his Maori name, he is brave and courageous and also a bit of a sweetheart according to this report on ABC news earlier this week. Love the trust his strapper has in him.

Anyway, though Manawanui is the class act in the Derby, he may be challenged by the likes of Induna, who recently won a 2200 metre race at Geelong by 3.8 lengths. Others worthy of consideration are Sabrage, who won the Norman Robinson Stakes at Caulfield two weeks ago, and  Sangster and Niagara who were runners up in that race. Collar who ran second to Manawanui in the Mitchelton Wines Vase may be able to turn the tables on him this time. The mystery horse is the Bart Cummings trained Rapidus, who because of his trainer cannot be overlooked.

Sepoy returns this week in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes and of course will start raging favourite. Can he keep his winning streak intact?  His main opposition comes from Foxwedge, a consistent competitor who has had the misfortune to run against the likes of Helmet and Smart Missile and Manawanui throughout the Spring, and will have to be lucky to beat Sepoy.  Likewise with Masthead and Adamantium. Hong Kong colt Bear Hero is the intriguing runner. His form in Hong Kong is excellent, so he might be able to give Sepoy a run for his money.

The Mackinnon Stakes is one of the two races on the cards, where hopeful Melbourne Cup contenders can qualify for the big one if they are fortunate enough to win. Last year So You Think won this race and Maluckyday won the Lexus Stakes (the other qualifying race) and we all know where they finished in the 2010 Cup. This year a big field has accepted. Top weight is Efficient , backing up after running 6th in the Cox Plate. Flemington is where his best wins have come from, so wouldn’t be surprised to see him run a place if not win.  Midas Touch impressed with his third placing in the Underwood Stakes, so expect to see him competitive, also Glass Harmonium who missed the start of the Cox Plate (by rearing as the gates opened), is worth another chance. The other hard luck story from the Cox Plate was Rekindled Interest, who was badly blocked for a run, but managed to storm home for third place, so can redeem himself in this. Mares Lights of Heaven and Caulfield Cup heroine Southern Speed cannot be overlooked either.

One for the mares, The Myer Classic, a Group One race over 1600 metres, sees More Joyous pitted against a talented field that includes New Zealand mare Banchee, Sacred Choice who one the race last year on a bog track, Mosheen always consistent, and the well regarded Goon Serpent. There are those that say More Joyous is not firing this year as well as she has in the past, but she is obviously the class runner in the field, and should win. 

As well as the above Group One races, the whole card is worth watching to see such class acts as unbeaten filly, Atlantic Jewel in the Group Two Wakeful Stakes, and study the performance of a number of imported stayers in the Lexus Stakes, Green Moon for instance.

That takes care of my Saturday afternoon, not at the track, but at home in front of the TV.

It has just rained heavily here in Melbourne with further rain expected tonight, however the Flemington track should be no worse than dead. It’s supposed to fine up tomorrow afternoon.