Easter Weekend–Thank Heavens for Horse Racing

Winx – QE Stakes 2017

As we’ve never gone anywhere at Easter(or not for many decades), the Covid 19 lock down hardly makes a difference to the Cat Politics domicile, we being content to stay home and kill the time with our usual occupations.

In my case I’ve always enjoyed watching the races which thankfully are still being run, albeit without public attendance.

This Saturday’s race meeting at Randwick marks the first anniversary of Winx’s final race in her illustrious career in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. She went out a winner naturally, achieving the rare distinction of winning the QE Stakes for the third time. I was fortunate to witness in person her first QE victory in 2017.

As well as the Queen Elizabeth Stakes there are three other choice Group 1 events on the program – Sydney Cup, Australian Oaks and Coolmore Legacy Stakes.

The Oaks is the first to run and appears a match race between New Zealand filly Probabeel and new filly on the block Colette, with Shout the Bar, Nudge and Toffee Tongue all a good chance as well.

Verry Elleegant won the Australian Oaks last year and is one of the fancied contenders in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes this year. At her last start a fortnight ago she won the Group 1 Tancred Stakes spectacularly by over 4 lengths, though was beaten narrowly by English horse Addeybb in the Group 1  Ranvet Stakes at her previous start.  Addeybb is again one of her rivals in the QE Stakes, so it will be interesting to see if she can turn the tables on him this time round.

Both will have to defeat the classy Japanese contender Danon Premium whose form against such leading lights as Cox Plate heroine Lys Gracieux and Japan Cup winner Almond Eye is excellent.

Overall the 2020 Queen Elizabeth Stakes field is a doozy with the likes of New Zealanders Te Akau Shark and Melody Belle, Melbourne Cup winner Vow and Declare and highly regarded import Master of Wine all in contention. It looks a fabulous race and one not to be missed.

The Sydney Cup like its Melbourne counterpart is run over 3200 metres. Top chances are Young Rascal, Mustajeer and Raheen House, among others.

Run over 1600 metres, the Coolmore Legacy Stakes for fillies and mares has attracted  a top class field that includes shock Doncaster Mile winner Nettoyer, the classy Alizee, Victorian mare Miss Siska, the in form Positive Peace and sole filly Funstar having her first start against the older mares. 

So that’s my Saturday afternoon entertainment settled, even if I can’t be there in person.

Update Sunday Afternoon

It was an interesting afternoon of racing that I watched on my computer yesterday.

Colette, a small but tough filly, a daughter of 2014 Golden Rose winner Hallowed Crown, won the Australian Oaks impressively by a couple of lengths from Toffee Tongue and Quintessa. She’s one to watch for in the spring.

New Zealand mare, Etah James now trained by Ciaron Maher, won the Sydney Cup from fellow New Zealander The Chosen One.

As expected the Queen Elizabeth Stakes was exciting and resulted in British horse Addeybb getting the better of Verry Elleegant once again. The hyped Japanese horse Danon Premium was left wanting on the heavy track and finished third.

The Gai Waterhouse trained, former American mare, Con Te Partiro took out the Coolmore Legacy with Funstar unable to overtake her in the straight. Danzdanzdance, another New Zealander finished third.

Rest In Peace Might and Power who died yesterday evening after suffering a colic attack from which he could not be saved.

He had an illustrious career on the track winning the rare treble of the Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate, as well as several other Group 1 races.

I was at Moonee Valley when he won the 1998 Cox Plate and still remember the occasion vividly.

He was a long time popular resident at Living Legends and was often to be seen on race days at Flemington, which is where I took the above photo in 2016. He was 26 years old.

Star Power–Super Saturday Review

Fifty Stars returns to scale after winning the Australian Cup

Travelling on public transport these days seems like taking your life in your hands what with the spread of the corona virus causing generalised panic.

Though I’m not panicking I do however feel a tad apprehensive when taking a train or tram and try to avoid sitting too close to anyone.

This was not enough to discourage me from attending Super Saturday at Flemington last weekend.

It was a pleasant day, warm and occasionally sunny, a perfect day to be out in the open air trackside.

As trains to Flemington were running all afternoon, I took my time getting there, arriving before the fourth race on the program and staying until after the Australian Cup.

The light was lovely for photography, but the inside rail was out by 8 metres making it difficult to get rail free shots even standing on my step.

Race 4 was the Group 3 Schweppervescence Trophy, for fillies and mares, run over 1600 metres.

Paint The Town Two, a 26/1 shot won the bickies from Bam’s On Fire and Fidelia.

Paint The Town Two & Bam’s On Fire hit the line together

Paint The Town Two on her way to the barriers

The feature races were the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap and Australian Cup, programmed as races 6 and 8.

Wild Planet was hot favourite for Race 5, the Listed March Stakes, a race over 1400 metres.  Racing on the pace in third spot, Wild Planet won easily by a length from race leader Sirius Suspect with 2019 South Australian Oaks winner Princess Jenni running third, three lengths behind.

Wild Planet overtakes Sirius Suspect as they charge to the finish line.

Wild Planet returns to scale

As the Newmarket Handicap was up next, I transferred myself and step to the mounting yard fence to watch the big screen action from Randwick where the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes was about to run. New Zealander The Bostonian won from Savatiano and Mr Sea Wolf.

It was ripper field for the Newmarket, hard to pick the winner out of 11 runners. Three year old Exceedance was the starting favourite, but another three year old colt, Bivouac, ended up the outstanding winner.

Here are some of the main runners parading in the mounting yard.

Bivouac

Exceedance

Gytrash

Loving Gaby

The Inevitable

Libertini

As is mostly the case at Flemington with sprints down the straight, it is hard to get photos of the finish if the field splits. This time they raced in a bunch down the middle of the track towards the grandstand side.

Bivouac raced near the lead then charged at the 200 mark to win by 2½ lengths from Loving Gaby. Gytrash finished third.

Glen Boss celebrates Bivouac’s win in the Newmarket Handicap

Bivouac returns to scale

Sandwiched between the Newmarket and Australian Cup was the Kewney Stakes, a Group 2 race for three year old fillies over 1400 metres. Rubisaki started as favourite and didn’t disappoint her backers winning by 1¼ lengths from Pretty Brazen and Fascino.

Rubisaki (red cap)  wins the Kewney Stakes from Pretty Brazen

Rubisaki on her way to the barriers

With the Australian Cup impending I made my way back to the mounting yard fence. The roses along the straight were blooming profusely, perfectly timed as usual for Flemington’s big Autumn finale.

Flemington roses – they have to be seen to be believed

The other Sydney Group 1 race, the Randwick Guineas was played on the big screen after the National Anthem was sung. Shadow Hero beat Microphone, and Brandenburg ran third.

Soon enough the Australian Cup field were parading in the mounting yard, then making their way to the starting gates.

Avilius – the favourite in the mounting yard

Fifty Stars

Regal Power – ran second

Southern France – Irish Import

Suzuka Devious – Japanese horse

Vow and Declare – 2019 Melbourne Cup winner – ran third

Miss Siska – the sole mare in the race

As with the Newmarket Handicap, the field for the Australian Cup raced down the centre of the straight. Fifty Stars raced wide at the back of the field then charged to win on the line, a half length in front of West Australian horse Regal Power with Vow and Declare close behind, running third.

Australian Cup finish – Fifty Stars, Regal Power & Vow and Declare in a line.

Normally, the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival would have ended last Saturday, but next Saturday at Caulfield is the All Star Mile, where a classy field has accepted to run, so it’s a bonus for us Melbourne racing fans.

Alligator Blood is the current favourite, but he faces a really tough field, several multiple Group 1 winners such as Melody Belle, Kolding and Fierce Impact will really test his mettle.

Whatever eventuates, it looks a fascinating race, not to be missed.

Blue Diamond Stakes Day Review

Tagaloa holds off Hanseatic to win the Blue Diamond Stakes

There has been much commentary since Saturday regarding the track bias at Caulfield on Blue Diamond Stakes Day, which favoured on pace runners. And indeed watching the racing action, the winners of the four races I witnessed either led from the start or were close to the leader during the race. It was a disastrous day for favourites.

I took my time getting to Caulfield arriving just before race 4, the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes for mares over 1400 metres. Pretty grey mare Greysful Glamour led from the start and was never headed, winning by over a length from Bam’s On Fire and favourite Spanish Reef.

Greysful Glamour burns down the straight with Bam’s On Fire in hot pursuit

Greysful Glamour on her way to the barriers

La Tene in the Angus Armanesco Stakes (race 5) raced mid field on the fence, then broke through to overtake the leaders to win by a nose from Lady Lupino.

La Tene & Lady Lupino fight out the finish

Race 6 was the first of the Group 1 events, the Futurity Stakes where it was expected that Kolding, Super Seth and Melody Belle would feature prominently.  The unfancied Streets of Avalon who hadn’t won for yonks,  took the lead shortly after the start and held off a challenge from Super Seth to win his first Group 1 race, and a chance to run in the All Star Mile. Kolding was a major disappointment, apparently not handling the Melbourne way of going, and finished fifth. Melody Belle ran a meritorious third.

Streets of Avalon holds off Super Seth to win the Futurity Stakes

Hanseatic was the warm favourite for the Blue Diamond Stakes and was aiming to become the first horse to win the Blue Diamond Preview/Prelude and Blue Diamond Stakes since Sepoy in 2011. As was the pattern of the day he did not succeed, beaten narrowly by the 26/1 shot Tagaloa, though he tried hard to overtake him. Personal stormed from the back of the field to run third.

Tagaloa parades in the mounting yard after winning the Blue Diamond Stakes

Hanseatic playing up as he heads for the barriers

I did not stay for the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate.  Speedy mare Pippie led all the way to win from Zoutori and Crystal Dreamer. The trifecta paid almost $6,500.

There are only three more Saturdays of Group racing in Melbourne and next week features the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington. Mystic Journey won it last year, but this year promises to be super special with Alligator Blood and Catalyst set to resume their rivalry. They will be challenged by Orr Stakes winner Alabama Express and the highly regarded West Australian Superstorm, among others.

The weather is expected to be similar to last Saturday, mild and sunny.

Blue Diamond Stakes Day 2020

Hanseatic – favourite for the 2020 Blue Diamond Stakes

The jewel in the crown of Caulfield’s autumn race program, Blue Diamond Stakes Day is always worth attending. Not only do you get to watch the babies vying for riches in the Blue Diamond Stakes, but there are two other tasty Group 1 events on the card.

This year’s Autumn racing season has so far been constantly interesting with a bunch of new and exciting horses hitting the track, as witnessed last week at Flemington. This coming Saturday there will be more of the same with a great field of acceptors in each of the feature events.

A full field of 16 runners has accepted for the Blue Diamond Stakes, comprising 7 colts and 9 fillies. Having watched the Blue Diamond Previews and Preludes I have some grasp of who are likely to be in the finish.

Of the colts, Hanseatic stands out, being the unbeaten winner of both the Colts Blue Diamond Preview and Prelude.  Can he emulate Sepoy and win the Blue Diamond Stakes as well? 

He faces stiff competition from fellow colt Rulership who he just beat in the Blue Diamond Prelude, but several very smart fillies could spoil his party, such as Magic Millions Classic winner Away Game,  A Beautiful Night,winner of the fillies BD Preview, Letzbeglam who was impressive winning the fillies BD Prelude at her last start.  Muntaseera and Arayaaf who respectively ran second in the BD Prelude and Chairman’s Stakes could also be in the finish.

The first of the Group 1 races on the program is the Futurity Stakes (1400 metres) which has a great field that includes Epsom and Golden Eagle winner Kolding, star New Zealand mare Melody Belle and Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth along with the tried and true Black Heart Bart and Cape of Good Hope.

A huge field of 18 runners will be contesting the Oakleigh Plate, a sprint over 1100 metres. I don’t think I’ll be staying at the track for it, but top chances are Bivouac, Faatinah and the three year old Anaheed and Free of Debt.

The weather tomorrow is forecast to be cool and sunny as a change from last week.

A Wave of a Magic Wand and the Carnival is Over

Magic Wand wins the Mackinnon Stakes

The final day of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival at Flemington on Saturday was held once again under cloudy skies, though thankfully the rain held off most of the afternoon. There hasn’t been such a consistently wet and wintry spring racing season for ages, a least not since I’ve been a regular attendant. A few sunny days wouldn’t have gone astray.

So it was an unusual carnival and the Winx factor was sadly missing with only Nature Strip winning more than one of the 28 Group 1 races, and Melody Belle who won four Group 1 races in New Zealand prior to winning the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes on Derby Day.

Unfortunately Melody Belle was denied a second Australian Group 1 win in the Mackinnon Stakes, having drawn the widest barrier, racing at the tail of the field and being unable to quite catch Magic Wand at the finish.  We can look forward to seeing her back in action in the Autumn in Melbourne.

For grand old warhorse Hartnell, now at the ripe old age of nine, the Mackinnon Stakes was his swansong. Many hoped that he would end his illustrious career with a win, but he had to settle for third place behind the girls.

Hartnell Farewelll on the big screen

He was suitably farewelled by having his career played out on the big screen and Godolphin were giving away caps embroidered with his name as a memento of the popular galloper.

I first saw Hartell in the flesh on Turnbull Stakes day 2015 where he finished unplaced. He also started in Winx’s first Cox Plate in 2015 and ran 5th. That was the first time he raced against the mighty Winx and in seven races all up, he ran second to her in three.

Instantly recognisable, he is a beautiful looking beast with a handsome head. I’ll miss seeing his familiar presence in the future. He will be lovingly cared for in retirement. Bart Cummings old foreman Reg Fleming will be his caretaker and Hartnell will possibly have a new career as a show horse.

Hartnell in his stall last Saturday

Back to the races, I arrived at Flemington around 1.30 pm and met up with my friend Rebecca in the stalls area. She had called me in a panic when I was on the Flemington train. She had forgotten to put a memory card in her camera.  By chance I had a spare on my person, so that problem was solved when I arrived.

Many of the Group 1 contenders were present in their stalls, so I got some nice photos whilst I was there.

Melody Belle chewing her lead

Rondinella in the stall next to Melody Belle

Melody Belle poked her head over the partition into Rondinella’s stall to check her out. Whoa! That was a mistake as Rondinella recoiled from the contact with a squeal, thereby startling Melody Belle who recoiled as well. It was an amusing encounter for us bystanders.

Nature Strip in his stall also munching on his lead

Santa Ana Lane – hot favourite for the Sprint Classic

Girl Tuesday – the daughter of former star mare Tuesday Joy from Street Cry

2019 Manikato Stakes winner Loving Gaby

Former New Zealand mare Danzdanzdance now with Chris Waller

Chris Waller had a large contingent of horses running on Saturday and for once he was present at Flemington. Rebecca and I waylaid him later in the afternoon and got him to sign our Winx racebooks from last year’s Cox Plate (in Rebecca’s case) and her last three races (in my case).

Chris Waller trained horses won both the Sydney “pop up” races, The Everest and The Golden Eagle with Yes, Yes, Yes and Kolding respectively, so he’d remained in Sydney for most of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Back trackside we were in time to catch Race 4, the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, a race over 2600 metres, a sort of consolation race for horses who missed out on running in the Melbourne Cup.

Irish mare True Self, who ran second in the Geelong Cup, was the warm favourite and delivered the bickies winning by 1.5 lengths from Carif, with long shot Maurus running third.

True Self winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes

The win of the afternoon has to go to Nature Strip in the Group 1 Darley Sprint Classic, run down the long Flemington straight over 1200 metres.

As is typical of sprints down the straight, it is difficult at the best of times to get good photos of the finish, with the official photographers congregating in front of our favourite spot. During the Spring carnival, you also have to put up with security guys placing themselves at regular intervals along the fence. 

Official photographers and security guards hinder my POV as Nature Strip zooms into shot

This time the runners all ran along the outside rail with Nature Strip leading the pack from the start.  He increased his lead 400 metres from the finishing post to win by over three lengths from Loving Gaby and In Her Time.  Santa Ana Lane didn’t fire and finished 5th.

Nature Strip wins the Darley Classic Sprint

Nature Strip returns to scale in the mounting yard an ecstatic James McDonald salutes the crowd

Nature Strip in the winners rug

Nature Strip certainly killed any doubts that he couldn’t win over 1200 metres, Chris Waller’s training efforts, to get him to relax and not overexert himself early, paying off big time.

Race 6 was the Group 3 Matriarch Stakes, a race for mares over 2000 metres. Girl Tuesday was the tote favourite, but she ended up unplaced. Oceanex won at big odds from Miss Siska and Aristocratic Miss.

Matriarch Stakes finish – Oceanex is outside Miss Siska and Greysful Glamour

Oceanex on her way to the barriers

Only one race remained to be run before the feature Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes and that was the Group 3 Chatham Stakes, run over 1400 metres.  Admiral’s Joker was the starting favourite but he was denied victory by 11/1 shot Reykjavic.  Noble Boy ran third.

Reykjavic (outside) and Noble Boy cross the finish line

Reykjavic on his way to the barriers

As previously mentioned the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes was won by tough Irish mare Magic Wand. She certainly had a full program during her sojourn in Melbourne, running in the Cox Plate where she ran fourth and also competing in the Melbourne Cup and running tenth. 

I was disappointed that Melody Belle was defeated, but she certainly wasn’t disgraced, running a great race from last to second place.

Magic Wand on her way to the barriers

Melody Belle returns to scale

Hartnell returns to scale after running his last race

And so ended the 2019 Spring Racing Carnival.

It was mostly memorable due to the awful weather and extremely negative press, but I enjoyed the racing action and remained interested all through the season despite no potential super stars making an impression. Horses of the calibre of Winx and Black Caviar are few and far between, but you never know when a new star may arise to capture our attention again.

Anyway, I look forward to returning to the track in late January and the Autumn carnival and seeing my photographer friends Rebecca and George, and our new acquaintance – Jiei, a young Japanese guy, in Australia to learn English, who is also a keen racing fan and amateur photographer.