The Wide Open Spaces of Flemington

Beluga Caviar – a close relative to you know who

Psyching myself up for the Spring racing carnival, which will take off in earnest in two weeks, I decided to test if my Flemington season pass was working, so headed off to the big track yesterday.

By no means first class racing, it was however a moderately interesting meeting with the feature race being the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap, run over 1200 metres.

It was scheduled as Race 7, but as I arrived in good time to place a bet on a runner in the third race, the Trevor Dray & William Nield Handicap, I was obliged to stay for several hours to witness the main event. The time flitted by pretty fast.

Race 3 was for fillies and mares and run over 2000 metres. My selection Reckless Assassin romped home the winner 1½ lengths from Zazparella with Anfitriona running third, so I was pleased to see my afternoon at the races start on a winning note, even though my luck went down from then on.

Reckless Assassin being paraded after her win.

I was interested in witnessing the next race, the Joyann Erskine & Philip Carroll Handicap (1400 metres) due to the presence of Beluga Caviar, a three year old colt who is a close relative to Black Caviar. His dam Scandinavia is Black Caviar’s grand dam. Beluga Caviar was having the second start in his career. At his debut he ran third and yesterday he scored that placing again. So. he’s no Black Caviar or All Too Hard, but it’s early days yet. He’s a big boy and quite a good looker.

Beluga Caviar in the mounting yard

The race was won by the sole filly Fontein Ruby from Coram.

Fontein Ruby returns to scale after winning the Joyann Erskine & Philip Carroll Handicap

The fifth race was an open sprint over 1200 metres. I had my money on Hot Mama who only managed to run sixth. The race was won by Play Master, who I must admit I hadn’t even considered as a chance.

Hot Mama on her way to the track

I didn’t bother having a wager on the next race, rather I was more interested in the Sydney races at Randwick where two much more interesting races were featured. The first of these was the Listed The Rosebud for three year olds over 1200 metres. It had a crack field of classy colts and fillies that included the unbeaten Inkling, Sarajevo and Nayeli who I had witnessed winning the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes in Autumn. The race was won by long shot Scissor Kick, from Better Land with Inkling running third.

The other Sydney race, the Group 2 Missile Stakes was the pick of the afternoon with a fabulous field of Autumn and last Spring stars resuming, including Boban, Hawkspur, Rebel Dane, Kirramosa, Sweet Idea and Weary. Sweet Idea led from start to finish and managed to hold off a challenge by Messene to win, with Rebel Dane (who started as favourite – again!) running third.

Back at Flemington, the Aurie’s Star was about to start and the runners were assembling in the mounting yard.

Tiger Tees the winner

Mr Chard – ran second

Sino Eagle – ran fourth

Shanghai Warrior – ran ninth

I didn’t wait for the horses to return to scale after the Aurie’s Star, but left for the station. As I’d had my money on Shanghai Warrior , I didn’t have to wait for a collect.

Despite not being an overly successful afternoon at the races , it was pleasant being back at Flemington. In case you’re wondering, the weather was overcast and the track was rated good. However a very chilly wind was blowing over the wide open spaces of the public lawn.

Next weekend a much classier race meeting is scheduled at Caulfield with the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (formerly Liston Stakes) as the feature. Also on the cards is the Group 3 Vain Stakes (for colts and geldings) and the Quezette Stakes (for fillies), which always make for interesting viewing in terms of Golden Rose/Guineas prospects.

Did the Earth Move? Blue Diamond Stakes Review

Earthquake returns to scale after her stunning win in the Blue Diamond Stakes

As expected it was a wonderful day of racing at Caulfield on Saturday. The weather was kind and the racing action was first class throughout the afternoon.

As the meeting was programmed to start later in the day, I took my time getting to the track, arriving just before 3.00pm in time to hear Race 3, the Angus Armanesco Stakes  being broadcast. It was won by Spirits Dance who surprisingly didn’t start favourite, despite having won her last three races.  The beaten brigade were Marianne and Metaphorical.

I decided to visit the stalls area first, hoping to catch a glimpse of Fiorente and sure enough he was there, being walked by his strapper in the walking ring.

 
Fiorente in the walking ring

He certainly is a head turner, a magnificent looking horse as I’ve remarked before and as people standing near me exclaimed in wonder.

When the next race was about to start, I decided to head to the lawn and watch it from the fence. It was the Group 2 Autumn Classic, a race for three year olds over 1800 metres. 

Autumn Classic finish down the straight – Vilanova (blue & white)  is about to overtake Alpha Beat.

The Chris Waller trained Vilanova, who started a big odds, was the winner, storming home from the tail of the field to win from Countersnip and Alpha Beat.

Despite being only a Group 2 race, the Peter Young Stakes was one of the most highly anticipated of the day, due to the resumption of 2013 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente. Also part of the field was 2012 Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon and sundry other stayers beginning their autumn campaigns.

I watched them parade in the mounting yard…

Fiorente

Green Moon

 
Foreteller

Let’s Make Adeal – Let’s Elope’s granddaughter

Fiorente started as warm favourite and he won narrowly from Mourayan  after a gritty run down the straight where he appeared to have no chance. Star Rolling who led for most of the race managed to hang on for third place.

 
Fiorente back in the mounting yard after winning the Peter Young Stakes

The first of the Group 1 races was the next race on the program, that is the Futurity Stakes.  The three year old challenger Bull Point started as favourite, but it was Moment of Change who led from start to finish and was victorious, adding a third Group 1 win to his CV and his second in as many starts.  Unfortunately Polanski was injured during the race and his future racing career is in doubt.  Sertorius flew from the back of the field to run second, with old Pinwheel hanging on for third. Bull Point was outclassed by the older gallopers and finished fourth.

Moment of Change returns to scale after winning the Futurity Stakes

By this time it was getting on for late afternoon and the Blue Diamond Stakes was up next, scheduled to start at 5.10pm.

I watched the field assembling in the mounting yard.

Chivalry – finished 8th

Earthquake – the winner!

Nostradamus – finished 7th

Rubick – finished 4th

Nayeli – finished 15th

We were all expecting a fierce contest down the straight between top filly Earthquake and top colt Rubick, but that didn’t happen.  Rubick was up with the leaders for most of the race, but jockey Damian Browne bided his time on Earthquake and let her go in the straight where she effortlessly sailed past all and sundry to score a soft 1½ length win from Jabali. Long shot Cornrow ran third. I said I thought Earthquake was special when I saw her win the Blue Diamond Prelude, so I’m delighted she confirmed my first impression.

The final Group 1 of the day was the Oakleigh Plate and at first I decided I wouldn’t stay for it, but changed my mind.  I’m glad I did as I got to see potential sprinting super star Lankan Rupee winning his first Group 1 race, and fourth run in sequence. He’s a really pretty horse with an unusual, perfect, heart marking on his forehead.

Lankan Rupee in the mounting yard – note the heart on his forehead

He of course was favourite after he’d blitzed his rivals in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes in early February.  This was his hardest assignment to date and he passed with flying colours, beating the huge field comfortably.

Good old Spirit of Boom ran second and second favourite Knoydart finished third.

Lankan Rupee returns to scale after winning the Oakleigh Plate

I called it quits after the Oakleigh Plate even though there was one more race to go. The trains coincided nicely on the way home and I made it by 7.00pm.

It was a long, but enjoyable day at the races. The course was not all that crowded, so it was easy to watch the races, buy a drink or put on a bet. Some bookies were offering a 10% bonus on winning bets as part of a deal with Racing Victoria, but alas all my bets were unsuccessful. I didn’t follow my own advice and foolishly went for likely long shots.

There are only three more Group 1 race meetings to go in the Melbourne Autumn racing carnival. Next week the action is at Flemington for the running of the Australian Guineas.  I’ll be there of course - with bells on.

In Sydney, Boban disappointed in the Apollo Stakes but Appearance starred again scoring another sensational win. Guelph finished out of the placings in the Light Fingers Stakes, and didn’t show any of her characteristic dash. Hopefully it was just an off day for her, for we do need equine heroes to make up for Black Caviar.

The Blue Diamond Puzzle - Relaxed Racing at Caulfield

Earthquake winning the Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield on 8 February 2014

Heart pounding action awaits the keen racing fan this coming Saturday with Melbourne’s autumn racing carnival revving up the excitement at Caulfield with the running of the Blue Diamond Stakes along with two other Group 1 races and other choice Group 2 and 3 contests.

I have been to the Blue Diamond meeting for the past two years, so I have no intention of missing this one, which promises many delights, as well as cool and cloudy weather as opposed to hot and humid.

More stars of the turf will be resuming at this meeting, notably the past two Melbourne Cup winners Fiorente and Green Moon in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes. It’s run over 1800 metres so it suits the stayers gearing up for the Australian Cup in a few weeks time. Also part of the field is Foreteller who ran a creditable fourth in the Orr Stakes,  and second up could steal the prize, Western Australian God Has Spoken who recently ran second in the Perth Cup and sole mare, Let’s Elope’s granddaughter, Let’s Make Adeal who was last seen running third in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in November. Fiorente will probably start as favourite, but he is not known as a first up winner. Even so he is the classiest horse in the race.

The first scheduled Group 1 race is the Futurity Stakes run over 1400 metres. it has attracted an interesting field of contestants, that includes Orr Stakes winner Moment of Change, Manfred Stakes winner Bull Point and Polanski finally starting his autumn campaign and thrown in at the deep end.  Both Polanski and Bull Point are having their first starts in open company, previously winning against their own age group. All Too Hard won it last year, so one of the aforementioned three year olds could prove successful again.

Following the Futurity Stakes, the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes has the usual full field of smart two year olds in contention. But some are more gifted than others. The leading contenders are of course Rubick and Earthquake who proved their superiority in the Blue Diamond Preludes. However both of them have been disadvantaged in the barrier draw, Rubick drawing Barrier 10, and Earthquake Barrier 15.  Nayeli who is certainly a serious rival to above two, judging by her win in the Chairman’s Stakes, has drawn Barrier 9. Ideally drawn Jabali (Barrier 3) could cause a boilover, as could Nostradamus (his half brother Star Witness won the race in 2010) and Chivalry, who ran third to Rubick in the Prelude.  It being a two year old race, anything could happen and probably will. I’ll be on Earthquake as
I think she’s super special.

The final Group 1 of the meeting is the Oakleigh Plate, a sprint over 1100 metres. It has a huge field of 18 runners. the main chances being the in form Lankan Rupee, the speedy Shamal Wind, the trusty Spirit of Boom, the on a winning streak Knoydart and the Chris Waller trained mare Dystopia who beat Shamal Wind back in November.

In Sydney at Randwick the feature race is the Group 2 Apollo Stakes, where Boban will be out to redeem his reputation. He will have to contend once again with Appearance who is a major threat, especially if the track is on the soft side.

And it’s good to see wonder filly Guelph resuming in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes. Mindful that Guelph was beaten first up last time, her major threats are Sweet Idea who has won her last two starts, Real Surreal who is returning from a long spell, but had winning form prior to that, and Zanbagh who was last seen running second to Kirramosa in the Crown Oaks at Flemington in the spring.

It looks to be a wonderful day of racing all up and I look forward once again to being present at the track to see it all and take in the vibe of first class racing,

Celebrating the Year of the Horse at Caulfield

Nayeli after winning the Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield 1/2/14

With the first Group One on the autumn racing season scheduled to run next Saturday, I thought I would get into the spirit early, so attended the race meeting at Caulfield last Saturday. The race card was quite interesting with a couple of  Group Three races on the program, these being the Chairman’s Stakes for two year olds and the Manfred Stakes for three year olds, so I made sure I arrived at the course in time to watch them.

As Melbourne Racing Club has in their dubious wisdom decided to start the races at a later time than normal, I could take my time getting there. It was a hot and sunny day, and felt much hotter than the low
30°C temperature recorded.

I arrived in plenty of time to watch the running of the Chairman’s Stakes, where the Gai Waterhouse trained filly Nayeli started as hot favourite.  She’d had one win for one start, and proved she was a cut above the other contestants winning the Chairman’s Stakes by two and half lengths from Bugatty. Her name means “I Love You” in ancient Mayan.

Bugatty in the parade ring


Nayeli on her way to the mounting yard.

Chairman’s Stakes finish, just past the winning post

Gai Waterhouse managed to get two winners last Saturday at Caulfield, as did Darren Weir, so it would have been canny to back runners by the aforementioned trainers. Alas I didn’t and my bets were all unsuccessful.

The next race (Race 5) on the cards was the Ian Miller Handicap, a race over 1600 metres for fillies and mares. I had my money on Spellrocker, who led for most of the race only to be overtaken in the straight by the Darren Weir trained Five All, followed by Text’n Hurley and Are There Any who finished second and third, relegating Spellrocker to fourth place.

Race 5 down the straight – Spellrocker (rails) is being over taken by Five All on her outside.

Race 6 was the most interesting race on the program. The Manfred Stakes is for three year olds and run over 1200 metres and this year’s edition had attracted a classy field that included Prince Harada, Fast N Rocking, and Waterhouse colt Bull Point. Prince Harada was out to emulate his sire Haradasun who won this race in 2007, and started warm favourite. He’s grown since I last saw him, and looks a magnificent specimen of horseflesh.  He was disappointing however, fading in the straight to finish fourth. Bull Point was the victor beating Worth A Ransom by 1½ lengths with The Quarterback running third.

Race 6 – just past the winning post – Bull Point leads

Prince Harada (rail) and Bull Point returning to scale

I stayed for Race 7 as I was interested in seeing highly regarded colt Lord Of The Sky who was on a winning streak up to Saturday, having won his previous three starts by good margins.  I caught up with him in his stall being saddled up for the W J Adams Stakes (1000 metres).

Lord Of The Sky in his stall – he appeared to be a placid young fellow

Lord Of The Sky started short priced favourite, but after being slow away, he never really fired and finished last. Shamal Wind lived up to her name flying like the proverbial to snatch victory on the line from General Truce with Brilliant Bisque running third.

Race 7 finish down the straight – General Truce leads, Shamal Wind is outside Brilliant Bisque (green silks, gold cap)

Unfortunately Kiss A Rose collapsed and died in the mounting yard after the race, which would have been distressing to see. But I was heading to station by that time so was spared witnessing the tragedy. The cause of her death is unknown, but Racing Victoria have said it was not heat related. 

Next Saturday's races at Caulfield kick off the Melbourne summer/autumn racing  season with the Group One C F Orr Stakes being the feature race. Equally mouth watering are the two Blue Diamond Preludes, where we will get to see the current first and second favourites for the Blue Diamond Stakes in action. Rubick who impressed in his first start a couple of weeks ago, will be facing off with the interesting Nostradamus in the colts Prelude, and Earthquake who also won her first race in style back in November last year will be starring in the fillies Prelude.

Currently the forecast for next Saturday looks dire – a hot 38°C is predicted. I sincerely hope it does not come true, but I’ll attend anyway and try and keep cool, and cross fingers for horse health and safety.