Gun (Jockeys) and Roses–Flemington Super Saturday Review

Brazen Beau returns to scale after winning the Newmarket Handicap

Saturday in Melbourne was set aside for the qualifying laps of the Melbourne Grand Prix, not something I am interested in.

So eschewing the rev of hotted up motors echoing through the metropolis, I headed out to Flemington for the thunder of hooves, and to smell roses rather than fuel.

I got to the track early on a surprisingly crowded train, arriving  around 12.40pm and stayed until the Australian Cup, which was run at 4.30pm. So it was a long day, but the time passed quickly as there was plenty of exciting racing action and pretty horses to view over the afternoon.

The title of this post refers to the winning doubles of jockeys Michael Walker and Joao Moreira who each rode one winner of the Group 1 races plus one other on the program.

And of course the roses were resplendent as you’d expect.

My arrival at the track was in plenty of time to watch race 2, the
MSS Security Stakes, wherein Brazilian born, Hong Kong hoop Joao Moreira booted home the first winner of his double. This happened to be  12/1 shot Pittsburgh Flyer, who I thought had no chance. My interests were centred on Earthquake and Sistonic. Earthquake ran a close second, but Sistonic finished second last and didn’t feature at all.

Earthquake in the mounting yard

Sistonic on her way to the track

Pittsburgh Flyer returns to scale after winning the MSS Security Stakes

After watching the race I sauntered up to the stalls area to see if the Living Legends had arrived.

Both Zipping and Better Loosen Up were present, and lovingly attended to by the Living Legends staff.

Zipping in his stall – all dressed up and ready to parade

Better Loosen Up with a rose tucked into his bridle

Better Loosen Up will turn 30 on 29th August this year and was a champion of the turf in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He is the only Australian bred horse to have won the prestigious Japan Cup which he did in 1990.  He also won the 1990 Cox Plate, MacKinnon Stakes, and the 1991 Australian Cup as well as several other Group races. He was named Australian Horse of the Year for the 1990-1991 season.

The Living Legends were taken off for a walk in the mounting yard, so I cruised through the stable area to see which of the present stars of the turf had arrived.

Lankan Rupee was being hosed down by his strapper, and I got a lovely photo of him in the watering section of the stalls.

Lankan Rupee in the stalls area after being hosed down

Alas, much as I hoped to see Lankan Rupee win the Newmarket Handicap, it wasn’t to be. Everyone was puzzled by his failure to run a place, but on Monday it was revealed that he had  torn a muscle in his chest and was also displaying signs of inflammation in his stifles.  This obviously happened during the race as he was over-racing in the early stages and pulling hard, then failed to produce his devastating sprint in the finish.

Returning track side, Race 3 was about to get underway. This was the Group 2 Sires Produce Stakes for two year olds run over 1400 metres.

Jameka was the favourite and she delivered a comfortable win for her backers, winning by a length from Lazumba with Sampeah,running third, three and a half lengths behind.

Jameka returns to scale after winning the Sires Produce Stakes

Lazumba on her way to the track

Sampeah on his way to the track

Back in the stalls more horses had arrived, among them Red Cadeaux.

Red Cadeaux in his stall – he has such a kind face.

Terravista was waiting patiently in his stall as well.

Terravista

Brazen Beau, the eventual winner of the Newmarket Handicap was being walked in the parade ring. I got this great head shot of him.

Brazen Beau – a head turner

Meanwhile, in the mounting yard, the Living Legends were grazing on the turf, whilst the CEO of Living Legends, Andrew Clarke, was interviewed on TVN about the organisation and the profiles of the equine special guests.

Race 4, the Group 2 Blamey Stakes run over 1600 metres was next on the agenda. Suavito, who spectacularly won the Group 1 Futurity Stakes two weeks ago was the hot favourite and she didn’t disappoint.  After missing the start, she quickly moved up to take the lead and was never headed, winning by a length from Sertorius, with Kourkam running third.

Suavito returns to scale after winning the Blamey Stakes

Only one more race remained before the big two feature races were to run, this being the Group 2 Kewney Stakes, for three year old fillies over 1400 metres. As I had not had a bet all afternoon I was toying with the idea of putting a few dollars on Wawail, but thought better of it after noticing Michael Walker was riding her. He’d recently put in a few poor rides so didn’t inspire confidence.

How wrong I was.  Wawail upstaged hot favourite Sabatini who was aiming for her third win in succession. Sabatini raced at the tail of the field and though she flew home, she was unable to reel in Wawail.

Wawail returns to scale after winning the Kewney Stakes

Sabatini leaves the mounting yard for the track

Though my heart was with Lankan Rupee in the Newmarket, my head or some strong intuition told me to put money on Brazen Beau, which I did. So I was delighted that he won, and like everyone else bemused by the performance of Lankan Rupee. He looked fine in the mounting yard as did all the others.

Chautauqua finished second and Terravista ran third, but they were blitzed by Brazen Beau who won by almost three lengths.

My photos of the Newmarket parade are really dark for some reason I can’t fathom, so I won’t be showing them in this post

Brazen Beau in the winners rug

The Australian Cup ended in a boilover with the unfancied Spillway winning the bikkies by a nose from the also unfancied Extra Zero, with the ever honest Happy Trails running third. Michael Walker proved me wrong again with his winning ride.

Spillway returns to scale after winning the Australian Cup

As expected The Cleaner led the field at a good pace and he managed to hang for fourth. Protectionist was never in it, but Red Cadeaux ran well and finished fifth.

The light was better for the Australian Cup parade, so here are photos of the main contenders.

Red Cadeaux

Happy Trails

Extra Zero

Protectionist

The Cleaner

Foreteller

The Australian Cup meeting is basically the last of the Group 1 racing for Melbourne in autumn, though the finale is the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley on the 27th March.

The focus of racing  now shifts to Sydney for the so called Championships. Next weekend Rosehill will feature five Group 1 races including the Golden Slipper Stakes.

Speaking of the Sydney races, the Coolmore Classic resulted in an upset win by long shot Plucky Belle, who pipped favourite First Seal at the post. Diamond Drille ran third.

I’ll miss my Saturday afternoon outings to the races as I’m really only interested in attending the Group meetings. So I will be watching the action from Sydney at home from now on.

Spring Fever– Makybe Diva Stakes & Golden Rose

Foreteller returns to scale after winning the 2013 Makybe Diva Stakes

The Spring racing season is rather like a fever that infects keen followers of the turf every year about this time.  Like the season itself, the racing carnival quickens and warms up as the quality of the racing builds towards the grand finale at Flemington in November.

Flemington in fact hosts their first race meeting for the season this coming Saturday with a fabulous line up of races,  the feature being the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes.

Run over 1600 metres, the Makybe Diva Stakes, now being scheduled a week later than it was previously, with a fortnight separating it from the Memsie Stakes, it’s not surprising that several of the Memsie Stakes contenders are part of the field. The surprise winner of the Memsie Stakes, Dissident, will start as favourite – no more good odds on him this time. However, there could be challenges from other contestants. Spillway finished second in the Memsie and could turn the tables on Dissident this time. I’d love it if Puissance de Lune could finally win a Group 1. He narrowly missed out in this race last year with Foreteller pipping him at the post. Boban also will be out to redeem his reputation and has a good record at Flemington having won here last spring over the same distance. The 2012 Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon, and 2013 Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner both start their spring campaigns in this race, but as they are aiming for the bigger races down the track it would be surprising if they won first up. And lastly I can’t not mention my old favourite Super Cool, who I hope acquits himself better than he did in the Memsie Stakes.

Before the feature is run, there are several really interesting races, the first of these being the Listed Living Legends Stakes, a race for three year olds over 1400 metres.  McNeil Stakes winner Chivalry is one of the contestants, so I’m looking forward to seeing him in action again. Also I’m pleased to see the regally bred  Divan is in the field. He is a son of wonderful New Zealand mare Seachange by Zabeel. He’s only had two starts, his last a lowly race at Sandown, where he impressed with a swooping run from the tail of the field to win the race.  Others with a chance are Merion who won at Flemington on Anzac Day this year, Silent Whisper and Zebulon.

Commanding Jewel returns to scene of her last win in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes, a race for mares over 1400 metres.  Commanding Jewel won it last year from Catkins, before suffering an injury that ruled her out of autumn. It has attracted an excellent field of smart mares that include Cockram Stakes winner Gregers, Dear Demi, New Zealand Group 1 winner Viadana, Solicit and Bonaria. 

The Danehill Stakes, a Group 2 sprint over 1200 metres for three year olds also has a great field that includes Guelph’s little brother Ghibellines who I witnessed winning the Todman Stakes at Rosehill in March.  His only run after that was in the Golden Slipper Stakes where he ran eighth.  He’s one of a number of Sydney colts avoiding the heavy tracks that seem to curse the Sydney racing scene. These include the Group placed Brazen Beau and Nostradamus (if he doesn’t run in the Golden Rose in Sydney). The highly regarded sole filly in the race, Go Indy Go looks the top pick however and will most probably start as favourite and I suppose I should mention the so far unbeaten though lightly raced Get The Nod and last start winner Rich Enuff.

In Sydney the aforementioned Golden Rose is the feature race at Rosehill this Saturday. A Group 1 race for three year olds over 1400 metres, it has always been an intriguing contest and it has generally been won by the classiest runner in the field.  Zoustar won it last year and previous winners include Manawanui, Denman, Forensics and Epaulette.

So who is the classiest runner this year?

Peter Moody filly Bring Me The Maid is currently the favourite for the race. She’s in great form having won first up a fortnight ago on heavy going. Her greatest rival appears to be Hallowed Crown who romped home in the Group 3 Run To The Rose on a bog track at his last start. Better Land son of Amelia’s Dream by Sharmardal is another who has claims, as has Scissor Kick who has won his last three starts, and Almalad the only Group 1 winner in the field, would be unwise to overlook.

I’m also very interested in other races on the Rosehill card, particularly the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000 metres) where Makybe Diva’s little sister La Amistad will be kicking off her spring campaign. Whether she can win the race first up is questionable, but I’ll be watching to see how she fares.

One of my favourite race mares Catkins also resumes at Rosehill this weekend in the Group 3 Sheraco Stakes a race for fillies & mares over 1200 metres. Heavy tracks don’t worry Catkins and she goes well first up, so she is likely to win this.

Naturally I’ll be heading to the big track tomorrow to try my fortune in the forecast sunshine and experience what will no doubt be a great day of racing, with the added bonus of two Living Legends – Apache Cat & Paris Lane – being part of the attraction.

Super Cool–The First Group 1 of the Spring Racing Season

Super Cool at Caulfield - Memsie Stakes Day 2013

The excitement of first class racing builds this weekend with the running of the first Group 1 race of the 2014 Spring Racing season.

The Group 1 Memsie Stakes is the feature race at Caulfield on Saturday and is run over 1400 metres. Also on the card are several Group 3 races with classy fields.

You will have gathered from the photo above, that my old fave Super Cool returns to racing this Saturday. He’s had a long spell after his gruelling spring last year, so I’m curious to see how he runs in the Memsie Stakes, which has attracted an excellent field of contestants with no less than six Group 1 winners in the mix.

Atlantic Jewel won the race last year by three lengths, but it is harder to pick the winner this time round. A top chance is Boban, who is avoiding the currently heavy tracks in Sydney and has two Melbourne wins on his CV. His  fellow Sydneysider Sweet Idea started off her spring with a bang, winning the Group 2 Missile Stakes and could possibly repeat that feat. There’s also Caulfield specialist Moment of Change, running at his favourite distance and with the Peter Moody/Luke Nolen factor and Messene who was runner up in the Missile Stakes. Super New Zealand mare Silent Achiever kicks off her spring campaign and cannot be ignored – after all she has beaten the likes of Carlton House and It’s A Dundeel . Then you have others like Puissance de Lune, Happy Trails and Super Cool - all of whom have a chance to take home the prize. It looks to be a fascinating race, which I intend to witness first hand.

Atlantic Jewel winning the 2013 Memsie Stakes

Atlantic Jewel’s little sister Commanding Jewel returns to the track after a long injury induced lay off in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200 metres). She faces stiff competition from the likes of Dear Demi, Gregers, Thiamandi, Bonaria and Sino Eagle, but class could well prevail.

The Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes looks interesting as well. For three year olds it is also run over 1200 metres and has familiar contestants from a fortnight ago – Cornrow and Jabali for instance -  but also the very promising Nostradamus who won the San Domenico Stakes at his last outing. Other interesting runners are Chivalry, Tan Tat Diamond and Moonovermanhattan.

Melbourne is enjoying a warm and sunny break this week and these pleasant conditions are expected to continue into the weekend, so the track at Caulfield will be in good shape.

I’m keenly looking forward to getting to the track on Saturday to soak up the sunshine with the racing action, as well as seeing my favourite race horses competing again.

Spring has finally sprung!

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,

Sizzling Racing Action – Orr Stakes Day Review

Earthquake on her way to the barriers prior to winning the fillies Blue Diamond Prelude

When I walked into Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday morning, the first thing I saw was a bunch of people dressed as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Not really appropriate dress for the day you would think, but apparently they were part of the entertainment arranged for children.  There were also pony rides and carousels, which were not much of interest to this older person.

I arrived in plenty of time to watch Race 3, the Autumn Stakes. Unfortunately Polanski was scratched owing to a skin infection, so favouritism reverted to Sydney colt Rock Hero.  I rather fancied Thunder Fantasy, though didn’t have a bet on the race. I should have followed my fancy as Thunder Fantasy won the race comfortably from Rock Hero with Late Charge taking third spot.

Thunder Fantasy in the mounting yard

 
Autumn Stakes finish – Thunder Fantasy leads from Rock Hero down the straight.

The relentless sunshine meant that the light was not ideal for taking photographs, so I am surprised at how well my pictures turned out. I was expecting shadows and high contrast, but the balance is quite good overall.

The Kevin Hayes Stakes was the next race on the agenda, so I headed to the stalls and parade area to view the fillies. I was most interested in Shamalia who was parading shortly after I arrived at the scene.

  
Shamalia parading before the Kevin Hayes Stakes

I watched the race from the hill above the parade ring. Both Shamalia and Bound For Earth (who started favourite) finished unplaced, running fourth and fifth respectively. Spirits Dance narrowly won from Marianne with outsider Patricia Dawn running third.

Race 4 finish – just past the winning post – Spirits Dance leads.

Owing to the heat of the day, the interval between races was shortened to 30 minutes, so it wasn’t long before the first of the highly anticipated  Blue Diamond Preludes, the fillies edition, was to run.

I headed back to the lawn and the mounting yard, intending to grab a good position on the fence to watch the parade and take photos. Actually it was very easy to get good viewing spots as the heat was quite intense and discouraged the crowd from venturing out in it, unless they had some shade to shelter under.

Eloping


Top Dolly


Earthquake

Earthquake looked cool as a cucumber, completely unfazed and relaxed in the mounting yard and certainly proved she was a cut above her rivals winning the fillies Prelude with consummate ease, scoring by almost three lengths to Eloping in second place with Lumosty running a further three lengths third.  Earthquake has the same look and attitude that characterises top class fillies and mares like Guelph and Atlantic Jewel. She appears to be the real deal.

Down the straight in the fillies Blue Diamond Prelude- Earthquake romping to the finish line.

In contrast to the relaxed Earthquake, star colt Rubick was fractious in the mounting yard, bucking and kicking and was so unmanageable …

Rubick playing up in the mounting yard

… that he was ridden onto the track early.

Rubick on his way early to the barriers.

The other young fellows were well behaved and paraded without incident.

Nostradamus


Mohave

Rubick, like Earthquake started hot favourite and didn’t disappoint, winning the colts Prelude in dashing style after a much harder run than Earthquake had to endure. Interestingly, the time for both the fillies and colts Preludes was exactly the same to the second - 1:03.71.


Down the straight in the colts & geldings Prelude – Rubick  leads the pack

Jabali ran second with Chivalry scoring third spot. Nostradamus, cursed with a wide barrier, made up ground late to run fourth.

The Blue Diamond Stakes, to be run in a fortnight, looks like it will be a first class race, with both Earthquake and Rubick to be joined by Nayeli and other classy runners.  Earthquake is back to being favourite, her Prelude win being considered the better of the two.

I didn’t watch the next race, the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes, a sprint over 1100 metres. The favourite, Lankan Rupee won by over three lengths from Iconic with First Command four lengths third.

While that race was running, I was in the stalls area checking out Chris Waller’s contingent…

Foreteller enjoying a groom from his strapper

Hawkspur communing with his strapper

Arinosa posing with her strapper for this photo

Throughout the afternoon, 2009 Orr Stakes winner Maldivian was being paraded. Maldivian also won the 2008 Cox Plate and was famously scratched at the barrier in the 2007 Caulfield Cup, after he reared and hit his head. Rugby League star Billy Slater was riding him around at one point advertising Relaxed Racing and almost fell off at one stage when Maldivian reared up playfully.

Maldivian with (unfortunately headless) Billy Slater

Maldivian led out the Orr Stakes field as well.

Maldivian leading out the Orr Stakes field.

 
Foreteller

Eurozone

Hawkspur

The winner – Moment of Change

Shamus Award

On Saturday only six horses contested the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes with Sertorius being scratched early Saturday because of the heat. So the race was a pretty relaxed run affair. Moment of Change took the lead early in the race with Shamus Award running in second spot, slightly ahead of Eurozone. The rest were spread out and only began to bunch up in the straight.  Moment of Change increased his lead in the straight, and Shamus Award who was tossing his head around and wanting to lay in, was passed by Eurozone who rapidly closed on Moment Of Change but just couldn't quite catch him. It was a victory for the Peter Moody/Luke Nolen team again, and Moment of Change’s first win since he took out the 2012 Rupert Clarke Stakes, though he has been consistently placed in quality races, running second behind the likes of Buffering and Black Caviar.

Orr Stakes finish down the straight – Moment of Change leads with Eurozone overtaking Shamus Award.

I stayed for the final race on the cards, the Group 3 Bellmaine Stakes for mares over 1200 metres. mostly because I wanted to see Arinosa in action. I’ve been following her for a while, another pretty grey mare trained by Chris Waller.

Arinosa in the mounting yard

By the time this race was run the heat had intensified and the sun was scorching as we waited on the fence. Thankfully it was the last race.  It was won by the Peter Moody trained A Time For Julia from Danestroem and Bonaria. Arinosa never had a hope being caught behind a wall of horses, and finished at the tail of the field.

Bellmaine Stakes finish down the straight – A Time For Julia is about to overtake Danestroem.

The early start to the racing program was a good idea. It was hot all day, but only got intolerable at the end. Horse welfare was obviously catered to, as ready supplies of water were everywhere in the stalls area, and I didn’t witness any distressed horses.

There was a good crowd in attendance, but not over the top, and a great many children. The only loutish behaviour I saw, was a nitwit, who threw his friend’s shoe over the fence onto the track before the Orr Stakes. It was retrieved by security and returned to its owner.

Though it was hot, I survived my day at the races alright and was glad I had made the effort to attend. It was worth it to see Earthquake and Rubick in action.

In Sydney, the Expressway Stakes was taken out by Appearance. Boban was very disappointing and finished unplaced, but the race was probably too short for him, as he tends to race at the tail of the field and swoop late.

Next Saturday the racing is at Flemington and the feature race is the Group One Black Caviar Lightning. The weather will be much more pleasant and possibly even with showers of rain. It hasn’t rained in Melbourne for weeks, so the rain will be welcome.

A final photo is one that I found  amusing – a bloke towing a bag with a tiny pony on a lead following behind.