Miracles Again! Australian Guineas Day at Flemington

Miracles of Life makes a welcome return to racing this Saturday

Racing this coming Saturday is at the wide open spaces of Flemington Racecourse and the feature race is the Group 1 Australian Guineas. It’s a 1600 metre race for three year olds, and this year’s field has quite a few likely chances, so it’s a bit of puzzler to figure out the winner.

First off you’ve got Cox Plate winner Shamus Award, who recently ran third to Moment of Change in the Orr Stakes, then you’ve got Eurozone who almost stole the race, missing by the shortest of  margins. Hucklebuck, the current Australian Guineas favourite, who looked very good winning the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes is another, as is Thunder Fantasy who returned to racing on a winning note, taking out the Group 2 Autumn Stakes by a comfortable margin.

Also worth consideration are others like Prince Harada, Rock Hero, and The Quarterback who were placed in one or other of  the aforementioned preparatory races. Polanski is missing from the field, and indeed will be missing from the racetrack from here on, the injury he sustained in the Futurity Stakes last week ending his racing career.

Anyone remember the 1980s radio show on 3RRR called Punter to Punter? I have fond memories of the show especially when I see the Frances Tressady Stakes on a racing program, after the “punters” ingrained it in my psyche by singing the race name to the tune of “Here we go gathering nuts in May”.  They also had an hilarious section called Trivial Form Guide where they formulated a cryptic discussion using references from the form guide.

It just so happens that the Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes for fillies and mares is on the support card at Flemington this Saturday. It is named after a filly who won the rare double of the Victoria Derby and the Victoria Oaks in the same season in 1923 .  A field of handy mares, no fillies, will be contesting this year’s edition of the race. Top chances are former Western Australian mare Power Princess, Sino Eagle who won her last start,  the smart Floria resuming and Five All who was successful two starts back before being beaten by Sino Eagle.

Miracles of Life has not been seen since running unplaced in the Blue Sapphire Stakes in October last year. She suffered an internal haemorrhage on that occasion, but is back in good health by all accounts. She will be up against the older horses for the first time in a 1000 metre sprint down the Flemington straight, the race being the Listed Bob Hoysted Handicap. As her regular jockey Lauren Stojakovic is recovering from a race fall, Miracles of Life will be ridden by Corey Brown, so it will interesting to see how he fares with her. Whether “Barbie” can win the race is in the lap of the gods, but I’ll certainly be cheering her home.

There are three excellent Group 2 races in Sydney this Saturday at Rosehill. The first of these is the Millie Fox Stakes for fillies and mares run over 1300 metres. Sterling performer Red Tracer begins her autumn campaign in this.  She faces six opponents who include Royal Descent who won the Group 1 Australian Oaks last autumn, A Time For Julia who won her last start  in Melbourne. Red Tracer is the class mare in this race and should win.

The second Group 2 competition at Rosehill is the Silver Slipper Stakes  for two year olds. It’s a sort of early prelude to the Golden Slipper and is 1100 metre sprint. The most interesting runner is Unencumbered, who won the Magic Millions Two Year Old Classic in January and has been spelling since.  He is currently second favourite for the Golden Slipper behind Earthquake and is a very talented colt who will most likely win this race. His main rivals appear to be Law and Risen From Doubt who both have recent winning runs on the board.

I’m also interested in watching the feature race, the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes, a race over 1400 metres for three year olds.  My attention will be on It’s A Dundeel’s stable mate Atlante, who won the New Zealand Guineas at his last start. He’s up against a classy field that includes the well performed Dissident, Romantic Touch, Savvy Nature and Woodbine.

Still on racing, I have been reading over the past few days Les Carlyon’s terrific collection called True Grit, which covers his observations on horse racing over a 40 year period. He’s a wonderful writer who can conjure up in a few choice sentences the atmosphere, romance  and excitement of first class racing and bring to life both the human and equine characters of the turf.

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.

Black Caviar Lightning 2014 Edition

Black Caviar saunters to the track before winning her third Lightning Stakes in February 2013

More racing excitement is on the way this weekend with Flemington Racecourse hosting the Group One Black Caviar Lightning and several other interesting events.

The Black Caviar Lightning, formerly known as the Lightning Stakes, was renamed last year to honour the great mare. She is sorely missed from the racetrack, but at least the 2014 field won’t have to contend with her and her great rival Hay List, nor current sprinting star Buffering. So it’s wide open, with a slightly crazy list of acceptances, that includes a pair of two year olds (Boomwaa & Bugatty), a trio of three year olds (Thermal Current, Bernabeu & Brilliant Bisc) and sundry older sprinters, chief among them brilliant mares Snitzerland and Samaready.  Most of the field are first up after a spell, so it’s anybody’s guess who will win, but I fancy the two mares and can’t decide which one has the better chance.

The other really interesting race on the cards is the Group Three
CS Hayes Stakes for three year old colts and geldings run over 1400 metres. Polanski, if he has recovered from the skin rash that caused his scratching last week, will finally start his autumn campaign.  His main opposition comes from Criterion who ran fourth behind Polanski in the Victorian Derby, Hucklebuck who won his first start back from a spell, Worth A Ransom, The Quarterback and Prince Harada who all have a run under their belts, finishing second, third and fourth behind Bull Point in the Manfred Stakes. I really want Prince Harada to show some of the brilliance his trainer insists he has, but he’s been most disappointing in general.  His only two wins were on heavy tracks, so perhaps a soft track is what he needs.

The other group race at Flemington on Saturday is the Group Three Mitty’s Vanity for three year old fillies, also over 1400 metres.  Top picks are the amusingly named Scratchy Bottom who won her last start, Girl In Flight who has won all three of her starts, Solicit who ran third in the Crown Oaks and Lights of Heaven’s little sister Spirit of Heaven.

In Sydney at Rosehill there is an interesting race card as well where the Group Two Breeder’s Classic is the feature race, It has a super field of smart mares that include Streama, Catkins, White Sage, Steps In Times, Sharnee Rose and Driefontein.  I’m most interested in Catkins and also another grey mare White Sage who is unbeaten in five starts. Should be a ripper of a race.

On the subject of Sydney racing, New Zealand star It’s A Dundeel will kick off  his autumn campaign in the Chipping Norton Stakes at Warwick Farm in early March.  Alas he won’t be seen in Melbourne, but I’ll be keenly following his progress nonetheless. He now has a great web site, just launched.  Check it out and particularly the video of his strapper Emily Murphy talking about her ideal boyfriend.

I’m looking forward to returning to Flemington this Saturday. At least I won’t have to pay entry as my Flemington season’s ticket covers entry to the course up to the end of July.  Also my old favourite Apache Cat may be there, so I’ll be delighted to see him again. He won the Lightning Stakes 2008.

A Hot Day of Racing at Caulfield – the first Group 1 of the season

Derby winner Polanski returns this Saturday in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes

As the title of this post suggests, a hot day, in both temperature and racing action, is on the cards this Saturday.  Featuring the Group 1
CF Orr Stakes, the 9 race program also includes two Group 2 races and four Group 3 events.

Taking into account the forecast of 40°C , the Melbourne Racing Club has decided to start the race meeting two hours  early, so that all the races be will run and won by mid afternoon. The temperature in Melbourne mounts throughout the day and normally peaks at around 4.30-5.00pm.

It is going to be sizzler of day, but I intend to go nevertheless, slathered in sunscreen, as I really want to witness in particular the two Blue Diamond Preludes and the Orr Stakes.

My intention is to arrive in time to see the running of the Group 2 Autumn Stakes, Race 3 on the program, which is scheduled for 12.00pm. It’s a race for three year olds over 1400 metres, and has Victorian Derby winner Polanski as top weight.  The 1400 metres may be a bit short for him, but he is the class act in the field.  Thunder Fantasy who ran third in the Derby appears to be the next best dressed, along with Sydney colt Rock Hero and Countersnip.

The Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes, a 1200 metre race for three year old fillies, has some class with Bound For Earth and Shamalia as part of the field. Bound for Earth defeated the practically invincible Guelph in the Furious Stakes last spring, though Guelph went on to defeat her in the Tea Rose Stakes, Flight Stakes and Thousand Guineas thereafter. Shamalia has won her only two starts, and is a bright star in the Bart & James Cummings stable.  Other classy fillies in the mix are Spirits Dance, Marianne, Whistle Baby and Miracle To Me. An interesting race.

The first of the Blue Diamond Preludes (1100 metres) is to be run at 1.05pm, and is for the fillies. All eyes will be on Earthquake whose only run back in November 2013, had her posted as early Blue Diamond favourite.  She gets her chance to prove she is super special in this race. However, there are a few other well credentialed fillies competing against her, such as Eloping who has raced twice for two wins, Lumosty who ran second to Eloping at her last start, Top Dolly who ran a close second to the smart Oakleigh Girl who was runner up in the Magic Millions Two Year Old Classic behind Unencumbered, and Golconda, who looks a promising type.

In the colts and geldings Blue Diamond Prelude, there are a total of six young lads with a win against their names.  One of them of course is Rubick who is the current Blue Diamond favourite. I must admit his win was quite impressive, but then again so were the wins of Nostradamus, Mohave and Chivalry, so the hype on Rubick is I think a little premature. He very likely will win the Prelude with Nostradamus being disadvantaged by a bad barrier draw (Gate 18). The race will most certainly be riveting, whoever wins.

The CF Orr Stakes is scheduled to run at 2.45pm, and has a small field of 8 (now 7 since Playing God was scratched) runners, five of them being Group One winners. It’s good to see the stars of the spring resuming, and several of them are in this race. Surprise three year old  Cox Plate winner Shamus Award has a chance to emulate All Too Hard and beat the older horses and score the second win of his career.  Fellow three year old Eurozone trained by Bart & James Cummings and with the in form Damien Oliver on his back may be a better chance. Other familiar runners resuming are Foreteller, Hawkspur and Moment of Change.  The latter is currently the favourite, but I reckon Foreteller might pull off one of his rare wins in the Orr Stakes. Whatever, he can’t be overlooked. The only contestant with recent  runs under his belt is Finishing Card who won the Group 3 Barton Stakes at Caulfield in late January and is worthy of consideration.

In Sydney, one of the 2013 spring superstars,  Boban, starts his autumn campaign in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200 metres). Can he add another picket to the fence against his name?  He has to beat the smart Rain Affair who always goes well fresh. Also in the field is the Queen’s horse Carlton House who is yet to win a race in Australia, though to be fair, he’s only run in one so far. Honest mare Appearance also resumes in the Expressway, as do Speediness,  Sizzling and Pinwheel. No doubt all eyes will be on Boban in what looks to be a very interesting race.

Smelling the Roses – Derby Day Review

Hugh Bowman expresses his delight  as Polanski returns to scale after winning the 2013 Victoria Derby

If you have never visited Flemington Racecourse, you would not have experienced the overwhelming wonder of the roses, luxuriantly in bloom over the period of the Spring racing carnival. The mounting yard is surrounded by a hedge of roses, as is the fence all the way down the straight, and the mounting yard gates have yellow climbing roses entwining the ornate wrought iron gate posts on each side.

Rose hedge where I was standing when watching the races

As expected the crowds were overwhelming as well, but despite that I managed to find a good position on the fence next to the pathway where the horses leave the mounting yard for the track, so was able to photograph the horses as they went out to the track and returned.

I planned to arrive at the track in plenty of time to see Race 4, the first of the Group 1 events, and arrived early enough to witness Race 3, the Group 3 Lexus Stakes, a distance race over 2500 metres.  It was won by Irish invader Ruscello who gained  entry into the Melbourne Cup with the win. Granddaughter of 1991 Melbourne Cup winner Let’s Elope,  Let’s Make Adeal ran second with Araldo filling third place.

Ruscello after winning the Lexus Stakes

By contrast to the public lawn and the rest of the course, the stalls area was sparsely populated as is usually the case, so thence I went to catch the parade of contenders for the Coolmore Stud Stakes. Zoustar, the hot favourite was being saddled up…

Zoustar in his stall being prepared for the race

Divine Calling in the Parade Ring

Fast N Rocking in the Parade Ring

Returning trackside I found a position on the fence beside the mounting yard path and was able to photograph the runners as they made their way to the track.

Lion of Belfort

Missy Longstocking

Not Listenin’tome

Zoustar was sensational and won by a length from Not Listenin’tome with Lion of Belfort running third.

Zoustar returns to scale after winning the Coolmore Stud Stakes

The next race on the card was the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes and Jet Away was the favourite. I decided to have a bet on this race, my first for the afternoon, and went and queued at the nearest bookie to have a wager on Dear Demi, whose odds were quite good.

Back on the fence, the runners eventually moved out onto the track…

Dear Demi

Pakal

Cox Plate International invitee Side Glance, who ran sixth in that race, made the trip worth while by winning the Mackinnon Stakes, from Dear Demi and Moriarty. He’s a very good looking horse I must admit.

Side Glance returns to scale after winning the Mackinnon Stakes

The feature race was next on the program, so I made sure of my position well before the field left the mounting yard.

Complacent

Polanski

Criterion

Polanski, a horse that only cost $4000, won the race easily. A feel good story if ever there was one. My pick Complacent ran second and 30/1 long shot Thunder Fantasy took out third spot.

The final Group 1 race of the day was the Myer Classic for fillies and mares. I was keen to see how Catkins would go in it against her classier stable mate Red Tracer. Catkins led practically from start to finish and was only beaten by Red Tracer on the line – by a nose. Fire Up Fifi ran third.

Nash Rawiller celebrates his win on Red Tracer in the Myer Classic

Catkins returns to scale – certainly not disgraced.

I didn’t bother staying for the last two races, so after collecting my winnings on Catkins I headed for the station.

So that was my Derby Day. My trepidations about the huge crowd were largely correct, but despite that it was fairly easy to move through the masses and also escape them in the stalls area. The queue to get a drink was long and the wait was tedious, but as I had one beer all afternoon I only had to endure it once.

Crowd scene

And I was pleased that my previous explorations of Flemington racecourse had equipped me to find the best spots for taking photos under the circumstances. I was surprised the spot I found on the fence was unoccupied before each race.  This was probably due to the area directly in front of it being taken up by broadcasting equipment and camera persons, which obscured the view of the big screen. I didn’t mind as I could see enough to gauge the pattern of the race. The below photo is of the press corps. The lady with long blonde/red hair and huge camera is Bronwen Healy, who takes wonderful photos of racehorses that make mine look amateurish which I freely admit they are.

The next race meeting is the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday. I have decided not to attend it, but will probably go to the Oaks on Thursday and Emirate Stakes day next Saturday.

I’ve rushed this entry, as I wanted to get it posted tonight. Tomorrow I’ll post my thoughts on the Melbourne Cup.