Al and The Cat and Black Caviar

Alligator Blood wins the CS Hayes Stakes from Catalyst

It was a shame about the weather, which was truly atrocious, but the racing action was superlative last Saturday at Flemington.

A drizzly fine rain was leaking from the sky as I set out for Flemington from Ivanhoe, and was pretty much the same out west at the big track for most of the afternoon.

Upon arrival I headed directly for the Western Lawn to my usual photography spot just past the finishing post. Race 3, the Talindert Stakes was set to run, so I captured the action as best I could  in the conditions. Black Caviar’s cousin Ole Kirk kicked off his career with a win and paid big odds of over $30.00. He beat Nitrous and favourite Mildred by a narrow margin.

Ole Kirk (no. 12) noses out Nitrous on the line

Ole Kirk returns to scale after winning the Talindert Stakes

The fine rain created a misty haze on the photo above, but otherwise the afternoon light was quite lovely as a contrast to bright sunlight.

After the Talindert I headed off to the stalls area to see who had arrived.

Alligator Blood was in his stall looking super confident…

Alligator Blood

…and Catalyst was being groomed in his stall.

Catalyst

Also present were the special Living Legends equine guests, champion greys Efficient and Fawkner.

Efficient

Fawkner

Further along was the hot favourite for the Black Caviar Lightning, Nature Strip…

Nature Strip

…and Loving Gaby.

Loving Gaby

Back trackside it was almost time for race 4, the Ebor Trophy, a race over 2000 metres for middle distance runners and not terribly interesting over all.

It resulted with Salsamor narrowly winning from Skelm and Classic Wei Wei.

Ebor Trophy finish – Salsamor has the lime green & blue silks

With time to kill before the highly anticipated CS Hayes Stakes we headed back to the mounting yard to grab a prime spot. Efficient and Fawkner were parading around as their illustrious careers were displayed on the big screen.

Efficient

Fawkner

Soon enough the field for the CS Hayes Stakes were filing into the mounting yard.

Alligator Blood

Catalyst

Chenier

Dalasan

Soul Patch

Yourdeel

The 2020  CS Hayes Stakes lived up to expectations and was the highlight of the afternoon racing program. A terrific race, with Alligator Blood and Catalyst racing side by side from the start with Alligator Blood having a slight lead over Catalyst. As they turned into the straight, the real competition began as they upped the tempo, going head to head to the finish line, Alligator Blood winning by a nose. It was classic stuff reminiscent of the great two horse duels of the past – Our Waverley Star vs Bonecrusher, Testa Rossa vs Redoute’s Choice are two that come to mind. Chenier finished third a length behind.

Alligator Blood returns to scale

Catalyst on his way to the barriers

Chenier returns to scale

Catalyst and Alligator Blood meet again in a fortnight in the Group 1 Australian Guineas and Super Seth will be there as well.

Race 6 was a sprint, the Royal Ascot Handicap and was won by Sirius Suspect from Taniko and Prezado.

Sirius Suspect (yellow silks) wins the Royal Ascot Handicap from Taniko

After the Royal Ascot  we dashed back to the mounting yard as Black Caviar was scheduled to parade after the post race 6 ceremonies and we wanted to get a front fence position.

Though the crowds were down at Flemington last Saturday, no doubt due to the weather, everyone converged on the mounting yard for the great mare’s arrival and the crowd was three deep on the fence. We were lucky enough to score a special poster of Black Caviar being handed out behind us.

Black Caviar’s appearance was heralded by flag bearers who stood around the mounting yard until her connections were in place then marched off elsewhere.

Flags herald Black Caviar’s appearance

I took over a hundred photos of Black Caviar I reckon. Continuous shooting tends to result in a surfeit of shots, but I saved 50 as they were mostly alright and I couldn’t decide what to keep and what to discard.

Black Caviar parade 1

Black Caviar parade 2

Black Caviar parade 3 – Peter Moody offers the mare a carrot

Black Caviar parade 4 – the great mare surveys her old kingdom

Black Caviar parade 5 – not more photographers!

She paraded around the mounting yard for quite some time, doing at least three circuits. She looked extremely well, her coat dappled and glowing with health and it was great to see her again after a 7 year hiatus.

She had no sooner left the mounting yard than the Black Caviar Lightning field were making their way thence.

Loving Gaby

Nature Strip

Redzel

Gytrash

Nature Strip was the short odds favourite for the Black Caviar Lightning, but ended unplaced after over-racing on the wrong side of the track (outer rail) and tiring before the finish. Loving Gaby who also raced along the outer rail finished third. However, the winner Gytrash, raced along the inner rail with Redzel, hot on his heels, running second. Luckily I focussed my camera on the inside rail so got a photo of the finish.

Black Caviar Lightning finish – Gytrash heads off Redzel as they approach the finish line.

Gytrash returns to scale

As trains back to the city were running again I headed home after the Black Caviar Lightning.

It had been a better than usual race meeting despite the less than perfect weather but worth it to see Alligator Blood and Catalyst fight out the CS Hayes Stakes.

Next Saturday is Blue Diamond Stakes Day at Caulfield with the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate and especially the Futurity Stakes being sterling accompaniments to the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes.

Hopefully the weather will be more clement next week.

The Great Horse Day – Caviar Back on the Menu

Black Caviar returns to scale after winning the 2012 Lightning Stakes

I was already keenly anticipating the Black Caviar Lightning meeting at Flemington, but the icing on the cake was the announcement on Tuesday that the great lady herself, none other than Black Caviar, will be present in the flesh for the occasion.

Black Caviar won the Lightning Stakes three times – 2011, 2012 and 2013 – and the race was renamed in her honour in 2013, so it’s thrilling that she will be there to parade before the race. She is having a break from motherhood this year, hence her appearance at Flemington on Saturday. She will be accompanied by all her connections – owners, Peter Moody, Luke Nolen and former strappers Donna and Patrick. It is most unusual for a retired mare to be brought back to the scene of their great victories - I certainly can’t think of another.

Anyway I look forward to seeing her again having last set eyes on her at her farewell back in April 2013.

The 2020 Black Caviar Lightning has only attracted a small field of seven runners, but include the exciting Nature Strip, dual Everest winner Redzel and 2019 Manikato Stakes winner Loving Gaby, who are the top contenders.

The race, however, that has every horse racing fan’s heart pounding is the CS Hayes Stakes, where top three year olds  Alligator Blood and Catalyst will be facing off for the first time. Super Seth is bypassing this race to run against the older horses in the Futurity Stakes on Blue Diamond Stakes Day.

Alligator Blood  - Caulfield 29/9/19

Alligator Blood has attracted a wide following and is now the most popular racehorse in Australia. He has won 8 of his 9 starts, his only loss coming from Super Seth in the Caulfield Guineas last Spring. He is related to Black Caviar being sired by her half brother All Too Hard.

 Catalyst has won 6 of his 7 starts and is regarded as New Zealand’s top three year old.  The only others with a chance in the race are Dalasan, Yourdeel and Soul Patch.

My intention is to get to Flemington by Race 3, the Talindert Stakes, a race for two year olds over 1100 metres. All Too Hard had his first start in this race back in 2012 and won. The top chance is smart filly Mildred this year, though the field also includes a close relation to Black Caviar, colt Ole Kirk, whose dam is Black Caviar’s full sister, having his first start.

Unfortunately the weather does not look promising with rain forecast to fall during the afternoon.  It will however be on the cool side as compensation.

Sydney Bound Again

Winx on her way to winning the 2018 George Ryder Stakes

I’m off to Sydney tomorrow afternoon to attend the super race meeting at Rosehill Racecourse on Saturday where wonder mare Winx will be running her second last race before retirement.

In my past two trips to Sydney I flew up on the Saturday, but this year decided to take the less stressful option of staying an extra night in Sydney to avoid the inevitable flight delays that result in fret and worry about arriving in time to get to the races.

So I can take it easy this year, staying overnight and being pretty well assured of an early arrival at Rosehill Racecourse.

Last year I was astounded by how easy it was to get a good position on the fence to photograph the races. This year I suspect it will be more crowded with Winx fans jostling for position. Anyway I’ll play it as it lays and hope for the perfect spot and good photographs.

As it has rained heavily in Sydney this week, the track is sure to be on the soggy side. This won’t faze Winx – she loves it wet.

There are five Group 1 races on the program and the first to run is the Rosehill Guineas, where I’m looking forward to seeing The Autumn Sun in action again.  He faces 12 rivals, the most threatening being New Zealand colts Madison County, Crown Prosecutor and Surely Sacred.

Winx will be gunning for her 32nd consecutive win in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes, a race she has won easily three times already.  Six other runners will be vying for second place; the formerly Darren Weir trained Land of Plenty, So Si Bon and colts Ringerdingding and Brutal.

In the Ranvet Stakes Avilius will be out to redeem his reputation after his poor showing in the Australian Cup. Also in the picture are Chris Waller mares Egg Tart, Unforgotten & Shillelagh and classy New Zealand mare Danzdanzdance who has excellent wet form.

The Golden Slipper is a conundrum with no particular stand out performers, the field comprised of six colts and ten fillies. Top colts are Microphone, Yes Yes Yes and Cosmic Force whilst the top filly chances are Blue Diamond Stakes winner Lyre,  recent winners Tenley, Pin Sec, Exhilarates and Kiamichi.

I’m looking forward to seeing Nature Strip again in the final Group 1 of the afternoon, the Galaxy. Can he redeem his reputation after his dismal failure in the Oakleigh Plate?  He’ll have to beat a classy field that includes double Everest winner Redzel who loves the wet.

On Friday night Sunlight will be aiming for another Group 1 win in the William Reid Stakes. At her only other start at Moonee Valley under lights, she ended unplaced for the only time in her career, though had excuses when she missed the jump and was then blocked for running room.  She has drawn the widest barrier this time, but with Shoals and Champagne Cuddles scratched she faces only seven rivals, most of whom she has beaten in the past.

Super Saturday–Caulfield Guineas Day

Mighty Boss wins the 2017 Caulfield Guineas

With fine and sunny weather forecast for Saturday, the Caulfield Guineas meeting promises to be a sterling afternoon of first class racing with four Group 1 races and a strong support card.

It’s going to be a very long day with the races run at 35 minute intervals early in the day, but longer intervals of up to 50 minutes from Race 7 to Race 9, to accommodate coverage of The Everest in Sydney.

I normally would take my time getting to Caulfield on Guineas Day but this year I’m keen to get a look at an unusual white filly running in the first race. Aptly named Utzon, she is a daughter of The Opera House,  a pure white mare who raced briefly without much success earlier this decade. I mentioned her in a blog post back then.

Exceptionally well bred, being a three quarter sister to Might and Power, The Opera House has produced three white foals and Utzon is the first hit the racetrack. Utzon trialled the other day and showed great promise, winning comfortably after leading throughout.

There is a plethora of quality racehorses performing at Caulfield on Saturday, several of whom I have not seen in the flesh, such as the Chris Waller contingent of D’Argento, Unforgotten and The Autumn Sun, all potential stars who have previously won at Group 1 level.

Then there are the Internationals having their first run on Australian soil, and personal favourites such as golden girl Sunlight who is one of a field of 13 in Race 3, the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes. Sunlight shares topweight with the talented Enbihaar who was the Blue Diamond Stakes runner up, so it looks a match race between these two fillies.  Others in the picture are Humma Humma and Meryl.

The first of the Group 1 races to run is the Thousand Guineas, the fillies equivalent of the Caulfield Guineas and a stellar field of talented girls will contest the 1600 metre event. Top picks are Smart Melody, Thrillster, Amphitrite, Fiesta and El Dorado Dreaming.

More class is on display in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap, run over 1600 metres as well. Hartnell, the surprise Epsom Handicap winner is top weight and faces stiff competition from the likes of Rupert Clark Stakes winner Jungle Cat, Dollar for Dollar, Land of Plenty and mares I Am A Star, Shillelagh and Noire.

Two high class International race horses, out here for the Cups and Cox Plate, have accepted for the Caulfield Stakes (now called Ladbroke Stakes), these being Benbatl, a Group 1 winner in the UK and Thecliffsofmoher trained by the canny Aiden O’Brian from Ireland.  It will be interesting to see how they fare against the locals – Humidor, Night’s Watch, D’Argento and Unforgotten – and acclimatised imports such as Tosen Basil and Homesman. 

The Caulfield Guineas is scheduled to run at 5.15pm as Race 9, but is well worth hanging around for, having attracted an excellent field.  Last year rank outsider Mighty Boss won at 100/1 denying highly fancied Sydney colt Kementari the prize, and this year the top contenders are Sydney colt The Autumn Sun and the locally trained Native Soldier and Leonardo Da Hinchi.  Also in with a chance are the Hawkes trained contender Outrageous, the Mick Price trained Tavisan and sole filly, the ever honest Oohood.

In Sydney, The Everest,  the richest sprint race in the world is run at 4.15pm on a heavy track. There are many chances the best being last year’s winner Redzel, latest sprint sensation Santa Ana Lane, Vega Magic who ran third last year in the race, and speedy mares Viddora and Shoals.

Makybe Diva Stakes Day & Go Winx

Humidor winning the 2017 Makybe Diva Stakes

Group 1 racing returns to Flemington this Saturday with the running of the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes, and at Randwick in Sydney, superstar Winx continues her progress towards the Cox Plate in the Group 1 George Main Stakes the day after her 7th birthday.

So there’s lots of action as the Spring racing carnival gathers pace.

Much as I’d like to be in Sydney to watch Winx race, I’ll be attending the Flemington meeting. It is very likely that Winx will contest the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington in early October, so I’ll be content to wait until then to see her in the flesh in what may be her last racing season.

It all depends on the train timetable at which time I will reach Flemington, but I hope to be there in plenty of time to watch Race 4, the Listed Antler Luggage Plate where the handsome Brutal will be aiming to keep his so far unbeaten run intact.  His main opponents are The August, Good ‘n’ Fast, Crockett and Declarationofheart.

Besides the Makybe Diva Stakes, there’s a solid support card with three Group 2 races, the first to run being the Bobby Lewis Quality, a sprint over 1200 metres. Hey Doc, who disappointed at Moonee Valley at his last start will probably start as favourite.  The rest of the field is not much chop, the best being Rich Charm, Grand Rosso and Crack Me Up.

The Let’s Elope Stakes has attracted a nice field of well performed mares that include I Am A Star, La Bella Diosa, Miss Gunpowder, Merriest, Bella Martini and Kenedna returning after a long break. 

As the Makybe Diva Stakes has not been consecutively won by the same horse since the 1950s, can last year’s winner Humidor achieve this rare double?  He surprised at big odds winning the Memsie Stakes at his second start for spring 2018.  Half of the 12 strong field that contested the Memsie Stakes have accepted for the Makybe Diva.  Added to the usual suspects – Happy Clapper, Humidor, Kementari et al  are the in form Comin’ Through, New Zealander Jon Snow and  Western Australian Pounamu.  Other than the aforementioned the romantically named Kings Wiil Dream looks top pick having won over the distance at Flemington previously.

Run after the Makybe Diva Stakes, the third of the Group 2 races is the Danehill Stakes for three year olds run over 1200 metres. Top chances are Native Soldier, Tavisan and Ef Troop. I probably won’t witness it first hand as I plan to leave Flemington after the feature race.

The must see race of the day is of course the George Main Stakes where Winx will be facing seven rivals, four of them her stablemates Who Shot Thebarman, Religify, Egg Tart and Unforgotten. Unforgotten won the Chelmsford Stakes at her last start, a race won by Winx the previous year. Though not likely to beat the invincible Winx, she is very likely to run second. 2017 Victorian Derby winner Ace High and three time Group 1 winner Le Romain are also not without place claims.

There are also some quality Group 2 races at Randwick, The Shorts for instance, a sprint over 1100 metres that pits three The Everest stakeholders against each other, namely Redzel, Brave Smash and Invincible Star. It looks a doozy of a race.

Though it is warm and sunny in Melbourne today, the weather is forecast to be cold and wet tomorrow. Hopefully it will not be as bad as predicted.  It seems that each weekend of this spring racing season the weather alternates between one extreme and the other – sunny and soggy.

Doncaster– Derby Day 2018

Kementari – Doncaster Favourite photographed at Rosehill 24/3/18

The first Saturday of Sydney Racing’s  pompously named The Championships takes place this weekend at Randwick racetrack and features four Group 1 races -  the time honoured Doncaster Mile and  Australian Derby as well the Inglis Sires and T J Smith Stakes.

There’s something for everyone in the schedule with the Inglis Sires being a race for two year olds over 1400 metres, the Derby, a 2400 metres race for three year old stayers, the Doncaster a top class 1600 metres competition for middle distance runners, and the T J Smith a sprint over 1200 metres.

The first of the Group 1 events to run is the Inglis Sires and has attracted a field of 12 colts/geldings and 3 fillies. I’m interested in seeing how Encryption performs and whether he can emulate his ancestors and take home the Group 1 prize. His dam Guelph won the Sires in 2013, his granddam Camarilla in 2007 and his grand sire Octagonal won it in 1995. So it would be fitting if Encryption could do the family proud.

He’ll have to beat classy fillies Oohood and Seabrook, the former in particular who ran third in the Blue Diamond Stakes and second in the Golden Slipper at her last start and surely deserves a win.

The Australian Derby has been won over the past three years by New Zealand invaders  - Jon Snow (2017) Tavago (2016) and Mongolian Khan (2015) so it’s quite likely that Kiwis will take home the prize this year.

There are 7 New Zealanders in this year’s  Derby with the Murray Baker trained New Zealand Derby winner Vin De Dance being the pick of them. He’s one of the few runners to have won over the distance. Victoria Derby winner Ace High has been a tad disappointing so far this autumn, but he is proven over 2400 metres so has to be the best of the locals, along with Levendi, and Tangled and Furore who ran second and third in the Rosehill Guineas.

Redzel, who narrowly lost to Redkirk Warrior in the Lightning Stakes, is the top pick for the TJ Smith Stakes. Chautauqua won the race the last three years in succession, but is not part of the field, after he refused to leave the barriers in several trials recently, and has subsequently been sent for a long spell.

Despite Chautauqua’s absence it looks a classy field with mares, In Her Time, Global Glamour and English being Redzel’s main rivals. Also in with a chance is Brave Smash and Trapeze Artist, both with good recent form.

Happy Clapper, Humidor and Kementari are the three top chances in the Doncaster Mile, though one of the other runners such as Tosen Stardom, Lanciato or Prized Icon could steal the show. The last three year old to win the Doncaster was Triple Honour in 2008, so can the beautiful Kementari, with a generous weight advantage over the older horses, succeed ten years later?

It looks a great day of racing, run on a good track, which I shall watch at home with interest. 

*Update Saturday Evening*

As expected is was an interesting race meeting with one sensational result, when 100/1 shot El Dorado Dreaming took out the Inglis Sires, winning by a nose from the favourite Oohood, with 50/1 shot Outrageous finishing third.

Ace High, fighting out a thrilling finish in the Derby, was defeated by a nose by Levendi with Tangled several lengths behind running third.

Redzel was rolled in the TJ Smith by the three year old Trapeze Artist. In Her Time ran third.

And the Doncaster was won by the tough Happy Clapper from Comin’ Through and Arbeitsam.

So my analysis above was not all that out except for the Inglis Sires.

Seeing Red– Black Caviar Lightning Review

Regan Bayliss celebrates Redkirk Warrior’s Lightning win as he returns to scale

It was another classic Group 1 finish in the Black Caviar Lightning with Redzel, who looked the winner, being overtaken at the finish line by Redkirk Warrior, who flashed down the outside to win by a nose. It was a perfectly timed run by jockey Regan Bayliss who had reason to celebrate after several recent misjudged rides had dented his reputation. Missrock finished third 1.3 lengths behind.

I reached Flemington at around 1.30 pm,  and headed directly to the stalls area to see the Living Legends who were out in force to mark The Great Horse Raceday.  As I already have heaps of photos of the old legends,  I didn’t bother to get snaps, other than one of Maluckyday who I had not seen before.

Maluckyday – 2nd in the 2010 Melbourne Cup

Dillydallying in the stalls area I missed  Race 3, but returned trackside to watch Race 4, the Goodwood Racecourse Handicap (1600 metres) where the romantically named Kings Will Dream, an Irish import with the Darren Weir Stable,  won easily from Notio and Downhearted.

Kings Will Dream wins the Goodwood Racecourse Handicap

Kings Will Dream returns to scale

Flemington was in festive mode though not crowded, with families out in force. The roses were not yet in full bloom, no doubt perfectly timed to display their full glory on Australian Cup Day.

Flemington roses

Race 5 was the Royal Ascot Handicap, a sprint over 1200 metres and the Darren Weir trained Ken’s Dream won the race comfortably from Lucky Liberty and Prima.

Ken’s Dream (outside) wins the Royal Ascot Handicap

Ken’s Dream returns to scale

At Randwick, Winx was scheduled to have a trial under race conditions against her stablemates and the race was played on the big screen. Winx looked as good as ever, winning the trial easily in her customary style.

Meanwhile at Flemington, while waiting for Race 6, I idly watched a group of guys form various pyramid poses for photos.  They looked absurd, but obviously put some thought into their configurations. Naturally, a girl was enlisted to take photos.

High spirited race patrons

With the Group 3 Vanity Stakes up next, I took up a position on the mounting yard fence to get photos of the fillies parade.

Aloisia

Bring Me Roses

Rimraam

Then I returned to my favourite spot at the access gate to photograph the race.

Aloisia started as favourite, but she was nowhere in the finish, the race being won by Rimraam from Bring Me Roses and Shokora.

Rimraam wins the Vanity Stakes

Rimraam returns to scale

The C S Hayes Stakes was next to jump and the last race before the feature event.

It was a wide open race that any of the 18 strong field could have won, the oddly named Grunt eventually winning quite impressively from Cliff’s Edge and Muraaqeb.

 
Grunt wins the CS Hayes Stakes

Grunt returns to scale

For the Black Caviar Lightning I decided not to bother taking photos from my usual spot, due to Flemington sprint fields generally splitting into two sections – one on the inner rail, the other on the Grandstand side, which makes it hard to get photos of the finish.

So I hung around near the clock tower after watching the mounting yard parade.

Redzel  on his way to the track from the mounting yard

Hey Doc in the mounting yard

Redkirk Warrior in the mounting yard

Terravista in the mounting yard

Missrock on her way to the track from the mounting yard

Wouldn’t you know it, the field raced in a bunch down the centre of the track, so I made the wrong call for photographs. The light would have been much better at my usual spot, rather than waiting for the  runners to return to scale with the sun in an unfavourable position for photos – too dark as it turned out, though I must admit the photo of Redkirk Warrior returning to scale above isn’t all that bad.

Redzel returns to scale

Redkirk Warrior in the winners rug

I headed home after the Lightning Stakes, the two trains transporting me thence coinciding nicely at Southern Cross Station.

Next week we return to Caulfield for Blue Diamond Stakes Day, which features three Group 1 events. Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign will be contesting one of them, so something to look forward to, though it could be tricky and tiresome getting to Caulfield with buses replacing trains between Ivanhoe and Clifton Hill.