Back to Caulfield Again–Underwood Stakes Day

2014 Underwood Stakes finish – Foreteller hits the front

Saturday is expected to be warm and sunny, perfect in fact for another fine afternoon of racing as the Spring Racing Carnival, literally and figuratively, heats up.

There are two Group 1 races on the program – Underwood Stakes and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes – plus two Group 2 Guineas Preludes, one for the boys, the other for the fillies.

The fillies Thousand Guineas Prelude is scheduled as Race 5. It is run over 1400 metres and has a fabulous field of classy fillies. The main contenders are Pasadena Girl, Stay With Me, Jameka, Miss Gunpowder and Alaskan Rose. The first three above ran the trifecta at Moonee Valley in early September  in the Atlantic Jewel Stakes, with Stay With Me being the victor on that occasion,though Pasadena Girl’s run was the most eye catching.  Miss Gunpowder ran third to Petits Filous in the Quezette Stakes, then won her next race at Morphettville in her home state. Alaskan Rose is unbeaten in two starts and is highly regarded. It looks to be a doozy of a race.

Race 6 is the colts and geldings Guineas Prelude run over the same distance. It’s time for pretty boy Ready For Victory to live up to his name, after running second and third in his first two starts this season behind Gold Symphony on the first occasion and Kinglike in the second. Neither of these colts are entered for the Caulfield Guineas Prelude, so Ready For Victory has a very good chance of winning this time. However he’ll have to beat the Chris Waller trained Metallic Crown  who has two wins under his hat so far this season, and the Ciaran Maher trained Bon Aurum, also a last start winner . New Zealand colt Dal Cielo, trained by the wily Murray Baker, Snoopy who was unlucky in his start and Tulsa, could also feature in the finish.

The first of the Group 1 races on the program is the Underwood Stakes run over 1800 metres. Last year it was won by Foreteller from Happy Trails and the year before was the memorable duel between Atlantic Jewel and It’s A Dundeel with the latter being the victor.

It’s always a great race and a fab field has been assembled this year.  Fawkner is the top pick, if he can defy the Makybe Diva Stakes hoodoo and beat The Cleaner, who has drawn Barrier 1 which will enable him to take the lead without expending any energy. Who knows, the Longford Lion could leave them all in his wake, and at least assure an honestly run race. 

Contributer failed to impress at his last start running fifth behind The Cleaner in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes. Perhaps he didn’t enjoy the tight Moonee Valley track, but could show his true colours at Caulfield. Whatever, dismiss him at your peril. The same goes for Dibayani who has run third behind The Cleaner in his last two starts.

Four year olds have a good record in this race and both Mongolian Khan and Volkstok’n’barrell are in that age bracket and have as good a chance as any in the field, though the Khan would prefer it longer. I’m interested to see how they go.

The Group 1  Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is now incorporated in the program of Underwood Stakes day, previously being run on the Sunday after the AFL Grand Final. It makes more sense to run it with the Underwood Stakes and adds to the quality of the meeting.

It is run over 1400 metres and has a super field of middle distance runners.  As we’re now in the sign of Libra (ruled by Venus), you would think that Charmed Harmony is the perfect name for the Astrological season.  He has won his last four races leading boldly from start to finish, but faces much tougher opposition in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes with classy gallopers like Disposition, Cosmic Endeavour, Rich Enuff, Amicus, Strawberry Boy and Under The Louvre all being in the picture. The Venus influence could spread to Amicus and Amorino  with their names reflecting the Latin for love (amor).

In Sydney, everyone’s favourite race mare, Catkins, is having her second start for the season in the Golden Pendant in which she ran second to Arabian Gold last year. That mare is also in the field, as is Amanpour who relegated Catkins to second place twice in the autumn.  Cross fingers for Catkins to beat them this time round.

The Equinox on September 23, as well as heralding the warmer weather, also marks a royal birth. Black Caviar delivered her second foal on the night of the Equinox, a colt by Sebring.

There are some lovely photos of the new foal here.

The Cups King & The Sport of Kings–Makybe Stakes Day Review

Display of Bart Cummings’ 12 Melbourne Cups at Flemington

On Saturday morning there was a memorial service for Bart Cummings at Flemington Racecourse to honour the man and the mark he left on the history of Australian horseracing. It was an appropriate venue at which to hold the service considering the great trainer’s record of winning 12 Melbourne Cups.

The service was held mid morning, so I missed it, but was I pleased to get the service booklet that was handed out at entrance gate - a little slice of history to add to my collection of racing memorabilia.

Along with the above display of his cups, there was a walk of fame with signs detailing all twelve of Bart Cummings Melbourne Cup wins.

Signpost 1 – Light Fingers – winner of the 1965 Melbourne Cup

Also present for the occasion was Living Legend Rogan Josh who won the Melbourne Cup  for Bart in 1999.

Rogan Josh parading in the mounting yard wearing a rug with Bart Cummings racing colours.

The trains were running pretty much in sync so I reached Flemington with plenty of time on hand to watch the first race, the Cap D’Antibes Stakes where the focus of interest was on unbeaten filly Petits Filous having her first run on the big track.

Petits Filous took to Flemington as if she’d been running there all her life and won in spectacular fashion, letting loose a devastating sprint in the straight and winning by 2.25 lengths being eased to the line.  Super Cash was the runner up with Take Pride running third.

Petits Filous in the mounting yard

Super Cash in the mounting yard

Take Pride in the mounting yard

Petits Filous returns to scale after winning the Cap D’Antibes Stakes

I missed watching the second race, having run into an acquaintance in the stalls area. We chatted as the race was run and observed Black Vanquish  being frisky the walking ring.

Black Vanquish in the walking ring being difficult

I made it back trackside for the third race, the Pin & Win Stakes, a listed race for three year olds run over 1400 metres. I had a few dollars each way on Snoopy, but he had a hard race, where he was blocked for a run and also bumped in the process, which forced him back in the field. That pretty much describes my luck on the punt Saturday, no winners at all.

The race was won by another Ciaran Maher horse, Bon Aurum at big odds with Lizard Island running second and El Greco taking third.

Bon Aurum returns to scale after winning the Pin & Win Stakes

As not many of the feature race runners had arrived in the stalls area, I decided to check out the newly opened Heritage Centre…

Heritage Centre entrance

There were quite a few photographic displays, but in pride of place and lit up like the Holy Grail was the 1965 Melbourne Cup won by Light Fingers.

Light Fingers’ Cup

I also watched a short video on a wrap around screen on the history of the Melbourne Cup, narrated by Les Carlyon. It was quite moving and I must admit it made me misty eyed with sentiment.

Just near the top part of the Stalls area is Carbine’s stall, preserved for posterity.

Carbine’s Stall exterior

I’ve walked past it many times but never gone inside.

This time I did, and viewed the display around the walls which details Carbine’s racing career and influence as a sire on Australian thoroughbred breeding. Carbine won the 1890 Melbourne Cup.

Part of the Carbine display inside his old stall

The field for Race 4, the Group 2 Danehill Stakes was assembling in the mounting yard when I made my way back to the front lawn.

Headwater

Ready For Victory

Black Vanquish

Raphael’s Cat

Kinglike

Ready for Victory started as the favourite, but he only managed to run third, being caught on the inside behind a tiring Black Vanquish. Kinglike swept down the outside to overtake Raphael’s Cat, who had seized the lead, to win by 1.25 lengths.

Kinglike returns to scale after winning the Danehill Stakes

Returning to the stalls area I discovered that most of horses I wished to photograph had finally arrived.

Here’s some shots of the leading Makybe Diva Stakes contenders.

Boban

Fawkner

Mongolian Khan

Weary

Also, old Rogan Josh was hanging around outside his stall with a crowd of admirers giving him a pat and taking photos.

Rogan Josh posing for a snap

All this dallying almost made me miss Race 5 The Sofitel.

It was won by former Western Australian star Disposition for his new stable (Lee & Anthony Freedman), his first victory since coming from the West.

Disposition returns to scale after winning The Sofitel

Akavaroun ran second with Pressing filling third place.

Having been on my feet for most of the afternoon, I decided it was time to go and get a drink and have a short rest. Whilst buying a beer  in the bar, the Sheraco Stakes (in Sydney) was being broadcast on the screen and I was delighted to see Catkins win it for a second time. A big cheer greeted her win. She won by a good margin from Echo Girl with Bounding running third. James McDonald, who rode Catkins, declared after the race that she was his favourite mare and that he’d marry her if she were human.

Anyway it was getting on for the next race, the Bobbie Lewis Quality. Rich Enuff was at very good odds despite being favourite, so I invested a few dollars each way on him.

I had photographed him in his stall earlier…

Rich Enuff in his stall

…but only saw the mounting yard assembly from a distance, being engaged in conversation with the same acquaintance I chatted to earlier, who also had his money on the favourite.

The race was won by the underrated Churchill Dancer from Under The Louvre and Gregers.

Rich Enuff had every opportunity, but finished sixth. Where to now?

Churchill Dancer returns to scale after winning the Bobbie Lewis Quality.

By the time the Makybe Diva Stakes was run, I’d been at the course for four hours.

The time slipped by swiftly so it didn’t feel that long and I’d not felt bored at any time.

There’s always a heightened excitement prior to a major race and I love the atmosphere it generates.

Here are some of the contenders in the mounting yard.

Alpine Eagle – finished 6th

Boban – finished 4th

Entirely Platinum – finished 3rd

Happy Trails – finished 5th

Rising Romance – finished 2nd

Weary – finished 9th

Mongolian Khan – finished 7th

Fawkner – the winner

The race resulted in a blanket finish with six or seven horses strung out across the expansive Flemington track, with Fawkner winning by a neck from Rising Romance with Entirely Platinum a further neck behind in third place. Less than a length separated the first six across the line.

I stayed for Race 8 , the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes which was won by 2014 Thousand Guineas winner Amicus, who emphatically signalled that she was back in contention for further Group glory. Precious Gem and May’s Dream filled the minor places.

Amicus returns to scale after winning the Let’s Elope Stakes

It had been a long day trackside. The weather was generally fine, except for a sprinkle of rain around midday; and I enjoyed the wide open spaces of Flemington getting plenty of exercise as a result. My few bets were all disastrous, seemingly putting the kiss of death on my selections. Hopefully my luck will change soon.

I missed watching the Golden Rose at the track, so watched the replay online when I got home. It was won by Exosphere from Speak Fondly and Sebring Sun.

Next week the racing is again at Caulfield, a low key meeting with the feature race being the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes.

They’re Racing at Flemington–Makybe Diva Stakes Day

Fawkner – Cox Plate Day 2014

A super race meeting is coming up this Saturday and it is Flemington’s turn to host the first of its Spring meetings.

The feature race is the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600 metres) and a full field of smart middle distance runners and stayers has accepted.

Several are having their first outing to the racetrack (other than trials) for the spring. Notable among them are 2013 Caulfield Cup and 2014 Caulfield Stakes winner Fawkner, Australian Derby winner Mongolian Khan, Australian Guineas runner up Alpine Eagle, and ATC Oaks winner Gust of Wind.

They will be racing against others who already have a run under their belt, such as Boban who will be aiming to emulate Dissident’s effort of last year by winning the Memsie Stakes/Makybe Diva Stakes double. He could well accomplish this as he showed two weeks ago that he had returned to form and will no doubt be the favourite.

Fawkner ran second in this race last year, so is a good chance to go one better this year, and Entirely Platinum, whom I tend to overlook, and was runner up in the Memsie Stakes and could prevail this time around.

Apparently there is a bit of a hoodoo, similar to the curse on the PB Lawrence Stakes,  in regard to the Makybe Diva Stakes, where winners of the race tend not to win anything else during the season. There are exceptions of course but they are rare.

I’m really keen to lay eyes on Mongolian Khan for the first time and see the handsome Alpine Eagle and poster boy Volkstok’n’barrell again.

I’ll have to get to Flemington early, as Petits Filous is racing in the first race of the program and I really wouldn’t miss her for the world. She is racing against a field of 14 fellow fillies and there are a few that could give her a run for the money – My Poppette and Strykum are her main threats.

It is going to a long day, so it’s fortunate that the race card is interesting with three Group 2 events as well as the Makybe Diva Stakes.

For instance, Race 4, the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200 metres) has a super field of three year olds, mostly colts and geldings with one filly.

You’ve got Headwater, the Silver Slipper Stakes winner,  Ready For Victory who just missed out on winning the McNeill Stakes, and the exciting Black Vanquish who is resuming after showing considerable promise in the autumn. 

The sole filly is none other than Reemah who was runner up in the Blue Diamond Stakes behind Pride of Dubai and has one win under her belt this spring.

Also in with a chance are recent winners Well Sprung, Kinglike, Brockoff and Puritan.

There are two other Group 2 races, the second these being Race 6, the Bobbie Lewis Quality over 1200 metres.  It has attracted a quality field  with Group 1 William Reid Stakes winner, Lucky Hussler being the top pick.

Rich Enuff will be aiming to redeem his loss to Bounding in The Heath recently. That was run on a soft track, but with Saturday forecast to be warm and sunny, the track will be very good and he could fly.

Others worthy of consideration are Riziz, Gregers, Jabali and Setinum.

The Let’s Elope Stakes, scheduled to run after the Makybe Diva Stakes is worth hanging around for. It is a Group 2 race for mares over 1400 metres. Classy mares like Cosmic Endeavour, Amicus, Vezalay, Tawteen, Noble Protector, Fenway and Madam Gangster are all in the field. A super race is in store, but I’ll be hoping Cosmic Endeavour can show her true colours this time.

In Sydney at Rosehill the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes is the feature race. There are nine starters and the top picks are Exosphere (who won the Run To The Rose recently) Press Statement (winner of the Group 1 JJ Atkins in winter), and sole filly Speak Fondly who is backing up this Saturday after winning the Group 2 Furious Stakes last weekend.

Catkins also resumes this Saturday at Rosehill in the Group 3 Sheraco Stakes, which she won first up last year. However she will have to beat Bounding who thrashed Rich Enuff  by 4 lengths at her last start.

As previously mentioned the weather in both Melbourne and Sydney will be fine and warm; an indication that Spring has finally come. Both Rosehill and Flemington will have good rated tracks, and I fully expect the racing to be first class across the board.

Chill & Thrills–Memsie Stakes Day

Boban parades after winning the Memsie Stakes

Weatherwise, it was a terrible day for going to the races, with intermittent rainy periods, a cold wind and generally miserable conditions.

I’ve been to the races where it was 40° + and still had a good time, so last Saturday the weather was not enough to dampen my spirits as the racing was pretty interesting throughout.

Reaching Caulfield half an hour before race 4, the HDF McNeil Stakes, so had some time to cruise through the stalls area to see who had arrived.

Unfortunately the misty rain made taking photos rather difficult, but surprisingly most of my snaps turned out alright.

Trackside, most of the front lawn had been fenced off for a special equestrian event running concurrent with the racing program. This featured ex racehorses in an off the track Triequithon competing in trials, including dressage, cross country and show jumping.

Triequithon competitor over the jumps

The horses in this event were beautifully turned out and made a pleasant spectacle to watch between races.

The HDF McNeil Stakes was the first of the Group races on the program and was won by Gold Symphony registering his second win in succession for the season.

Gold Symphony in the mounting yard

Ready for Victory ran a close second with Demonstrate filling third place.

Gold Symphony hits the front 100 metres to go.

Returning to the stalls area I found several of the horses I had come to see, Cosmic Endeavour among them.

Cosmic Endeavour in her stall

And the Chris Waller contingent were there as well.

Weary snuggling up to his strapper

Boban in his stall

For the fifth race I decided to go up the hill and photograph the runners as they returned to scale.

The Shark.com.au Stakes featured Rich Enuff resuming from an injury induced break. He was one upped by former New Zealand mare Bounding who won by 4 lengths. Miss Promiscuity ran third a further 4 lengths behind.

Past the post – Bounding (white silks) is outside Rich Enuff (hot pink silks)

Bounding returning to scale after winning the Shark.com.au Stakes

Miss Promiscuity returns to scale

Back in the stalls area Volkstok’n’barrell was being walked. He’s a lovely looking animal – quite the poster boy.

Volkstok’n’barrell posing for admirers in the stalls area.

In the mounting yard, the runners for race 6, the Hocking Stuart Handicap, were parading.

Charmed Harmony - the winner

Jacquinot Bay – runner up

Awesome Rock – third place

Charmed Harmony led from start to finish and didn’t look beatable at any time, more than validating his favouritism for the event. This race was a sort of consolation prize for him as he was originally entered in the Memsie Stakes. As third emergency he failed to make the field.

Charmed Harmony zooms down the straight with Jacquinot Bay & Awesome Rock in pursuit.

It was freezing cold track side, so I took shelter in the Norman Robinson building and relaxed with a drink before the next race.

The Triequestrian was still in progress and I watched a bit of that while waiting for the mares to assemble in the mounting yard for race 7, the William Hill Sprint Series Heat 1 Stakes.

Triequithon contestant

Soon enough the mares arrived in the mounting yard.

Cosmic Endeavour – finished 7th

Madam Gangster – the eventual winner

Hazard – second place

Vezalay – third place

Madam Gangster was underrated in the betting with Vezaley starting as favourite. The race ended in a three horse finish with Vezalay, Hazard and Madam Gangster hitting the line together. The gangster lady got the nod.

100 metres to go and Vezalay is in the lead. Madam Gangster (centre) and Hazard (white blaze) are closing in

Race 8 was the feature Group 1 Memsie Stakes and finally the contenders were assembling in the mounting yard.

Boban

Rising Romance

Stratum Star

Entirely Platinum

Dandino

Volkstok’n’barrell

The sun briefly emerged as the Memsie Stakes was run and it resulted in another three horse finish with Entirely Platinum, Stratum Star and Boban hitting the line together. Boban snuck in on the inside to win with Entirely Platinum, who led for most of the race, hanging on for second with the fast finishing Stratum Star running third.

Memsie Stakes up the straight – Entirely Platinum leads with Boban on his inside and Stratum Star just behind them.

I’d had my money on Volkstok’n’barrell and Weary, so didn’t have a collect. I picked the wrong Waller horse.

It is remarkable that Chris Waller has had so many wins at Group 1 level, so it was not surprising that Boban won his stable yet another one.

Will Chris Waller go on to be a great of Australian Racing History like the late great Bart Cummings?

Bart Cummings statue at Flemington Racecourse

There has been plenty written about Bart Cummings since his death on Sunday morning, so I’m not going to add to it.

He was indeed an Australian treasure and a great trainer of stayers and will be remembered, like Don Bradman, for many years to come. Rest in Peace Bart.

Next Saturday the racing action in Melbourne is at Moonee Valley and features the Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes. Looking at the nominations it looks a higher quality field than was contested last year, and includes last year’s winner and runner up The Cleaner and Mourinho.