Aurie’s Star Voodoo

Voodoo Lad overtakes Home Of The Brave to win the Aurie’s Star Handicap

Last Saturday dawned cold and rainy, and certainly didn’t look at all promising for attending the race meeting at Flemington. I almost didn’t go, but as the weather cleared late morning I decided I needed an outing, so headed off in time to catch the final train to Flemington at Southern Cross Station.

Reaching the course just after Race 3, I headed  for the stalls area to see if I could get a photo of Home Of The Brave, having his first start in Australia in the feature race, where he was the starting favourite.

The first equine stars I came across were the Living Legends representatives for the day, Apache Cat and Rogan Josh.

 
Apache Cat

Rogan Josh

Moving on I came across I Am A Star, who was  kicking off her Spring campaign in the Aurie’s Star…

I Am A Star

….and eventually found Home Of The Brave.

Home Of The Brave

The weather at Flemington during the afternoon was alternately sunny and overcast, and fortunately didn’t rain other than a light passing shower, but it wasn’t all that cold.

Returning trackside I paused to snap a photo of the new Members Stand, which during the Autumn racing season was a building site. It’s now almost finished.

New Members Stand

The wide open spaces of Flemington were sparsely populated so I had no trouble taking photos from my favourite spot just past the finishing post. Other than the changing light conditions the other challenge was getting rail free photos with the inside rail being out by 7 metres.

I stayed for four races, the first of these being Race 4, the Rhonda Sexton Handicap, a race over 1400 metres for mares. The oddly named Spanner Head was the winner, with Violent Snow and Chiavari running second and third.

Race 5 was a sprint over 1200 metres and Choisborder turned out to be the first of four consecutive Darren Weir trained winners of the afternoon.

Choisborder hits the front in Race 5

Race favourite Gold Mag ran second and longshot (60/1) The Card Players was third.

Choisborder returns to scale

The Darren Allsop Handicap, a race over 2000 metres was up next.  It was of interest owing to the presence of various imported stayers, notably Sir Edwin Landseer having his first start in Australia.

Sir Edwin Landseer on his way to the barriers

The race was won by The Statesman from Fontein Lad and I Boogi.

A dark photo of the finish shows The Statesman taking the lead from I Boogi (pink silks)

The Statesman returns to scale

As the feature race next to jump I decided to get some mounting yard photos of the contenders. The Aurie’s Star Handicap is a Group 3 race run over 1200 metres. A pretty good field made it interesting.

Home Of The Brave – second

Voodoo Lad – the winner

Brave Song – third

I Am A Star – fourth

Home Of The Brave led the field for most of the race, but he was overtaken close to the finish line by Voodoo Lad who swooped from the back the field to win by ¾ length, with Brave Song finishing third 2¼ lengths behind.

I called it quits after the Aurie’s Star and headed for the station. A thunder storm was threatening as I left, but I managed to get home without getting wet.

Last Saturday’s race meeting was quite enjoyable and it was pleasant to be back at Flemington, but next week offers a much more interesting race card at Caulfield where a number of horsey stars will be resuming in the feature P B Lawence Stakes.

And in Sydney at Randwick, the mighty Winx will be the star attraction, kicking off her Spring in the race named in her honour – the first Group 1 race of the season.

The Great Horse Raceday–AKA Lightning Stakes Day

Terravista in winners rug

Because the feature race was named for the triple winner of the Lightning Stakes, i.e. Black Caviar, the raceday was advertised as The Great Horse Raceday and ten of the Living Legends were present to celebrate the occasion.

They were all next to each other in stalls 72 to 81.

In stall 72 was the popular champion sprinter Apache Cat who, among his other achievements, won the Lightning Stakes in 2008.

In stall 73 was the 2000 Melbourne Cup winner Brew

In stall 74 was three time Sandown Classic winner Zipping

In stall 75 was Efficient who won the 2007 Melbourne Cup

1994 Caulfield Cup winner Paris Lane occupied stall 76

In stall 77 was 1997 Caulfield & Melbourne Cups & 1998 Cox Plate winner Might And Power

In stall 78 was Rogan Josh who won the 1999 Melbourne Cup

Hong Kong champion Bullish Luck occupied stall 79

Another Hong Kong star Good Ba Ba was in stall 80

Winner of 17 successive races in Hong Kong, Silent Witness was in stall 81

It was great to see so many of the old gentlemen of the turf together, particularly my old favourites Apache Cat, Efficient and Brew.

I arrived at Flemington earlier than I anticipated just before race 2 in fact.

No sooner had I stepped out onto the public lawn than a heavy shower of rain plummetted down which sent the crowd  scurrying for cover. I took shelter under a beach umbrella with several other cheery souls.

The shower passed quickly so I made my way up to my usual spot just past the winning post to watch the Japan Racing Association Trophy, a not terribly interesting race, but good for photography practice.

It was taken out by Zebrinz with Sadaqa and Duke of Brunswick filling the minor placings.

Japan Racing Association Trophy finish

Zebrinz returns to scale

The inner rail was out 9 metres, so it was hard to get photos of horses clear of the outer rail.

After Race 2, I wandered up to the stalls area, which was where I came across the Living Legends all together. I dilly dallied there for so long I didn’t have time to get back to my spot on the fence for Race 3, the Singapore Turf Club Trophy.

It was won by Well Sprung from Boomwa and Kirani.

With Race 4 being the Talindert Stakes the racing action grew more interesting, so I was back in my spot for the race, where nearby the ponies for children’s rides were grazing on the lawn.

Ponies for children’s rides

Up further there appeared to be some sort of martial arts demonstration going on to loud music, but I didn’t bother going there to see it.

Ducimus started as favourite for the Talindert and won by a whisker to Taking Aim, with Sanadaat a further length behind running third.

Talindert Stakes finish

Ducimus returns to scale

The first of the Group 3 three year old races were up next, the fillies Vanity Stakes being Race 5. Legless Veuve was understandably the starting favourite, but she finished unplaced.

Kenedna was the long shot winner, beating the more fancied runners by over a length. Extra Olives finished second ahead of Harlow Gold.

Kenedna overtakes Extra Olives close to the finishing post

Kenedna returns to scale

Extra Olives on her way to the starting gates

Harlow Gold on her way to the starting gates

I was pleased when Hey Doc was victorious in the C S Hayes Stakes, winning easily from long shots Malaise and Land of Plenty.

C S Hayes Stakes finish – Hey Doc leads

Hey Doc poses for the press in the winners rug

Malaise on his way to the barriers

Land of Plenty on his way to the barriers

Throughout the afternoon, brief showers of rain passed through causing a rush for shelter. It was also quite chilly, so I was glad I’d worn a jumper and put on shoes and socks.

There was only one more race to go before the feature event, and this was the Ascot Racecourse Trophy, a race over 2000 metres for stayers.

A great many in the field were unfamiliar to me, so I had little interest in the outcome. Post d’France was the narrow winner to starting favourite Hursley with Annus Mirabilis running third.

A blanket finish in the Ascot Racecourse Trophy – Post d’France is the widest in blinkers

Post d’France returns to scale

It had been a long afternoon, and I’d got plenty of exercise into the bargain, so it was relief when the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes was set to run.

High drama at the barriers delayed proceedings, when The Quarterback became agitated in the stalls, reared and flipped over, getting trapped under the stalls, collecting a few horses in the stalls next to him.

It resulted in The Quarterback, Fatinaah and Oruju all being scratched. Fortunately none of them were seriously hurt.

So a depleted field of nine finally started, all of them racing in a bunch down the middle of track. Heatherly, Illustrious Lad and Star Turn led the rest until close to the finish line where Terravista broke through for a well deserved win. Spieth finished second and Star Turn hung on for third.

BC Lightning finish – Terravista (orange silks) is about to overtake Star Turn(green cap) Spieth (yellow cap) & Illustrious Lad (lime green cap)

Terravista returns to scale

Spieth returns to scale

Star Turn returns to scale

Flying Artie started as the race favourite but finished third last, reportedly over racing and ruining his chances. 

Terravista finished an unlucky second in the BC Lightning last year to Chautauqua.

With the Lightning Stakes done and dusted I headed for the station and home, avoiding the centre of the city altogether, which was gearing up for White Night.

Next Saturday the racing action is back at Caulfield for the Blue Diamond Stakes meeting, featuring three Group 1 races. And in Sydney. wonder mare Winx will be contesting the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes.

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.