Ace High on Derby Day

Ace High returning to scale after winning the Victoria Derby

I’m writing this review of Derby Day while waiting for the Melbourne Cup to run, and truth to tell it’s the first chance I’ve had to write it.

As anticipated I arrived at Flemington on Derby Day at around 1.15pm and caught up with my friend Rebecca in the stalls area. From there we waded through the teeming crowd to our favourite position on the access gate just past the finishing post to watch the running of the Group 2 Lexus Stakes.

The winner of this race, which is run over 2500 metres, gains automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup, and ten aspirants were in the running for the chance of a place in the big race.

The Gai Waterhouse trained Cismontane won the prize from Vengeur Masque after leading throughout. Longshot Pentathlon ran third.

Cismontane wins the Lexus Stakes

Cismontane returns to scale

Vengeur Masque returns to scale

Pentathlon returns to scale

Discovering that we would have no trouble regaining our prime spot, we ploughed through the throng once more back to the Stalls area, hoping to find Chris Waller in attendance. I’d brought my 2017 Cox Plate and 2017 Queen Elizabeth Stakes racebooks with me in the hope of getting them signed, and Rebecca likewise had a couple as well. Chris Waller was checking out his runners – a large contingent – in the back stalls, and obligingly signed our race books when we attracted his attention. He’s a very nice man I must say.

Whilst in the stalls area I got a few photos of key runners, for instance Ace High.

Ace High in his stall

Tangled – Chris Waller’s Derby runner

Venguer Masque

After getting Chris Waller’s signature we made our way arduously back to our spot on the access gate and stayed there for the rest of the day and didn’t bother with mounting yard photos. You couldn’t get near them anyway.

Race 5 was the first of the Group 1 events, the Coolmore Stud Stakes where a super field of three year olds had accepted to run. Any one of them could have won, but the prize went to the unfancied Merchant Navy who stole the show from leader Invincible Star by creeping up on the inside and winning by a neck, with Formality running third.

Merchant Navy wins the Coolmore Stud Stakes from Invincible Star & Formality

Merchant Navy returns to scale

Up next was the Myer Classic where Global Glamour was the favourite. She led for most of the race but was overrun by Shoals, Eckstein and Dixie Blossoms and ended up finishing 9th.

Shoals became the second filly in a row to win from the mares, her lightweight (50kg) a distinct advantage as it was for I Am A Star last year.

 
Shoals, Prompt Response, Dixie Blossoms & Eckstein cross the finish line

Shoals returns to scale

Eckstein on her way to the barriers

Dixie Blossoms returns to scale

Ace High started as the favourite in the Victorian Derby and delivered an astonishing win. He was forced to race wide throughout most of the race, but charged to the front in the straight to win by two lengths from Sully and Astoria. He’s a son of High Chaparral who has sired quite a few Derby winners – Shoot Out, Dundeel and Monaco Consul to name three -  and a young stayer to watch for come Autumn.

Victoria Derby finish Tye Angland celebrates Ace High’s win

Sully returns to scale

Astoria returns to scale

The final Group 1 of the afternoon was the Kennedy Mile and the Chris Waller mare Shillelagh won at big odds (12/1) from the eternal bridesmaid Tom Melbourne.  40/1 shot Wyndspelle ran third.

Shillelagh (outside) & Tom Melbourne fight out the finish.

Shillelagh returns to scale

Tom Melbourne on his way to the barriers

 
Wyndspelle on his way to the barriers

I headed to the station after the Kennedy Mile and reached home without any hassles, unlike patrons who left later who were stranded on a train between Kensington and Newmarket.

On the train I saw New Zealand trainer Murray Baker who was sitting behind me with I assume his wife. Nice to see he’s not living high on the hog and travels modestly.

I’ll probably go to Oaks Day on Thursday, then the Grand Final of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival on Saturday. Winx will not be starring in the Emirates Stakes, her connections deciding to give her a spell. Well done them.

Just watched the Melbourne Cup and am thrilled to bits that Rekindling won - one of my Astrological picks came in!  And another, Max Dynamite, ran third. Johannes Vermeer was second

I ended up having $5.00 each way bets on Almandin, Marmelo, Red Cardinal, Wall of  Fire and Rekindling and the latter’s payout covered my outlay and also yielded a profit.

Interestingly, Rekindling is also a son of High Chaparral

Super Saturday – Melbourne Racing Autumn Carnival Finale

Fiorente contests the Group 1 Australian Cup this weekend

It’s not really the finale of Group 1 racing in Melbourne, as the Group 1 William Reid Stakes will be run on 21 March, but Flemington’s autumn carnival of racing culminates on Saturday.

Three Group 1 races are on the cards this weekend, two at Flemington and one at Warwick Farm in Sydney.  The Australian Cup and the Newmarket Handicap feature in Melbourne, and both have attracted really top notch fields and mouth watering competitions between the top runners.

In the Newmarket Handicap, a sprint over 1200 metres, we have class sprinters like Moment of Change, Samaready,  Shamexpress Lankan Rupee and Knoydart, so how do you choose between them? I’d really like Samaready to win and she does have a good chance to do so at her favoured distance of 1200 metres. Can Moment of Change keep his Group 1 winning streak intact? And who can beat Lankan Rupee, currently in top form and the winner of his last four starts. Shamexpress won the Newmarket last year as a three year old, but carries considerably more weight this year. He ran a close second to Snitzerland in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at his last outing and she is not running on this occasion.

The Australian Cup has the very classy Fiorente, who won the Peter Young Stakes first up a fortnight ago, up against new gun Shamus Award, who proved his class last week in the Australian Guineas.  Shamus Award has a weight advantage (54.5kg vs 59kg) and if he can assume and maintain the lead will be very hard to catch. He defeated Fiorente in the Cox Plate last year, doing just that. I doubt that he will be able to get away with it on Saturday, the other jockeys now being aware of his winning tactics.  However, fellow three year old Thunder Fantasy also backing up in this, could be a good chance also, not being all that far away in his last few races. Last year, three year olds Fiveandahalfstar and Super Cool fought out the finish with Super Cool  proving the victor on that occasion

One runner that interests me is Voleuse de Coeurs, the Irish mare who came over here for the Melbourne Cup and was bought by Australian interests to continue racing here. She won the Irish St Leger by 6 lengths, a month or so before she arrived on these shores. She’s obviously an excellent staying mare, so I’m really keen to see how she goes in the Australian Cup. As it’s run over 2000 metres, it might be a bit short for her as her wins have all been over 2600 metres.

The support card at Flemington boasts three Group 2, and two Group 3 races as well as the features, so it’s quality racing all round, though I’m not going to preview any of them here. And as mentioned previously, Living Legends Efficient and Zipping will be parading throughout the afternoon.

In Sydney at Warwick Farm, It’s A Dundeel will be kicking off his autumn campaign in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes, a race over 1600 metres.  A small field of  8 runners will be competing for the prize, and include Boban who has been a tad disappointing so far this season, his stable mates Hawkspur and Moriarty and Gai Waterhouse trained three year old Order of the Sun. I’ll be cheering for the super little stallion It’s A Dundeel.

The support card at Warwick Farm is just as good, if not better than that in Melbourne, though it seems the races will be run on a slow to heavy track, after a big storm passed through Sydney the other day and showers are expected to continue into the weekend. 

The Group 3 Wiggle Stakes is one race I will endeavour to watch from Flemington.  It has my favourite mare Catkins up against Dear Demi who is resuming after a break. Catkins can handle heavy tracks and already has one win under her belt since resuming. Dear Demi  has won on heavy going, but she has never won first up.  Others in with a chance are Miss Stellabelle, Fire Up Fifi and She’s Clean

Melbourne weather continues fine, so the track at Flemington will be good.

As this is the last race meeting I will be attending for a while, I’ll try and vary my blog posts a little from now on. It’s Music Festival season, and even if I am not attending either the Port Fairy or Brunswick Music Festivals, I do have some live musical treats coming my way.

Next Wednesday I’m really looking forward to seeing Americana artist Pokey LaFarge who plays my kind of music – country blues, western swing – in his own unique style. He’s on at The Corner Hotel.

And at the end of March I have a ticket to the Rolling Stones at Rod Laver Arena. I last saw the Stones back in 1995 at the MCG on their Voodoo Lounge tour. The Rolling Stones have always been my favourite rock ‘n roll band, and even if they are somewhat elderly these days, I’m sure they’ll still pack a punch. I have a pretty good seat in the lower tier and hope to get photos of Mick & Keef et al in action.

In April I’m off to see Tift Merritt and Jason Isbell at the Northcote Social Club. Should be a great show. I’ve seen Jason Isbell twice before, but this is Tift Merritt’s first Australian tour.

Hoping for Miracles Again – The Spring Racing Carnival Continues

Miracles of Life with trainer Daniel Clarken – Caulfield 31 August 2013

Due to the AFL Grand Final there is no city race meeting this Saturday. Instead, Moonee Valley kicks off its season of night racing tonight, featuring the Group One A J Moir Stakes. And on Sunday, Caulfield hosts the running of the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

Originally I was not going to attend the races this weekend, but as Miracles of Life will be contesting the Group Three Champagne Stakes at Moonee Valley, I have changed my mind. After her failure in the HDF McNeil Stakes in August, this race will be her chance to make amends.  It is a much easier race for her compared to the McNeil Stakes and she’s back against her own sex, who she should account for easily. Mildly threatening are Metastasio, Thump and Ruude Awakening.

The feature race is scheduled for 10.00pm, so I’m not sticking around for it, but will watch it when I get home. The A J Moir Stakes, recently known as the Schweppes Stakes, used to be run on Cox Plate day as a Group Two race, but it has been moved to the opening night of the Moonee Valley night racing season, and elevated to Group One status. It has been won by champions; Black Caviar won it twice (2010/2011), Apache Cat, Miss Andretti to name a few.

Buffering won it last year, and is a top chance to win it again this year. For such a consistent sprinter, he has yet to win a Group One.  He will be challenged by top class sprinters Bel Sprinter and Epaulette, and classy mares Snitzerland and Samaready.

By Sunday the AFL Grand Final will hopefully be done and dusted, so Sunday’s racing card at Caulfield will be of interest to those who cannot live without the thrill of competition.

The feature race is the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, for middle distance runners over 1400 metres.  Moment of Change won it last year, but it is harder to pick the winner for this year’s edition. I’m kind of hoping Linton, who won the Queensland Stradbroke Handicap at long odds back in June and won me a very handsome sum, will prove his class and snatch another win at good odds, but he is less favourably weighted this time, so may be at a disadvantage because of it. Solzhenitsyn has been in good form of late and is one of the main chances, along with Ferlax who recently ran second to Atlantic Jewel in the Memsie Stakes. Others in the picture are Rebel Dane, Speediness who is in fantastically good form having won his last two starts, and Lidari who won his last start at Caulfield before running third to Fiorente in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes.

I won’t be going to the meeting at Caulfield, but will watch it at home for a change.

Other news this week was the announcement that my long time favourite Sydney racehorse Shoot Out has been retired. He was a grand old trooper who won 10 races and placed in 11, out of 37 starts. Five of his wins were at Group One level. He was the last of the High Chap boys of 2010 still racing and always acquitted himself competitively in quality races. He will spend his twilight years on his owners property in Queensland, and no doubt will be cherished into old age.

UPPDATE- Saturday

Unfortunately Miracles of Life was “thumped” in the Champagne Stakes, that is she was beaten by Thump, who led throughout. Miracles raced much more quietly last night, but left her run too late and was unable to catch the winner. I Love It ran third.

Samaready won the Group One Moir Stakes by four lengths from the eternal bridesmaid Buffering. I did not witness it in person, having left Moonee Valley after the running of race 6, but watched it at home. Lucky I left when I did, as a rain storm hit 15 minutes later, by which time I was snug on a bus on my way home.

I must admit I’m not a big fan of night racing, though there were plenty of people who were at the track who would beg to differ.

Moon’s Rising – The Makybe Diva Stakes

Puissance de Lune – can he win his first Group 1?

It may be election day tomorrow, and though I will exercise my democratic right and place a vote for whoever (not Liberal),  my thoughts are more taken up with thoroughbred horse racing.  I’ve been bored out of my brain by the election campaign,  so I’m glad that part is done and dusted and I can settle down to hating whoever wins power, be it Rudd or Abbot.

There is a mare running tomorrow in the Let’s Elope Stakes called A Time For Julia who gets my vote as the omen bet for the day. There’s also Swing Vote and Ruud Awakening in the first at Flemington.

Racing in Melbourne this weekend is at Flemington and features the Group One Makybe Diva Stakes, run over 1600 metres. The field of 15 runners is made up of mostly imported stayers, starting their spring campaigns on their way to the big cups and include the exciting Puissance de Lune who already has a run under his belt and will start favourite. This race is Puissance de Lune’s hardest challenge yet, so it will be fascinating to see if he can prevail and thrash this mob as he thrashed his rivals in the P B Lawrence Stakes a few weeks ago.

His main rivals in the Makybe  Diva Stakes are Foreteller, who occasionally springs a surprise win, the well credentialed Sea Moon, who is a very interesting prospect having good form in the UK. I’m really attracted to Masked Marvel, simply because of his name, though his form looks iffy. This time last year I would have had Manighar as a top pick, but his form through autumn was less than inspiring, but he redeemed himself slightly when he ran second to Quintessential in the Eagle Farm Cup back in June, so he may have returned to form.

I’m looking forward to being present at Flemington for the race, utilising my season’s ticket, and will be getting there early to see the intriguing Cauthen in the second  race, the Henry Bucks Best Dressed Stakes (1400 metres). He’s up against a big field of smart three year olds, including Long John and Shamus Award who he beat at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago and will be trying to turn the tables on him in this race.

Another interesting race is the Group Two Danehill Stakes, also for three year olds and run over 1200  metres.  It has a much classier field than the Henry Bucks Best Dressed Stakes, that include top filly Gregers, Group One J J Atkins winner Romantic Touch, Vain Stakes winner Safe Guard, Quezette Stakes winner Kiss A Rose, Black Caviar relative Scandiva and highly promising youngsters Eclair Big Bang and Polanski.

Royal Randwick in Sydney hosts an interesting race card as well this Saturday and features several Group races which I will watch on course (hopefully) due to my interest in the participants. For instance, in the Group Two Furious Stakes Guelph who won the Group One  Sires Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes in the autumn starts her spring campaign. Also champion sprinter Hay List returns after a long absence in the Group Three Concorde Stakes and old favourite Shoot Out steps out in the Group Three Tramway Stakes.

Hopefully Melbourne’s weather will play nice and produce a mild dry afternoon, despite the forecast for showers.

War & Peace – Cat Politics: The State of Play

 
Blue note – Talya caught napping

As I write this post both cats are asleep on the bed - at opposite ends of course - Talya at the foot, and Willy on my pillow in his accustomed spot.

Yes, the state of cat politics has changed once more. A truce appears to have been called and they are tolerating each other most of the time.

Who would have thought  a month ago that the following situation could occur…

B is understandably looking apprehensive with both cats occupying different parts of his person. Not exactly B’s knees but close.

It all happened when Talya jumped up to sit on B the other night. Willy was out and about, so she felt confident in draping herself on B’s chest. She doesn’t curl up on a person’s knee, but is a draper, spreading herself across the upper part of a person’s body.

Willy turned up and saw B sitting in situ, but didn’t initially notice Talya occupying part of his person until he had a closer look. This took him aback, but you could see him considering how to dislodge her.  He took the plunge and for a time both cats were practically nose to nose. We waited for the fireworks, but they didn’t occur, with Willy turning his back and settling on B’s knee. Talya maintained her position and all was well with the world.

So things are looking more positive as far as the cats are concerned. If there is argy bargy it is more likely to be Talya making a fuss, or trying to provoke Willy by stalking him. He’s attempting to be a gentleman about the state of affairs, and goes out of his way to avoid conflict with her. I tell her she’s only making trouble for herself if she carries on so, but she ignores my advice and persists with her aggressive behaviour. There are hopeful signs that her attitude is thawing and that she is willing to consider a truce.

Other News

Spring is just around the corner, and of course that reawakens my enthusiasm for horse racing.

At Caulfield today is the last meeting of the 2012/2013 racing season, and the feature race is the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes, a race that I regard as the first group race of the new spring season.  It has been won by some classy horses – Apache Cat, Shoot Out , Super Elegant for instance - but this year the field is rather ordinary. I just watched it and the 2013 winner is Second Effort.

The big racing news this week was the announcement of Black Caviar’s chosen mate for her first breeding season – Exceed And Excel is the lucky boy. He’s quite a good looker, so the resulting foal should be a beauty.

Meanwhile I wait with keen anticipation for the first Group One of the 2013 spring carnival which happens to be the Memsie Stakes at the end of August.  The race has only recently been upgraded to group one, it being a group two race up to now.

After Caviar – The Doncaster Mile

Pierro in action – racing this Saturday in the Doncaster Mile

The racing news recently has all been about the retirement of  Black Caviar, but racing fans can console themselves with the continuing action of the Sydney Racing Carnival, when Royal Randwick hosts the Doncaster Mile meeting with two Group One races on the cards, the Doncaster being one of them.

The other is the Australian Oaks for three year old fillies over 2400 metres.

It has a pretty evenly matched field, the early favourite being Habibi who ran third in the Vinery Stud Stakes behind Norzita. Prior to that run she won the New Zealand Derby. Fellow New Zealander More Than Sacred also has a good chance. She won the New Zealand Oaks at her last run so can run the distance. Of the local fillies Dear Demi can’t be dismissed out of hand, despite her less than inspiring performances in recent races. Then there’s Longport who ran second in the Vinery Stud Stakes and Royal Descent, who won her last start easily in weaker company, who could well take home the prize. 

The track on Saturday at Randwick will most likely be on the slow side as Sydney has received plenty of rain this week, so mudrunners are the go.

The Doncaster Mile has attracted a full field of acceptances, and a classy field it is. This race has been won by champions of the turf, such as Sunline, who won it twice. More Joyous was last year’s winner, but she is not contesting it this year. Her young stable mate Pierro will represent the Gai Waterhouse stable in the Doncaster, and he has the class to win it and could only be defeated by the weight he has to carry(57kgs) which is a bit of a burden for a three year old. Anyway, he’ll start as the favourite, and could well prevail. He has won on slow going several times, so the track condition will not trouble him. I’d really like my old favourite Shoot Out to win. He ran second last year, but this year he is top weight, but only 1kg above that of Pierro. He loves Randwick and the 1600 metres suits, and he also handles soft tracks. Other than Pierro, he may be  challenged by  lightweight filly Norzita who is in fine form at the moment, and class mares Appearance, Streama , Red Tracer and Secret Admirer. Of the boys, Lamasery and Alma's Fury look next best dressed.

There is a possibility that the Doncaster will be Pierro’s last race before retirement and All Too Hard will be having his final race Saturday week before retiring to stud. So two more stars of the turf will be missing from the scene come springtime.

I’ll be at Caulfield to farewell Black Caviar. She will be parading down the straight shortly after race 4 (about 2.10pm) with Luke in the saddle. No doubt it will be a moving occasion and hopefully I will finally get the perfect photo.

Update: Saturday Night

The heavy (10) track at Randwick caused upset wins in the two feature races. Royal Descent won the Oaks from Dear Demi and Gondokoro, and Sacred Falls won the Doncaster with Pierro running second and Norzita third. It was a good day however for Sydney trainer Chris Waller who trained both Royal Descent and Sacred Falls.

My day at Caulfield was quite something else; a deeply moving and memorable occasion, which I will expand upon tomorrow with photos.

Sydney Racing Carnival – Derby Day with Caviar

 
Black Caviar – Cox Plate Day 2011

I missed previewing Golden Slipper day last week, due to multiple distractions (renovations) destroying my concentration and desire to write. However, I did watch the splendid race card that featured five Group One races.

Despite the slow track, it was mostly a day for favourites to win. The Gai Waterhouse trained filly Overreach won the Golden Slipper, Norzita won the Vinery Stud Stakes, Fiveandahalfstar won the BMW,  Pierro won the George Ryder Stakes and Appearance was victorious in the Queen of the Turf Stakes, where the favoured More Joyous, was blocked for a run when it counted and failed to run a place.

This week, the newly (only partly) renovated Randwick racecourse features three Group One races – the Sires Produce Stakes for two year olds, the Australian Derby and the T J Smith Stakes, which will, weather permitting, star Black Caviar gunning for her 25th win in succession, and 15th at Group One level.

The first to run of the Group One races is the Sires Produce Stakes, which is run over 1400 metres. Can Overreach, who is backing up in this race, take her winning streak to four?  It seems a hard ask after the arduous Golden Slipper, but one assumes she is fit for it.  Several of her opponents are in the same boat. Guelph, Charlie Boy, Villa Verde  and Windjammer all ran in the Slipper too, and Champollion contested and won the Group Three Ballieu Handicap last Saturday as well and could represent her biggest threat. There’s also Scandiva, a relation to Black Caviar who has won her last two starts and can’t be overlooked.

The Australian Derby is the seventh race on the card, and is a test of stamina for young stayers over 2400 metres. At the beginning of this week, there was keen anticipation for a clash between Fiveandahalfstar and It’s A Dundeel, with their diverse styles of racing being pivotal to the interest – the front runner versus the swooper – but Fiveandahalfstar has been ruled out with a leg injury.

So now it looks a done deal, judging by the way It’s A Dundeel won the Rosehill Guineas - by 6 lengths – and he is understandably the hot favourite.  However, at his only run over 2400 metres in the Victoria Derby last spring, he failed to run a place,  so there is a question mark over his ability to run out the trip. His breeding (High Chaparral x Stareel (out of Zabeel) indicates he can do it and his trainer reckons he’ll win on class alone. He was only a baby when contesting the Victoria Derby (technically two years old) and at the end of a hard campaign, so there are excuses for his failure then. 

There are three other High Chaps in the Derby – High Shot, Hippopus and Kingdoms, so it would be interesting if two of them ran the trifecta, as happened when Shoot Out won the race  in 2010 against Descarado.and Monaco Consul. Might be worth a modest wager on the boxed trifecta.

At the moment Philippi looks the main threat along with Bass Straight and Hvasstan if he handles the clockwise direction of running in Sydney, which he failed to do when he contested  the Rosehill Guineas.

Sydney Racing has scheduled the T J Smith Stakes as the last race on the cards, basically forcing people who are attending only to see Black Caviar, to stay at the course till stumps, similar to Moonee Valley Racing Club’s strategy on William Reid Stakes night recently.

Well, she is a star act and worth waiting to see. Black Caviar, if she runs – Peter Moody has stated that she won’t run if the track is rated heavy – faces ten opponents this time. It must be the biggest field she has run in for quite some time.  Old rival, Hay List fronts in this too as does Sea Siren, Rain Affair and speedy relative Bel Sprinter who was sensational winning The Galaxy a few weeks ago.  Still I doubt any of them can beat the super mare, who is in top form according to Peter Moody.

As the Sydney’s weather is expected to be fine for the rest of the week, there’s every chance that the track will be rated dead to good on Saturday and Black Caviar will bag her quarter century of wins.

Update – Saturday Night

What a fantastic day of racing yet again!

The star of the show was undoubtedly It’s A Dundeel, demolishing the Derby field with a six length win. They’re calling him the “pocket rocket” as he’s only a small horse, but he has a remarkable turn of foot. Philippi ran second and Kingdoms, who led the field for most of the race, hung on for third. The High Chap trifecta didn’t happen-close though. I am feeling rather privileged to have seen him in the flesh last year. I noted at the time that he looked special.

And let’s not forget the mighty mare Black Caviar, effortlessly scoring her 25th win in succession, and breaking several more records – such as going beyond Kingston Town’s record of 14 Group One wins.

As Gerard Whateley wrote in my copy of the Black Caviar book, we are living in extraordinary times.

Super Cool On A Hot Day

Super Cool returns to scale after winning the Australian Cup

The sizzling heat of the extended Melbourne summer didn’t affect the equally sizzling race card at Flemington yesterday. My goodness, the Melbourne racing season has been classic all through, and yesterday’s meeting was right up there with the Lightning Stakes and Blue Diamond in terms of great racing spectacles.

There was a dead heat for first in the Group Two Blamey Stakes, between  Budriguez and Puissance de Lune, an upset win in the Newmarket Handicap by the lightly weighted Shamexpress, and three year old colt Super Cool rocketed into elite company by winning the Australian Cup. 

I arrived at Flemington just in time to witness the running of Race 3 the Group Two Sires Produce Stakes. Twilight Royale triumphed over Shamus Award and Great Esteem.

Twilight Royale sashed after winning the Sires Produce Stakes

The Blamey Stakes was the next race up, so I went and put a bet on Puissance de Lune and hung around the mounting yard, waiting for the parade, keen to catch a glimpse of the early Melbourne Cup favourite.

 
Puissance de Lune parading in the mounting yard

As you can see, he is a lovely looking grey horse and boy, can he run. He’s even better over longer distances, so watch for him in the spring.

Puissance de Lune on his way to the track

It looked as if Budriguez would steal the show, as they flashed past down the straight, but Puissance de Lune lunged at the line and it came down to a dead heat, the photo finish being so close the stewards had no option but to call it a draw. There was a long wait while all this was being decided.

Puissance de Lune in the winners rug after the result was called.

Both horses had a turn at wearing the winners rug and the presentation with all the owners of both horses crowded the rostrum.

After collecting my winnings on Puissance de Lune, I reinvested some on the hot favourite for the next race, none other than Norzita. 

Norzita parading in the mounting yard prior to the Kewney Stakes

Norzita was pipped at the post by long shot Flying Snitzel, who rocketed from the back of the field to steal the race.

Flying Snitzel returns to scale after winning the Kewney Stakes

The first of the feature races, the Newmarket Handicap, was next on the agenda.

I watched the parade and photographed several of the contestants.

Moment of Change was the warm favourite, but he was denied victory by three year old Shamexpress.

Moment of Change

The two West Australian sprinters, Luckygray and Barakey were outclassed, finishing 8th and 11th. Perhaps they were daunted by Flemington’s big long straight.

Luckygray – a handsome grey beast

Barakey on his way to the track

Finally, a photo of Ortensia

 
Satin Shoes

 
The winner – Shamexpress returns to scale

I had my money on Barakey again, so no wins there.

The Australian Cup is a great race, and yesterday’s version was a beauty. It is normally won by a tried and true weight for ager and three year olds have not won for many years, the last being Saintly in 1996.

Super Cool and Fiveandahalfstar first clashed in the Victoria Derby last spring with Fiveandahalfstar being the victor on that occasion. It’s quite rare to see Derby winners back in winning form in the autumn. The Derby can be the kiss of death, as many Derby winners fail to win ever again, though of course there are exceptions and these exceptions turn into champion stayers and middle distance runners.

I’ve seen Super Cool race three times and each time he has won. I had a small wager on him in the Australian Cup and he delivered at reasonable  odds.  The two colts went to the line together, Super Cool winning by a short margin.  Old stayer Tanby ran third.

Anyway here’s some photos of the main contestants in the Australian Cup.

 
Fiveandahalfstar

Glass Harmonium


Green Moon


Mr Moet

Super Cool

Flemington wasn’t all that crowded yesterday. Compared to the numbers that attended the Lightning Stakes meeting it was half full. I didn’t mind at all as it was easy to find a spot on the fence to watch the races, buy a drink or put on a bet. It was extremely hot of course, but one could find shady spots to sit in and study the form.

I’ve decided I quite like Flemington after all. It’s a very attractive racecourse with wonderful architectural  features, and the masses of roses everywhere are gorgeous.

God willing I will attend super Saturday again next year.

There is only one more Group One race in Melbourne to be run this autumn, before the focus shifts to the Sydney autumn racing season. The William Reid Stakes, starring Black Caviar is scheduled for Friday night on 22nd March. I’ll be there of course, despite the ridiculous timing of the main race at 9.45pm.

Speaking of the Sydney racing scene, it was great to see my old favourite Shoot Out take out his second consecutive Chipping Norton Stakes at Warwick Farm yesterday.

Flemington Super Saturday 2013 – Whoopie!

Early Melbourne Cup favourite Puissance de Lune returns this weekend in the Blamey Stakes

An absolutely super duper weekend of racing is in the offing and I will be at Flemington Race Course to witness most of it. Three Group One races are on the cards, two at Flemington and one at Warwick Farm in Sydney, along with some very interesting Group Two competitions.

At Flemington the first of the Group races of most interest is the Group Two Blamey Stakes over 1600 metres. Puissance de Lune will be making one of his few appearances this autumn in this race. It’s probably a bit too short for him, but according to his regular jockey, Glen Boss, he has super star written all over him. He’ll have to contend with the smart, in form, and fit, Dany The Fox, who will no doubt start as favourite. Also in the picture are Budriguez, Callanish and good old Maluckyday who ran a great race behind All Too Hard in the Futurity Stakes recently.  

The Group Two Kewney Stakes (1400 metres) is one for three year old fillies. I’m looking forward to seeing Flight Stakes winner, Norzita, in action.  She commenced her autumn campaign with a win in the Typhoon Tracy Stakes in mid February. She has some stiff competition in the Kewney from Members Joy, Meliora, Alzora and Petite Diablesse, but is the class filly in the race so should prevail.

You can tell Black Caviar is not running in the Group One  Newmarket Handicap (1200 metres), as a good (though not full) field of runners has accepted for the race. It looks to be a fascinating competition and is very hard to pick the winner.  First up you have Moment of Change who ran a good second to his stable mate Black Caviar in the Lightning Stakes. Peter Moody reckons Moment of Change is a class act, and the next best horse in his stable after the champion mare, and his race record speaks well of his chances. He’s raced 10 times, won five times and only been out of a place once. He won the Group One Sir Rupert Clark Stakes back in the spring.

However, he is up against some first class sprinters, notably the unbeaten Perth star Barakey, who was scratched at the barrier in the Oakleigh Plate, so we still don’t know how good he actually is. His fellow Perth star, Luckygray, is also in with a chance.  The West Australians at least won’t be distressed by the continuing heat wave in Melbourne; in fact they are thriving in the torrid conditions.  Others worthy of consideration are Fontelina who recently ran a close second to Hay List in a trial, classy mare Ortensia and light weighted colts Better Than Ready and Shamexpress.

The Australian Cup has a glorious reputation as a WFA race, having been won over the years by some out and out champions – Makybe Diva, Lonhro, Northerly, Saintly to name a few. So who will win it this year?

2012 Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon is one of the top chances.  He has the services of Hong Kong based jockey Brett Prebble as his rider, and recently ran a good fourth to All Too Hard in the Futurity Stakes and will appreciate the extra distance of the Australian Cup (2000 metres). 

Another Perth star Mr Moet appears to represent his closest opposition having run second to Foreteller in the Peter Young Stakes.  Foreteller too, could repeat his Peter Young performance and the unpredictable Glass Harmonium could steal the show if he behaves himself. And you can’t totally over look the two three year old colts Fiveandahalfstar and Super Cool who are both racing extremely well at present and have a weight advantage, even though three year olds rarely win this race.

The final Group One race of the day is the Chipping Norton Stakes at Warwick Farm.  Run over 1600 metres, Shoot Out won it last year,so perhaps he can win it again this year. It appears to be a race where consecutive wins by the same horse is quite common. Tie The Knot won it four time in a row (1999 to 2002) and Super Impose won it twice in 1991 and 1992. Shoot Out was scratched from the Apollo Stakes due to the heavy track, so will be first up in the Chipping Norton after trialling very well, so I’m hoping he will succeed.  Half the field are his stable mates from Chris Waller’s stable.  Danleigh for one, who finished second in the Chipping Norton last year and ran third in the Apollo Stakes behind Alma’s Fury and Tougher Than Ever who are also part of the field.  Manighar makes a welcome return to the racetrack after being sidelined by injury during the spring and has a chance if he’s recovered. Gai Waterhouse has Glencadam Gold and Lazer Hawk in the running. They were both disappointing in the Apollo Stakes. Also worth a look is New Zealand mare Silent Achiever who always runs an honest race. Whatever, it will be a good race to watch.

At Flemington the track will be on the fast side and the weather hot and sunny (again!) whereas in Sydney the track is likely to be on the soft side after all the rain that has been falling in that part of the country.

I’ll be braving the relentless sunshine once again to take in the excitement of first class racing at the big track.

Miracles Can Happen – Blue Diamond Stakes Day 2013

Miracles of Life – photo by Atkins Daily Telegraph

The Melbourne Autumn racing carnival really takes off this coming Saturday with Blue Diamond Stakes day at Caulfield. It has a stellar racing card with three fascinating Group One competitions and a selection of equally interesting Group Two races as well.

The stars will be out in force, not Black Caviar, who won’t be racing again until 22 March in the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon, who will only be having a few starts this season, will be racing in the Group One Futurity Stakes (1400 metres) against star three year old All Too Hard and a good field of weight for age stalwarts like King Mufhasa, Niwot,  Shanghai Warrior and Lights of Heaven.  All Too Hard has a very good chance of winning this, thus making a family affair of Group One victories on alternate weekends.

The Group One Oakleigh Plate ( 1100 metres) has the exciting West Australian sprinter Barakey having his first run in the East. He is unbeaten with 11 wins from as many runs. Can he keep his winning streak intact, in this his hardest assignment to date? He’s up against super sprinting mare Ortensia, back from winning a couple of races in the UK, recent winners Sea Lord and Adebisi and the very talented filly Shamal Wind.who with her light weight could surprise, despite only having three starts, which she won stylishly, hence her presence in this race.

The feature race is of course the Blue Diamond Stakes, a race over 1200 metres for two year olds.  There are equal numbers of fillies and colts contending for the prize, with several fillies having the edge, most notably the South Australian filly Miracles of Life. She will ridden by her regular rider *Lauren Stojakovic, who retained the ride over more  experienced jockeys, the filly’s owners having faith in her affinity with the filly. Miracles of Life is nicknamed ‘Barbie”, so called because of her long blonde mane and tail and girly behaviour around the stable.  She has won her only three starts in sensational fashion and has a remarkable turn of foot. She has drawn Barrier 1, which could be a blessing or a curse, but if Lauren, despite her inexperience, can position her well, I think she’ll thrash the rest of the field. Her main rivals are fellow fillies Guelph and Metastasio who both have good wins under their belts, Guelph winning the Blue Diamond Prelude and Metastasio beating the boys in the Chairman’s Stakes.  Dissident and Crack A Roadie are the best of the colts. Whatever, it will be a good race to watch.

Of the Group Two races, the Peter Young Stakes (1800 metres) looks the most interesting. Mr Moet, another talented West Australian, who ran a ripping race in the Orr Stakes coming from near last to win third place, will be hard to beat this time round.  His major threats appear to be Mawingo who came second in the Orr Stakes, and in form South Australian Eclair Surprise who has won his last four starts.

In Sydney at Warwick Farm, old favourite Shoot Out will be starting his autumn campaign in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes.  He won the Group One George Main Stakes first up last  spring and could well win the Apollo Stakes first up this time. He ran second in this race last year to the classy Rain Affair, before winning the Chipping Norton. Gai Waterhouse runners, Glencadam Gold and Lazer Hawk represent his main threats. Good old Danleigh, Shoot Out’s stable mate could run a place.

I am attending the meeting on Saturday at Caulfield and am looking forward to seeing Miracles of Life in the flesh, as well as Barakey Mr Moet, All Too Hard, Ortensia and Green Moon.

*Check out Lauren Stojakovic’s blog on the Racing Victoria website – it’s a simple and quite engaging view of her chances on Miracles of Life in the Blue Diamond.

A Day At The Races – Cox Plate 2012

Cox Plate finish – All Too Hard leads with Ocean Park coming hard on his outside.

Yesterday dawned into a bright morning that became overcast with heavy grey clouds in the west threatening rain. But the rain held off, and even though the afternoon was cool and cloudy it stayed fine throughout.

I arrived at Moonee Valley racecourse just before the fourth race, the Telstra Phonewords Stakes, a sprint over 1200 metres. Wending my way through the bookies area, I placed a bet on Hidden Warrior and found my way to the public lawn at the top of the straight to a vacant spot on the fence to watch the race. To my delight, Hidden Warrior won from Haussmann and Chosen Moment.

 
Race 4 finish from the top of the straight. Hidden Warrior leads by several lengths.

After collecting my winnings – Hidden Warrior paid very well -  I decided to go and watch the Race 5 contenders parade, being particularly interested in It’s A Dundeel. He’s a stunning looking colt by High Chaparral and has a certain presence about him.

 
It’s A Dundeel (No 1) with Viking Star (No 2) and Super Cool (No 4) on their way to the barriers.

Unfortunately It’s A Dundeel didn’t win - his first defeat in his short career. He raced at the tail of the field for most of the race, and the winner Super Cool was too flash for him in the finish. Viking Star ran third.

 
Race 5 finish from the top of the straight – Super Cool leads, with If I Could on his outside, It’s A Dundeel is in the middle and Viking Star in fourth spot.

The next race on the cards was the Drake International Moonee Valley Cup run over 2500 metres.  Killing time before the race I checked out the contestants.

Ironstein who ran third


Vatuvei the eventual winner

The Peter Moody/Luke Nolen combination resulted in a win for Vatuvei with Reuben Percival running second and Ironstein third.

Whilst in the parade area I  checked out the stalls and came across Shoot Out and Rangirandoo in adjacent stalls.

Shoot Out


Rangirangdoo

Rangirangdoo was being kitted out for the next race on the card, the Crystal Mile. I put a small wager each way on him and Solzhenitsyn and they ran second and third respectively behind Silent Achiever.


Solzhenitsyn on his way to the barriers


Silent Achiever on her way to the barriers

By this time it was about 4.35pm and the excitement was building towards the feature race. Having been on my feet all afternoon, I thought I deserved a quiet sit down, so I went to the parade ground for a rest and waited for the Cox Plate horses to parade.

Pierro was out first long before any of the other runners made it the ring. He appears to be a very well behaved and calm young fellow, as if he’d done it all many times before.


Pierro

Proisir, another of Gai Waterhouse’s runners, was all fired up and toey.

Proisir

More Joyous, who was very unlucky in the Cox Plate, having to race wide the whole trip, was the third of Gai Waterhouse’s entrants in the Plate.


More Joyous

The winner Ocean Park…

 
Ocean Park

All Too Hard was only beaten by a neck in the Cox Plate – so near yet so far, but an excellent run on his part.


All Too Hard

I had my money on Green Moon, but he was very disappointing in his run, finishing 7th.

Green Moon

Shoot Out had to be reshod before he took his place in the parade ring, and was the last horse to emerge. He ran 5th in the Cox Plate.


Shoot Out

Southern Speed ran 6th and I finally managed to get a reasonable photo of her.


Southern Speed

Unlike last year the weather stayed fine and the sun even emerged for the running of the Cox Plate.

Where I was positioned, on the fence near the top of the straight, the Cox Plate barrier is placed for the start of the race. Thus I was able to snap a photo of the start, and the first rush down the straight.

 
Horses jostle for position in the first run down the straight – More Joyous leads in this shot, Ocean Park (red cap, purple silks) is just behind with the main bunch and Linton (grey horse) after blowing the start, is being well held. Southern Speed is on his inside and Shoot Out (red and gold stripes) is on the inside of Southern Speed.

In the end Ocean Park overtook All Too Hard to win on the line with Pierro running third several lengths behind.  And another Cox Plate had been run and won.

I had an enjoyable day at the races, and managed to avoid most of the crowds, having last year figured out that the top of the straight is the place to be. I had no trouble placing bets in the Bookies Ring or finding a spot on the fence to watch the races. I didn’t win heaps, but I didn’t lose much either, keeping my bets modest. I ended up with one win, two seconds and two thirds.

Many young females were huddling under blankets and coats, their flimsy racing costumes unsuitable for the cool weather. I didn’t notice any really outrageous costumes where I was, most people in the area being sensibly garbed.

Actually the crowd didn’t appear to be as large as last year, when Black Caviar was the added attraction. However, the running of the Manikato Stakes on the Friday night before the Cox Plate may have made a difference to the numbers. Speaking of the Manikato Stakes it was great to see the very classy Sea Siren win it in style – about the only Group One victory for the girls this spring racing season.

Crowd Scene

I didn’t stay for the final race and managed to catch the second last bus home.

It’s a great day, Cox Plate day and I hope to repeat the experience for many years to come.  Francesca Cumani explains it in detail here.