Cool Day, Hot Racing–Makybe Diva Stakes

For a welcome break from the tiresomeness of unpacking boxes, I headed off to Flemington for the Makybe Diva Stakes Day race meeting. It promised quite a few exciting competitions and didn’t disappoint.

There were finishes that were spectacular in a variety of ways – several nailbitingly close and others where the winner was impressively dominant with a long margin separating first from second.

My intention was to arrive at Flemington half an hour before Race 2 as I wanted to see unbeaten colt Royal Symphony, who had won all three of his starts by several lengths and appeared to  be a potential super star.

This I accomplished, so I headed for the mounting yard to watch the field parade. They hadn’t started the parade as yet, but Living Legends Paris Lane and The Cleaner were being walked around the mounting yard and posing for photographs.

Paris Lane & The Cleaner in the mounting yard

The Listed Pin & Win Plate, run over 1400 metres, was Royal Symphony’s toughest test to date, and though he only won narrowly over Eclair Sunshine, he did so in spectacular fashion. He was bumped and blocked all through the charge up the straight and looked in an impossible postition as the finishing post loomed closer, but as soon as he got clear running he went boom and won at the last minute.

Royal Symphony wins the Pin & Win Plate

Royal Symphony returns to scale

Saturday in Melbourne had dawned cold and wet, but fortunately the weather cleared by lunchtime, and the rest of the afternoon was overcast with an occasional burst of welcome sunshine.

It made taking photos a challenge, with alternate dark and bright lighting playing havoc with one’s exposure settings.

I was pleased to catch up with my photographer friend Rebecca who had kindly obtained a Winx cap for me, as an expression of gratitude for helping her get her camera at Caulfield on Memsie Stakes Day.

After watching Royal Symphony’s race, we headed to the stalls area to see who had arrived.

Catchy who was entered in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes was there, as was her trainer David Hayes who graciously signed our race books. I was hoping we didn’t put a jinx on Catchy.

Catchy in her stall

Also waiting for the Danehill Stakes was New Zealand colt Summer Passage…

Summer Passage in his stall

…and Jukebox.

Jukebox in his stall – a very pretty boy

With Race 3, The Sofitel, up next we returned to our prime spot at the access gate just past the finish post.

Like the Pin & Win Stakes it is run over 1400 metres and Theanswermyfriend started as race favourite ahead of Mr Sneaky and they finished in that order, Theanswermyfriend winning by 1¾ lengths.

Theanswermyfriend comfortably wins The Sofitel

Theanswermyfriend returns to scale

Mr Sneaky on his way to the barriers

The Bobbie Lewis Quality, a Group 2 sprint over 1200 metres was first of the Group races scheduled and Voodoo Lad, a last start winner, was the favourite. However, Redkirk Warrior, the former British horse now with the David Hayes stable,  who won the Newmarket Handicap at his first Australian start in autumn, then failed to place in two Sydney starts, was the sensational winner.  He took command halfway up the straight to win by 2½ lengths from Scales Of Justice with Land Of Plenty a further length back running third.

My photo of the finish has Redkirk Warrior as the sole runner in the frame.

Redkirk Warrior wins the Bobbie Lewis Quality

It seems patently obvious that Redkirk Warrior is dynamite when he is first up, and he obviously loves the big Flemington track.

Redkirk Warrior returns to scale

Back in the stalls area more horses had arrived , namely Hartnell and Inference who I was hoping to get snaps of.

Hartnell in his stall

The beautiful Inference – a son of So You Think

Back trackside the field for the Group 2 Danehill Stakes were parading in the mounting yard. For three year olds, run over 1200 metres, the field comprised eight colts or geldings and three fillies.

Catchy – she’s certainly a big girl!

The dramatic fall of Limestone near the finish line somewhat marred the outcome of the Danehill Stakes which was won by Catchy, her second victory over the boys. She is of course the winner of the Blue Diamond Stakes. Jukebox finished second with Booker the other filly (along with Limestone) in the race running third. Fortunately both Limestone and her jockey Damian Lane both were uninjured in the fall, which was caused by interference from Jukebox who clipped heels with another horse who in turn clipped heels with Limestone.

Danehill Stakes finish – Catchy is the widest runner

Catchy returns to scale

Jukebox returns to scale

Limestone runs riderless after recovering from her fall

We returned to the stalls area after the Danehill Stakes and were hovering around waiting for Winx to race in the George Main Stakes which was scheduled for 3.15pm. There are screens scattered throughout the stalls area, and we found one and noticed Peter Moody, famous as the trainer of Black Caviar, was close by. As the George Main Stakes field were loading into the starting gates, a small group gathered around the screen. I thought it was poignantly ironic, and felt chuffed, that Peter Moody was part of the group as we watched Winx win her 20th race in succession and 13th Group 1, again seeming as if she couldn’t catch the leader Happy Clapper in time. But she ended up winning comfortably by over a length.

The next race at Flemington was named to honour another great mare, this being the Let’s Elope Stakes, a Group 2 race for mares over 1400 metres,  and a big field of 16 contendants had accepted. I Am A Star was the pre-race favourite, but she failed to place. It was won by Sword of Light narrowly from Swampland. Lovani finished third.

Sword of Light wins the Let’s Elope Stakes

Sword of Light returns to scale

Swampland on her way to the barriers

By the time the feature event, race 7, the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes was run, the afternoon had turned quite chill and shadows were encroaching over the track.

It was however worth staying to witness Humidor upstage hot favourite Hartnell and win by over 3 lengths in impressive style. He’s another one that loves Flemington, his last win being on the track in the Australian Cup in autumn. He’s now favourite to win the Caulfield Cup. Good old Black Heart Bart, honest as the day is long, finished third.

Humidor wins the Makybe Diva Stakes

Humidor returns to scale

Hartnell on his way to the barriers

Black Heart Bart on his way to the barriers

Humidor in the winner’s rug

I would have liked to have stayed for Race 8, the Japan Racing Association Trophy, where a good field of stayers had been assembled to contest the 2500 metre event. But as I’d been at the course since early afternoon, I didn’t feel inclined to hang around and wait. Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Almandin won the race by over 2 lengths, toting a massive 61.5 kilos of weight to defeat his stablemates Crocodile Rock and Aloft. It wouldn’t surprise in the least if Almandin won the Melbourne Cup a second time, a feat not accomplished since Makybe Diva in 2004, who of course went on to win it a third time in 2005.

It was a great day’s racing, somewhat surprising this early in the season when it’s generally pretty low key.  Flemington was nowhere near crowded, which is the good thing about attending at this time of year.

Next week, the sole Group 1 race is the Golden Rose in Sydney at Rosehill.  In Melbourne Caulfield has the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes as its feature race. I may attend, but if the weather is too miserable I’ll think twice about going.

Back On Track– Group One Racing Returns

Turn Me Loose at Flemington – Emirates Stakes Day

You can tell that first class racing has returned, with quite a few of the Spring stars resuming this coming Saturday.

The Group 1 Orr Stakes at Caulfield has a classy field that contains fourteen Group 1 winners all vieing for the prize.

In Sydney at Randwick, Cox Plate heroine Winx kicks off her autumn campaign in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes.

The main action of the day is at Caulfield with an excellent support card of Group 2 and Group 3 races, that include the two Blue Diamond Preludes – one for fillies, and one for colts and geldings.

The Orr Stakes (1400 metres) is a real brain teaser with all of the 18 strong field having a chance, but personally I’m pleased to see New Zealand stallion Turn Me Loose return to the fray. He greatly impressed all and sundry in the Spring with three consecutive wins, the last being the Group 1 Emirates Stakes.  His record first up however is iffy, so he may need a run.

*Hucklebuck, Mourinho, Rebel Dane, Trust In A Gust all contested the Group 2 Australia Stakes and were beaten by the three year old Holler. However, they were only beaten by a short margin over a shorter distance and do have a run to their advantage.

Boban has won first up, as has old trooper Fawkner, so neither can be dismissed out of hand, nor can the two other Darren Weir runners Lucky Hussler and Stratum Star.

There are three Group 1 winning mares in the race – Rising Romance, Suavito and Fenway, one of whom could one-up the boys.

I intend to get to Caulfield in time to watch Race 2, the Group 2 Kevin Hayes Stakes, for three year old fillies run over 1200 metres, so I can get a look at star New Zealand filly Risque, now being trained by David Hayes & Tom Dabernig. She won the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas at her last start.  Her opposition doesn’t look all that threatening, The Big Dance. Calaverte and Mossin’ Around being the best of the rest.

The fillies Blue Diamond Prelude is scheduled as Race 3 and has attracted an interesting field of two year old fillies, most with a win under their belt. Sword of Light who won the Blue Diamond Preview on Australia Day is probably the top pick, though Zamzam could be up to the challenge, considering that she won her first race by two lengths, as could BD Preview placegetters Emphatically and Dream First. I’m interested in the Gai Waterhouse filly Thyme For Roses who is the daughter of Augusta Proud, a classy filly I followed some years ago.

Cohesion who comprehensively won the colts Blue Diamond Preview is the leading contender in the boys Blue Diamond Prelude. Others with a chance are Sydney colts Defcon and Star Turn, and local boys Weatherly, Capannello and El Venetian who all contested the Blue Diamond Preview with moderate success.

As Racng Victoria is testing a shortened interval between races, i.e. 30 minute intervals, it won’t be such a long afternoon as in past years so the racing program will whizz by in a flash.

Before the Orr Stakes there are two other quality races, the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100 metres) where dual Group 1 winner Politeness will be starting her autumn racing season up against the highly regarded filly, Heatherly, followed by the Group 2 Autumn Stakes, a race for three year olds over 1400 metres.

Australia Stakes winner Holler is the main contender in the Autumn Stakes, up against some very smart colts, such as Mahuta who has won his last five starts, Victorian Derby winner Tarzino, and Vanbrugh who won the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes. Hawkspur’s little brother Devil Hawk is also in the field, though his form is not inspiring.

The Apollo Stakes at Randwick is scheduled to run five minutes before the Orr Stakes. It will therefore be a challenge to watch both races. Unless they show the Apollo Stakes on the big screen at the racecourse, I’ll have to wait until I get home to watch a replay. The 30 minute interval trial has ignited a brawl between the NSW and Victorian racing bodies due to the difficulties in planned live race coverage on Free To Air and Paid TV, with several races clashing time wise.

Anyway, the Apollo Stakes is a must see simply because Winx is in the field. Solicit is seen as her nearest rival. Though several of Winx stablemates (Who Shot Thebarman and Grand Marshall) are in the field, they are not really suited at the distance (1400 metres).

* Hucklebuck is an unlikely starter after drawing the widest barrier, his trainer being reluctant to force the horse to overexert himself so early in the season.

Celebrating Australia Day with Arabians

Arabian race finish – Warrawee Naaziq defeats Coolinda Park Winston

Yesterday, Caulfield had a special race meeting to mark the Australia Day holiday. There were diverse activities for children and general patrons including a barbeque on the front lawn. 

Of course I wasn’t interested in all that stuff, so left it to families enjoy.

It was worth getting to Caulfield Racecourse early to witness the running of the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR), a race for Arabian pure breds over 1600 metres, all ridden by female jockeys from across the globe – The Netherlands, Denmark, France, Germany, UK, Hungary, Ireland, South Korea, Sweden and Australia.

Lauren Stojakovic, best known for riding Miracles of Life to victory in the 2013 Blue Diamond Stakes, was Australia’s representative on Ethereal Park Solette.

If you think the race name is long winded, it must have been quite a chore for the female race caller to call the race with most of the arab horses having complicated names like Cromarty Park Zataal, Ethereal Park Solette, Aloha Thee Desperado for example.

They are beautiful looking animals quite distinct from the normal thoroughbred racehorse. They have neat pretty heads and are compact in body, smaller than regular racers, and they carry their tails high when they are running. They are known for their endurance.

Cava FF is a good example of the Arab type.

Warrawee Naaziq ridden by Dutch jockey Cindy Klinkenberg narrowly won the race from Coolinda Park Winston, ridden by Mina You from South Korea. They were miles ahead of the rest of the field, who were stretched out behind them and tailed to the finish line lengths apart.

The Arabians race was run before the first race, so there was a short interval between it and the regular race card.

Race 1 was the Grand Hotel Frankston Handicap, a race for fillies and mares over 1400 metres.

Fast Approaching started as favourite and didn’t let her backers down winning by a short margin from Boundary and Shacarde.

Just past the finishing post in Race 1

Fast Approaching (no 3) & Shacarde (no 6) return to scale

Boundary returns to scale

The next race, the Summer Championship Final (1700 metres)  resulted in a dead heat between veteran Tuscan Fire and Radical with Fast And Free a head away in third place.

Down the straight – Radical (no 8) closes on Tuscan Fire and Fast And Free

Radical on his way to the barriers

Tuscan Fire on his way to the barriers

Race 3 was the first of the Blue Diamond Previews – for colts and geldings over 1000 metres. For some reason the colts Preview is classified as a Listed race and the fillies Preview is classed as Group 3, though the prize money is the same. I have no idea why this is so.

The colts Blue Diamond Preview was won emphatically by Godolphin colt Cohesion from Capannello and El Venetian. Cohesion is certainly a lovely looking colt.

Cohesion has a comfortable lead down the straight with 100 metres to go.

Cohesion on his way to the starting gates

Capannello on his way to the barriers

El Venetian on his way to the barriers

Cohesion rugged and posing for the press photographers – the sign behind him seems apt

The winner of the fillies Blue Diamond Preview, Sword of Light, has a reputation for being cantakerous and flighty. She behaved herself at the barriers this time after her last outing at Flemington resulted in her being scratched at the barriers.

I noticed she paraded in ear muffs, no doubt to settle her down, because she raced without them.

Sword of Light in the mounting yard

She won by 1.2 lengths from Emphatically, with Dream First running third.

Sword of Light (no 6) hits the front with 100 metres to go

Emphatically on her way to the starting gates

Dream First on her way to the barriers

Sword of Light in winners rug

Whether Cohesion or Sword of Light will feature in the actual Blue Diamond Stakes is yet to be seen. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that one of them will win the race. Miracles of Life won the fillies Blue Diamond Preview in 2013. And in the boys version Sepoy won in 2011 and Reward For Effort in 2009 before winning the Blue Diamond Stakes.

The Blue Diamond Preludes are part of the Group 1 Orr Stakes meeting in a little over a fortnight, which is my next anticipated outing to the races.

The afternoon was hot, and I’d been at Caulfield since 12.00 noon, so I called it a day after the fillies Preview and headed for the station.

Caulfield was not crowded and the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly and despite face painted kids being in abundance, it was a pleasant way to spend Australia Day.

Incidentally jockeys riding horses with the No 1 saddlecloth wore Australian flag silks as is traditional on this day, though none of them won, so it wasn’t a lucky colour.