In the Mood for Romance – Turnbull Stakes Day Review

Gold Trip wins the 2023 Turnbull Stakes

Though it was not the most exciting race meeting, I decided to attend Turnbull Stakes Day at Flemington last Saturday, ostensibly to see the hyped Hong Kong runner Romantic Warrior.

I also wanted to remember my photographer friend George who had  passed away suddenly on 3rd October 2023.

He was an amiable soul with a mischievous sense of humour – one of the good guys - and an excellent photographer who will be greatly  missed.

You can check out his horse racing photos on this Facebook page.

I’m sure if George was still with us he would have attended the Turnbull Stakes, as he was always interested in the unusual or quirky side of the sport and would probably have attended to see Romantic Warrior.

Anyway, back to my afternoon at the races, I arrived at the track around 2.00 pm and headed to the stalls area to see if I could get a photo of Romantic Warrior. He wasn’t in his stall (no 86), but I caught sight of him walking around the parade ring, and noted that he looked a classy animal.

In the Stall 87, was the English horse West Wind Blows.

West Wind Blows

I hung around a bit and eventually Romantic Warrior was brought back to his stall.

Romantic Warrior

After visiting the stalls area I headed back trackside to practice photography on Race 5, the Danehill Stakes, a Group 2 event run over 1,000 metres.

Archo Nacho was the starting favourite, but he finished unplaced, a narrow victory going to 3 year old filly Stretan Angel who outgunned second favourite I Am Unstoppable.

Stretan Angel wins the Danehill Stakes

I Am Unstoppable

The afternoon was overcast for the main and the rail was out by 9 metres, so I’m surprised my photos turned out better than I imagined they would.

Race 6. the Group 2 Rose of Kingston Stakes was one for the mares and run over 1400 metres.  American mare Princess Grace was the favourite, but she was beaten by Life Lessons, and Wrote to Arataki ran third, the first three home all racing on the pace.

Life Lessons wins the Rose of Kingston Stakes from Princess Grace

Life Lessons on her way to the barriers

Princess Grace on her way to the barriers

Wrote to Arataki on her way to the barriers

The Bart Cummings, a race over 2520 metres, was of interest due to the winner being exempt from ballot for the Melbourne Cup.

A huge field of 16 runners were competing in the event, with First Immortal being the starting favourite, but he was relegated to second by the winner Future History. Serpentine finished third.

Future History wins the Bart Cummings from First Immortal

Future History returns to scale

The feature Group 1 race, the Turnbull Stakes (2000 metres) was the next to run. It has been won in the past by first class horses, notably by  Winx in 2017 and 2018. Verry Elleegant won in 2020. Last year Smokin’ Romans won the money.

This year’s edition had a classy field and Romantic Warrior was the warm favourite. However, last year’s Melbourne Cup winner, Gold Trip, who raced towards the back of the field zoomed up the straight and outclassed all and sundry to win by 1.75 metres from West Wind Blows and Soulcombe. Romantic Warrior managed to run fourth, his colours somewhat lowered.

Gold Trip on his way to the barriers

West Wind Blows on his way to the barriers

Soulcombe on his way to the barriers

Romantic Warrior on his way to the barriers – thankfully a reasonable photo

With the Turnbull Stakes done and dusted I headed home, not staying for the Gilgai Stakes which was won by Star Patrol.

Next Saturday is Caulfield Guineas Day which features three Group 1 races – Caulfield Guineas, Toorak Handicap (starring Amelia’s Jewel) and the Might and Power – a much more interesting race meeting than last Saturday’s offerings.

A Golden Guineas Day at Caulfield

Golden Mile (blue silks) overtaking a wall of rivals to win the 2022 Caulfield Guineas

When the rain was bucketing down last Friday it certainly didn’t look  as if Saturday would be any different.

Thankfully the weather improved and for the most part remained dry and sunny over the course of the afternoon.

It was Guineas Day at Caulfield, one of the classiest race meetings of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

By a strange quirk of fate, overnight, the incomparable Winx had given birth to a filly foal by Pierro.

I well recall seeing Winx win her 12th straight race in the Caulfield Stakes on Guineas Day 2016, where she only faced two rivals in Black Heart Bart and He Or She; a most unusual race.

Of particular interest last Saturday, in fact not to be missed, was the Group 1 Might and Power Stakes (formerly called the Caulfield Stakes) which had attracted a Cox Plate quality field of eight contenders that included the likes of Zaaki, Anamoe, Alligator Blood, Mo’unga and I’m Thunderstruck pitted against each other.

As the best races were later in the afternoon, I took my time getting to the track and arrived just before Race 4, the Listed Village Stakes run over1200 metres.

This was won by Gravina, the first of four winners for Godolphin and James Cummings over the afternoon.

Gravina on his way to winning the Village Stakes

Having left it too late to get back to the rail in time, I was obliged to watch Race 5, the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes, run over 2400 metres on a screen inside the Public Bar. Jamie Kah guided Saracen Knight to victory narrowly beating Makram and Desert Icon.

Race 6 was the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes, a sprint over 1100 and named for the brilliant grey speedster Schillaci who won eight Group 1 races in the 1990s.

Godolphin blue silks were to the fore again with race favourite  Paulele winning the bikkies from stablemate Ingratiating with Zoustyle running third.

Paulele neck and neck with Zoustyle as they zoom up the straight

As the Might and Power Stakes was up next Rebecca and I grabbed a spot on the fence early to witness the highly anticipated event. This was in an area next to the public lawn that we had to ourselves, though we were concerned that we would be told to leave by a security person. However we remained undisturbed so were able to photograph most of the field as they headed to the starting gates.

 
Alligator Blood – ran fourth

Anamoe – the winner

I’m Thunderstruck – ran second

Mo’unga – finished last

Nonconformist – seventh

Anamoe is regarded as the new star of the turf having in his short career won six Group 1 races. Most recently, besides Saturday's Might and Power Stakes, he also won  the Winx Stakes and George Main Stakes in Sydney. He actually won the Caulfield Guineas last year.

I've only seen Anamoe in the flesh once before where he ran second in the Blue Diamond Prelude behind General Beau in the Autumn of 2021.

Naturally  Anamoe started as the short priced favourite and raced handy in fourth spot, whilst Alligator Blood led the field with Zaaki close behind him.  Zaaki seized the lead in the straight but was overrun near the finishing post by Anamoe with I’m Thunderstruck on his tail running second.  It was an exciting race that lived up to its promise and we felt privileged to have witnessed Anamoe demonstrate his brilliance. He’s now hot favourite for the Cox Plate, which he could well win.

Might & Power Stakes finish – Zaaki leads but Anamoe is about to overtake him

Anamoe returns to scale after winning the Might & Power Stakes

We stayed in our spot to await the Caulfield Guineas which was up next, unwilling to leave in case we couldn’t get back to it.

As Caulfield Guineas go it wasn’t one of the strongest.  There were several live chances, but Golden Mile started as the warm favourite and prevailed narrowly from Elliptical and Osipenko. Less than a length separated the first five home.

A wall of horses thunders up the straight – Golden Mile (blue silks) is about to overtake them all

Golden Mile on his way to the barriers

Elliptical on his way to the barriers

Osipenko on his way to the barriers

The final Group 1 race of the day was the Toorak Handicap, run over 1600 metres, but as the afternoon was drawing in, I decided not to stay for it and headed home.

The afternoon had remained fine except for a drizzle of rain just before the Might And Power Stakes which barely wet the ground.

I’m looking forward to attending the Caulfield Cup meeting next Saturday and hope for another sunny day.

Group 1 Glory –The Cox Plate 2021

Winx on her way to winning her Fourth Cox Plate in 2018

Alas, despite Melbourne’s extended lockdown finishing today, nothing really goes back to normal, and that includes attending my favourite race meeting.

Yes, the Cox Plate is the feature race at Moonee Valley tomorrow and I’d love to be there to witness Zaaki and Verry Elleegant fighting out the finish, if indeed that scenario plays out.

Whatever the result, it is a Must See race – the small field of nine contenders being most interesting with a number of winning chances outside the two obvious top picks.

Zaaki will start as favourite no doubt, and is probably  the one to beat, this time regaining the services of James MacDonald as his jockey, after his shock loss in the Caulfield Stakes, where he was ridden by Craig Williams.

The Caulfield Stakes (now renamed the Might and Power) was won by wonderful New Zealand mare, Probabeel who is also one of the field in the Cox Plate and if the track stays dry would feature in the finish. However, if the expected rain arrives, and the track is downgraded to slow, that more than likely stymies her chances as she is less effective in soft conditions.

Heavy/slow tracks really play into Verry Elleegant’s favour as she thrives in such conditions.

Mo’unga who beat Verry Elleegant in the Winx Stakes surely is worth consideration being ridden by Hugh Bowman, experienced in the vagaries of the Moonee Valley racecourse after riding Winx to her four victories and Mugatoo in the All Star Mile earlier this year.

There are two three year old colts in the field – Caulfield Guineas quinella Anamoe and Captivant – both light weight chances, and two International contenders in Irish horse State of Rest and well credentialed New Zealander Callsign Mav.

So who will win Group 1 Glory this weekend? I’m leaning towards Zaaki, though would love it if Verry Elleegant or Probabeel wins.

UPDATE SUNDAY

What  a disappointing Cox Plate it was this year.

Zaaki was scratched early in the day and favouritism was shared between Verry Elleegant and Anamoe.

Irish horse State of Rest ended up the winner, fighting out a controversial finish with star three year old Anamoe and surviving a protest. Verry Elleegant tried to her best to catch the leaders and ran third. Mo’unga ran fourth and Probabeel finished fifth.

Mud & Mugatoo – All Star Mile Review

Mugatoo and Russian Camelot fight out the finish in the All Star Mile

It was wet, it was bucketing down, it was an unremitting deluge on Saturday at Moonee Valley, though when I set out at around 12.00pm it was warm and humid and I wondered if putting on shoes and socks would make me too hot.

When I reached Moonee Valley the rain had not yet started so I was able to get a good photo of the new Winx statue, in pride of place in the new Tote Park which leads to the main entrance to the track on McPherson Street.

Winx statue in Tote Park on McPherson Street

It’s a wonderful statue, miles better than the Black Caviar statue at Caulfield, and I was pleased that I came across it as I headed for the entrance gate.

Once inside Moonee Valley, my Zone 2 ticket permitted me to hang out on the Burston Lawn, so there I headed and found my photographer friend George already ensconced in the prime fence position closest to the finishing post.

There we stayed for the rest of the soggy afternoon, perhaps foolishly, considering how wet it got.

Getting a race book involved standing in a bar queue for at least 15 minutes, but I got two (one for George) at a discount price as the barman was confused.

Other freebies were paper flags for every runner in the All Star Mile, a red Ladbrokes Cap, and if you were lucky, a rain poncho.

Unfortunately, even though I grabbed two sets of the flags, they got damp, being impossible to protect in the circumstances. I should have forethought to take a plastic bag, but how was one to know such freebies were up for grabs.

So Bec, if you’re reading this, you are welcome to a set of water damaged flags if you want them. At least you can prove they are the genuine article.

My arrival at the Valley was in time for Race 3, the Xtreme Freight Handicap. run over the Cox Plate distance of 2040 metres.

As the rain hadn’t arrived at that time, my photos of the race are OK , but photographic conditions for the rest of the day were challenging in the extreme.

Race 3 was won by Persan, one of the few on the day to zoom from back of the field, and seized the lead close to the line to beat Irish Flame by a narrow margin.

Persan about to overtake Irish Flame as they charge to the finish line

The next race was sprint over 1200 metres, and Ancestry was the warm favourite. He led from the start and won by over two lengths in the end, from Riddle Me That and Dollar For Dollar.

 
Ancestry flashes up the straight in the Ranvet Abell Stakes

Of more interest than the previous races, Race 5 the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes was up next. Also run over 2040 metres. it was pleasing to see Jameka’s little brother Grandslam blitz the field and win by over six lengths, leading from the start. Jameka was a grand race mare in her time, winning the Victorian Oaks in 2015, and the Caulfield Cup and BMW in 2016.  Grandslam obviously has some of her talent and seems to appreciate soft tracks as she did.

Grandslam burns up the straight in the Alister Clark Stakes

Jamie Kah brings Grandslam back to scale

The rain had settled in by this time, and it was in vain that we hoped for a break. George had not come prepared for the weather, wearing only a T-shirt, so got considerably more drenched than myself, who had a raincoat and an umbrella. A kind person took pity on him and gave him a poncho in the end.

There were two more races to run before the All Star Mile, the first of these being the Australia Country Mile, won by Fontein Diamond, and Race 7 was the Gold Reef and won by Air Defence.

Air Defence on his way to the barriers

Before the All Star Mile was run there was a bit of razzamatazz in the form of flag bearers, drummers and dancers up in the grandstand. Obviously this part of the pre- race entertainment was meant to happen on the track, but the rain stymied that option. The track stage technicians looked disgruntled as the rain continued unabated, so their equipment remained unpacked and they drove their vehicles off the track.

By this time the track had been downgraded to a soft 6, which favoured the All Star contenders who appreciated a soft track, such as Russian Camelot, Sir Dragonet and Mugatoo among others, but not my particular favourite Probabeel.

Here are some of the field (or those whose photos turned out OK) on their way to the starting gates.

Mugatoo

Probabeel

Regalo di Gaetano

The Harrovian

Lunar Fox

Russian Camelot

Shout the Bar

Still A Star

Sir Dragonet

Streets of Avalon

Mr Quickie

Fifty Stars

The All Star Mile, as a race, lived up to the hype. It was an exciting competition, fiercely fought by the contenders. Hugh Bowman, no stranger to the peculiarities of the Moonee Valley track skilfully guided Mugatoo to a memorable victory, outfoxing Damian Oliver on Russian Camelot to win on the line. Behemoth finished third.

Hugh, as was his wont when Winx won her Cox Plates, paraded Mugatoo  up the straight and back along the fence for the benefit of the crowd . An explosion of blue and white streamers billowed from the Grandstand.

Hugh Bowman parades Mugatoo along the fence

Mud bespattered Hugh Bowman & Mugatoo closeup

Mugatoo in the winners rug

It was a pity that the weather was so awful. A sunny day would certainly have been preferable, but George and I soldiered on at the fence when everyone else had fled to drier places. By the time the All Star Mile had been run and won, we had been standing (or sitting in my case, after I liberated a stool) for over two hours and I was wet through despite my raincoat and umbrella.

I squelched up to Moonee Ponds Junction and caught a tram back up Pascoe Vale Road to the 510 (Essendon to Ivanhoe) Bus Stop.

When I got home a full change of clothing was in order.  My camera was wet, as well as my bag and step. Luckily, so far I don’t seem to have come down with an ague.

I’m not sure if I’d undergo another extremely wet afternoon at the races again.