Dazzling Jewel Wins Again – Caulfield Guineas Day Review

I Won! Atlantic Jewel celebrates her easy win in the Caulfield Stakes

There were girls dressed to the nines, sailors in sailor suits, young swanks posing as extras from the Great Gatsby movie, and the usual range of punters, drunks, kids and hoi polloi of the racing world.

The perfect sunny day drew them all to Caulfield racetrack to try their luck on Caulfield Guineas Day.

I arrived at the track just as the runners in the second race were being loaded into the barriers, and made it to a position on the fence towards the top of the straight to watch the race.  Warm favourite, Queensland filly Missy Longstocking, won it easily.

 
Missy Longstocking gains the lead before powering to win comfortably from Anatina and Bulbula

The Blue Sapphire Stakes was next up, so I grabbed a spot on the very limited fence space around the mounting yard to watch the parade. This was one of the races I was keen to see due to the presence of glamour filly Miracles of Life.

Miracles of Life – forelock all over the place.

She had a bad hair day – even worse in fact, as she was discovered to have bled internally after the race and will be out of action for the rest of the spring. It goes without saying that she didn’t win, being blocked for a run in the straight and having no hope of catching the winner Lion of Belfort, let alone Safeguard who came second.

Safeguard on his way to the barriers

Blue Sapphire finish – Villa Verde (grey) leads Safeguard, with Lion of Belfort (white blinkers) just behind and ready to pounce. Miracles of Life is on the fence behind a wall of horses.

Arriving so early at the course, meant a long day hanging around for the main races, which were scheduled in the late afternoon. It was quite warm and crowded, though not oppressively so, but there were shady places to relax in peace.

The most interesting race was of course Race 6 the Caulfield Stakes, starring Atlantic Jewel with co stars Super Cool and Foreteller. Green Moon didn’t run, being scratched on Saturday morning due to an elevated temperature. So Atlantic Jewel only had to contend with four other rivals.

I watched the parade in the mounting yard, arriving in good time to find a spot on the fence.

Atlantic Jewel in the mounting yard

 
Foreteller in the mounting yard

Super Cool in the mounting yard

The race was run in a casual fashion. Led by Spacecraft, they raced in single file until the 800 mark, when Atlantic Jewel started to make her move. Super Cool joined her briefly at the lead, but she powered away down the straight to win easily by four lengths from Foreteller with Super Cool running third.

Any doubts as to her ability to run 2000 metres were certainly quashed and she is now hot favourite for the Cox Plate over It’s A Dundeel.  Whether he would have beaten her on Saturday, we’ll never know, but they meet again in the  Cox Plate, which is promising to be a doozy.

Atlantic Jewel returns to scale to face a barrage of press photographers.

Atlantic Jewel in the winners rug, obligingly turning her head in my direction for this photo.

The Group Two Herbert Power Stakes was the next race of interest for me. This race gains the winner automatic entry into the Caulfield Cup.

This year’s edition was taken out by Sea Moon, a win where he could keep the prize money after losing out in the Bart Cummings in a protest.

First time down the straight – Oasis Bloom leads with Sea Moon on her outside.

Sea Moon, head high, takes the lead in the final run down the straight

Oasis Bloom held on for second and Simenon (no 2 saddlecloth) ran third.

For the last two races I decided to take up a different position to watch the action.

At the far end of the stalls area there is a raised area overlooking the racetrack just past the finishing post. I basically went up there because I couldn’t be bothered returning to the public lawn and fighting my way through the crowds. It turned out to be an OK spot for taking photos of the runners as they proceeded to the barriers, and returned after the race.

So I watched the Group One Toorak Handicap up there and snapped the following photos of the contestants.

Solzhenitsyn – the winner on his way to the barriers

Speediness on his way to the barriers


Luckygray on his way to the barriers

Linton on his way to the barriers

Solzhenitsyn won the race for a second time in succession. French horse Trevieres came second and old Blackie ran third. I was disappointed that Linton failed to run a place.

Past the post – Solzhenitsyn leads the charge


Solzhenitsyn returns to scale, his jockey being interviewed by a Channel 7 representative.

Finally, it was time for the feature event, the Caulfield Guineas, at the ridiculous hour of 5.45pm. It had been rather tiresome trying to kill the five hours I had been at the track, so I gritted my teeth and stayed for the event, watching it from the hill above the stalls.

 
Divine Calling – he ran second

The highly fancied Eclair Big Bang – unplaced

My favourite – Prince Harada – unplaced

The winner – Long John

 
Shamus Award – third place

Past the post – Long John leads with Divine Calling a length or two behind.

As I wasn’t inclined to bet on the race, I didn’t have to wait around for correct weight, or collect winnings, so I made my way home post haste. Fortunately the trains were again running like clockwork, so it only took a little over 30 minutes to get home.

I’m going back to Caulfield this Wednesday for the Group One Thousand Guineas, for which I booked a ticket some months ago. The race will be run mid afternoon, so it won’t be as tiring as Saturday. And the added attraction is that It’s A Dundeel will gallop between races three and four. I’m also looking forward to seeing Guelph run in the main event; she is regarded as the best three year old filly of the season.

Jewel, Cool & Miracles – Caulfield Guineas Day

Prince Harada – Caulfield 31 August 2013

As the Melbourne Racing Club, draws towards its spring finale, the Caulfield Cup – which is only a little over a week away - they host a fabulous day of racing this Saturday, featuring the three Group One races –  Caulfield Stakes, Toorak Handicap and the Caulfield Guineas.

I went to this meeting last year and enjoyed it enormously. It certainly has a considerably better race card than Caulfield Cup day which I will not be attending, though I really will have to go along to it one of these days, as I’ve never seen it in person.

There are ten races scheduled and the Caulfield Guineas is, as is the new fangled way, the last race of the day and will be run at 5.45pm.

But fortunately there is a solid support card that includes the Group Two  Schillaci Stakes and Herbert Power Stakes, the first being a sprint over 1000 metres and the second being a distance contest over 2400 metres.

I intend to arrive at the course in time to see Miracles of Life compete in the Blue Sapphire Stakes. She faces a field of both colts and fillies.  She actually should be at pretty good odds this time, after so far failing to win this spring.  Her greatest opposition comes from colts Safeguard, Iconic and Diamond Oasis and filly Villa Verde. I am not going to make extravagant statements as to her chances of finally cracking a win, but certainly my heart will be with her all the way.

The first of the Group One races on the program is the Caulfield Stakes. It was formerly known as the Yalumba Stakes and has been won by well known champions – last year’s Cox Plate winner Ocean Park, dual Cox Plate winners So You Think, Northerly and Kingston Town, and other notable Cox Plate winners like El Segundo and Bonecrusher - the list goes on.

It was supposed to be a highly anticipated rematch between Atlantic Jewel and It’s A Dundeel, but unfortunately the latter is still recovering from a hoof abscess, so will not compete. Atlantic Jewel will be there with bells on, along with her stable mate Super Cool, who raced last week in the messily run Turnbull Stakes and finished out of a place.  The  small field of six should give Atlantic Jewel all the advantages. Super Cool looks to be her main danger, along with Foreteller and Green Moon who are the other top class horses in the race.  There are those who say Atlantic Jewel is vulnerable over 2000 metres, even though she has won over the distance in the past. The track on Saturday should be in the good to dead range, so she won’t have to plough through churned up turf this time.

The Toorak Handicap is run over 1600 metres, and has a good field of tried and true milers. The top picks are old favourite Linton and last year’s winner Solzhenitsyn. One interesting runner is the French horse Trevieres, having his first start in Australia. He has excellent form in Europe, but whether this will translate to a win in our fair land is yet to be seen. Others with a chance are Speediness and Budriguez, who dead heated with Puissance de Lune back in the autumn.

Sea Moon, after showing his credentials last week with a technical win in the Bart Cummings, gets another chance to take first prize in the Group Two Herbert Power Stakes. He is definitely the one to beat and his main opposition will come from Kesampour and other dour imports Simenon and Verdant, as well as sole mare Let’s Make Adeal. 

So, the Caulfield Guineas…

It’s not as cut and dried a race as it was last year, even though All Too Hard surprised everyone with his victory over the hot favourite Pierro in that edition. This year’s Guineas field is wide open with any number of chances.  Sentiment leads me to favour Prince Harada, though there are doubts as to his likelihood of taking out the race. He has stiff competition from the likes of Long John who is the current favourite, Divine Calling who has won his last two starts, Eclair Big Bang who also was a last start winner and Cluster and El Roca who were close up placed against the aforementioned winners. Still Prince Harada, with luck on his side and with Damien Oliver in the saddle, may steal the prize despite not racing for a month, after his failure in the Golden Rose.

The last Group One in the Sydney spring carnival is the Spring Champion Stakes and will be run at Randwick on Saturday.  It was won by It’s A Dundeel last year. It is for three year olds and is run over 2000 metres.  None of the 14 in the field have raced over the distance before though a few, mostly notably Savvy Nature, Complacent, Drago  and Rock Hero have won or placed over 1600 metres and 1800 metres, so are the ones most likely to take home the prize. Anyway, that’s my theory and I reckon the winner will be one of those mentioned above.

Farewell Hay List

Hay List photographed heading to the barrier before winning the McEwan Stakes at Moonee Valley on 11 September 2010

Racing news yesterday reported that champion sprinter Hay List has been retired. About time too, I think, as it has been quite painful and saddening to see him racing of late, trying his heart out as usual, but being unable to find his former brilliance.  I watched his last race the Premiere Stakes last Saturday on a small screen in the Bookies area at Flemington, and he failed to finish the race. I exchanged glances with a fellow spectator of the race, and we both agreed that it was time Hay List was retired.

If the career of super mare Black Caviar had not been contemporaneous with that of Hay List, he would have been the top sprinter in Australia and possibly the world. He chased Black Caviar home six times in all, and put her to the test on more than one occasion. He was the only horse, other than Moonlight Cloud in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Ascot, who ever came close to beating her.

I first saw him race at Moonee Valley on Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes day on 11 September 2010, where he easily won the Group 3 McEwan Stakes. He won the Manikato Stakes that year as well.

He ended up racing 28 times for 15 wins and 5 places.  Three of his wins were at Group One level - but he would have won more if Black Caviar had not been on the scene – two Group Two and Three races apiece, plus six other quality races in Perth, Melbourne. Brisbane and Sydney.

So ends a brilliant career. Here’s hoping he enjoys his retirement, though his trainer John McNair has said that he was horse who was easily bored and enjoyed racing, and grew discontent in the paddock.

Happy Trails & Tribulations – Turnbull Stakes Review

Happy Trails returning to the mounting yard after winning the Turnbull Stakes

No doubt there was much to celebrate in the Happy Trails camp after the bargain basement gelding pipped the favourite, Puissance de Lune, at the post in the Turnbull Stakes. And I’m sure there was tribulation aplenty among the losers, particularly for Fiorente and Super Cool connections. I was disappointed that Super Cool was unplaced and somewhat chagrined that Puissance de Lune was once again denied his first Group One on the line.  But as they say, that’s racing.

Weatherwise, it couldn’t have been a better day for spending time at the track, with the sun blazing down all afternoon, after a rather uninspiring overcast morning. The only drawback was the strong wind buffeting the wide open spaces of Flemington racecourse.

The famous Flemington roses are not quite out, no doubt perfectly timed to bloom during the four big days of the VRC Spring Racing Carnival. However, pretty blossoming trees lined the alley that leads to the back area of the stalls…

…where I wandered as usual to catch the equine stars in their stalls or perambulating in the Parade Ring.

I was delighted to see that old favourite, Apache Cat had ventured from Living Legends to be present for the occasion. I even got to give him a pat this time.

Apache Cat hanging out in the stalls area

Whilst in the area I took a few photos of the Turnbull contestants

 
Dear Demi in her stall

Fiorente in the parade ring

Hawkspur in his stall – he has an interesting white crescent  moon on his forehead.

Hawkspur’s stablemate Royal Descent in her stall

Super Cool in the Parade Ring

Knowing how unreliable the form is betting on horses at Flemington, I refrained from wagering most of the afternoon and only outlaid on the Turnbull Stakes on my two favourites, Super Cool and Puissance de Lune, though I did watch several races before the feature event out of interest.

Race 5 was the listed Tavern Stakes for four year olds and up over 1410 metres.  It was won by Molto Bene from British General and Goldslick.

Molto Bene returns to scale after winning the Tavern Stakes

The next race on the cards was The Bart Cummings, one for stayers over 2520 metres, and of interest due to the general curiosity on how Sea Moon would go. He finally won, but lost out to an upheld protest from the rider of the second horse Araldo. Gotta Take Care ran third.

Sea Moon returns to the mounting yard after technically winning The Bart Cummings

The Edward Manifold Stakes – race 7 on the card - was the first of the Group races to be run. It’s a Group Two race for three year old fillies run over 1610 metres.  Politeness was the hot favourite, but she ended up unplaced. Se Sauver won it from Star Fashion with Solicit taking out third place – all were at double figure odds.

Se Sauver returning to scale after winning the Edward Manifold Stakes

Race 8 was the one we’d spent all afternoon waiting for, so I grabbed myself a good possie on the mounting yard fence to see the parade…

Saddlecloth no 1 – Manighar

 
Saddle cloth no 16 – Royal Descent

Saddle cloth no 14 – Dear Demi

…then moved to the side to see the field file out onto the track.

Puissance de Lune and Glen Boss

Fiorente and Nash Rawiller

Happy Trails and Dwayne Dunn

Jet Away and Daniel Moor

Silent Achiever and Stephen Arnold

Glencadam Gold and Vlad Duric

It was somewhat of a messily run race, with some horses being blocked for a run when it counted. When Puissance de Lune flashed past down the straight, those of us watching thought he had it won. But Happy Trails overtook him just before the post, and the glory was all his. Fawkner beat the rest of the field home into third place, though there was a protest raised against him from somewhere behind claiming interference.  The protest was eventually dismissed, so I could  collect my winnings on Puissance de Lune and head home.

Spending an afternoon at Flemington racecourse seems to be much more exhausting than at the other racetracks. When you consider that the straight is 1200 metres long, and you walk that distance several times during the afternoon, you probably clock up a couple of miles.

I’m still tossing up whether I’ll go to the Derby, but before that there is a fabulous race card at Caulfield next Saturday with three Group One races, featuring the Caulfield Guineas. I pre-booked a ticket a couple of months ago and saved $20.00 on the gate price, so I’ll be there with bells on.

Atlantic Jewel and It’s A Dundeel may clash again next Saturday in the Group One Caulfield Stakes. It’s A Dundeel is under an injury cloud with a hoof abscess, so he may not start. The news today was that the abscess had burst, so fingers crossed, I hope he recovers quickly.

Staying The Distance – The Turnbull Stakes

Super Cool at Caulfield 31 August 2013 prior to running in the Memsie Stakes

Coming up this Saturday are four Group One races, three at Randwick in Sydney, and one – the Turnbull Stakes – at Flemington.

You can tell it’s getting closer to the big three races, as the distance in the major races lengthens.  The Turnbull Stakes is contested over 2000 metres, and will hopefully offer some enlightenment as to likely chances in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, as well as the Cox Plate.

Thirty one horses were nominated for the Turnbull Stakes and a full field of 16 acceptances plus 4 emergencies has been assembled.  Several of my favourite black bookers are part of the field – Super Cool for one, and Puissance de Lune for another. There’s also a group of very classy Sydney horses – Hawkspur, Royal Descent, Glencadam Gold and Fiorente principally, and the usual suspects of Manighar, Happy Trails, Mr O’Ceirin and Dear Demi. One interesting runner is Jet Away, former UK stayer, now with the David Hayes stable.

I’m of course hoping that either Super Cool or Puissance de Lune will win, but whatever eventuates it is sure to be a fascinating race.

There’s quite a good support card at Flemington with 10 races in all scheduled. Fortunately the VRC has not followed Moonee Valley and Caulfield in running the feature event last, so the Turnbull Stakes will happen around 4.25pm.

At Randwick, Sydney’s spring racing carnival all happens on one day, with three Group One races on the cards.

First up you’ve got the Flight Stakes for three year old fillies run over 1600 metres.  A small field of 6 fillies will contest it. Multiple Group One winner Guelph appears to have the race at her mercy, having returned from her winter break in excellent form.  She did however lose out to Bound For Earth in her first up run in the Furious Stakes, though turned the tables on her in the Tea Rose Stakes at her last start. Arabian Gold ran third in the Tea Rose, so will probably be in the finish again, having excellent form in the autumn on slow tracks.

The Epsom Handicap is also run over 1600 metres, and is open to all comers. Looking at the form, there appear to be a number of top chances. The Chris Waller trained Boban, Riva de Lago and Sacred Falls are all sure to be in the picture somewhere. But Streama who won the George Main first up, is the one to beat. Gai Waterhouse has a high opinion of her runner Ecuador, and Rekindled Interest, who has been missing in action since running last in the 2012 Cox Plate, could have a chance judging by his close second at his first start this spring.

One for the stayers, the Metropolitan Handicap is run over 2400 metres, and has attracted a field of mostly imported stayers. Top picks are Moriarty, Julienas and Prince Cheri who all have won at their last starts.

There are any number of Group 2 and Group 3 races with really interesting fields at both race meetings, but I’m not going to analyse them here.

Of course I’ll be at Flemington on Saturday to witness the Turnbull Stakes and whatever else is happening, camera in hand to catch the atmosphere.

I’ve also entered once again in the Sky Racing’s Star Stable competition. It’s free to enter, challenging and great fun. Fingers crossed for my stable’s first round on Saturday.

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.

Dundeel Steals Jewel’s Glory – Underwood Stakes Day Review

It’s A Dundeel in the walking ring at Caulfield

The track at Caulfield on Saturday was rated a slow 6, which in terms of surface give indicates a mildly rain affected track, so wet form was not really a factor all day, though by the feature race the track must have been somewhat the worse for wear.

Not that it really affected the outcome of the Underwood Stakes, as both It’s A Dundeel and Atlantic Jewel, not known as wet trackers, fought out a thrilling finish down the straight.

Fortunately the weather was fine all afternoon, slightly overcast, but pleasant for spending a few hours trackside. I arrived at Caulfield at about 1.30 pm in time to watch the running of Race 4, the Inglis Bonus Handicap (1700 metres). It was won by Rockford from Epic Saga with Le Mans running third.

Race 4 finish – Rockford takes the lead in the straight

The first of the Group races was up next and I wanted to get some photos of Catkins.

Here she is in the parade ring…

Catkins in the parade ring before her race

…and on her way to starting gates.

Catkins on her way to the barriers before winning the Sporting Bet Sprint Heat 2 Stakes

Catkins scored a narrow win from Hi Belle and Flash of Doubt. I had a small wager on her so was delighted when she won. She appears to be thriving in Melbourne, normally being based in Sydney as part of Chris Waller’s stable. Her silks are the famous cerise of the Inglis family, who are indeed her owners.

I spent the greater part of the afternoon out near the stalls area, as there was a fairly large crowd in attendance yesterday, and it was peaceful and quiet with only the horses and few interested onlookers. There was however a large gathering outside Atlantic Jewel’s stall…

Crowd outside Atlantic Jewel’s stall.

I waited until she taken for a walk in the ring, before taking photos of her.

Atlantic Jewel in the walking ring

Other contenders for the feature race were also being perambulated at the same time.

Manighar – something of a handful for his strapper

Puissance de Lune – feeling frisky

Sea Moon

It’s A Dundeel

It’s A Dundeel is a surprisingly small neat horse - no wonder he’s been nicknamed the “pocket rocket”. He certainly proved his class in the Underwood Stakes. He has never won in Melbourne before or in open company, and is the first horse to beat Atlantic Jewel, so he’s something special.  I keenly look forward to his next start.

So on to the race…

It was an unusually run race from the start. Atlantic Jewel took up the lead from Dear Demi with It’s A Dundeel uncharacteristically just behind them. He’s normally a back marker, but his jockey James McDonald made a snap decision to keep pace with the star mare and for quite a way through the race Atlantic Jewel and It’s A Dundeel raced side by side.  Down the straight they raced together, the mare slightly ahead until just before the finish line where It’s A Dundeel pounced to win by a nose. It was a thrilling contest, a classic race finish that promises more riveting action when they meet again.  Atlantic Jewel had the hardest contest of her career and acquitted herself admirably. It’s a pity it could not have been a dead heat.  Dear Demi ran third. Puissance de Lune was too far back to challenge, but ran the fastest time in the last 600ms to come from near last into sixth place.  Interestingly, the five front runners – Atlantic Jewel, Dear Demi, It’s A Dundeel, Happy Trails and Manighar – all finished more or less in that order. Perhaps the track was affected after all, as the back markers made no progress in the straight.

It’s A Dundeel in the winners rug after the Underwood Stakes

In Sydney, the George Main Stakes was taken out by Streama, from Royal Descent with Veyron running third.

Though there are two Group One races coming up next weekend, the Schweppes Stakes on Friday night at Moonee Valley and the Rupert Clark Stakes on Sunday at Caulfield, I probably will not go to either. I don’t want to become jaded with live racing, so will save myself for the Turnbull Stakes meeting at Flemington the following weekend.