- The huge Caulfield Guineas day was one of the most exciting days of racing in recent times even without the mighty WINX. We saw a superstar colt win the Guineas in The Autumn Sun and an awesome filly Amphitrite drop from the clouds to score in the Thousand Guineas. While in Sydney it was the Everest and a crowd of forty thousand witnessed the awesome Snitzel gelding Redzel win for the second year. While another Snitzel, the entire, Trapeze Artist finished runner up.
- Amphitrite and Sebring -- The Flying Start Syndications filly Amphitrite rocketed home to win the Thousand Guineas after favorite Smart Melody and Thrillstar set a solid pace. This Sebring filly just keeps producing and it would not surprise me if she wins another group one this Spring. I must congratulate caller Matt Hill on some epic calling Saturday and this race was one of his best ! When i spoke to Cameron Bennett from Flying Start Syndications he said, " the Sebrings were targets at the sales for him as they continually produce good earners for his clients. Well Done to all.
- Benbatl and Dubawi -- There were plenty of internationals having their lead up runs for the big ones on Saturday. In the Ladbrokes ( Caulfield ) Stakes, Benbatl produced a courageous win after looking as though the other Godolphin horse Blair House was going to run him down. A great ride by Pat Cosgrove for the Saeed Bin Suroor stable as he box seated in the run and this probably was the difference in the end. Never the less I was impressed with the fight of the Dubawi gelding and he could well present some danger to the Queen in the Cox Plate. In the Schillaci Stakes the win of Ball of Muscle gave the stallion, Dubawi a double for the day as he continued his awesome form for the Joe Pride stable with Craig Williams riding in great form .
- The Autumn Sun -- We may well have witnessed a superstar on Saturday in the Caulfield Guineas as the The Autumn Sun was planted three deep the trip and then had the audacity to kick clear in the straight to win by 5 lengths. Jockey James Mcdonald was blown away by the performance saying this horse is something special. Arrowfield Stud is believed to have paid 20 million dollars for a fifty per cent share early last week and after Saturdays win they say he is now valued at fifty million.
- Redzel and the Everest -- The Triple Crown Syndications owned Redzel scored his second Everest at Randwick with an all the way win on the heavy track. After a setback early this preparation, the Snowden camp got him back on track and jockey Kerrin Mcevoy rode a good race, from the front. What a record he has now 14 wins from 28 starts and over $15 million in prizemoney . Such a trier !
- Yucatan and Galileo -- Yucatan exploded away with the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes. The win was an eye catcher for the up coming cups as he was eased right down on the line by James Mcdonald for the Aiden O'brien camp. He is by the all conquering stallion Galileo and it could easily be O'brien/ William's, Melbourne Cup again, after this run. The 7 year old gelding Big Blue won the St Leger at Randwick and is also by Galileo and has now won three in a row. The sire of the great Frankel is certainly making his presence felt here in the Southern Hemisphere as well. Interesting The Autumn Sun is out of the Galileo mare, Azminya
- Not A Single Doubt and Pierro -- I wanted to quickly mention the wins of Tristan de Angel at Randwick for Matt Dunn and 4 year old mare, Winter Bride for Toby Edmunds both are by Not A Single Doubt. Who is a Redoute's Stallion who continually gets good types. It was so good to see some trainers from up north collect a bit of prizemoney as well. The Winter Bride certainly knows how to fight. Sunlight kept her super record going with her 7th win from 10 starts in the Thoroughbred Club Stakes group 3 for the Tony Mcevoy camp.While there was a double for Pierro at Randwick with the win of I Like It Easy. The 3 year old filly scored in the Reginald Allen Quality and was followed by another victory to the talented Pierata in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes over 1200m with Tommy Berry riding.
The group racing at both Flemington and Randwick stepped up a notch over the weekend with the headline act of course being the wonder mare Winx. The amazing daughter of Street Cry delivered again putting in a memorable performance coming from well back in the field on the turn to record her 28th victory in a row beating her stablemate Youngstar in the Turnbull Stakes. The other group one was the Spring Championship Stakes in Sydney and the Smart Missile filly, Maid of Heaven gave Rachel King her first group one of her career. She finished doggedly to grab Aromaya on the post in the heavy conditions.
Rachel King First Group One -- At Randwick early in the day we saw an easy win to the Not A Single Doubt gelding, Doubt Defying who recorded his seventh win of his career with an in form, Tim Clarke, in the saddle. He is trained in Queensland by Steven O'dea and it is interesting to note that his half sister also trained by O'dea, Sesar won the group 2 Roman Consul over 1200m later in the day. Sesar is by Sebring and both out of the Street Cry, mare Sarthemore. The heavy conditions would definately of suited.
Maid of Heaven -- The Smart Missile filly Maid of Heaven gave Rachel King her first group one success of her career in the Spring Champion Stakes. The heavy track had improved by the end of the day but the middle of the track was still the place to be and the Mark Newhnam trained filly wore down Aramayo to score on the line.
Winx and Bowman -- The Group one Turnbull Stakes was to be a memorable one for the people who made their way to Flemington as the awesome Winx showed why she is the best in the world with an amazing turn of foot to run her opposition down in the last 100 metres of the race. After being stuck on the rails most of the way a cool Hugh Bowman had to wait for a passage to present itself and when it did she exploded to grab her stablemate the High Chaparral mare, Youngstar on the post to record her 28th win in a row.
Invincibles at Flemington -- First it was the four year old mare, Eckstein who has always shown so much but has been such a nightmare to train who won the listed Paris Lane Stakes over 1400 ridden by Kerrin Mcevoy early in the day then in the final race on the card. Winx's friend, Invincibella made it a double for the I Am Invincibles in the 1400m Blazer Stakes when Hugh Bowman took advantage of Savatiano misfortune as the mare from the Cummings stable got bottled up, Hugh shot his mount clear. The Chris Waller trained Invincibella has now won 1.4 million in prizemoney and is out of the Galileo mare, Abscond.
I Am Excited -- In the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes we saw I Am Excited storm home down the outside to snatch victory on the line. The four year old mare is trained by David Pfieffer and ridden by Kerrin Mcevoy. She is by Snitzel out of the General Nedyim mare, Lady Beckworth. I must say this spring the Snitzel's have been a bit quiet but never under estimate them.
Avilius and Flemington -- In the group two Bart Cummings it was a battle royale between the legendary stables of Cummings and Hayes with the James Cummings trained, Avilius getting the bob to win the race named in James grandfathers honour but not without dramas as Michael Walker rider of the runner up Jaameh for the Hayes camp lodged a protest. It was dismissed and the Godolphin's Avilius qualifies for the Melbourne Cup.
Sebrings -- In the group 2 Edward Manifold it was good to see Cameron Bennett's Flying Starts Syndicate salute with their filly Amphitrite who burst clear halfway down the straight to score a convincing win for the Weir/Williams combo.The Sebring filly is out of the Redoutes Choice mare, Ocean Dream.Ocen Dream is a half to great galloper Marble Halls.
There were three group ones at Randwick on saturday and one at Caulfield Sunday. This followed the well deserved win of the I Am Invincible mare Viddora in the group one Moir Stakes on Friday night after last years unlucky defeat. Finally the bob of the head goes to another I Am Invincible, Oohood in the Flight Stakes. While the Everest contenders put their speed on show in the group two Premier Stakes with Redzel setting the speed and never really settling. This left it open for the strong finishers and there is no better than Santa Ana Lane who zipped up along the inside, to score from stablemate Shoals.
- Hartnell and the Epsom -- In the Epsom we saw another group one go to the old war horse Hartnell as the top weight finished hard down the outside with Hugh Bowman riding for the James Cummings stable to defeat a fighting Dargento who burst through and looked like the winner. The eight year old set a new track record for the mile, today. He has run so well against the champion mare Winx and it was a bit of justice to see him put another major to his name.
- In the group one Flight Stakes we saw justice prevail again after the best maiden in Australia, Oohood finally got that head down in a three way tussel. Tim Clarke is such an underated jockey and got the job done for a happy Tony Mcevoy. She defeated another I Am Invincible filly for the Waller camp Fiesta. This made two group ones for the I Am Invincible clan after the Moir win by Viddora. The Metropolitin went to the NZers when Patrick Erin won for the Chris Waller camp after a couple of unlucky defeats for the stable earlier in the day.
- I Am Invincible -- The breed continue to produce group one winners and if the first two year olds of the season are anything to go by there is more to come. In the Gimcrack Stakes the Snowden trained Catch Me with jockey Kerrin Mcevoy win the fillies while in the Colts it was the Not A Single Doubt colt Dubious, victorious over the I Am Invincible, Covert Ops. The High Chaparral entire, Ace High returned to the winners circle after nearly twelve months with a good win in the Group 2 Hill Stakes. The four year old has a great chance down in the weights in the cups this year.
- Smart Melody and Native Soldier -- The three year old Guinea preludes and group one Underwood were run on Sunday due to the AFL grand final. The Kris Lees filly Smart Melody was a strong winner of the Thousand Guineas Prelude keeping her unbeaten record, winning for the fifth time. She was tiring late but still a strong win as was Native Soldier in the Colts prelude.The Sepoy colt was given a gem of ride by young Ben Allen and trainer D.Weir was all praise. He is out of that talented mare Belong to Many. In the group one Underwood we saw the Williams camp successful with Homesman as he took a sit and shot clear on turning and fought hard, to the line, for victory. Darren Weir capped a good day off in the last with the win of the Camelot gelding, Furrion. The solid victory over the 1700m trip gave Darren five for the day.
- On the small Morphetville card we saw Jamie Kah ride another treble. While Holy Command got the job done in the BM 70 for the Mick Price stable over the 1400m. The Smart Missile gelding was ridden by Dom Tourneur. Modulate won the BM82 which gives him four wins this preperation. He did it with ease for jockey Paul Gatt and keeps the great season going for the Ambidexters.
The king of the Australian Breeding industry over the past dozen years is still producing the elite thoroughbreds as his son The Autumn Sun takes out the Group One Golden Rose at Rosehill. While all across the country his sons and daughters offspring produce class gallopers.At Caulfield the second group one of the Australian racing weekend was won by the international visitor and winner of the Alquoz Sprint in Dubai. The Charlie Appleby trained Jungle Cat who showed a great will to win for jockey James Doyle to record his first Australian winner.
- The Autumn Sun -- This brilliant son of Redoutes Choice got everyones attention a fortnight ago when he was knocked over twice and just failed to keep his unbeaten record in tact.Yesterday Kerrin Mcevoy stayed out of trouble on him and had him last coming around the turn and pulling him to the open spaces to make his run and gee, did he let down, storming home to record his second group one victory in sensational fashion. The three year colt from the Waller stable. I believe, could be our new champion if he continues to race into his fourth year. Group ones are at his mercy.
- Written By and Caulfield -- The Autumn Sun maybe our new staying star but the number one, two year old sprint seed Written By has also returned in epic form as a three year old and yesterday, recorded yet another win. The Written Tycoon colt trained by Graham Begg and ridden by Jordy Childs just held on for his fifth victory from six starts. Redoutes Choice may have produced a superstar in The Autumn Sun in Sydney but many winners on the Caulfield card have his DNA like the gelding, Spending To Win for the Snowden camp who saluted in the 1100m handicap race. He is by Redoutes all conquering stallion son, Snitzel while the race following was won by the Tasmanian Mystic Journey who is by Needs Further another son who stands in the apple isle.The group three How Now Stakes was won by Winter Bride who is by Not A Single Doubt and you guessed it, is a son of Redoutes. It was a well deserved win for the Queensland trainer Toby Edmonds and ex Victorian jockey, Ryan Maloney. The mare has now won 7 of 15 starts.
- Nights Watch and Jungle Cat -- A couple of winners that were not connected to the champion stallion were Nights Watch who won the Group 3 Naturalism to qualify for the Caulfield Cup . Jockey Damian Lane riding for the Weir stable ended up on the outside rail but was able to grab Rising Red on the line both gallopers are by the stallion Redwood. The International traveller Jungle Cat for the Charlie Appleby/James Doyle combination collected the second group one of the day, in the Rupert Clarke Stakes as the seven year old wore down Dollar for Dollar to give James his first Australian winner.
- Tim Clarke and Rosehill -- Jockey Tim Clarke scored a treble at Rosehill saturday with firstly a win in the group three Gloaming Stakes on the promising Waterhouse/Bott young staying three year old High Chapparal colt, Thinkin Big. He won with his ears pricked by four lengths in the 1800m race. Later in the day he had wins on Shumookh again for the Waterhouse team in the group 2 Golden Pendant and in the second last on Tip Top. Another two winners worth mentioning on the day were by the Sebrings. Hugh Bowman rode Seeblume to victory in the second on the card and the Sebring mare,Miss Admirality broke her maiden status winning the group 3 Colin Stephens Quality for the Mick Price stable.
- Georgina Cartwright and Adelaide -- It was another double for Georgina in Adelaide on Saturday as she road the first winner of the day With a Bit of Dash and then saluted on the Statue of Liberty gelding Fill the Flute. It was a great front running ride as she kicked clear on straightening to win easily. Interestingly he is out of the Redoutes mare, Dom Perion who also produced the winner of the first at Caulfield, Extra Brut. Raquel Clarke continued her good association with the Rebel Raiders as she won on Wasabi Bob. The listed Wylie Hcp was won by the Weir/ Coffey combo with that honest, I Am Invincible entire, Holy Blade. I'm also wanting to make a quick mention of the Victorian country meeting at Tatura and the treble for the Smart Missile clan. First it was the 3 year old filly Disenchanted for the Brent Stanley team who won by a huge six length margin. Then in the 1100m benchmark 64 went to Millie the Missile and this was followed by another ridden by Nikita. The Greg Eurell trained Fuse.
Redoutes Choice
The weekends racing had so many highlights in both states with Winx on the top of the tree at Randwick over the promising stayer Avilius . While in Victoria we saw so much new talent rise to the top with Brutal,Grunt and Smart Melody all continuing on their winning ways. I think the win of the day other than the queens victory would have to go to Grunt. He was dominant in the group one Makybe Diva Stakes and now looks likely to take on Winx in the Cox Plate at the Valley.
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Winx and Avilius -- The Street Cry mare powered her way to victory in the George Main Stakes over 1600m and if they had gone 2000m, the margin would have been any ones guess because boy did she look strong over the last 150m of the race. How are they going to beat her if she maintains fitness through the spring. She looks like she has an extra gear or two left up her sleeve which should see her make it 29 in a row by the end of the carnival.
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Ball of Muscle -- After being successful in the group 3 Heath in Victoria, trainer Joseph Pride decided to give the eight year old a crack at the group 2 Shorts at Randwick . A smart move as with the late withdrawal of the number one seed Redzel it left an open race and the ever consistent old bloke landed another good race for connections. Siege of Quebec trained by Waterhouse/Bott team backed up after his disappointing performance last week in the Theo Marks to record a narrow victory in the group three Bill Ritchie Stakes over an unlucky Pierata . Avilius -- The new addition to the James Cummings camp is the French stayer, Avilius by Pivotal and he put himself up for calculations this spring with a good win in the group 3 Kingston Town Stakes over 2000m. He was ridden by Glyn Schofield and has now won three from three in this country and is now a three dollar favorite for the Metropolitan Hcp .
Trekking -- This four year old gelding by Street Cry is trained by James Cummings for the Godolphin team and always puts in an honest performance and Saturday it was good enough to take out the last race of the day with Kerrin Mcevoy in the saddle. He is out of the Redoutes Choice mare, Outdoor.
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Smart Melody and Miss Fabulous -- Two Kris Lees fillies on fire ! The first is a Smart Missile filly who recorded a very convincing win down the straight in the Cap D''Antibes Stakes. This now has Smart Melody four from four and heading for a start in the Guineas. Brenton Avdulla came down from Sydney to ride and when he give her a nudge 150m out. There was enormous excelleration. Kris Lees said after the race." Whether she's too brilliant to step out to a mile, we'll see. At least now she's been down the straight, so if we feel she can't run a mile after the Prelude, we can come back to Flemington." Miss Fabulass is another filly with a great pedigree in the Kris Lees stable being by Frankel out of the top Redoutes Choice mare Samantha Miss. She won like a real up and comer finishing strong along the inside for jockey Kerrin Mcevoy in the group 2 Tea Rose.
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Flemington and O'reilly -- The O'reilly entire Grunt secured victory in the group one Makybe Diva over 1600m in authoritative fashion and as long as he is kept racing could easily win more at the top echelon. The Mick Price trained and Damian Oliver ridden four year old is now looking to take on the Queen, in the Cox Plate. He now has won five of eight and $1.2 million dollars in prizemoney. Brutal -- He found himself in the lead and facing the breeze at Flemington over 1400m on Saturday and really had to fight hard for victory but gee it was the sign of a good horse as he dug deep after being headed to score. The three year old colt is another O'reilly stallion prospect but trained by the Hawkes team this time. He is unbeaten in three starts to date. I Am A Star -- This little mare is all heart and added the group two Let's Elope Stakes over 1400m to her resume with a gutsy win. The Shane Nichols trained mare was almost sent to the breeding barn after having feet problem in the Autumn. Shane said, it was all left up to the way she was feeling after her early runs this preparation and she has hit form so her being a mum will have to wait another twelve months.
The weekends racing was mostly one of upsets with the heavy track at Rosehill in Sydney taking its toll. Trapeze Artist with his 61 kgs got bogged down chasing Home of the Brave while The Autumn Sun looked very unlucky as some great tactical riding by James Mcdonald on Tarka did a number on Kerrin Mcevoy. In Melbourne the track record of Nature Strip at the Valley was the talking point as he was used up early by Mark Zahra to hold the lead and just held off a strong finish by Houtzen. The 1200m of the Everest appears that it may be too far for the star Weir sprinter although Darren Weir has a differing opinion. He believes he will get the trip.
- Lean Mean Machine and Zoustar -- The Zoustar"s keep performing and Lean Mean Machine could be their new headline act as he glided across the heavy conditions winding his way between his rivals to score an easy victory in the group 2 Run to the Rose. While in the Stan Fox the talented son of Redoutes Choice, Autumn Sun had a luckless run when Tarka and James Mcdonald stole the show over the 1500m. It was definately the ride of the day as james pushed the highly promising The Autumn Sun back into the pocket on turning before making a winning break to nose out Dealmaker. Tarka is by All Too Hard out of a Galileo mare called Gayica. Another group two on the card was the Sheraco Stakes and was won by Invincibella who is also out of the Galileo mare in Abscond by I Am Invincible. The mare has now won over 1.25 million dollars in prizemoney for the Chris Waller stable. She was ridden well by Hugh Bowman to gain victory on the heavy track.
- Nature Strip -- The Nicconi gelding is certainly putting a case forward for an Everest start and in the 1000m Group 2 Mcewan stakes on saturday he was ridden out of the gates to hold the lead and inside position. He was challenged late by the filly, Houtzen but just held on and in doing so broke the track record with a time of 56.95 seconds.
- Moonee Valley and Land of Plenty -- In the listed Chandler Mcleod Stakes Land of Plenty was another winner for the Weir/ Zahra combination as he came with his customary late burst to secure victory. In his earlier years the Startum gelding found it hard to win but since changing to the Darren Weir stables he has started to get the job done. Tavirun ridden by Linda Meech caused an upset in the third race when Linda took the Tavistock gelding straight to the front for the Bussutin and Young team.The Group One Caulfield Guineas over 1600m now looms as a genuine target after
Saturday's 1Print Handicap over the 1500m The team had success with Tavago in the 2016 Group One Australian Derby another son of Tavistock, and are still keeping the Victoria Derby 2500m in mind for Tavirun.
- Adelaide -- In the 100,000 dollar Morphetville Guineas in Adelaide Chris Symons teamed with Darren Weir with the filly, Fiera Vista to record an easy win over the 1600m journey. She is by Exceed and Excel out of the Encosta mare. Empress Jade. In the BM 75 the 4yo mare Fancy Rumble scored her fifth win in convincing style. She loves the 1000m to 1100m trips and was ridden by Liam Riordan . The Exceed and Excel stallion, Reward For Effort always produces winners on most race days especially over the shorter trips and are not early winners so usually dont reach their full potential until their 3 and 4 years of age.
- In Form Jockeys -- James Mcdonald gets the ride of the day on Tarka with him and Hugh Bowman getting doubles at Rosehill. At Moonee Valley it was a double to Mark Zahra for the Weir camp. While in Adelaide Dean Yendall scored a double for them as well. Jockeys continuing to get winners are Kayla Crowther, Jarrod Lorenzini,Jake Duffy, Linda Meech and Jordan Childs.
The Memsie Stakes at Caulfield is the Spring opener in Melbourne and boy it didnt let anyone down, producing an awesome race. It was last years Cox Plate runner up who was successful due to a great ride by Damian Lane. Earlier in the day we saw a super win by the Sepoy colt, Native Soldier. When he led the field for the Mcneil Stakes and kicked away on straightening for an easy win.While highlights in Sydney were the group 2 Tramway win of Unforgotten and the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes won by another from the Chris Waller stable who had a huge day, in Comin Through, getting the chocolates.
- Darren Weir and Humidor -- While the Waller camp were dominating in Sydney it was the Weir camp in Melbourne. In the group one Memsie Stakes there was a blanket finish with the once wayward, Humidor finding a pathway along the rails to steal victory on the line. After Vega Magic had kicked clear in the straight, a wall of challenges appeared including an unlucky Kementari, who was forced to race three wide the trip and a fast finishing Kings Will Dream who had to change course while Humidor got the dream run to score.
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Some of the other Darren Weir trained horses which saluted on Saturday were Native Soldier,Nights Watch, Bellaria, Mrs Gardenia and High Church. Native Soldier the winner of the group 3 Mcneil Stakes is by Sepoy and the style of his win had a lot of his dad in it. He sped over from the outside barrier setting up a good tempo and then booted clear for a very easy win. Jockey, Damian Lane had an epic day and he was aboard Night's Watch over the 1400m when he won easily to give the Weir camp yet another promising horse for the Spring. Damian is the jockey to follow this spring ! The one that got away from Darren Weir was the group 3 Heath as the Sydneysider Ball of Muscle showed awesome speed too burn his opposition off and although Voodoo Lad came rocketing home over the 1100m it was never in doubt for the eight year old, trained by Joseph Pride.
- Fastnet Rock and Comin Through -- The Tramway Stakes over 1400 saw the Fastnet Rock gelding, Comin Through continue Chris Waller's great day with jockey Michael Walker riding hard. He was able to hold off an unlucky Dixie Blossoms who fired in a unsuccessful protest. There are talks about the camp targeting the Japan Cup with him. The win of Unforgotten in the Group 2 1600m Chelmsford Stakes gave the Waller /Fastnet Rock combo a double at Randwick . The four year old mare now has 6 wins from 11 starts and halfway down the straight was in a tight spot with Hugh Bowman having to wait for an opening but when it came there was a lot of power in the engine and she exploded clear , for an easy win. A group one this spring is not beyond this mare and the runner up Ace High finished strongly to put the writing on the wall for the staying group ones this season.
- Redzel --The win of Redzel was an omninous sign for other Everest contenders as the Snitzel gelding scored an effortless win, in the Group 3 Concord Stakes. While the Snitzel clan recorded a double with the win of Goodfella for the Bjorn Baker team. The I Am Invincible filly, Pure Elation added the group 2 Furious
Stakes to her resume and also made it an extra good day for the Snowden
team and Michael Walker, both securing a double. The filly now has three
wins from six starts. In Adelaide we saw the High Chaparral gelding,Answer My Friend make it three in a row in his customary way by leading and kicking strongly on straightening to win the 1400m, Listed Penny Edition. There were a total of five winners by Sepoy in all states with wins to Lightz at Hawkesbury and True Pride at Grafton. Checkout Sepoy Here
The racing from Moonee Valley Saturday was a little spoiled by the on pace bias of the track but there were standout performances worth mentioning, in the main events. In the Mckenzie Stakes for three year olds we could have been seeing our next star as Brutal put the others to the sword with a powerful finish. His win against the bias gives every indication that 1600m of the Caulfield Guineas would be right up his alley. While Faatinah in the Carlyon Stakes for the Hayes/Dabernig stable has returned in great shape from his trip earlier this year, to Dubai. In Adelaide the last three races were won by the Ambidexters with the win by Dexelation in the last giving her four wins in succession. A Commands stallion that should be watched.
- Brutal and the Valley -- Brutal, the Hawkes trained colt by O'reilly could easily prove himself one of the best this Spring if yesterdays strong win against the bias is any guide. Jockey Dwayne Dunn positioned him just off the leaders and was troubled a bit on the turns but the colt showed a strong will to win when pushed out. I think he could definately get the 1600m trip of the Caulfield Guineas, if they head that way.
- Class prevailed in the listed Carlyon Stakes as the Nicconi gelding, Faatinah scored his first 1000m victory with sustained speed and a perfect ride from Regan Bayliss. The Hayes camp had been going on about how much he had improved after returning from Dubai and yesterday certainly showed that. He will be aimed towards the group one Moir Stakes.Merriest win in the first was the fifth of her career. The Denman mare has a few quirks but she is now a five year old so they just maybe starting to be eliminated from her appearances. I thought the win of Sweet Rockette needed to be mentioned as she put up a great effort for the Michelle Payne, all lady syndicate. The outside barrier had trainer and jockey Michelle Payne a little hesitant to start the filly but a tenacious effort saw her defeat the Godolphin star Multaja by a lip. The Fastnet Rock filly is one to follow this spring for more success is looming.
- All Too Hard -- In Sydney every meeting we find one of the All Too Hard stock saluting and yesterday they got a double with wins by the four year olds, All Too Soon and Za Zi Ba . In the benchmark 78 it was an easy win for the David Payne trained mare All Too Soon over the 1500m trip under strong riding by Tye Angland. While the benchmark 78 over 1100m we saw Sam Weatherley/Widdup combination with the mare, Za Zi Ba claim an easy victory. In the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality over 1400m for three year olds there were plenty of leads for this season. It was won by the Tim Martin trained, Exceed and Excel colt, Danawi who had been runner up in his only three race appearances and one of them was behind the talented Autumn Sun . It was the super run by the awesomely bred filly, Mizzy that had light bulbs going off. She is by Zoustar who's progeny could be ready to stamp themselves as the new dominant force in Australian racing . They impressed as two year olds but just maybe they will be even better at three. She is out of a Magnus mare Missy Cummings which gives her it all. It may have been a breathe defeat but with the Black Caviar connection and Encosta as well as Redoute's through the stallion. She could be the BOMB!
- Adelaide and Ambidexter --We opened the meeting at Morphetville with a win by the promising Darren Weir trained colt,Approach Discreet by Dawn Approach who won like a possible spring contender. Then we finished with an Ambidexter treble. This stallion has to be one of the best value options going at the moment. My assumption of them not getting further than 1400m may have been a little premature because with the win of Modulate yesterday and another last week, over the trip. Its hard to split the wins yesterday of the four year olds, Amberdi and Dexelation both added to there impressive records. The former four from six and the later has now won his last four in a row. Both wins were over their pet distance of 1200m. The Commands stallion stands at Cornerstone Stud for $7,700.
The 26th straight victory for the mighty Winx was the talking point of the weekends racing but the win of Sunlight was also a highlight for me. Great to see her perform back to her best in the group 3 Quezette Stakes. The Snitzel colt, Showtime was successful in the Group 2 P.B.Lawrence Stakes and Jamie Kah continues to dominate South Australian jockeys.
Winx and Randwick -- The mighty mare Winx put her opposition to the sword once again in the group one race named after her on Saturday.The Waller camp certainly has her in top order and a fourth Cox Plate looks well on the cards. I found the most impressive part of her victory was the way she pulled clear the last 100m. There looked to be plenty in reserve and that awesome motor of hers seem to have another gear to spare. Honestly if they went another 200m she could have won by 4 or 5 times today's margin. Fiesta another Chris Waller trained galloper won the group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes. Ridden by Keiron Mcevoy the filly finished strongly to record her second first up victory from seven starts.While Le Romain got back in the winners circle in the 1200m group 3 Show County Quality. The 6yo gelding has now won 2.75 million in stakes.
Showtime and Hawkes -- At Caulfield we saw Showtime, the Snitzel colt get up to spoil the Godolphin party as the old boy Hartnel slipped up along the rails and looked like he may run the Dwayne Dunn ridden galloper down but youth prevailed. The Hawkes trained entire has now probably booked himself a stud career after his time on the track but a crack at the group one Memsie Stakes will be his next quest.
Sunlight --
It was so good to see the Zoustar filly return to the winners circle in the Quezette Stakes. There were a few knockers after the big margin loss to the up and coming star, Nature Strip a fortnight ago. I am starting to think the hype around him is the real deal after the filly showed her class to battle on strongly and hold off a gallant Humma Mumma, in the final stages.
Jamie Kah and Dollar for Dollar --
It was a big day out for Jamie Kah at Morphetville on Saturday beginning with Thine is the Power. The Street Boss filly looked strong in winning the 1050m BM 70. Then it was Artie's Dreamwinner for Paul Presker in the BM 75 over 1200m . This was followed by the High Chaparral gelding Dollar for Dollar for Mcevoy, who won the group 3 Spring Stakes. He has an excellent record of 8 wins from 16 starts and finally Moghul Empire for trainer Will Clarken in the last.
Nicconi and Smart Missile -- Performances of both these breeds have been exceptional lately and yesterday was no different with the Nicconi's having many winners across the country and in the opener at Randwick saw a talented Smart Missile gelding Butchoy win easily for Hugh Bowman over 1600m. The win of the Hayes/Dabernig trained colt Toni Nicconi in the group 3 Vain Stakes was a good one as he held off a strong finish from stablemate Long Leaf. The unbeaten sprinter will now head to the group 3 Mcneil Stakes in a fortnight. The other Nicconi gallopers to score on Saturday were Ayers Rock in Adelaide and Lightning Nic at Kembla.
The dual group one winning sprinter Nicconi stands at Widden Stud.
- Carbine Thoroughbreds have shares available in this Nicconi Colt
The Godolphin team continued their good run on Saturday as did Darren Weir. The Aurie Star Handicap Group 3 at Flemington belonged to the later as old warhorse Voodoo Lad added another group race to his already impressive record. The Godolphin horse, Home of the Brave set the pace and battled strongly but the I Am Invincible gelding just had too much power over the final fifty metres. In Sydney it was a different story where the Street Cry's of Godolphin were dominant winning the Benchmark 94,The Premiers Prelude and Spring Preview. It may well be a spring preview, as the most famous Street Cry of them all returns next week, in the mighty mare, WINX. While the win of the Brad Widdup trained three year old Sandbar by Snitzel could be a strong contender for major riches this spring, in the three year old events.
- Street Cry's and Snitzel -- In the benchmark 85 for fillies and mares saw the Snitzel mare, Irithea successful for trainer Bjorn Baker and jockey Tye Angland with a fighting win over the 1400m. The return of the Snitzel colt, Sandbar trained by Brad Widdup gave us one to follow for the spring. He had a excellent two year old season running Written By to a close second in the Pago Pago and is back just as good this preparation. He looked very strong in winning the Listed Rosebud Hcp over 1100m. He is out of the Street Cry mare, Tallow and pointed us in the direction for the rest of the day at Rosehill as the Street Cry's and Kerrin Mcevoy dominated.
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Harpers Choice --
It is really good to see the son of Street Cry, Harpers Choice get back to his promising
three year old form recently and he secured another victory in the
Premiers Cup Prelude over the 1800m trip. He came from back in the pack this time, no big lead like the last start win in the Winter Cup as he just held off Emperor's Way for victory. In the benchmark 94 James Cummings/Kerrin Mcevoy/Street Cry combo when Trekking managed to overall Tactical Advantage on the line to get a win . We saw a carbon copy run and Mcevoy ride on the Street Cry gelding, Flow in the Spring Preview Hcp for another Godolphin victory . Its of interest to note both horses are from Redoutes Choice broodmares. The first is from Outdoor and later from Glissade.
- Voodoo Lad and Darren Weir -- The Aurie Star in Melbourne belonged to Voodoo Lad as he got the Flemington monkey off his back and added yet another group race to his win tally. It was a strong win for the Darren Weir trained warrior and the trainer was all praise for the horse saying a group one still maybe in him. In the Benchmark 90 over 1000m James Cummings got another winner for the weekend when the Commands entire Bandipur made it five wins from 11 starts. He was given a great run by jockey Dwayne Dunn but the horse knows where the post is. In the BM70 over 1200m we saw Choisborder for the Weir camp get their day really pumping at Flemington as the mare scored her third win this prep defeating the promising Hayes/Dabernig galloper Gold Mag. The Choisir gelding is one to watch in future preparations. While Weirs winner in the next could be one to watch this spring as the former European galloper, The Statesman was well ridden by Ben Allen and finished the 2000m off strongly . He is by Zoffany out of the Galileo mare,Chelsey Jayne. In the next, the Weir/ Ben Allen combination was successful again with the High Chaparral gelding, Answer My Friend who after never settling was able to hold on to record another Flemington 1400m win. A track horse here I think. Appears to like the big tracks.
Crockett won the Flemington BM 70 he is by All American and another out of a Street Cry mare, this time, Tuusula. I'm not a big fan of the Megalia Dóro breed in Australia but they have been recording a few wins lately. The Hard Spun's are consistent winners and both recorded winning doubles with their progeny this weekend. Its worth noting that Kate Walters could have been riding at Flemington for her dad but chose Moe and the Hard Spun 8yo, The Armani. While the six year old, Lunar Spin was a winner in the BM64 at Newcastle for the breed. The Meg Dóro double came from the colt, Cloak for James Cummings who broke his maiden status at Newcastle over 1400m. While at Moe in the heavy going Raptor won over 1200m.
The start of a new season and it was a good one for the Godolphin team with winners across the country but in the main event of the Group 2 Missile Stakes they just fell short with the unlucky Lonhro entire, Kementari going down by a short head, to Pierata. Wins came from Intuition, Multaja, Mortons Fork and a very impressive mare by the name of Soothing. Ambidexter sired a couple of winners at Morphetville. While the ever consistent stallions Star Witness and I Am Invincible's progeny recorded numerous victories.
Lonhro and Godolphin --
It was a great weekend for James Cummings and the Godolphin team with wins all over the country with most of them having a Lonhro connection. The Street Cry gelding Intuition is continuing to go through her grades in the benchmark 82 gaining her second win in succession over the 1200m journey. In the last over the 1000m trip saw Lonhro's daughter Soothing absolutely trounce her rivals as jockey James Mcdonald got an armchair ride to the winning post. She is out of the Bel Esprit mare, Dreamy. At Moonee Valley it was the Lonhro broodmares doing the job with wins to the impressive Megalia Dóro filly, Multaja to keep her unbeaten record in tact. She is ex Lonhro mare, Shelters. The second last saw Morton's Fork record another victory through a good ride from Craig Williams.The five year old gelding is by the Danzig stallion Ad Valorem out of the Lonhro mare, Dilemma.
Ambidexter and Morphetville --
The racing day at Morphetville belonged to an up coming Commands stallion Ambidexter who stands at Cornerstone Stud with wins to Modulate and Dexelation. The former had to survive a protest and the later was ultra impressive in the final race of the day making it three on the trot for the Niki O'shea camp. In both wins we saw a very leisurely pace set and i think this helped secure victories for them. I'm still sticking to my opinion that 1400m is the breeds limit any further they will struggle.
Missile Stakes --
In the group 2 Missile Stakes an unlucky Kementari just missed after storming home behind the talented Pierata who just had a big enough break to secure the win.The Pierro entire has really started to produce the goods and i can see more success coming his way over a bit further in the group races this spring.
High Chaparral and Redoutes Newcomer --
Mig Energy on debut won the opener for trainer Brent Stanley with Luke Currie riding. The Redoutes Choice gelding could be a three year old to watch for the future. The High Chaparral gelding Pioneertown put his name up in lights as jockey, Michael Walker controlled the BM78 field in the staying event for the Hayes/Dabernig stable. While another High Chaparral in Red Alto who is trained by Brent Stanley scored at Randwick. Jockey, Tye Angland had him racing just behind the pace until challenging Vaucluse Bay, one of Chris Wallers nine starters, down the straight where he was able to get his head down to win the Cindy Sullivan Memorial Handicap over 2400m on the line. “He’s won a few in town now and that was his sixth win. He’s run fourth in a Derby so he’s got ability and it was good to see him win again" said Brent. I wanted to mention the win of Dodge City at Wangaratta. The High Chaparral gelding now a five year old could well have finally matured another win is on the cards.
Star Witness and I Am Invincible -- The I Am Invincible's recorded a double at Kembla as the Snowdens and jockey Christian Reith had a good day out. First with the colt Spin who broke through for his maiden win with Mitchel Bell riding and then the first of a double for jockey, Christian Reith when Navigator who is by Star Witness won the Class one over 1400m. They finished the day with their I Am Invincible filly, She's Furline winning the last. Extreme Witness at Morphetville over 1550m and Given Evidence over 1600m at Wangaratta were two more winners for the Star Witness clan. He Stands at Widden Stud.
Some serious spring contenders took to the tracks this Saturday and they didnt let anyone down with Nature Strip blitzing his rivals in the Listed Lightning Stakes at Morphetville. While Vega Magic began his quest for the Everest title with an easy win in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield. A stallion who regularly keeps producing winners Choisir ended up with three of his stock greeting the judge first at the Morphetville meeting.
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Nature Strip -- An awesome performance by this son of Nicconi putting the time on the board with a blistering performance in the Listed Lightning Stakes in Adelaide and can now surely secure a spot in the Everest for the Weir camp. There are still doubters about the Darren Weir galloper but should you doubt the man who can turn water into wine as he said earlier this week “this is the fastest horse I’ve ever saddled”.He is now into 11/1 for the Everest with Vega Magic but neither have a spot as yet. Nicconi stands at Widden Stud
- Vega Magic and Lope De Vega -- Last years runner up in the Everest, Vega Magic has put forward his case for one of the remaining slots for this years event with a dominant return victory in the Bletchingly Stakes. The Hayes sprinter is now unbeaten in three starts at the Caulfield track. Champion jockey Damien Oliver said "Vega Magic over raced in the early stages, which caused concern, but he was too classy for his rivals on top of the ground". Gytrash was another winner for Lope De Vega in Adelaide, ridden by Anna Jordso over 1050m trip. The 2yo gelding is out of the Fastnet Rock mare, Miss Barley.
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Choisir and Morphetville -- He won 12 group ones in his career and sprinting was his game. The old guy of Coolmore, Choisir's progeny broke through the 100 winner mark for the Australian season for the 7th consecutive season and produced a treble at Morphetville on Saturday. The first was Barbies Boy over the 1600m trip with Kayla Crowther riding. Then three year old Choisborder was one of many winners for Darren Weir yesterday as he had an easy win in the BM70 over 1200m with Damien Lane, in the saddle. While Barood scored his fifth win of his career and his fourth this year over the 1050m trip. One of Choisir''s best sons is the ultra consistent Chamois Road who has a super record and always starts at good odds. The talented galloper after winning the final race on the Caulfield card, now has a record of 12 wins and a further 19 placings from his 39 starts in a stellar career. Choisir stands at Coolmore
- High Chaparral -- The Chris Waller stable had many winners over the country yesterday and i would like to bring a couple of promising ones to the forefront. At Gosford we saw three year old gelding, High Power successful over the 1600m with the talented jockey Aaron Bullock riding. He is by High Chaparral out of the Encosta De Lago mare,Plumm. He is one for the future staying events in Sydney as are the following two winners from Rosehill, yesterday. The Redoutes Choice 3 year old gelding, Huangshan copped a few bumps in the straight but was
too strong at the finish of the 2000m BM 73. He came storming through the pack with Hugh Bowman putting in another masterclass , to make it two wins in a
row. He is out of the Galileo mare, Majestic Girl . Thinkin Big looms as a major spring player for the Waterhouse/ Bott stable as the two year old colt by High Caparral led all the way for a convincing win in the Rosehill opener. Waterhouse said "the colt had the right attributes to deliver the Classic over 2500m at Flemington on November 3. Thinkin' Big is very promising and will stay all day,"
Other results worth a look at is the win by Run Gypsy Run who kept the Fastnet Rocks in the winners stall as did the Darren Weir trained Mantastic who finally broke through for a win.The four year old gelding is out of the Galileo mare, Foreign Legionary. The seven year old gelding Self Sense added another victory in the Vobis Gold Stayers event over 2400m to his amazing list and now is heading towards the Grand National in a few weeks time.The Street Sense galloper has now earnt connections 1.2 million dollars in his career.
This racing seasons coming to a close and on the weekend we were at Flemington ,Rosehill and Morphetville. Moments worth noting were the continued success of the Exceed and Excels down the Flemington straight. The Encosta De Lago broodmares continue to get an enormous amount of winners on Saturdays and let the Al Mahers roll. While Brenton Avdulla secured the Sydney jockey premiership with a great ride on Tactical Advantage and in Melbourne, Damian Lane got four up at headquarters in reply to Craig Williams smorgasbord of wins over the past weeks but will just fall short of willow for the premiership there.
- Snitzel -- Next week we virtually see the beginning of Spring with the running of the Bletchingly Stakes and there were a few warning signs put out by the Snitzel breed yesterday with the win of Miles of Krishnan in the Rising Stars Final over 1700m giving young Melissa Julius her first Flemington success. She gave the mare a perfect sit throughout and rode hard hands and heels to the line, for the win. Irithea was another win for the breed at Rosehill for the Baker/Parr combination over 1400m in the fillies and mares BM80. While Lions Head broke his maiden status at Kembla early in the day.
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Visao and the Encosta Broodmares -- Visao win in the 1800m Byerly for two year olds shows us a couple of things. The first is the strength of the High Chaparrals as they get out over a bit of ground and a bigger track but also noteworthy is the amount of winners the Encosta De Lago broodmares get and over all distances. The Ciaron Maher trained colt is out Villa Moura and was given a peach of a ride by Damian Lane and always looked to have the race in control. He will most likely be heading towards the Derby.
- In the 1100m July Stakes at Rosehill saw the 4yo gelding Tactical Advantage get a dream run with Brenton Avdulla in the saddle to score for Kris Lees. He is by Bel Esprit out of the Encosta mare, Above Perfection. While in Adelaide a distance switch back to 1550m by Ryan Balfour paid off for Canford in the 3yo BM70. The Canford Cliffs gelding is out of the Encosta mare, Sorenstam and was strong at the finish after a solid pace was set.
- Exceed and Excels -- The win of Overstep highlighted two things for me in the BM 78 at Flemington. They were the Waller/Walker combination continuing run of success and the Exceed and Excels continued liking for the Flemington straight. It wasnt the only win for the stallion on Saturday as four year old gelding, Trogir in the last at Morphetville over 1400 also saluted, for trainer Phil Stokes.
- All Too Hard -- This stallion and half brother to the great Black Caviar produces some quality gallopers and Unfair Dismissal in the listed Oaklands Plate for two year olds in Adelaide, could well be one. They tend to do better on a freshen and this colt out of the Exceed and Excel mare, Up and Up for Tony Mcevoy is no different. His record stands at three wins from seven starts now.
- Godolphin and Bandipur --A great ride by Hugh Bowman on the gutsy Commands colt Bandipur gave James Cummings and the Godolphin team a treble after wins earlier on the Rosehill programe with the 2yo Plague Stone by Lonhro out of Elusive Quality mare, winning and Gaulois who is by Street Cry out of the Lonhro mare, Celts who won the BM92 over 1600m.
- Al Passem and the Al Mahers -- Al Passem is a great guide to the way this breed loves to race. They love to roll at their own strong pace and even though last start it came undone as he was attacked in front. Today worked out perfectly for Ethan Brown and when he gave the gelding a kick halfway down the straight you knew they were going to struggle to get past this quality horse. Emshally at Kembla was another winner on the day for the breed.
- Other Results --Serenade the Stars won the 2500m benchmark 90 race with a strong finish for the Gelagotis team. The gelding by Sea The Stars gave that stallion a hemisphere double with the filly, Sea Of Class winning the group one Irish Oaks. Brave Song's win down the straight is worth mentioning as under strong riding he responded to just score. The three year old colt by the Fastnet Rock stallion Your Song is trained by the Snowdens and the breed tend to get alot of winners north of the border but this is a rare win at headquarters. He could be a good one. Invincible Al won the last race on the Flemington card for the I Am Invincibles and Patrick Payne. A quinella to the Ambidexters at Morphetville with Modulate for Richard Jolly just lasting to defeat Amberdi in the BM 70 over 1250m which is about as far as this breed likes.
It was a fine winters day at Caulfield for racing which included the group 3 John Monash Stakes. While interstate racing was at Rosehill and Morphetville. The imposing looking Voodoo Lad returned to his winning ways after dropping back from group one appearances to secure victory in the John Monash. The Smart Missile's continued with their awesome performances of late with a double at the Rosehill meeting and the High Chaparral grey, Silvera gave that breed a double with Mount Kilcoy a strong winner at Caulfield as well.
- Smart Missile and Rosehill -- Sydney racing again saw the Smart Missile's firing with Smart Amelia for the Baker/Shinn combination. The four year old mare was first up over the 1100m today. She struggled last season but has now been transferred to the Bjorn Baker stable and her first start is a winning one. She is out of the Redoutes Choice mare, My Amelia who produced, The Mission.
- In the final race of the day the three year old gelding Sparky Lad by Smart Missile finally got another win on the board this preperation in the BM85 over 1500m. He was pushed out by jockey Brenton Avdulla to secure the win for the Chris Waller stable. He is out of the More Than Ready mare, Lady Hepburn. In the listed 1400m winter stakes, the Fastnet Rock gelding, Dreamforce produced the goods once again giving Avdulla another victory for the day and bringing the gallopers win tally to eight from 18 starts. Smart Missile stands at Twin Hills Stud.
- Al Maher Stands at Aquis Farm-- The 4yo gelding Vaucluse Bay finally got back in the winners circle after nearly 12 months, in the BM80 over 2000m for the Waller/Collett combination. The Al Maher galloper has had a frustrating season of placings but made amends with a hard fought victory. In the last at Morphetville the promising Al Maher mare, Rat With Goldtooth continued too impress by trouncing his rivals over the 1600m trip.
- High Chaparral -- The High Chaparral's were back doing their stuff with the grey gelding, Silvera a good winner over 1600m in Adelaide after jockey Jason Holder took a trail on the heavily backed favorite Top Prospect. He finished strongly to win for te Tony Mcevoy camp and it was a similar story for the Darren Weir trained High Chap colt, Mount Kilroy at Caulfield as he sat back and took the trail behind Masculino until halfway down the straight where he shot clear for an easy win. The ultra consistent Godolphin, Street Cry gelding, Demolition scored in the BM78 over 1400m after a great ride from Damian Lane getting the drop on Avenger. He is ex Lonhro mare, Shatters.
- While in the John Monash the class galloper of the day, Voodoo Lad exploded away with a great turn of foot to win the group 3. The six year old gelding is by I Am Invincible and rates just below group one level on talent.
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Other successes worth taking note of were the wins by Star of Monsoon. He is by Lonrho out of full sister to Redoutes Choice,Monsoon Wedding and has now scored three times since his maiden win, this season. Gerald Ryan puts his improvement down to maturity and being gelded. Listen to him discuss the gelding here. Gerald Ryan on Star of Monsoon. He was ridden by James Mcdonald. A double for Fastnet Rock's with a win for Dreamforce and the promising 2yo Thorondor at Morphetville winning once again. Then two geldings China Gale and Schoolmates both broke their
maidens at Wyong and both are ex Encosta De Lago broodmares. The
later is trained by Chris Waller and is by Redoutes Choice and former is
by Pierro.
Lady I Am made it a double for the I Am Invincible's when she won the class2 at Wyong, for the Snowden camp. There was also a double for the Magnus clan with wins to Magnesium Rose at Caulfield and Magnus Knight in Adelaide.
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