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Even allowing for the prize money upgrades of The Championships, The BMW remains Australia’s Premier 2400m race at weight for age scale. Join us for live updates of the BMW, which is due to begin at 3:40pm AEDT.
This year has attracted a high-class field, including Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente and last year’s Autumn Triple Crown winner It’s A Dundeel.
Just two weeks ago, we saw Fiorente and It’s A Dundeel clash in the Group 1 Ranvet (2000m). All of the pre-race talk of a showdown between the pair was quashed however, with Carlton House and Silent Achiever fighting it out in the straight and the latter gaining the upper hand just on the post.
It’s A Dundeel snared third, with Fiorente tiring to finish seventh, nearly four lengths further back.
It’s a moot point that Silent Achiever isn’t a clear favourite today – quite simply, she should be. She is now chasing her fourth consecutive win, was second in the race last year and boasts strong Group 1 form on slow tracks.
Her acid test was last start and she passed with flying colours. The most impressive aspect of her win was the fact she was able to roll forward mid-race. It proved Silent Achiever is adaptable – something essential in what could prove to be a tactical race today.
Fiorente, while ridden forward of his usual comfort zone in the Ranvet, was still entitled to finish his race off stronger than he did. It’s A Dundeel, on the other hand, might be considered a tad unsuited by the on-pace bias at Rosehill that day. Both their runs however were below the extremely high expectations we have of them.
It’s A Dundeel was reported with slight lameness in his front feet during the week. He has been working in dreaded bar plates for protection and that should serve as a massive warning to punters. If It’s A Dundeel can win today, it would be a remarkable training display from Murray Baker and his team.
Back on Fiorente, there are just a few nagging doubts about his record at 2400m. He is currently one from six – all runs from Europe. It is also interesting that in two starts, Fiorente has yet to win in Sydney. These are the kinds of stats champion horses can defy, but Sydney has yet to see the best of Fiorente.
Sandown Classic (2400m) winner Sertorius might lead if the pace is slow early but will need to be at his absolute best given the WFA scale. This is the biggest assignment of his career to date.
Voleuse De Coeurs’s run today will decide if she presses on to the Sydney Cup (3200m) or the $4 Million Queen Elizabeth Stakes. She does have great second-up stats (two from three), which includes her Group 1 Irish St Ledger victory over 2800m. The one doubt over her is whether the 2400m might still be too short. She remains an unknown quantity in this race but has been smashed in betting during the week from $21 into $9.50. She could be the big danger here.
The 2014 BMW is a tricky and consequently fascinating race, where punters will need to work out if they can forgive the previous runs of Fiorente and It’s A Dundeel. There is mounting evidence they are worth taking on however and this is where the intrigue begins.
Roar racing writers’ autumn tipping competition (five points if winning horse is tipped for first; three points if tipped for second; two for third and one for fourth):
Josh Cooke – Today’s live blogger
1. Silent Achiever
2. Voleuse De Coeurs
3. Fiorente
4. It’s A Dundeel
Justin Cinque – Roar Racing Editor
1. Silent Achiever
2. It’s A Dundeel
3. Fiorente
4. Voleuse De Coeurs
Cameron Rose – Roar Expert
1. Silent Achiever
2. Fiorente
3. It’s A Dundeel
4. Sertorius
Alfred Chan – Roar Guru
1. Voleuse De Coeurs
2. It’s A Dundeel
3. Silent Achiever
4. Fiorente
Brad Durrant – Roar Guru
1. It’s A Dundeel
2. Fiorente
3. Voleuse De Coeurs
4. Silent Achiever
Brent Ford – Roar Guru
1. Fiorente
2. It’s a Dundeel
3. Silent Achiever
4. Voleuse De Coeurs
Points tally after Rosehill Guineas Day
Brent Ford – 19
Alfred Chan – 13
Brad Durrant – 11
Cameron Rose – 10
Justin Cinque – 8
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