Another feature race weekend, another domination by Chris Waller, who is the modern day TJ Smith.
He cleaned up where it mattered most, taking the two state Group l double courtesy of Sacred Falls in the George Main Stakes (1600m) and Foreteller in the Underwood Stakes (1800m).
Let’s start with Caulfield and the Underwood.
It was hard to begrudge Foreteller and all concerned with the horse when he narrowly beat Happy Trails in a thrilling finish. He has always competed at the highest level and has been very consistent, and thanks to a Bossy gem, the eight-year-old was able to burst through between runners and pip the South Australian on the peg.
Crackerjack King, rated as a good outside chance on The Roar by certain contributors, ran at a steady tempo and kicked on the turn, seemingly looking the winner 200-metres out before fitness just gave way late.
Silent Achiever finished fifth, and on face value she was disappointing, but given her grand final is the Melbourne Cup she was solid enough.
The two to follow from the back were clearly Super Cool and The Offer, in particular the latter. He was off the bit a fair way from home and was forced very wide, but his last 150 metres was beautiful.
Former European stayer Gris Caro gained himself an automatic spot in the Caulfield Cup with a gritty on-pace triumph in the Naturalism Stakes (2000m). Ben Melham produced a cracker, riding the horse aggressively from the gates and settling outside the leader Bonfire, where those two controlled the tempo and really gave nothing else a chance.
Entirely Platinum was much better reverting back to a handicap, savaging the line late for second. He needs to win a good race to push his rating up and squeeze into the final field for the Caulfield Cup. If he gets there, he’ll acquit himself nicely.
Spillway? Yeah, forget he went around. He had no luck in the straight and ran through the line under a hold from Damien Oliver. His time will come, but I don’t think it’ll be this Spring, unless he wins a race like the Turnbull.
Three things I learnt from Caulfield
1. Gai has one hand on her second cup thanks to The Offer
2. The most important gear change could see Fast ‘N’ Rocking get his Group l
3. The Hayes-Dabernig training partnership could challenge Weir for the premiership
That man Waller was at it again at Randwick, providing the quinella of the George Main Stakes (1600m) with Sacred Falls, aided by an outstanding ride from Zac Purton. He surged through a narrow gap 250 metres out and won with ridiculous ease over Royal Descent, with Laser Hawk producing his best run in two years with a fighting on-pace third.
Sacred Falls proved that he doesn’t need a wet track to produce his best and that when it comes to the Randwick mile, he is near unbeatable.
As for the beaten brigade, Royal Descent, I don’t know about her. Yes, she is racing well, but she is not winning, and hasn’t won since April 2013. She needs an easy kill, and I doubt she’ll get that against the top class gallopers. I would have bypassed the George Main and gone to the mares race next Friday night at the Valley. She would have got the easy kill there.
Panzer Division lost no admirers for mine. He was brave on the speed and fought all the way to the line. He was beaten by four Group l winners, so no doubt he is a high class colt who will be winning a major before his racing days are done.
Lucia Valentina was excellent again over the last 200 metres and is ready to rock and roll in the Caulfield Cup. She will take a power of beating if she turns up in this sort of form.
Three wide no cover? Didn’t matter for the good thing of the day Terravista, who once again toyed with his rivals in winning The Shorts (1100m). The win prompted trainer Joe Pride to send a cheeky tweet, saying “Terravista – best sprinter in the world”. Long way to go before that eventuates, but gee he is heading in the right direction.
Famous Seamus was fantastic first up, one of only a few to make up significant ground from the back, and given trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith stated there would be improvement off this, he is set for another Group l prep if placed right.
Forgive Villa Verde. She was four and five wide for the trip and never really got luck, so give her another chance.
Some riders wouldn’t want to watch the replay of the Hill Stakes (2000m) where Blake Shinn was gifted the race on Junoob. He pulled his way to the front and never ever looked like getting beat, controlling the race from the front with no pressure and winning quite comfortably.
Criterion was much better off his Chelmsford flop, but a Cox Plate target might be a bit lofty. Perhaps a Metropolitan?
Bagman was fantastic again after his surprise placing in the Chelmsford. If he goes to the Metropolitan, he is the one to beat getting back to a handicap.
It was built up as Earthquake versus Winx Round 2, but First Seal spoiled the party and on face value she was very classy in winning the Coolmore Tea Rose Stakes (1400m).
Earthquake led at a crawl with Winx on her outside. Those two sprinted for home and it looked as if Earthquake had her measure and was set for victory, but you only had to look to her inside and you could see First Seal bolting under Blake Shinn, and when he pushed the button, the race was all over.
Winx was strong late and is on target for the Flight Stakes. With Earthquake, I’m not going to pot her, because every time she has been beaten, she has been on the speed. I’d like to see her ridden with cover and attack the line. Not sacking her, yet.
Three things I learnt from Randwick
1. Sacred Falls has the Cox Plate at his mercy
2. Terravista could well be the challenger to Lankan Rupee
3. Zac Purton is fast becoming the best jockey in the business
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