Many were doubting Hucklebuck and his ability to run a strong 1600m in the Emirates Stakes (1600m) given he can pull quite hard in the run.
But thanks to The Cleaner and his usual front running style, Hucklebuck travelled much more sweetly in the run and provided South Australia with their second Group l for Cup week after Happy Trails and his Mackinnon Stakes (2000m).
Hucklebuck gripped on to win from a desperate Lucky Hussler. The Cleaner set up a very hot speed and did an amazing job to cling on for third ahead of Leebaz and Trusting.
Nothing from the back got a look in, so the form will be interesting heading forward because no doubt a few of these will run in the Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot in two weeks’ time.
The Darley Classic (1200m) was hyped up as the race of the Cup Carnival, perhaps the entire Spring carnival, and it lived right up to it with a cracking 68 seconds of racing. In the end, Joe Pride’s cheeky remarks about Terravista being the best sprinter in the world were perhaps correct when he burst through between runners to win his maiden Group l.
He narrowly beat off competition from Chautauqua, who for mine lost no admirers with his second. He was great, as was Lankan Rupee (third) and Buffering (fourth), who set a strong tempo in front.
The rest were well beaten, headed by Moment Of Change, who was okay. The intriguing runner was the international sprinter Slade Power. He went into the gates without too much trouble, but as soon as they opened he missed the kick by a length, and at this level of horse race you can’t do that and expect to win.
Le Roi qualified for the 2015 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) with a tough and gritty win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) under the urgings of Damien Oliver, who had a wonderful Cup Carnival.
The Tony McEvoy trained former import held off Prince Of Penzance narrowly with the leader and stablemate of the winner, Big Memory, not far away in third despite wanting to drift about again. In fourth was the well fancied Noble Protector, and she had every chance. She will be better for the experience and will be thereabouts next prep at this level.
Suavito was seen as somewhat of a risk at 2000m in the Momentum Energy Stakes, but the risk was always minimal when you have an in form Ollie on board, and he produced an absolute gem to steer the mare home and grab Girl In Flight right on the peg to win.
Amanpour, who was backing up from Tuesday, attempted to lead all the way and looked the winner 100m out, but just felt the pinch late and weakened to run a close third. Scratchy Bottom again missed the kick and was out the back, and again she savaged the line when clear. She is absolutely flying, but just can’t get luck.
Three things I learnt from Flemington
1. Never doubt a proven champion like Damien Oliver
2. Team Hawkes are going to have a massive Autumn
3. Lord Aspen, potentially, could well be the best three-year-old miler in Australia
Have you ever tried your skills in a Racing daily fantasy competition? Put your best picks to the test for one day and see if you can scoop the pot with Draftstars. Looking for great odds on racing and sport? PlayUp is your best bet. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Without a Fight completed the rare Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double on Tuesday as star jockey Mark Zahra went back-to-back in the big one after…
The race that stops the nation is upon us again. Every horse in the Melbourne Cup has reasons they can win, and reasons they…
Those who want to have a really big collect on Australia’s greatest race, without risking too much, have to look at the exotic bets.
While most of the attention is on Ciaron Maher and David Eustace's Gold Trip, there's no reason why stablemate Future History cannot upstage him.
Champion jockey Damien Oliver is quietly confident his Melbourne Cup mount Alenquer will be passed fit to give him a farewell ride in the…
Melbourne Cup day is here again, and it’s never anything less than exciting. The Cup itself will of course be full of drama and…
