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The Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) was built up as a race between the proven champ Lankan Rupee and the new kid on the block, Deep Field.
In the end, class and the proven Group 1 performer rose to the occasion when Lankan Rupee, steered perfectly by Craig Newitt, dive bombed Deep Field at 250 metres and sprinted clear to score a most dominant win.
Brazen Beau stuck on very well for second and is right on target for the Newmarket Handicap (1200m). As for Deep Field, well it was his first serious crack as a racehorse against a proven champ, and he did do the donkey work. His run was commendable under the circumstances.
Wandjina sweated worse than a fat bloke a disco, he pulled his head off in the run, he was first up, but he was still too good for his rivals in the CS Hayes Stakes (1400m). He led all the way to narrowly fend off Disposition, who clearly headed Wandjina in the straight, but Ollie lifted the Gai Waterhouse runner to narrowly win.
Stratum Star had the dream run off the speed and stuck on well for third. I honestly can’t see how those behind the first two can turn the tables in the Australian Guineas (1600m). They were both first up and burnt the candle at both ends, so with natural improvement, they each should take some beating.
Her career highlight prior to Saturday was only a Benchmark 70 Handicap, but a strong tempo and a determined ‘Froggy’ Newitt saw Sweet And Speedy win The Vanity (1400m), and gave trainer Peter Moody the first three races on the program.
She sat out the back, like she did at Sandown, peeled out on the turn and was immediately under pressure and seemingly going nowhere. But as we know, Newitt can find something extra in a horse and he did so with this filly, who surged late and grabbed the Oaks winner Set Square late, who was fantastic first up.
The hot favourite Wawail could only manage third, and honestly, she had every chance. The first 800 metres was run in 50.27, so I can’t really offer an excuse. She had her chance. Fenway and Mossbeat were both luckless and should be forgiven.
Three things I learnt from Flemington
. Why aren’t we being critical of the Flemington track? For a while now, the inside has been off and barely any winners come there.
. Chivalry is not a horse. He is a cat.
. Deep Field won’t be winning any Group 1 WFA races.
We didn’t think we’d see a group of three-year-olds as good as the 1995-96 group when we had the likes of Octagonal, Saintly and Filante. Well, the 2014-15 crop are nearly there after a thrilling edition of the Hobartville Stakes (1400m), won by Hallowed Crown.
He who looked in trouble at the top of the straight when Hugh Bowman was forced to go back to the inside on the Golden Rose winner, and he looked gone 300 metres out as Sweynesse and Shooting To Win looked as though they were going to fight it out, but Bowman pulled the whip in the right hand and the horse just switched into another gear, grabbing Sweynesse in the last stride.
Shooting To Win ran fourth, but the big eye catcher was Kermadec. He is a big kid who has no idea what he is doing out on the race track, but once he puts it all together, he’ll be winning whatever he contests. On potential, he is the best three-year-old in Australia.
Headwater elevated himself straight to the top of betting for the Golden Slipper with an absolute caning in the Silver Slipper. Blake Shinn took the colt straight to the front, dictated (first 600 metres in 35.90) and just careered away from his rivals under very little riding from Shinn.
Voilier toughed it out very strongly for second while the Queensland visitor Mishani Honcho worked home well for third on the best part of the track ahead of Ottoman, who weakened late. Do I want to take $4.60 for Headwater? Nope, not yet anyway. I want to see Vancouver and Exosphere again.
Catkins, aided by a beautiful ride from Hugh Bowman, gave trainer Chris Waller his fourth win in the Millie Fox Stakes when the bonny grey mare sat off the speed and surged late to grab Plucky Belle close to home. Avoid Lightning ran a strong third considering she was ridden a touch more forward than usual.
The rain-affected track played into the hands of Catkins here, as well as the gun run again, yet, like the Breeders Classic win, she only just got there. When you win, margins don’t matter, but I am just not convinced that she’ll pick up a Group 1 during the Autumn. The Tatt’s Tiara during the Brisbane Winter Carnival looks her Group 1.
Three things I learnt from Rosehill
. Headwater, at the moment, is the best two-year-old in Australia.
. Catkins is not the same horse she was 12-18 months ago.
. Burbero can’t run beyond 1600m.
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