A bumper nine-race card was run and won at Caulfield on Saturday, with three Group 1 events.
Damian Browne is regarded as one of the best hoops in Australia and he proved why with an absolute gem to win the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on Pride Of Dubai.
It gave the Kiwi his second win in the race in as many years, while provideing Peter and Paul Snowden with their third win in the race.
Pride Of Dubai beat home rank outsider Reemah, with the clear eye catching running third – Lake Geneva. She’s the only horse from the Blue Diamond capable of winning the Golden Slipper. Fontiton had every chance. She was presented at the right time, but just couldn’t run a strong 1200m.
Shamal Wind needs everything to go right for her – hot speed, cover and a cold ride. She got all of that and won the Oakleigh Plate (1100m), beating home a beautifully ridden Under The Louvre, who was specked at odds and gave trainer Robert Smerdon the quinella. Fast ‘N’ Rocking stormed home for third ahead of an unlucky Vain Queen, who goes close to winning with a clear run. She was the clear blackbooker from the race.
She looked the goods in jump outs, and Suavito put it together when it mattered most – in a Group 1, the Futurity Stakes (1400m). Aided by a lovely ride from Ollie, the Nigel Blackiston trained mare swept home to grab the gallant Smokin’ Joey close to home.
As for Dissident, well he did pull a fraction outside Driefonetin, but overall, he was plain. I’d clearly follow Smokin’ Joey from this. He was enormous, sitting three deep on the speed and was still lifting late.
It wasn’t the best win of the day, but Mourinho saluting in the Peter Young Stakes (1800m) was one of the most popular. He had the lovely sit just off the speed and presented at the right time, looking as though he was going to win by a comfortable margin, but he got up to his usual tricks, ducking out under pressure.
He held on, however, beating Happy Trails, who is on target for the Australian Cup, and Akzar, who will win the Adelaide Cup by a space if he turns up with four legs and a good set of lungs. Protectionist was good considering he was back last on the turn. He’s on track for the Australian Cup, but would need to improve a length or so to beat Happy Trails.
The high class action wasn’t just at Caulfield. Warwick Farm held their biggest race day, Chipping Norton Stakes Day. Contributor stamped himself as the best WFA horse in Sydney thanks to a strong and determined win in the feature, the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m).
Don’t be fooled that he didn’t sprint in the straight. He was ridden a touch more forward than normal, and that probably took the ping out of him, but he was still outstanding, beating home stablemate Hartnell, who will win the Sydney Cup if he reproduces this form. He’s Your Man had the dream run and fought on well for third. There were a host of great runs here, so this should be the form race for the carnival.
First Seal confirmed her title as the best three-year-old filly in Australia with a high class win in the Surround Stakes (1400m). She settled worse than midfield, but importantly was on the back of her main danger Adrift. Blake Shinn peeled her out, gave her a squeeze and just bolted in. Supara had the soft trip on the back of the speed and worked home OK for second ahead of Slightly Sweet and Amicus. First Seal will take a power of beating in the Coolmore, and she is clearly the horse to follow from this race.
Exosphere stamped himself as the Godolphin horse for the Golden Slipper thanks to a dominant display in the Skyline Stakes (1200m). The horse settled last in the run, then coming to the turn, James McDonald came widest, the horse took a couple of strides to wind up, but once he did… wow. I am still sticking solid with Vancouver, but gee this bloke will give it a shake.
The connections of Always Allison will almost certainly pay the late entry fee for the Golden Slipper after the filly made it two from two with a come from behind win in the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m), coming from off the fence on the turn and sweeping home hard to nail Speak Fondly close to home. Can she win a Slipper? Probably not, but she will acquit herself nicely nonetheless.
Three blackbookers from the weekend
1. Sabatini
2. Exosphere
3. Chipping Norton Stakes overall
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