The Melbourne Autumn Carnival for 2015 is done and dusted after the William Reid Stakes (1200m) on Friday night at Moonee Valley. So, what have we learnt?
We have learnt, in my humble opinion, that the times have changed, and that the quality of horse flesh in Victoria is very, very weak.
It all started on Valentine’s Day at Caulfield with the C F Orr Stakes (1400m), which was won in dominant fashion by Dissident. He beat home Entirely Platinum and Mourinho.
Form out of that race has been terrible with the exception of Spillway winning later on in the Autumn as well as Mourinho winning the Peter Young Stakes (1800m) a fortnight later. And as for the winner, he failed at his next start also.
Seven days later came Black Caviar Lightning Day at Flemington, and Lankan Rupee produced a stunning turn of foot to win first up, beating home Brazen Beau and Deep Field. Brazen Beau came out and smashed Lankan Rupee at their next meeting in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m), and the beaten brigade, outside Brazen Beau, have raced three times since and have failed.
That fortnight later was Blue Diamond Stakes Day, with the feature race won by a Sydney colt in Pride Of Dubai. That form out of that race has been ordinary also bar Lake Geneva, who ran a cracker in the Slipper. Outside of Lake Geneva, the beaten brigade have raced seven times between them since for no wins, which is unlike the norm when it comes to previous Blue Diamond editions.
Two other Group 1 events were run that afternoon, firstly the Futurity Stakes (1400m), won in brilliant style by Suavito, who beat home Smokin’ Joey and hot favourite Dissident. The race in general was really messy in a stop-start affair, and the best ride won the race. Suavito went on to win, while the beaten brigade have raced six times since for zero wins.
The Group 1 sprint that afternoon was the Oakleigh Plate (1100m), and the brilliant finishing burst of Shamal Wind provided her with her first major, beating home Under The Louvre, who was very impressive in the Hareeba, and Fast ‘N’ Rocking. The beaten horses have raced 14 times since this event, with the lone win being from Under The Louvre.
Seven days later, the Carnival moved to Flemington for the next two weeks, starting off with the Australian Guineas, which was won by a Sydney horse, Wandjina, beating home an Adelaide runner, Alpine Eagle. Four of the first five home were trained outside of Victoria, with the lone Victorian being Stratum Star, who subsequently got beaten at his next start. Six races have been run from the losers here, for zero wins.
Super Saturday came next and it was left to another Sydney horse, Brazen Beau, to clean up the Autumn riches with a dominant Newmarket Handicap (1200m) win, beating home Chautauqua and Terravista. Lankan Rupee was sent out favourite, but did nothing, and even considering the weight pull he had to give the winner, he was still well beaten on his merits.
The Australian Cup (2000m) was the other Group 1 of the afternoon and it was left to a couple of risky David Hayes-Tom Dabernig gallopers in Spillway and Extra Zero, who cleared away to fight out a thrilling finish. Third, fourth and fifth were trained outside of Victoria, and this field included the reigning Melbourne Cup winner and a host of Group 1 performers. Those Group 1 performers have raced eight times since, for no wins.
The William Reid Stakes (1200m) was the final Group 1 of the Melbourne Autumn and it was left to a former Queenslander, Lucky Hussler, who has had a couple of preps now for the magician that is Darren Weir. The horse was given an absolute gem by ‘Bossy’ and sprinted clear to bolt in. Will this field and form measure up in Sydney during the Championships? Quite simply, no.
Looking at the Sydney Autumn Carnival so far, and Melbourne horses have done just fairly in the majors, running ten times for two wins, a suspect Coolmore Classic win for Plucky Belle and a Vinery Stud win for Fenway, along with two placings, both of those coming from Criterion. With those two wins, the first one, First Seal ran second, and she did the same in the Vinery Stud, dropping back to set weights and against her own age and sex.
Once upon a time, Melbourne horses would dominate carnivals in both states, and have good cracks whereever else, whether it be Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth. Now, I’m just not sure.
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