Ahoy roarers. A golfing term used in tournaments is ‘moving day’. That term fitted racing at Caulfield on the weekend, and boy, if ever a horse deserved a Group 1, then it was Mourinho.
Even though he was out on the line, he won the Underwood Stakes (1800m). He beat home Fawkner and the old bugger The Cleaner. A clear eye catcher was Mongolian Khan, who worked home strongly late to grab fourth. He is spot on for the Cups. As for Contributer, he was solid without being great and his D Day will be next start.
Stratum Star was a very consistent three year old in the Autumn and he continued the recent trend of four year olds in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) by grabbing favourite Disposition right on the line. Under The Louvre travelled and loomed as the winner, but he just didn’t quite run the 1400m out as strongly as the first two. It was a bunched finish again, so it will be hard to get a guide as to the amount of substance this form has, but only time will tell.
Miss Gunpowder, aided by a gun front running ride from Craig Williams, rubber-stamped her Thousand Guineas credentials by winning the prelude. It’s hard to get a guide on the race, because the leader crawled them in front and nothing from the back, including Stay With Me and Pasadena Girl, had no hope.
Bon Aurum proved his Flemington win was no fluke with another strong win in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m). The Ciaron Maher trained youngster sat wide with cover before Kerrin McEvoy peeled wide and the galloper let down powerfully to hold off the fast finishing Tulsa on the peg. Kiwi raider Dal Cielo sat on speed and roughed it out well for third. As for Ready For Victory, on face value, he was poor.
Just wait until the blinkers go on. Then you’ll see a different horse and perhaps the Caulfield Guineas winner.
The good thing of the day appeared to be Press Statement and he didn’t let the punters down when strolling clear to win the Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill. It was a steer job for Bowman, who had the Colt out the back and in the clear. Shards and Rageese filled the placings, but the winner will be hard to beat in the Caulfield Guineas.
Peeping didn’t pull up 100 per cent after her last start failure, but after a brilliant trial, the Ron Quinton trained mare outgunned the gritty Two Blue, who was given every chance in front from Paul King. As for Catkins, you knew your money was done on the turn because Bowman was at her earlier than usual. I think she will go down as one of the best horses to have never won a Group 1.
Three horses to follow
1. Greyt Start (Watch a replay of the first race at Toowoomba)
2. Tulsa
3. Mongolian Khan
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