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The Melbourne Racing Club did an excellent job of turning Caulfield into an exciting hub to kick off the Spring Carnival.
Ten years ago, the racecourse was bland. There was no space, limited food options, long lines and drunk teenagers. However, in recent years, the club has rejuvenated and modernised facilities, making in family friendly, owner friendly and punter friendly.
This was reflected with an outstanding day of racing on Saturday featuring quality horses, brilliant rides and exemplary training performances throughout the card.
However, this Wednesday’s meeting at Caulfield, dubbed ‘Blue Sapphire Stakes Day’ looks like the Caulfield of old – flat and boring.
Moving the Thousand Guineas to the opening day was the wrong move from the MRC.
It seemed to stem from the ATC and Racing NSW pushing the Spring Champion Stakes a week later, meaning the old Norman Robinson Stakes (now Caulfield Classic) was no longer a legitimate option for the Sydney gallopers in need of a tune-up before the Derby.
In retaliation, the MRC created the Caulfield Classic, boosted prizemoney to an absurd $750,000, include a ridiculous bonus and shifted the Thousand Guineas to the Guineas Day to tempt some of the better fillies.
It has left us with two Group 1 1600m fillies races just a week apart. While it is not as farcical as the Australia Guineas/Randwick Guineas clash, it is essentially the same as most trainers and owners would not even consider backing up their valuable fillies from the Flight Stakes at Randwick.
Additionally, the move has completely destroyed the significance of the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington, once a key form reference.
The MRC’s decision has decreased interest in their flagship race for three-year-old fillies. It now blends into a star-studded card.
This year’s addition featured eleven runners; nine came through the Tranquil Star, while only Take Pride (1200m Champagne Stakes) and Badawiya (winner of the Edward Manifold and coming off a six day back up) entered the race with a different formline.
Moving it back to the Wednesday will provide Sydney fillies with enough time to prepare for the race and therefore increase betting interest. Speak Fondly would have added enormous value to the contest in a similar vain to Press Statement.
It will also boost the Wednesday meeting, which is really lacking in substance this year. What makes the Victorian Spring Carnival unique are the encompassing Sunday and mid-week meetings.
Unlike the other carnivals in Australia, which are essentially just Saturday meetings, there are important feature races away from the Saturday which maintain public and media interest.
While the MRC is trying hard to make the Blue Sapphire Stakes a Group 1 (do we really need more?) they need to realise they already have one which would fit perfectly in the middle of their carnival.
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