The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Past the Post: Caulfield and Randwick wrap

Roar Guru
13th February, 2016
Advertisement
We love Randwick. (AAP Image/David Moir)
Roar Guru
13th February, 2016
5

G’day Roarers! Great to be back for the Autumn Carnival, and I’ll start off by pumping up own tyres thanks to the win of Tidy Prophet at Morphettville on Saturday.

It had been a while between drinks for Luke Currie and Group 1 glory, but he got it spot on with Suavito in the C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m). He got the lovely sit off the speed from the good gate, peeling out behind Turn Me Loose and kicking on hard to get another well deserved major. All credit to trainer Nigel Blackiston, who had her primed with impressive jump outs after bone chips were removed after the Autumn Carnival last year.

The clear watch horse was Bow Creek, who did himself no favours with a tardy beginning, then got into a bumping duel with Lucky Hussler in the straight where there was one run. Lucky Hussler got it and burst through for second while Bow Creek pretty much went to the line under minimal pressure.

Other strong efforts were Hucklebuck from the wide gate, Turn Me Loose after pulling his head off in front again. And, if you do watch the replay, look at Rising Romance working home strongly out wide. Forget Boban went around. Back and wide throughout, and as I said on other preview posts, he was a real risk with Schofield not riding and that was proven correct.

Mahuta showed he could well be the best Australian chance of winning the Australian Guineas with a superb on speed win in the Autumn Stakes (1400m). He was hustled out of the gates by Brad Rawiller to lead at a strong tempo and that just broke his rivals hearts, most notably Holler, who sat outside him and was beaten on the turn.

Sailing By, the lone filly in the race, charged home late near the inside and would have won in another stride while the real eye catcher from the back was clearly the stablemate Tarzino, who worked home strongly.

As much as $16 was offered for Samara Dancer earlier in the week for the fillies edition of the Blue Diamond Prelude, and the smart punters latched on, sending her out a $4.20 chance. That support was clearly justified with a dominant win, aided by a lovely steer from Dom Tourneur.

What I will say is that she looked fit in the yard whereas the runner up, Concealer, who nearly should have won had she jumped cleanly, looked to have a bit of a belly and would improve off the run. I think they are the two to follow from the race. Calliope was with the winner on the turn but just looked lost around Caulfield.

Advertisement

I am not sure racing anti-clockwise is her, but I won’t sack her just yet.

Flying Artie stamped his Blue Diamond credentials with a huge win in the boys edition of the Prelude. He missed the kick and sat midfield/wide for the trip yet surged under hard riding from Oliver to nab Star Turn in the last couple of strides.

The runner up was very good also considering he sat outside a hot speed and was the lone survivor from that. Effort wise, he was great, but looking towards the Blue Diamond, I’d clearly want to be on Flying Artie from this race.

Three to follow at Caulfield
1. Bow Creek
2. Rising Romance
3. Concealer

Winx is the star attraction of Australian racing at the moment and she kicked off her 2016 campaign in outstanding style with a breathtaking win in the feature event at Randwick, the Apollo Stakes (1400m). The well backed Solicit ran along in front and made sure it was a genuinely run race for the Cox Plate hero. However Bowman wasn’t concerned, gliding up underneath the leader at the top of the straight and going through her gears to win with plenty in reserve.

Hauraki produced a lovely return to racing in third position, but it’s all about Winx.

Big Money is one of the best country gallopers in New South Wales and he showed he can mix it with the big boys in town with a last stride win in the Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at Randwick. He nailed Decision Time right on the peg, with the heavily backed Rich Enuff in between for third, about a lip away.

Advertisement

Gun ride from Robert Thompson on the winner, who waited and waited before pressing the button. Rich Enuff looked the winner 250m out but he just didn’t ping when let down but kicked on strongly. Generalife was solid, but he had a belly on him, so look for him next time out.

Three to follow at Randwick
1. Rich Enuff
2. Telperion
3. Hauraki

close