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Past the post: Randwick and Caulfield wrap

Roar Guru
17th September, 2016
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Winx is going for a record at Randwick. (Photo: AAP)
Roar Guru
17th September, 2016
11

Saturday was all about Winx in the George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, and she didn’t let the punters and the decent crowd trackside down with another commanding performance.

She had the back of Hauraki all the way and was always holding that horse at bay very easily.

But I will say this now…I am going to take on Winx in the Cox Plate.

I am not going to argue the fact she is a champion. She is. But I have major concerns about her running a strong 2040m. Let’s not beat around the bush. The Cox Plate last year was handed to her on a platter and she was good enough to take it and spank them.

But that won’t happen in 2016, and she will take on a much stronger field, with more depth, and let’s not discount the potential of three year olds, who will get a decent weight pull on her.

$2.10 to win one of the hardest 2000m races in the world? No, thank you. I agree she’ll be hard to beat, but I wouldn’t be declaring her like some people are.

Back to the George Main, and Hauraki was super in running second. He made Winx stretch just that little bit, and he’ll take some beating in whatever he contests. That’s about all you can say for the race.

The other Randwick race I want to look at is the Shorts (1100m), won in determined fashion by Takedown. Trainer Gary Moore said pre race that the horse was screwed down to win fresh and after hard riding from Tim Clark, he eventually wore down Ball Of Muscle to get the job done. Kaepernick was the eye closer late to run a close up third, just ahead of Dothraki, who was given every chance by just couldn’t quite finish it off.

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The obvious flop was the even money pop English. I’ll concede she didn’t get the cart up into the race, but her finish was weak, especially for a mare that was backed as if unbeatable and has been touted as the up and comer to challenge Chautauqua. Based on this, I think dodging Chautauqua would be wise.

The feature race at Caulfield was the Naturalism Stakes (2000m). Jameka was already assured a start in the race, but she stamped her credentials furthermore with an outstanding win in the race, aided by a ballsy ride from Nick Hall, who cut back to the inside, where no jockey was game to head, but she loved it and ended up demolishing her rivals to say to the racing world she is a live Caulfield Cup threat.

Sydney Cup winner Gallante was first up and he was outstanding in defeat. Sat on speed all the way and just wouldn’t turn it up. I underestimated him and I certainly wouldn’t discount in whatever he contests. The third placegetter Berisha trialled well last Friday at Cranbourne and backed that trial up with arguably the best run of the race. I am not a fan of the Mornington Cup winner getting a free ride into the Caulfield Cup, and while he won’t win the race, I think his effort here warrants his start.

Set Square took off a fair way out from home and she was really solid in fourth, but she was the one of the Ciaron Maher pair that needed to win. Her Caulfield Cup start hangs in the balance. The other eye catcher was Observational, who was closing off very nicely late between runners. A race like the Geelong Cup could be an ideal target.

The other two highlights for me were the dominant wins of Hartnell in the Hill Stakes (2000m) and He’s Our Rokkii in the second last at Caulfield. Hartnell looks spot on for the Caulfield Cup and I can see why he is near the top of the betting for that race. He’s Our Rokkii looks the perfect candidate for the Toorak/Crystal Mile/Emirates path. Not sure he’ll trouble Winx in the Cox Plate, but he has returned in fab order.

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