The Group 1 focus was at Caulfield on Saturday for the double header of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and Underwood Stakes (1800m), and the punters got it spot on.
Starting with the Underwood. I am not sure what to make of the win of Black Heart Bart. On face value, he was dominant, but for mine, he beat nothing. Nothing in the sense that there were stayers heading towards the Cups, others were outclassed, out of form, and one in particular (Lucia Valentina) was ridden as if she was in a barrier trial.
Winning any Group 1 WFA contest by over two lengths does deserve credit, but let’s not get carried away saying he is on par with Winx.
Loved the run of Lucia Valentina. Wasn’t entirely happy on the firm track I suspect, but she worked to the line with real purpose and is ticking over beautifully for a crack at the Cox Plate.
As I said earlier, the ride was a bit suspect. She was tucked in for a fair way in the straight before eventually peeling out and hitting the line with purpose.
The backmarkers never really got into the contest, so it’s hard to get a guide on them. The Caulfield Stakes (2000m) will the deciding factor.
Bon Aurum was smashed in betting late to win the Sir Rupert Clarke and that move was spot on as he got the Group 1 win under Kerrin McEvoy, who gave the horse an absolute peach of a steer, punching up to keep Counterattack wide before eventually getting on his back, then presenting at the right and showing tremendous fight over the concluding stages. Voodoo Lad was very good in defeat, but the hard luck story was clearly Fast ‘N’ Rocking. If he gets a clear run in the straight, he probably wins.
Have to forgive Counterattack. He was wide no cover on a genuine tempo. But he keeps letting punters down in majors. Telopea was another eye catcher. She was nearer the inside and didn’t really get a great deal of room.
And the horse they call ‘Sex On Hooves’ that is Xtravagant…I said on Twitter after his first jump out that I was keen to take him on, because he just didn’t look the part, and the two runs back that up. Best to keep him to New Zealand where he can clean up there.
The feature race at Rosehill was the Golden Pendant (1400m), and it was pretty much a barrier trial. Tycoon Tara, who had the really good form against the boys, led throughout without much pressure and she just kicked clear to win easily. None of them really changed their position in the run in what was poor to watch. If you were on First Seal, forgive and forget. She was first up and she would have had to have run nearly 33 to win. Very hard to do.
Looking at the support races from both meetings, I think the ride got the win for Impending in the Stan Fox (1500m) over Divine Prophet. Most had Impending near the speed, not last on the rail, but McDonald knew what he was doing and produced a copybook steer. I still want to be on Divine Prophet in regard to the Caulfield Guineas. He has the upside and is better when he has something to chase.
Put the pen through the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) as a form reference. Very messy race and 1.5L separated the first seven runners, some of which, including the winner, were coming off last start efforts at the midweeks. Tread very carefully when assessing that race. If there was one horse, perhaps Honeywine? But as I said, it’s suspect.
Not sure what to make of the Shannon Stakes (1500m). Moral Victory was given a lovely ride to win in what was a strange race. Is that Epsom form? I doubt it, but all you can do is win and that is what he has done. Entirely Platinum and Hi World were awful, more so the former. I’ve had enough of him.
From Caulfield, all eyes were on the Preludes, and really, how can they beat Sacred Elixir in the Derby, perhaps even the Caulfield Guineas also. He was an alarming drifter in betting despite appearing forward enough to run well fresh. He was huge and is the clear horse to beat in the Guineas. I wouldn’t drop off Evacuation. He was wide no cover all the way and was going to run last, but he kept whacking away.
No idea what to make of the Thousand Guineas Prelude. Credit to the winner, but she had a charmed run near the speed and got the win. My eyes were on Sebring Dream. She was very good in defeat I thought. Looked lost around Caulfield and between runners, but once she balanced up and got clear, she was very good. I think the Sydney fillies are dominant, but this is the Melbourne filly to follow for sure.
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