The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Past the post: Caulfield and Randwick wrap

Winx is going for a record at Randwick. (Photo: AAP)
Roar Guru
8th October, 2016
3

The race we all wanted to see was the clash between Winx and Black Heart Bart in the Caulfield Stakes (2000m), but in the end, it was an anti climax.

We wanted to see Winx and Black Heart Bart draw right away and fight out a classic, similar to that of Lonhro and Sunline.

But in the end, it was Winx who showed Victoria and the racing world that she is the one to beat in the Cox Plate, dismantling Black Heart Bart and putting him away with absolute ease – oh yeah, He Or She was a distant third.

But still, I am not quite 100 per cent convinced about Winx at a strong 2000m against the best of the best. The Caulfield Stakes on Saturday was a barrier trial and it cleaned the cobwebs out for the big dance at the Valley. I think she’ll be a threat, but I am risking her at the price.

The theory from most was that the Sydney three year olds were the dominant force ahead of the Melbournians and that proved spot on, starting off with Global Glamour and her tough on speed win in the Thousand Guineas (1600m).

It’s rare to see any horse win two Group 1 races in the space of seven days, let alone a three year old filly to do it in two different states. Only the high class can do that and she is indeed that.

I Am A Star was enormous in defeat. She got the run on the fence and looked to threaten with around 200m to go, but she just petered on the run and was held on the line, as was Whispering Brook, with both placegetters having suck runs behind the leader/winner.

It looked a race run at a slow tempo, so those at the back couldn’t really get involved. I’d be forgiving of some.

Advertisement

I had been a Divine Prophet for a while leading up to the Caulfield Guineas (1600m), but I was a tad worried with gate one given his racing pattern. However Dwayne Dunn produced a peach, aided by a bit of luck in the straight, to get the colt home in the classic, getting the verdict ahead of Seaburge, who looked the winner most of the way until the Team Hawkes runner got the split. Hey Doc proved the Stutt Stakes win was no fluke with a strong third.

I don’t think many people missed the run of Si Si Bon. His run was similar to that of 2005 Caulfield Guineas winner God’s Own. He has Polanski written all over him and should be followed with confidence.

Impending just got too far back and shunted wide, so forgive him, as you should with Sacred Elixir. Everyone could see he was a colt in the mounting yard. He should improve off that. As for Impending, he ran well but I think that may have just bottomed him out and the spelling paddock is in order.

He’s Our Rokkii had the perfect preparation for the Toorak Handicap (1600m) and once again, Dwayne Dunn was at his brilliant best, shoving into the clear at the right time and pouncing hard over the concluding stages to record a well deserved Group 1 win. He beat home the leader and roughie Great Esteem, who gave a bold sight in front and was holding everything else at bay. Tivaci grabbed third just ahead of Royal Rapture, who was enormous in defeat after pulling very hard outside the speed.

I couldn’t believe the price of Counterattack. He was ridiculously short given the clear fact he isn’t a miler and he has shown previously that he struggles to run out a genuine 1400m. He is becoming a real milk drinker.

Yankee Rose was clearly the best horse in the race when it came to the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick and despite a few anxious moments, the heavily backed filly powered home over the top of her rivals to perhaps earn herself a Cox Plate start and provide one of the best riders in Australia, Dean Yendall, with his first major in the saddle.

This was a proper 2000m race with Ready Fire Aim pushing the button 800m from home and getting a few of his rivals off the bit, but Yendall sat quietly before asking the filly for the effort at the top of the straight and though there wasn’t really a turn of foot, she lengthened powerfully late and was much too classy for Swear, who had his chance but will be much better in the Autumn. Third in was Prized Icon, who had to stick to the inside, which wasn’t the A ground.

Advertisement

I said after the Sires triumph that you could do worse things than have something each way on Yankee Rose in the Cox Plate. Not saying she’ll win, but she’ll surely get in the field now being a dual Group l winner as a three year old filly, and with only 47.5kg on her back, gee I can see her running a mighty race.

The one to follow from the afternoon was Star Turn. He was enormous in the Schillaci. Sat three wide no cover for the trip yet just ambled to the front and when Williams gave him a squeeze, he put a decent margin on them. Bring on the Coolmore!

close