TWO GOOD! Zahra wins back-to-back Melbourne Cups on Without a Fight as three horses pull up lame
Without a Fight completed the rare Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double on Tuesday as star jockey Mark Zahra went back-to-back in the big one after…
Hartnell stamped himself as the second best horse in Australia with a dominant return in a real highlight at Caulfield. Doomben didn’t have feature racing, but there were still some quality performances, so here are the Blackbookers.
Caulfield
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Oregons Day- Pulled up with a slow recovery, so an excuse there. Her effort late was still very good. Big tick for mine despite going down as favourite.
Fursa- Market said she only had three legs and while she didn’t win, I thought her effort was very good in the quicksand. Keen to see her on top of the ground.
Seannie- The jump outs weren’t as good as what the stable had said, but this fresh run was a ripper. I was a big fan of her in WA. Can’t wait to see her at Flemington.
Jukebox- Outstanding return from this boy, who I think could well be the best three-year-old in Melbourne. Looked in a bit if trouble but surged hard late to win. Excited to see where he goes.
Hartnell- Would he have beaten Winx yesterday? Under those circumstances, yes. He was brilliant and it’s a scary thought how much improvement he has left. Also a big tick to Abbey Marie.
Brave Smash- The one to follow big time from the meeting. Got into a nasty spot and Lane had to go to the quicksand near the rail and that beat him. He’s a in for a huge Spring.
Forget
Sea The Sparkle- Was no betting 200m out. She was home. I think she might have turned it up a bit there. Disappointing if you were on.
Onpicalo/Amovatio- Two very good campaigners. But for this prep, they are done with for sure. Both plain.
Black Heart Bart- He has been the best horse Victoria has had post Black Caviar but his effort was average, admittedly on a track rating he doesn’t like. But the races will only get harder.
Doomben
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Jetsonic- Continued his very good fresh record. Just got a touch lost around the turn but balanced up and savaged the line late.
Rancho Montoya- First up off a little freshen up, his run was very good. Got a little lost around the turn and attacked the line when balancing up.
Passionflower- This girl was a sneaky one to watch for the future. Ran last but was never clear at any stage and went around as if it was a trial.
Forget
Impregnable- He was awful as a heavily backed odds on pop. Just never looked like winning at all in what was a very, very thin race.
Steel Zip- He’s been a great campaigner, but surely retirement beckons. That was ugly to watch.