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The 2014 Ranvet Stakes (2000m, Group 1, weight-for-age) brings together the best of Australia’s middle-distance horses. Join us for a live blog as we build up to the 4:40pm race time.
Headlining this great race is Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente, making his second-ever Sydney appearance, and last year’s three-year-old Triple Crown winner, It’s A Dundeel.
It may not be as simple as a match race though, with several other contenders such as Hawkspur, Foreteller, Silent Achiever, Sertorius and Carlton House ready to pounce.
If you had to award Horse of the Year honours right now though, it would go to Fiorente. Few modern Melbourne Cup winners return better in the autumn, but having taken the Peter Young Stakes and Group 1 Australian Cup, Fiorente is now in that rarefied air – the sort reserved for the likes Of 1991 Melbourne Cup Winner, the great mare Let’s Elope.
Fiorente’s racing pattern makes for gripping entertainment – he usually settles worse than midfield before being urged to make his move around 600m from home for one long and sustained sprint at his rivals.
He loves to chase and knows exactly where the finishing post is. Foreteller and Hawkspur also have similar racing patterns to Fiorente.
One of the big questions that will determine the result of today’s Ranvet is just how far back Damien Oliver will allow Fiorente to travel?
We already know Hawkspur will be at the tail from his wide draw.
Will Fiorente be ridden slightly out of his comfort zone, closer to the speed? If he is ridden out of his comfort we know he can run well. He was third in the Cox Plate (2040m, Group 1, weight-for-age) after racing in an unfamiliar position.
It’s A Dundeel’s adaptability gives him an advantage in this race. Jockey James McDonald took off early in the 1600m Chipping Norton but was run down by the incredible Boban.
Second-up today looks far better for him fitness-wise. You only have to look at his defeat of Atlantic Jewel in the Underwood (1800m, Group 1, weight-for age) to see how dangerous he will potentially be second-up from a spell.
In the Underwood last year, It’s A Dundeel also made an early move. It turned the race into a staying contest and led to what will probably be remembered as the best win of his career. It wouldn’t surprise in the slightest if similar tactics are employed here to catch backmarkers Fiorente, Foreteller and Hawkspur off-guard.
Hawkspur was sensational running third in Boban’s Chipping Norton victory. The issue for him will be a lack of early speed in the race.
Almost by default you’d expect Carlton House to lead but there is no obvious challenger to him on the pace – perhaps Moriaty or Sertorius will race a little closer but it would be a surprise to see them all eyeballing each other, challenging for the lead.
All of this adds up to a tricky scenario for Jim Cassidy on Hawkspur. Hawkspur was not able to perform at his best after being ridden closer to the lead in the C.F Orr (1400m, Group 1, weight-for-age) first-up. And with the probable lack of speed, his task could well be enormous if he is ridden quietly in the Ranvet.
Foreteller could be the real dark horse of the field. Last year’s Ranvet winner will obviously be suited here at Rosehill, which is home track, over 2000m.
His fourth in last year’s Cox Plate was also a ripper because he came from 11th on the turn. He was less than a length from Fiorente last start in the Australian Cup last start.
Five-year-old New Zealand mare Silent Achiever has regained her best form back home and now returns for her autumn tilt. As they say, when a mare is in form, they tend to string a few good runs together. In any case, she will need to be at her absolute best here to feature against the likes of Fiorente and It’s A Dundeel.
It would be dangerous to dismiss the talented Moriaty and Sertorius altogether. But based on what we’ve seen of them in their careers so far, a victory for either would have to be considered a massive surprise.
With so many competitors best ridden off the pace in this year’s Ranvet, it just may come down to a brutal sprint home.
One thing is for sure, the picture for the $4 million 2000m Queen Elizabeth on April 19 is about to get a lot clearer.
Roar racing writers’ autumn tipping competition (five points if winning horse is tipped for first; three points if tipped for second; two for third and one for fourth):
Josh Cooke – Today’s live blogger.
1. Fiorente
2. It’s A Dundeel
3. Foreteller
4. Hawkspur
Justin Cinque – Roar Racing Editor
1. Hawkspur
2. It’s A Dundeel
3. Fiorente
4. Sertorius
Cameron Rose – Roar Expert
1. Fiorente
2. It’s A Dundeel
3. Moriarty
4. Foreteller
Alfred Chan – Roar Guru
1. Fiorente
2. It’s A Dundeel
3. Foreteller
4. Sertorius
Brad Durrant – Roar Guru
1. It’s A Dundeel
2. Fiorente
3. Sertorious
4. Moriarty
Brent Ford – Roar Guru
1. Fiorente
2. Hawkspur
3. It’s A Dundeel
4. Silent Achiever
Points tally after last night’s William Reid Stakes:
Brent Ford – 16
Alfred Chan – 12
Cameron Rose – 9
Brad Durrant – 9
Justin Cinque – 8
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