Spring racing is upon us with the Aurie’s Star in Victoria and the Missile Stakes in Sydney suddenly appearing on the landscape, jolting punters out of their winter slumber.
Both races this year are chock full of horses that potentially could leave an indelible mark on one or both carnivals in those states.
Looking at both fields, you would have to say the Missile in Sydney looks the more likely to unearth a Spring star, but there is one horse in the Flemington Group 3 sprint down the straight that appeals to me as the horse to watch today: Crackerjack King.
Crackerjack King is a half brother to the G1 winner Jakkalberry, who ran a mighty race to take third in the 2012 Melbourne Cup won by Green Moon, and the reasonably performed mare Freezy – who like this horse, started her career in Italy, but now calls Australia home, having won 3 of her 11 starts here.
Arguably had this horse not been injured and out of action for nigh on two years now, he would have eclipsed the record of both his siblings. That is not hard to ascertain given he had star mare Danedream 6.5L behind him when he won the Italian Derby in Rome in May 2011.
It is history now that that mare went on to win the 2011 Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe later that November by a devastating 5L margin, beating the likes of Aussie champion So You Think and quality mare Snow Fairy who had won a G1 race in Japan the previous year by 4L.
Trainer David Hayes did have plans to run this horse in the 2013 Cox Plate but had to keep Crackerjack King on ice for another year given the bowed tendon injury that sidelined him the previous year was deemed not to have healed adequately.
It would be a big ask to expect the horse to figure in the finish today at a distance well short of his best after such a long layoff and I would imagine his connections would just love to see him making up a bit of ground on the placegetters late in the race.
The statisticians amongst us though would salivate at his 4/4 record first up (albeit none below 1800m) and would also point out his 3/3 second up record if he makes it through this race unscathed.
Stranger things have happened though and a win isn’t totally out of the realms of possibility, and the odds are generous given this isn’t the strongest rendition of this race – far from it in fact.
Many imports do perform very well at Flemington their first try – quite a few Melbourne Cup winners amongst them!
I’ll be watching on with great interest today (as will others I’m sure), and let’s just hope he can run a really nice race and at least get through to his ultimate goal this Spring, which appears to be the 2014 Cox Plate.
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
He hadn't run for 2 years Sammy. Running stayers at 1200m is not a new thing, though it probably isn't as common now as it used to be. These types of races are merely used to get the horse to a peak fitness level later on in their campaign in a lot of instances. Some can win if the pace is suicidal and they get back and finish hard. That was not the case here. The first 600m was a bit of a joke really 36.19 compared to a last 600m of 33.67. Hence that is why CJ was able to keep up early, but off that sort of moderate tempo he was never going to be suited. Just disappointing he didn't hold his ground a lot better. The way he ended the race was worrying from an injury perspective. Even off that long a break you were entitled to see him do more the last 200m.
Sammy
Guest
Hi Brisburgh. I thought he was returning from some sort of injury ? I just think running them over 1200M is a bit dumb for a horse like that, they rarely get a chance for a sit and work into the race. If you look at the most successful ex-Euro's to adapt to Australian racing like - Fiorente, Foreteller, Lucas Cranach, Manigahr, The Offer, Puissance De Lune etc ….what do they all have in common ???…... NEVER raced at 1200M. Even his half brother who you mention never raced anything less than 2000M. Sure they need to re train him a bit to Oz racing patterns…but seem a strange one to me. Lets see what happens next start.
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
Hi Sammy. Is there a problem with the horse as I haven't heard anything? He dropped out alarmingly from the 400m but at that stage was probably 2 lengths from the leader and looked a fleeting chance. He seemed to race very fresh and the last thing I expected to see was him being that prominent in the run. They had to start him off somewhere this Spring and this race is a traditional starting point for stayers and middle distance horses heading to the Cox Plate and Cup races. No turn would have put less pressure on his legs I'm guessing so that might have been another reason. Either he got injured in that race or his fitness levels were totally inadequate. You would need to see a vast improvement from him in either or both of his next 2 runs if he is to be competitive this Spring.
Sammy
Guest
Why the hell would they start him down the straight and over 1200M ?! Sure its easy in hindsight, but it was a disaster. The horse has never run less that 1800M in its career ? He's coming back from an injury…so what should we do ?…... put him in a high pressure sprint down the straight ! Duh ! Sums up how David Hayes is going at the moment if you ask me!
Drew H
Guest
You're a gentleman and a scholar Andrew. I do try to gain from your apt. Also, you show independence and insight to all of your submissions. This is the most important thing. Your comments are always noted by me. You maintain a perspective consistent to: "we're all mugs" , and "not everyone can win".
andrew
Guest
gents, my suggestion is just one article on a friday previewing the main race for each sat, with some tips, and then people can then post their thoughts and selections below. im always happy to toss in my 5 cents, and declare my best 3 or 4 for the weekend publicly.
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
Totally agree Alfred. Her best would be good enough today I feel, if she could produce it at this distance. Straight track might suit her so definitely worth an Each Way ticket at the price.
BrisburghPhil
Guest
Yes I like her too Alfred. Like you I'm not sure this is her race today but she probably has the most potential looking toward the Spring (outside of Crackerjack). Gotta be worth a small each way bet today because she might relish the straight track. Her best might be good enough in a fairly weak race.
Alfred Chan
Expert
I'm keen to see how Text'n Hurley comes out. 1200m will be a touch sharp for her today but Colin Little is setting her for the Cox Plate. She is Moonee Valley specialist so she doesn't need to do too much to convince me she'll be a genuine carnival contender.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Welcome to the Roar Phil! And what a cracking start I might add ;) I too was looking at his first up record and he looks like he could be something special today. I'm really hoping that this horse can add something to the Spring and it'll be great to see what it can produce from a key injury and whether or not it will be a big player this Spring. We've already seen what his siblings could produce, I'm always just a little bit wary of horses coming back from injury.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
We're working on it mate I'm working with the editors to get everything back up and running and hopefully we will have racing articles all year round. Is there anything in particular you'd like us to cover? Just gauging what sparks the interest of our fans.
andrew
Guest
about time some racing articles back here. should be year round. they race every day bar good friday and christmas day. i like phillip stokes horses in race 1 and 2 flem today. winter chilla in the 8th. over in adl aces and angels in race 2. my big horse to watch for the spring is divan from the lyyod williams team. exceptionally bred horse, amazing first up run. not often llyod nominates 3yo's for features and rarely runs them at 3. he has nomed 9 horses for the guineas, but only divan for the cox plate.