Well, wowee! Racing doesn’t get much better than what we saw on Saturday at Flemington and Rosehill, with outstanding performances, whether it be horse or human.
Let’s start off with the $400,000 Group l Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).
I’ll put my hand up, I potted Dissident because I thought he had everything go his way in the Memsie win, but all you could say about his win today was wow.
It was an amazing effort to sit outside a hot speed, kick at the top of the straight and fend off a Caulfield Cup winner in Fawkner. Massive effort and a much deserved Group l triumph, again.
As for the beaten brigade, Fawkner is the clear horse to follow going forward. No doubt if he was trained as a miler, like he was this time in 2012, he would have put three or four lengths on them. But now that he is a Cups horse, he just lacked that killer punch first up, but it was still a super run.
Puissance De Lune got another big tick for mine. Brad Rawiller tracked up every move Nick Hall made on Fawkner, peeled off his back and looked the winner for a few strides, but just couldn’t quite ping when let down. I have no doubt that if the track had any sort of give in it, he would have put them away.
Spillway was excellent from the back, Sertorious and Green Moon got strong pass marks heading forward. As for Boban, I am yet to see a head-on shot of the concluding stages, so I can’t determine for sure if he was unlucky. But one thing I know is that he hates being cluttered up between runners, so going back to the inside wasn’t ideal. I’m prepared to forgive him, just, but he is becoming costly.
Three wide no cover, it didn’t matter for Commanding Jewel when she took out the $200,000 Group ll Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m). Horses inside her kicked up early on, so Damien Oliver had no choice but to sit three deep, but the champion didn’t panic. He let her get into a nice rhythm, and when they straightened for home, she quickly put away Gregers and Solicit before fending a valiant Dear Demi to win narrowly, with nothing left in the tank on the line.
Jury is out on Solicit, because I thought she was entitled to do more, and Gregers is to never be backed again beyond 1200m. She had a charmed run outside the speed, but as soon as Williams went for her, there was nothing.
Rich Enuff proved that his McKenzie win was no fluke with a determined triumph in the $200,000 Group ll Danehill Stakes (1200m). Ridden by Michael Rodd, the Ken Keys-trained colt travelled sweetly down the straight, cruised to the lead at 400 metres and proved too good for Looks Like The Cat and Ghibellines.
Both placegetters were outstanding from the back, while I can forgive Brazen Beau, because he was ridden far too close to the speed. As for boom horse Galaxy Pegasus, I think it’s too much too soon. Wait until the Autumn and you’ll see how good this really is.
Did we see our next star of the turf? Perhaps, because it was very hard not to be impressed by the win of Chautaqua in the Bobbie Lewis (1200m). Dwayne Dunn had the gelding out the back with plenty of cover before peeling out 400 metres from home, counting to ten before letting down. And boy, what a turn of foot he showed. Would like to see him do it again, but if he does, there is a Group l win this Spring no doubt.
Temple Of Boom got a big pass mark for me. He was holding the rest of them off, but couldn’t hold off the winner, who was out of this world. In Cahoots did well for third, Speediness was good and Alma’s Fury was solid enough for a horse who will be better over further.
Three things I learnt from Flemington
1. Oliver still has the magic touch and can lift a horse over the line about as good as anyone I’ve seen.
2. Chautaquq is out next potential sprinter.
3. They are going to have to be very good to beat Fawkner in the Cups.
Many had Hallowed Crown penned down as simply just a wet tracker. Well, the horse and a gun Hugh Bowman ride quickly put those qualms to bed with a devastating finish to win the $1 Million De Bortoli Golden Rose (1400m), beating home an unbelievable Scissor Kick, who was no closer than four wide for the entire journey. Shooting To Win was on the back of the first two and worked home for third.
As for the rest? Bring Me The Maid didn’t have a great deal of luck and should have finished closer, but wouldn’t have won. Almalad and Nostradamus were much better on top of the ground and the former will go to Melbourne and be a real contender for the Caulfield Guineas.
The horse I liked, Sarajevo, worked home okay for sixth. What I’d love to see John O’Shea do with that horse is give him a little break and wind him up for a first up crack at the Coolmore on Derby Day. Big surroundings and the straight course would suit him perfectly I reckon.
Ridden with cover and He’s Your Man is one of the better up and coming stayers in Sydney, and he showed that in the $125,000 Group lll Kingston Town Stakes (2000m), powering clear of his rivals late to beat home Queenslander Kingdoms, with Kiwi visitor Deane Martin in third.
The talking points from the race were the flops of La Amistad and Greatwood. With La Amistad, I think this Spring has come around too soon for her to be a serious contender. I’d say wait until the Autumn and you’ll see her perform at a high level in good races, and we saw that when pressure is applied, Greatwood folded up and folded up bad. Could be overhyped a tad.
Cluster has always promised to win a good race and delivered for connections courtesy of a last-to-first triumph in the $200,000 Group ll Theo Marks Stakes (1400m). The son of Fastnet Rock was pocketed inside Bull Point and looked in trouble 600m out, but Corey Brown on Bull Point got going and followed up the three wide line started by Jetset Lad.
That allowed Cluster to get out and follow up Bull Point, and with the fitness edge and sharper turn of foot, Cluster just got the better of Bull Point in a thrilling finish. Ninth Legion was back in third ahead of Jetset Lad, who was excellent despite the hard run.
Three things I learnt from Rosehill
1. Greatwood is overrated.
2. Catkins will be winning a Group l this Spring.
3. Paul Messara might have gone the early crow in calling it quits as a trainer.
Adam Page
Roar Guru
No doubt Phil that had All Cerise got the clear run, she would have clearly run top three, and yes win. She was bolting in the run and looked as if she was about to burst through and win. I'm all over her next time out
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
Arghh... I was on All Cerise. I saw that happen but haven't watched a replay. Do you think she really would have won that?
kv joef
Roar Guru
"....Weir had said this was PDL’s GF, I’m not sure where he goes from here." i was told today that weir had said that the race in early november was not on the agenda. i was surprised. he looked physically stronger on saturday than i've seen him? thought his run was top-shelf and he would be pretty much where you would want a horse like him to be at this time in a prep ... that is ... if that race in november would be an afterthought :).
Adam Page
Roar Guru
Firstly with Who Shot The Barman, I agree with above...it was a solid win on Saturday, but he'd want to improve at least six lengths to warrant any sort of consideration for the Cups. What he beat on Saturday was very average. With Puissance De Lune, he can't lead. That's not his go. He did lead this time two years ago, but he wasn't beating up much albeit the way he did it was impressive. I still think he has come back in ripping order. All he needs is rain and he'll be winning a Group l. I'd love to see Schofield just glide Boban out of the gates, let him settle last, peel him wide and let down. Between horses isn't his go, he needs clear air and so far he hasn't had that this Spring. In saying that, he was entitled to do much more. As for the times at Flemington, that can be put down to a mix of both quality horses and a very firm track. Several horses at the meeting went amiss in their action and felt the dry surface eg Go Indy Go, so although closing splits were electric for the meeting, I wouldn't be jumping up and down yet. And I agree with Chautaqua. That could well be the win of the Spring Carnival. That turn of foot was Black Caviar-esque. The VRC Sprint Classic is at his mercy if he stays in that vein of form, even with the likes of Lankan Rupee and Sterling City engaged.
Bondy
Guest
BrisburghPhil That was Who Shot The Barman's first encouraging run in Oz and on top of the ground first time too he was massive overs in that race , he'd have to be on the limit to win a feature Cup for mine .
Bondy
Guest
I agree here Lads I started backing horses that I thought would be fourth the fence and in commision at Rosehill and after about four races realised it wasn't the best ground and horses drawn out were winning. Also PDL and possibly Boban should head towards the Toorak Hcp or the Vic Health Cup for Boban .
Bondy
Guest
Double post
Bondy
Guest
If PDL wants to be them at WFA he has to lead all final 600 mtr sectionals for the day were very quick 32.9's and 33.3 s stuff you cant beat horses doing that sitting a couple of lengths of the speed,impossible. If Boban needs to be wide which I agree with then he needs an outside gate/s if he's drawn inside 6 does that mean he can't win a race ?. Faulkner's run was top shelf they did come home in 32.9 and he's first up he should go for the Cups double. The standout run in Melbourne was Chataqua by a mile he killed them easily and I think he'll run a mile on his ear being out of Encosta nearly all of those stay I backed Hallowed Glory due to the way the track was playing I think Nostradameus and Almalad should be forgiven.for being on pacers in that race, the run of the race was certainly Scissor Kick I still think the Sydney 3 yr olds are better than the Mlb 3yr olds. Be wary of Jockeys talking horses up G Boss on Chivalry was a decent run but there was only a kilo weight difference over the eventual winner in Merion. Chivalry is a horse for the future worth taking on I believe due to his get back nature . Oh and Messene has to come back to Sydney he wouldn't win a Welter on the limit in Mlb currently. A great days racing and plenty in the kick, you beauty ..
Rock
Guest
Catkins won like you wanted it to, I took on Tom at $2.80, wish they let ya put more then 50 on. But didn't have time do any form for the day so wouldn't have been comfortable loading up anyhow. Watched the replays this morning and agree with what you've said, for me I'll definitely be following Dear Demi, classy mare and she's come back very well.
Adam Page
Roar Guru
Spillway needs to win the Turnbull or run top 3 to have any realistic chance of making the fields for the Cups, he is way down on the order of entry. Do remember the old champ Phil, but he was hopeless when racing in Australia. Want to see Puccini do it in Oz first
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
Wasn't a bad field Adam. He beat Rising Romance in the Derby over there and they smashed the rest of the field. He is as tough as teak and can make 2 runs in a race. A half brother to a Kiwi iron horse in Sir Slick. Not sure if you remember him but he won 22 races from 151 starts including 6 G1's. But none of them were in Australia.
Haradasun
Roar Rookie
Nice wrap. I just watched the 3yo races again. Some comments in no particular order: - Looks like the cat had a nice run first up. Rick enuff probably had some fitness on him, but the cat could be a good one to follow. Same with Brazen Beau he wasn't fit yesterday and is winding up - Big run from Zebulon. No surprises he has firmed from $20 to $9 for the guineas. Merion and Chivalry were also outstanding. - Almalad just grinding. Could be that they are training him up for the cox plate? - Shooting to win missed the start but had a great run. Looked like he peaked a bit at the end but was making ground on Hallowed Crown. He will win a race at some point definitely. - Great runs Hallowed Crown and Scissor kick. but did the fast lane out 4 wide yesterday flatter their efforts? If you take the view that the horses out wider yesterday had the better of it, makes Almalad's run a bit better. Happy to keep watching him, he still could be the best of a very even crop. For the cups, i thought Spillway's run was excellent. Is he going to cox plate? Caulfield cup? Both?
Adam Page
Roar Guru
Dear Demi is the horse to follow. Ridden a touch closer to the speed, she was very good late. Saw the win of Puccini, and he was impressive. Only query is what he beat and what he will have to face when he comes over.
Adam Page
Roar Guru
I'd just about 100% agree with you there! but earlier in the day All Cerise was about to burst through along the paint before getting absolutely cleaned up by Boss Lane. Had she got the clear run, no doubt in my mind she would have won the race. I think simply, horses that were near the rail simply weren't good enough and the better horses did come down the outside, but out wide was certainly the better going.
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
Cheers Brett. Should also mention Who Shot The Barman who was very good yesterday and he looks a great chance in the Melbourne Cup if he gets a dry track. Not too many handle a dry track at Flemington over 3200m so it would be right up his alley, and he has already won over 2 mile in NZ. In very good hands too!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Fawkner after yesterday became my horse to watch for the carnival was simply outstanding and I'm becoming a bigger fan of Nick Hall after each meeting. Chautaquq looks the goods, I'm interested to see if it ends up having a showdown with Lankan Rupee, I know the spring has only just begun but boy is this year going to be a good carnival! To add to that the news of all the Internationals set to join us shortly has me salivating.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
I think you've earned a rest to start the week Phil you've been phenomenal! Commanding Jewel was awesome but I reckon Dear Demi might be better this year getting out in distance and Nautical is certainly one to look for. Suprised by those sectionals for the Makybe Diva, and you already know how much I love Puccini!
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
Fully agree with everything you have said Adam and not much point me doing a Blackbook preview this week after this excellent article.. A very slick last 600m in the Commanding Jewel race made it nearly impossible for anything to win from back so might pay to follow a fast finisher (Dear Demi, Nautical?). Just a tad disappointed in the overall time run in the Makybe Diva because it looked an outstanding race to the eye. Haven't seen a replay but 33.80 last 600m I want to see what was running on in the end from the back, because if anything did we need to follow. Nice to see PUCCINI back to form in NZ. The key to him would seem to be dry tracks and he can make his presence felt in Australia this Spring.
ray ford
Guest
Boban had every chance, if he was going well, he would've pushed through that gap on fence. PDL is PDL thats about as good as you get. Dissident still as a 4yo still has more upside & letting down off the turns at the heath & valley, still makes him the horse to beat. Fawkners main aims are the cox plate & melb cups. He looks a threat in both. But Dissident at his age, may just have the edge. As a 7yo, Fawkner does have his work cut-out winning the cup. 7year olds have a low strike rate. If 10s are on offer around final noms, its ok odds, anything less at his age is poor value.
MAX
Guest
David Hayes is back and here to stay. Spillway was magnetic.