Sydney was at it again when Peter and Paul Snowden continued their recent dominance of the Caulfield Guineas (1600m). Shooting To Win, aided by a brilliant steer from James McDonald, proved a touch too good for hot favourite Rich Enuff.
Wandjina wound up late for third just ahead of Kumaon.
Full credit to the winner, he had the charmed run and gun ride. But if you backed the favourite, you’d feel a tad hard done by. The horse wanted to pull hard from about the 1200m to 800m mark, while copping pressure from Almalad, who was a big flop.
Rich Enuff quickly beat him off and went for home on the turn, but he was left a sitting shot, and it took a super colt in Shooting To Win to eventually nail him.
Almalad was dreadful, and he was probably the only real failure in the race apart from Looks Like The Cat, but he can be forgiven due to the fact he was three wide no cover for the entire journey. Chivalry warmed up late and appears as one of the hardest to beat in the Derby should Kav head that way, as is the case with Moonovermanhattan.
Fawkner went straight into Cox Plate favouritism with a strong win in the Caulfield Stakes (2000m), holding off an eye catching Criterion, with Side Glance, who was beautifully ridden by Jamie Spencer, sticking on for third.
The best of the beaten brigade was clearly Sacred Falls, who went back from the wide gate and savaged the line late for fourth, narrowly ahead of Happy Trails, who got badly hampered on the turn by Crackerjack King, courtesy of a peeling Nick Hall on the winner.
Dissident should be forgiven given he bled. He will come back in the Autumn and prove to be a worthy WFA contender.
Can the nickname, ‘The Fighting Tiger’, which is held for the former champ Northerly, be given to Trust In A Gust? He was just so powerful, gutsy, determined, outstanding and courageous in winning the Toorak Handicap (1600m). He sat outside a strong tempo set by Solicit, quickly put that mare away on the turn and held off all of his rivals to his second successive Group l and provided Brad Rawiller with his 17th.
Speediness came between runners and surged until the 75m, then the winner found again and was pulling clear late. Rank outsider Desert Jeuney loomed as the winner on the turn, but the class factor just beat him late and he narrowly held on for third ahead of Akavoroun.
Arabian Gold was given every chance by Craig Williams, getting the drag up behind the winner, but was beaten 600m and dropped out of it. She will go back to the Myer, but would want to improve.
It wouldn’t be a feature race day without Chris Waller winning a major, and that came thanks to the Thousand Guineas when Amicus, ridden superbly by Hugh Bowman, wore down Queenslander Traveston Girl to win narrowly, with Sabatini in third.
The two flops were Go Indy Go and Lumosty, who just couldn’t get into the race from the back and I think they can be forgiven, more so Lumosty, given she is on the rise. Go Indy Go was forgiving, as well as disappointing.
Many have applauded the idea about bringing the Thousand Guineas forward to this day. I personally think it’s much worse than racing it on the Wednesday. No horses from the Flight Stakes or Edward Manifold backed up, because a seven-day back-up is virtually impossible for a three-year-old filly who is trying to win two Group l events.
What I’d do is scrap the Caulfield Classic (2000m) and bring back the Norman Robinson, and instead run the Thousand Guineas on Caulfield Cup Day. It’s a fortnight after the Flight and Edward Manifold and it gives a horse two weeks leading into the Wakeful Stakes (2000m) on Derby Day. I’d keep the Ethereal Stakes (2000m) as well, as it gives fillies a chance to see if they can run the 2000m. If not, come back to the blacktype 1800m race on Oaks Day.
Rubick showed he will take a power of beating in the Coolmore with a dominant on pace win in the Schillaci Stakes (1000m). What made the win so impressive was that he was taking on proven Group l runners, it was his first run as a three-year-old and against the older horses. He deserves to be near the top of the betting for the Coolmore.
Platelet was first up and had the dream run behind the speed and ran to the line well for second, ahead of Overreach, who would have lost no admirers with her third placing given she was first up in 18 months.
Big Memory got himself a start in the Caulfield Cup with a win in the Herbert Power (2400m), holding off Signoff on track and in the stewards room. Let’s Make A Deal was close up in third, while on face value the eye catcher was Protectionist, but the winner did want to lay out in the straight, so the Germans run may look a tad flattering in what looked just an even Herbert Power.
Three things I learnt from Caulfield
1. Again, Sacred Falls has the Cox Plate at his mercy
2. Protectionist won’t be winning a Melbourne Cup
3. Don’t rule out Earthquake in the Coolmore Stud
Most, nearly all experts, thought the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) would be a two-horse race at Randwick, but never doubt the Queen Of The Turf, Gai Waterhouse. Hampton Court, who is part-owned by James Packer, powered home over the top of Sweynesse and First Seal to win by a widening two lengths and jumped straight to the top of the betting for the Victoria Derby.
Sweynesse was given every chance by Shinn, but was beaten by a better horse, as was the case with the First Seal, who got unbalanced 500m out, then had her chance in the straight.
Three things I learnt from Randwick
1. Hampton Court is the one to beat in the Derby
2. There is a nice race in Danesiri
3. Aomen will win the Railway at Ascot
Ron wilderson
Guest
Yeah Sacred Falls will have the cox plate at his mercy. Just need torrential rain b4 the race for a heavy track. Doubtful that will happen though. Used to think it was the best middle distance horse b4 dundeel had his measure in their last race and Dundeel didn't have the magic in last years race. So that's it for sacred falls I'm afraid
ray
Guest
Still have doubts about Sacred falls winning a Cox Plate. All three of his gri 1 wins were on big tracks, maps back, and usually needs time to wind up. On the day, he could possibly be an easer in betting, but more of a 10s or 12s chance for mine. Looks a thin Cox plate on face value right now. Fawkner may have it at his mercy, but he's slightly limited sprint often allows others to present themselves. Take last Saturdays Caufield stakes, and run it at Flemington. Criterien possibly wins. If Criterien runs up to the the stakes runs He'll be right in it. At 4 comapred to Fawkner at 7, he can improve to a higher degree than than Fawkner. Maybe Criterien will firm on day. Take it on face value the Cauf stakes is 'Pure Form' maybe id set Fawkner at an 18% chance of winning the Cox 9/2. Given Criterian has to run on from behind. But given improvement, and luck in running, i'd rate him a 15% chance, 6/1. Still, Barriers and final field could still present some curve-balls
Adam Page
Roar Guru
I just think the horse is in career best form and is clearly looking like he will run 2000m. All he needs is an inside gate to get the smother chasing a hot speed set by The Cleaner and/or Side Glance. On current form, Fawkner is the one to beat, but I'm sticking solid with Sacred Falls
Cameron Rose
Expert
We can only dream of a national approach, can't we Andrew... Great points on Sacred Falls and Fawkner for that matter. The latter's versatility plus his strength and acceleration at the end of any trip are the keys to his deserved Cox Plate favouritism. The one to beat.
andrew
Guest
Cameron. your point makes sense about the flight, but that would require a national approach to race-programming now wouldn't it. of course syd wont change their dates, nor should they. further, if the changed the flight they would need to change the princess series (tea rose, and furious) all. on sacred falls. I agree, he has been ridden cold in the 2000m races. thus, never a chance of a winning, but running on. I actually think whobegotyou was similar. he didn't run a strong 2000m in my view, but when ridden cold (and thus not realilstically going to win) - he would run on into a high placing at 2000m, as opposed to being put in the race, maybe win, but more than likely suffer and wilt. if we were going to get a sit-sprint cox plate, then sacred falls chances would be enhanced, but this simply will not happen with the cleaner in the race. and the fact it WILL be strong run, surely works against him. fawkner on the other hand had 2nd best closing splits in melb cup and is a caul cup winner. I think sacred falls has 1 or 2 scenarios where he wins (a pinker pinker type split), whereas fawkner has 4 or 5 (in terms of how race shape pans out).
Cameron Rose
Expert
Adam is certainly backing himself in on Sacred Falls, so he has to be admired for that, but I have to ask, when has the horse ever looked like winning over 2000m? Plenty of fillies back up in five days from the Wakeful to the Oaks, and that's running 4500m in five days. I think they can handle 3200m in seven. That said, I'd keep both Guineas on the same day, but bring the Flight forward a week. It's not required on Epsom/Metropolitan day, they're the only two races people really care about. Gives the fillies two weeks into either the Thousand or the Spring Champion then.
Albo
Guest
With The Cleaner, Adelaide & Side Glance all possibly in the field and running them along at a pace , if you can't run out a strong 2000m you might need to rethink your place in the field ! I fancy Fawkner & Happy Trails peeling out off these leaders backs on the turn and fighting it out down the straight.
Brent Ford
Guest
Yeah I know hoping for a big miracle. Sacred or Fawkner look the goers, haha how good was United today against the Roar? Good pick up I reckon!
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
Sorry Brent can't see it. Should have been set for Melbourne Cup. Form around him is pretty terrible but I guess stranger things have happened and new environment could produce a miracle. I was yelling come on Adelaide this afternoon though lol (A-League).
ray
Guest
At present the Cox P just has a little lack lustre feel about. Many spruiked look to have seen better days. Would love to see connections of Shooting to win apply for late nomination giving the Cox a little more spark. It now appears the imports will hassle the cleaner so he's gone on turning. Fawkners going well but he has a limited sprint, & from 9 nine attempts at gr1 he now has 2 wins. On that determination, he's rock bottom odds, & now that Dissident is out, intrigue is a bit wanting.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Come on Adelaide!
andrew
Guest
adam - appreciate the combativeness and determinism of still claiming sacred falls has cox plate 'at his mercy'. dissapointing fawkner has not impressed you enough to atleast concede he has some hope of winning the cox plate, and thus his rival does not have at its mercy. sacred falls was ridden cold, so he was entitled to 'run on', and he saved ground around the turn, and got a split, of course he powered once clear. i thought he did peak on his run the last 50m, but with the right run, i think sacred falls can get the 2040m (and a truly run one at that courtesy of the cleaner). however, i doubt sacred falls can sustain a long run of 600m or so or work in the run, or race without cover and win the cox plate. the benefit of fawkner is you know what you are going to get regardless of what the barrier, track patter, weather, tempo is. he perfoms under all conditions at all tracks from distances 1400m up to 3200m, handicaps or WFA. he jumps clean from the gates, relaxes in the run and converseves energy, sprints when required instantly, and can be tough if a tight finish looms and some desire to find the line is required.
kv joef
Roar Guru
Concerning the CaulStks. the race was setup perfectly by Spencer with a beautifully judged ride on high-class G1 international, Side Glance forcing the quinella to run 2.01 and change to beat him. i was immensely impressed with the first 2 over the line. Fawkner did the bull-work and just got stronger. Criterion proved that his autumn form was no flash-in-the-pan. i wouldn't think that Sacred Falls run was any better than Happy Trails BUT you'd be plenty pleased with both of them. Allowing Criterion is trained by the 'Bart Cummings' of South Africa, an improvement would still be expected into the race. But really Fawkner is the bees-knees, allowing we know he will improve as he did from the Turnbull to the CCup last year. No worries about the pace this year. Don't think The Cleaner will get a bludge anywhere with Side Glance on his hammer and i would expect Adelaide to go forward. With an honest G3 track on CoxP day we might see the record go. What a race!!!
Adam Page
Roar Guru
He is being set for the McKinnon, not going to the Cox Plate
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
Actually "prepared to forgive the run" in regard to Sacred Falls is poor terminology from me. There was nothing to forgive as the run was good. Just not so sure it was as good as the winner and runner up, though it has to be said they were in a much better position throughout. Fair to say that Criterion savaged the line and maybe he is the one we have all underrated this Spring. Solely set for the Cox Plate it seems which is interesting in itself. Timed to the minute? Junoob formline is interesting too. Maybe we are underrating that horse a tad from a Caulfield and Melbourne Cup perspective?
Seashells
Guest
Arabian Gold has since been confirmed as pulling up injured, expected to resume in the Brisbane Winter.
Anders James Mahoney
Guest
There is only one super horse with the Cox Plate at it's mercy my friend and it is the ever-powerful Super Cool. His gutsy 'hanging in' efforts this prep have been excellent and, while occasionally too far from the post, have convinced me he's ready to mount the podium once more. I will be putting the kids' school fees and December's mortgage repayment on his back come the 25th.
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
Zac Purton commented after the Caulfield Stakes that 2000m is as far as Sacred Falls wants which is a concern. He didn't savage the line (jst finished off okay) and in fact at the 300m mark looked to get his chance when the heavens opened. He just didn't accelerated in the straight as you would like to see. At first I was prepared to forgive the run because of the perceived track bias toward on pacers but not so sure now given the pattern seemed to have changed at the end of the meeting. Fawkner surely has more improvement in him. Criterion coming good but overall the Cox Plate has dropped away alarmingly. There may only be 3 or 4 chances.