G’day Roarers! Great to be back for the Autumn Carnival, and I’ll start off by pumping up own tyres thanks to the win of Tidy Prophet at Morphettville on Saturday.
It had been a while between drinks for Luke Currie and Group 1 glory, but he got it spot on with Suavito in the C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m). He got the lovely sit off the speed from the good gate, peeling out behind Turn Me Loose and kicking on hard to get another well deserved major. All credit to trainer Nigel Blackiston, who had her primed with impressive jump outs after bone chips were removed after the Autumn Carnival last year.
The clear watch horse was Bow Creek, who did himself no favours with a tardy beginning, then got into a bumping duel with Lucky Hussler in the straight where there was one run. Lucky Hussler got it and burst through for second while Bow Creek pretty much went to the line under minimal pressure.
Other strong efforts were Hucklebuck from the wide gate, Turn Me Loose after pulling his head off in front again. And, if you do watch the replay, look at Rising Romance working home strongly out wide. Forget Boban went around. Back and wide throughout, and as I said on other preview posts, he was a real risk with Schofield not riding and that was proven correct.
Mahuta showed he could well be the best Australian chance of winning the Australian Guineas with a superb on speed win in the Autumn Stakes (1400m). He was hustled out of the gates by Brad Rawiller to lead at a strong tempo and that just broke his rivals hearts, most notably Holler, who sat outside him and was beaten on the turn.
Sailing By, the lone filly in the race, charged home late near the inside and would have won in another stride while the real eye catcher from the back was clearly the stablemate Tarzino, who worked home strongly.
As much as $16 was offered for Samara Dancer earlier in the week for the fillies edition of the Blue Diamond Prelude, and the smart punters latched on, sending her out a $4.20 chance. That support was clearly justified with a dominant win, aided by a lovely steer from Dom Tourneur.
What I will say is that she looked fit in the yard whereas the runner up, Concealer, who nearly should have won had she jumped cleanly, looked to have a bit of a belly and would improve off the run. I think they are the two to follow from the race. Calliope was with the winner on the turn but just looked lost around Caulfield.
I am not sure racing anti-clockwise is her, but I won’t sack her just yet.
Flying Artie stamped his Blue Diamond credentials with a huge win in the boys edition of the Prelude. He missed the kick and sat midfield/wide for the trip yet surged under hard riding from Oliver to nab Star Turn in the last couple of strides.
The runner up was very good also considering he sat outside a hot speed and was the lone survivor from that. Effort wise, he was great, but looking towards the Blue Diamond, I’d clearly want to be on Flying Artie from this race.
Three to follow at Caulfield
1. Bow Creek
2. Rising Romance
3. Concealer
Winx is the star attraction of Australian racing at the moment and she kicked off her 2016 campaign in outstanding style with a breathtaking win in the feature event at Randwick, the Apollo Stakes (1400m). The well backed Solicit ran along in front and made sure it was a genuinely run race for the Cox Plate hero. However Bowman wasn’t concerned, gliding up underneath the leader at the top of the straight and going through her gears to win with plenty in reserve.
Hauraki produced a lovely return to racing in third position, but it’s all about Winx.
Big Money is one of the best country gallopers in New South Wales and he showed he can mix it with the big boys in town with a last stride win in the Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at Randwick. He nailed Decision Time right on the peg, with the heavily backed Rich Enuff in between for third, about a lip away.
Gun ride from Robert Thompson on the winner, who waited and waited before pressing the button. Rich Enuff looked the winner 250m out but he just didn’t ping when let down but kicked on strongly. Generalife was solid, but he had a belly on him, so look for him next time out.
Three to follow at Randwick
1. Rich Enuff
2. Telperion
3. Hauraki
andrew
Guest
i though rich enuff was pretty disappoiting. had a dream run, and snowden said he was primed to run well first up for the new stable. the races only get tougher from here. there were lots of good runs in the Orr. the field now splits with half running the in futurity and the other half in the St George in 2 weeks. of those going to st george and aust cup path, fenway is silly overs for the aust cup at $61 (with centrebet).
Razzar
Guest
I'd say we need to see an Autumn and Spring of major success, to hail Winx as a champion. Quite a few horses out the Orr worth keeping close eyes on. Suavito will only improve off that run. Bow creek has upside. Turn me loose will benifit from run. Stratum star 4 wide, an honest run considering the extra ground covered. These horses are 4 & 5 yos, that have far more upside than the 6 plus yo group. I suspect katelyn could have won by another length if she wanted to in The Rubiton. Lovely sprinter round a bend and now getting her act together, that Heatherly.
mike from tari
Guest
10 minutes between the 3 states for most of the day was abysmal, line ups at the TAB counters with punters trying to get their bets on as you know a lot of punters wait til the last minute to put their bets on, did not enjoy the day one bit, the sooner those walkers in Melbourne wake up to themselves the better.
Adam Page
Roar Guru
Potential to be a champion. This carnival will determine whether she is a champion or a great horse. I have a slight preference that she is a great horse, not quite a champion. What I will see is that she looked very forward in condition yesterday and I don't know if there would be a stack of improvement fitness wise.
Brad Teuma
Roar Rookie
Winx is an absolute star. Whilst the margin wasn't big, it was a soft win on the line and she is in for another huge campaign. Chris Waller gave an interesting insight post race into the pressure of training such a successful, high profile mare. He s doing a super job and had her ready to win first up yesterday despite a big autumn carnival still ahead of her. Racing needs champions and this horse fits the bill perfectly.