Winx stamped herself well and truly as the best horse in the world, Almandin left doubts in the minds of Melbourne Cup punters while at Randwick, Ace High got his Group 1 win while Dixie did her thing. Here are the Blackbookers.
Flemington
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Sunlight- I wouldn’t exactly be dropping off her just yet. Looked as if she was going to bolt in but just didn’t quite finish it off. She will improve off that and the trials leading in were too impressive to sack off one run.
Rellson- I think he’s going to make a really good Autumn three-year-old. Just got too far back in a slowly run race and had to do too much work. He’s had a taste of the big time. I’d tip him out and set him up for the Autumn.
Main Stage/Weather With You- The obvious was Main Stage. His win was unbelievable considering where he was at the top of the straight. Don’t drop off Weather With You. Was flat footed but his last 100m and through the line was strong.
French Emotion- Not a noted fresh performer, but it was a lovely return from her in the Blazer. Got warm very late in the piece. Definite pass mark for a mare heading towards the Myer.
Forget
Esperance- Some said he was better than She Will Reign…just let that sink in. He was awful after a relatively soft run.
Spieth- He’s not 100 per cent clearly. Something wrong with him. But from a punting perspective, no more. Absolutely no more.
New Tipperary- Ordinary ride, but he’s a bludger. Been a while since he has won, and this did look a thin contest. Not for me anymore.
Randwick
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Interlocuter- Only eyes for him from R3. Ugly ride when getting clear but when he did, it was painless. He will only improve off that and he can pick up a low level blacktype race during the Melbourne Spring.
Mighty Lucky/Shillelagh- Mighty Lucky is low flying at the moment. With all due respect to Innes Jr, if a senior jock goes on, he goes close. As for the mare, the ride was just far too negative. 1400m mares race on Cup Day looks an ideal race.
Firsthand- Ripping return from this bloke. Got back and was held up for a brief period but his finale was excellent. He can win a race or two this time in.
Forget
Schedule- Not sure where to for this horse but perhaps a drop back for a confidence boost will do him good. He’s not quite up to winning a Highway for now. Pretty plain here.
Chauffeur- Oh dear. They tried him out as a miler. Trying to make him a sprinter…that didn’t work…not ideal. He’s a money muncher.
Spring Champion As A Derby Form Race- Ace High was superb in winning, but he fell in and the depth of the field was just fair. I think what we’ve seen in Melbourne is superior.
Adam Page
Roar Guru
Not as good as we all thought? Normal luck and he should be a multiple Group l winner. Stevie Wonder can see that. Bled from one nostril first up and sometimes that scenario can have an effect on horses letting down like normal in subsequent races. Good example of that is Omei Sword. Hasn't been the same since her bleeding attack. He's running out of excuses.
Roger
Guest
"He's not 100% clearly" - I really don't think there was much "wrong" with Spieth? Flopped out of the gates, never settled, pulled the whole way with his head to the side, got a poor run in the wrong part of the track and Corey Brown was out ridden by a number of jockeys. By all reports he looked great in the yard. Closing splits were sound, just maybe not as good as we all thought. His still a group 1/2 quality sprinter, just not a $3 chance in moderate fields anymore. Can definitely win a quality sprint if everything falls into place and will probably cause a blowout one day but be very hard to catch from here. What did you think was wrong?
Adam Page
Roar Guru
Disappointing for sure John. Posted on Twitter minutes before the race that I had to put something on Amelie's Star because she looked brilliant in the yard. I think the Caulfield Cup is between Bonneval and an international, possibly Francis Of Assisi
John
Guest
What did you think of Harlem’s run? looked a tad disappointing on face value