The Memsie Stakes at Caulfield is the Spring opener in Melbourne and boy it didnt let anyone down, producing an awesome race. It was last years Cox Plate runner up who was successful due to a great ride by Damian Lane. Earlier in the day we saw a super win by the Sepoy colt, Native Soldier. When he led the field for the Mcneil Stakes and kicked away on straightening for an easy win.While highlights in Sydney were the group 2 Tramway win of Unforgotten and the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes won by another from the Chris Waller stable who had a huge day, in Comin Through, getting the chocolates.
- Darren Weir and Humidor -- While the Waller camp were dominating in Sydney it was the Weir camp in Melbourne. In the group one Memsie Stakes there was a blanket finish with the once wayward, Humidor finding a pathway along the rails to steal victory on the line. After Vega Magic had kicked clear in the straight, a wall of challenges appeared including an unlucky Kementari, who was forced to race three wide the trip and a fast finishing Kings Will Dream who had to change course while Humidor got the dream run to score.
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Some of the other Darren Weir trained horses which saluted on Saturday were Native Soldier,Nights Watch, Bellaria, Mrs Gardenia and High Church. Native Soldier the winner of the group 3 Mcneil Stakes is by Sepoy and the style of his win had a lot of his dad in it. He sped over from the outside barrier setting up a good tempo and then booted clear for a very easy win. Jockey, Damian Lane had an epic day and he was aboard Night's Watch over the 1400m when he won easily to give the Weir camp yet another promising horse for the Spring. Damian is the jockey to follow this spring ! The one that got away from Darren Weir was the group 3 Heath as the Sydneysider Ball of Muscle showed awesome speed too burn his opposition off and although Voodoo Lad came rocketing home over the 1100m it was never in doubt for the eight year old, trained by Joseph Pride.
- Fastnet Rock and Comin Through -- The Tramway Stakes over 1400 saw the Fastnet Rock gelding, Comin Through continue Chris Waller's great day with jockey Michael Walker riding hard. He was able to hold off an unlucky Dixie Blossoms who fired in a unsuccessful protest. There are talks about the camp targeting the Japan Cup with him. The win of Unforgotten in the Group 2 1600m Chelmsford Stakes gave the Waller /Fastnet Rock combo a double at Randwick . The four year old mare now has 6 wins from 11 starts and halfway down the straight was in a tight spot with Hugh Bowman having to wait for an opening but when it came there was a lot of power in the engine and she exploded clear , for an easy win. A group one this spring is not beyond this mare and the runner up Ace High finished strongly to put the writing on the wall for the staying group ones this season.
- Redzel --The win of Redzel was an omninous sign for other Everest contenders as the Snitzel gelding scored an effortless win, in the Group 3 Concord Stakes. While the Snitzel clan recorded a double with the win of Goodfella for the Bjorn Baker team. The I Am Invincible filly, Pure Elation added the group 2 Furious
Stakes to her resume and also made it an extra good day for the Snowden
team and Michael Walker, both securing a double. The filly now has three
wins from six starts. In Adelaide we saw the High Chaparral gelding,Answer My Friend make it three in a row in his customary way by leading and kicking strongly on straightening to win the 1400m, Listed Penny Edition. There were a total of five winners by Sepoy in all states with wins to Lightz at Hawkesbury and True Pride at Grafton. Checkout Sepoy Here
The racing from Moonee Valley Saturday was a little spoiled by the on pace bias of the track but there were standout performances worth mentioning, in the main events. In the Mckenzie Stakes for three year olds we could have been seeing our next star as Brutal put the others to the sword with a powerful finish. His win against the bias gives every indication that 1600m of the Caulfield Guineas would be right up his alley. While Faatinah in the Carlyon Stakes for the Hayes/Dabernig stable has returned in great shape from his trip earlier this year, to Dubai. In Adelaide the last three races were won by the Ambidexters with the win by Dexelation in the last giving her four wins in succession. A Commands stallion that should be watched.
- Brutal and the Valley -- Brutal, the Hawkes trained colt by O'reilly could easily prove himself one of the best this Spring if yesterdays strong win against the bias is any guide. Jockey Dwayne Dunn positioned him just off the leaders and was troubled a bit on the turns but the colt showed a strong will to win when pushed out. I think he could definately get the 1600m trip of the Caulfield Guineas, if they head that way.
- Class prevailed in the listed Carlyon Stakes as the Nicconi gelding, Faatinah scored his first 1000m victory with sustained speed and a perfect ride from Regan Bayliss. The Hayes camp had been going on about how much he had improved after returning from Dubai and yesterday certainly showed that. He will be aimed towards the group one Moir Stakes.Merriest win in the first was the fifth of her career. The Denman mare has a few quirks but she is now a five year old so they just maybe starting to be eliminated from her appearances. I thought the win of Sweet Rockette needed to be mentioned as she put up a great effort for the Michelle Payne, all lady syndicate. The outside barrier had trainer and jockey Michelle Payne a little hesitant to start the filly but a tenacious effort saw her defeat the Godolphin star Multaja by a lip. The Fastnet Rock filly is one to follow this spring for more success is looming.
- All Too Hard -- In Sydney every meeting we find one of the All Too Hard stock saluting and yesterday they got a double with wins by the four year olds, All Too Soon and Za Zi Ba . In the benchmark 78 it was an easy win for the David Payne trained mare All Too Soon over the 1500m trip under strong riding by Tye Angland. While the benchmark 78 over 1100m we saw Sam Weatherley/Widdup combination with the mare, Za Zi Ba claim an easy victory. In the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality over 1400m for three year olds there were plenty of leads for this season. It was won by the Tim Martin trained, Exceed and Excel colt, Danawi who had been runner up in his only three race appearances and one of them was behind the talented Autumn Sun . It was the super run by the awesomely bred filly, Mizzy that had light bulbs going off. She is by Zoustar who's progeny could be ready to stamp themselves as the new dominant force in Australian racing . They impressed as two year olds but just maybe they will be even better at three. She is out of a Magnus mare Missy Cummings which gives her it all. It may have been a breathe defeat but with the Black Caviar connection and Encosta as well as Redoute's through the stallion. She could be the BOMB!
- Adelaide and Ambidexter --We opened the meeting at Morphetville with a win by the promising Darren Weir trained colt,Approach Discreet by Dawn Approach who won like a possible spring contender. Then we finished with an Ambidexter treble. This stallion has to be one of the best value options going at the moment. My assumption of them not getting further than 1400m may have been a little premature because with the win of Modulate yesterday and another last week, over the trip. Its hard to split the wins yesterday of the four year olds, Amberdi and Dexelation both added to there impressive records. The former four from six and the later has now won his last four in a row. Both wins were over their pet distance of 1200m. The Commands stallion stands at Cornerstone Stud for $7,700.
The 26th straight victory for the mighty Winx was the talking point of the weekends racing but the win of Sunlight was also a highlight for me. Great to see her perform back to her best in the group 3 Quezette Stakes. The Snitzel colt, Showtime was successful in the Group 2 P.B.Lawrence Stakes and Jamie Kah continues to dominate South Australian jockeys.
Winx and Randwick -- The mighty mare Winx put her opposition to the sword once again in the group one race named after her on Saturday.The Waller camp certainly has her in top order and a fourth Cox Plate looks well on the cards. I found the most impressive part of her victory was the way she pulled clear the last 100m. There looked to be plenty in reserve and that awesome motor of hers seem to have another gear to spare. Honestly if they went another 200m she could have won by 4 or 5 times today's margin. Fiesta another Chris Waller trained galloper won the group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes. Ridden by Keiron Mcevoy the filly finished strongly to record her second first up victory from seven starts.While Le Romain got back in the winners circle in the 1200m group 3 Show County Quality. The 6yo gelding has now won 2.75 million in stakes.
Showtime and Hawkes -- At Caulfield we saw Showtime, the Snitzel colt get up to spoil the Godolphin party as the old boy Hartnel slipped up along the rails and looked like he may run the Dwayne Dunn ridden galloper down but youth prevailed. The Hawkes trained entire has now probably booked himself a stud career after his time on the track but a crack at the group one Memsie Stakes will be his next quest.
Sunlight --
It was so good to see the Zoustar filly return to the winners circle in the Quezette Stakes. There were a few knockers after the big margin loss to the up and coming star, Nature Strip a fortnight ago. I am starting to think the hype around him is the real deal after the filly showed her class to battle on strongly and hold off a gallant Humma Mumma, in the final stages.
Jamie Kah and Dollar for Dollar --
It was a big day out for Jamie Kah at Morphetville on Saturday beginning with Thine is the Power. The Street Boss filly looked strong in winning the 1050m BM 70. Then it was Artie's Dreamwinner for Paul Presker in the BM 75 over 1200m . This was followed by the High Chaparral gelding Dollar for Dollar for Mcevoy, who won the group 3 Spring Stakes. He has an excellent record of 8 wins from 16 starts and finally Moghul Empire for trainer Will Clarken in the last.
Nicconi and Smart Missile -- Performances of both these breeds have been exceptional lately and yesterday was no different with the Nicconi's having many winners across the country and in the opener at Randwick saw a talented Smart Missile gelding Butchoy win easily for Hugh Bowman over 1600m. The win of the Hayes/Dabernig trained colt Toni Nicconi in the group 3 Vain Stakes was a good one as he held off a strong finish from stablemate Long Leaf. The unbeaten sprinter will now head to the group 3 Mcneil Stakes in a fortnight. The other Nicconi gallopers to score on Saturday were Ayers Rock in Adelaide and Lightning Nic at Kembla.
The dual group one winning sprinter Nicconi stands at Widden Stud.
- Carbine Thoroughbreds have shares available in this Nicconi Colt
The Godolphin team continued their good run on Saturday as did Darren Weir. The Aurie Star Handicap Group 3 at Flemington belonged to the later as old warhorse Voodoo Lad added another group race to his already impressive record. The Godolphin horse, Home of the Brave set the pace and battled strongly but the I Am Invincible gelding just had too much power over the final fifty metres. In Sydney it was a different story where the Street Cry's of Godolphin were dominant winning the Benchmark 94,The Premiers Prelude and Spring Preview. It may well be a spring preview, as the most famous Street Cry of them all returns next week, in the mighty mare, WINX. While the win of the Brad Widdup trained three year old Sandbar by Snitzel could be a strong contender for major riches this spring, in the three year old events.
- Street Cry's and Snitzel -- In the benchmark 85 for fillies and mares saw the Snitzel mare, Irithea successful for trainer Bjorn Baker and jockey Tye Angland with a fighting win over the 1400m. The return of the Snitzel colt, Sandbar trained by Brad Widdup gave us one to follow for the spring. He had a excellent two year old season running Written By to a close second in the Pago Pago and is back just as good this preparation. He looked very strong in winning the Listed Rosebud Hcp over 1100m. He is out of the Street Cry mare, Tallow and pointed us in the direction for the rest of the day at Rosehill as the Street Cry's and Kerrin Mcevoy dominated.
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Harpers Choice --
It is really good to see the son of Street Cry, Harpers Choice get back to his promising
three year old form recently and he secured another victory in the
Premiers Cup Prelude over the 1800m trip. He came from back in the pack this time, no big lead like the last start win in the Winter Cup as he just held off Emperor's Way for victory. In the benchmark 94 James Cummings/Kerrin Mcevoy/Street Cry combo when Trekking managed to overall Tactical Advantage on the line to get a win . We saw a carbon copy run and Mcevoy ride on the Street Cry gelding, Flow in the Spring Preview Hcp for another Godolphin victory . Its of interest to note both horses are from Redoutes Choice broodmares. The first is from Outdoor and later from Glissade.
- Voodoo Lad and Darren Weir -- The Aurie Star in Melbourne belonged to Voodoo Lad as he got the Flemington monkey off his back and added yet another group race to his win tally. It was a strong win for the Darren Weir trained warrior and the trainer was all praise for the horse saying a group one still maybe in him. In the Benchmark 90 over 1000m James Cummings got another winner for the weekend when the Commands entire Bandipur made it five wins from 11 starts. He was given a great run by jockey Dwayne Dunn but the horse knows where the post is. In the BM70 over 1200m we saw Choisborder for the Weir camp get their day really pumping at Flemington as the mare scored her third win this prep defeating the promising Hayes/Dabernig galloper Gold Mag. The Choisir gelding is one to watch in future preparations. While Weirs winner in the next could be one to watch this spring as the former European galloper, The Statesman was well ridden by Ben Allen and finished the 2000m off strongly . He is by Zoffany out of the Galileo mare,Chelsey Jayne. In the next, the Weir/ Ben Allen combination was successful again with the High Chaparral gelding, Answer My Friend who after never settling was able to hold on to record another Flemington 1400m win. A track horse here I think. Appears to like the big tracks.
Crockett won the Flemington BM 70 he is by All American and another out of a Street Cry mare, this time, Tuusula. I'm not a big fan of the Megalia Dóro breed in Australia but they have been recording a few wins lately. The Hard Spun's are consistent winners and both recorded winning doubles with their progeny this weekend. Its worth noting that Kate Walters could have been riding at Flemington for her dad but chose Moe and the Hard Spun 8yo, The Armani. While the six year old, Lunar Spin was a winner in the BM64 at Newcastle for the breed. The Meg Dóro double came from the colt, Cloak for James Cummings who broke his maiden status at Newcastle over 1400m. While at Moe in the heavy going Raptor won over 1200m.
The start of a new season and it was a good one for the Godolphin team with winners across the country but in the main event of the Group 2 Missile Stakes they just fell short with the unlucky Lonhro entire, Kementari going down by a short head, to Pierata. Wins came from Intuition, Multaja, Mortons Fork and a very impressive mare by the name of Soothing. Ambidexter sired a couple of winners at Morphetville. While the ever consistent stallions Star Witness and I Am Invincible's progeny recorded numerous victories.
Lonhro and Godolphin --
It was a great weekend for James Cummings and the Godolphin team with wins all over the country with most of them having a Lonhro connection. The Street Cry gelding Intuition is continuing to go through her grades in the benchmark 82 gaining her second win in succession over the 1200m journey. In the last over the 1000m trip saw Lonhro's daughter Soothing absolutely trounce her rivals as jockey James Mcdonald got an armchair ride to the winning post. She is out of the Bel Esprit mare, Dreamy. At Moonee Valley it was the Lonhro broodmares doing the job with wins to the impressive Megalia Dóro filly, Multaja to keep her unbeaten record in tact. She is ex Lonhro mare, Shelters. The second last saw Morton's Fork record another victory through a good ride from Craig Williams.The five year old gelding is by the Danzig stallion Ad Valorem out of the Lonhro mare, Dilemma.
Ambidexter and Morphetville --
The racing day at Morphetville belonged to an up coming Commands stallion Ambidexter who stands at Cornerstone Stud with wins to Modulate and Dexelation. The former had to survive a protest and the later was ultra impressive in the final race of the day making it three on the trot for the Niki O'shea camp. In both wins we saw a very leisurely pace set and i think this helped secure victories for them. I'm still sticking to my opinion that 1400m is the breeds limit any further they will struggle.
Missile Stakes --
In the group 2 Missile Stakes an unlucky Kementari just missed after storming home behind the talented Pierata who just had a big enough break to secure the win.The Pierro entire has really started to produce the goods and i can see more success coming his way over a bit further in the group races this spring.
High Chaparral and Redoutes Newcomer --
Mig Energy on debut won the opener for trainer Brent Stanley with Luke Currie riding. The Redoutes Choice gelding could be a three year old to watch for the future. The High Chaparral gelding Pioneertown put his name up in lights as jockey, Michael Walker controlled the BM78 field in the staying event for the Hayes/Dabernig stable. While another High Chaparral in Red Alto who is trained by Brent Stanley scored at Randwick. Jockey, Tye Angland had him racing just behind the pace until challenging Vaucluse Bay, one of Chris Wallers nine starters, down the straight where he was able to get his head down to win the Cindy Sullivan Memorial Handicap over 2400m on the line. “He’s won a few in town now and that was his sixth win. He’s run fourth in a Derby so he’s got ability and it was good to see him win again" said Brent. I wanted to mention the win of Dodge City at Wangaratta. The High Chaparral gelding now a five year old could well have finally matured another win is on the cards.
Star Witness and I Am Invincible -- The I Am Invincible's recorded a double at Kembla as the Snowdens and jockey Christian Reith had a good day out. First with the colt Spin who broke through for his maiden win with Mitchel Bell riding and then the first of a double for jockey, Christian Reith when Navigator who is by Star Witness won the Class one over 1400m. They finished the day with their I Am Invincible filly, She's Furline winning the last. Extreme Witness at Morphetville over 1550m and Given Evidence over 1600m at Wangaratta were two more winners for the Star Witness clan. He Stands at Widden Stud.
Some serious spring contenders took to the tracks this Saturday and they didnt let anyone down with Nature Strip blitzing his rivals in the Listed Lightning Stakes at Morphetville. While Vega Magic began his quest for the Everest title with an easy win in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield. A stallion who regularly keeps producing winners Choisir ended up with three of his stock greeting the judge first at the Morphetville meeting.
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Nature Strip -- An awesome performance by this son of Nicconi putting the time on the board with a blistering performance in the Listed Lightning Stakes in Adelaide and can now surely secure a spot in the Everest for the Weir camp. There are still doubters about the Darren Weir galloper but should you doubt the man who can turn water into wine as he said earlier this week “this is the fastest horse I’ve ever saddled”.He is now into 11/1 for the Everest with Vega Magic but neither have a spot as yet. Nicconi stands at Widden Stud
- Vega Magic and Lope De Vega -- Last years runner up in the Everest, Vega Magic has put forward his case for one of the remaining slots for this years event with a dominant return victory in the Bletchingly Stakes. The Hayes sprinter is now unbeaten in three starts at the Caulfield track. Champion jockey Damien Oliver said "Vega Magic over raced in the early stages, which caused concern, but he was too classy for his rivals on top of the ground". Gytrash was another winner for Lope De Vega in Adelaide, ridden by Anna Jordso over 1050m trip. The 2yo gelding is out of the Fastnet Rock mare, Miss Barley.
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Choisir and Morphetville -- He won 12 group ones in his career and sprinting was his game. The old guy of Coolmore, Choisir's progeny broke through the 100 winner mark for the Australian season for the 7th consecutive season and produced a treble at Morphetville on Saturday. The first was Barbies Boy over the 1600m trip with Kayla Crowther riding. Then three year old Choisborder was one of many winners for Darren Weir yesterday as he had an easy win in the BM70 over 1200m with Damien Lane, in the saddle. While Barood scored his fifth win of his career and his fourth this year over the 1050m trip. One of Choisir''s best sons is the ultra consistent Chamois Road who has a super record and always starts at good odds. The talented galloper after winning the final race on the Caulfield card, now has a record of 12 wins and a further 19 placings from his 39 starts in a stellar career. Choisir stands at Coolmore
- High Chaparral -- The Chris Waller stable had many winners over the country yesterday and i would like to bring a couple of promising ones to the forefront. At Gosford we saw three year old gelding, High Power successful over the 1600m with the talented jockey Aaron Bullock riding. He is by High Chaparral out of the Encosta De Lago mare,Plumm. He is one for the future staying events in Sydney as are the following two winners from Rosehill, yesterday. The Redoutes Choice 3 year old gelding, Huangshan copped a few bumps in the straight but was
too strong at the finish of the 2000m BM 73. He came storming through the pack with Hugh Bowman putting in another masterclass , to make it two wins in a
row. He is out of the Galileo mare, Majestic Girl . Thinkin Big looms as a major spring player for the Waterhouse/ Bott stable as the two year old colt by High Caparral led all the way for a convincing win in the Rosehill opener. Waterhouse said "the colt had the right attributes to deliver the Classic over 2500m at Flemington on November 3. Thinkin' Big is very promising and will stay all day,"
Other results worth a look at is the win by Run Gypsy Run who kept the Fastnet Rocks in the winners stall as did the Darren Weir trained Mantastic who finally broke through for a win.The four year old gelding is out of the Galileo mare, Foreign Legionary. The seven year old gelding Self Sense added another victory in the Vobis Gold Stayers event over 2400m to his amazing list and now is heading towards the Grand National in a few weeks time.The Street Sense galloper has now earnt connections 1.2 million dollars in his career.
This racing seasons coming to a close and on the weekend we were at Flemington ,Rosehill and Morphetville. Moments worth noting were the continued success of the Exceed and Excels down the Flemington straight. The Encosta De Lago broodmares continue to get an enormous amount of winners on Saturdays and let the Al Mahers roll. While Brenton Avdulla secured the Sydney jockey premiership with a great ride on Tactical Advantage and in Melbourne, Damian Lane got four up at headquarters in reply to Craig Williams smorgasbord of wins over the past weeks but will just fall short of willow for the premiership there.
- Snitzel -- Next week we virtually see the beginning of Spring with the running of the Bletchingly Stakes and there were a few warning signs put out by the Snitzel breed yesterday with the win of Miles of Krishnan in the Rising Stars Final over 1700m giving young Melissa Julius her first Flemington success. She gave the mare a perfect sit throughout and rode hard hands and heels to the line, for the win. Irithea was another win for the breed at Rosehill for the Baker/Parr combination over 1400m in the fillies and mares BM80. While Lions Head broke his maiden status at Kembla early in the day.
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Visao and the Encosta Broodmares -- Visao win in the 1800m Byerly for two year olds shows us a couple of things. The first is the strength of the High Chaparrals as they get out over a bit of ground and a bigger track but also noteworthy is the amount of winners the Encosta De Lago broodmares get and over all distances. The Ciaron Maher trained colt is out Villa Moura and was given a peach of a ride by Damian Lane and always looked to have the race in control. He will most likely be heading towards the Derby.
- In the 1100m July Stakes at Rosehill saw the 4yo gelding Tactical Advantage get a dream run with Brenton Avdulla in the saddle to score for Kris Lees. He is by Bel Esprit out of the Encosta mare, Above Perfection. While in Adelaide a distance switch back to 1550m by Ryan Balfour paid off for Canford in the 3yo BM70. The Canford Cliffs gelding is out of the Encosta mare, Sorenstam and was strong at the finish after a solid pace was set.
- Exceed and Excels -- The win of Overstep highlighted two things for me in the BM 78 at Flemington. They were the Waller/Walker combination continuing run of success and the Exceed and Excels continued liking for the Flemington straight. It wasnt the only win for the stallion on Saturday as four year old gelding, Trogir in the last at Morphetville over 1400 also saluted, for trainer Phil Stokes.
- All Too Hard -- This stallion and half brother to the great Black Caviar produces some quality gallopers and Unfair Dismissal in the listed Oaklands Plate for two year olds in Adelaide, could well be one. They tend to do better on a freshen and this colt out of the Exceed and Excel mare, Up and Up for Tony Mcevoy is no different. His record stands at three wins from seven starts now.
- Godolphin and Bandipur --A great ride by Hugh Bowman on the gutsy Commands colt Bandipur gave James Cummings and the Godolphin team a treble after wins earlier on the Rosehill programe with the 2yo Plague Stone by Lonhro out of Elusive Quality mare, winning and Gaulois who is by Street Cry out of the Lonhro mare, Celts who won the BM92 over 1600m.
- Al Passem and the Al Mahers -- Al Passem is a great guide to the way this breed loves to race. They love to roll at their own strong pace and even though last start it came undone as he was attacked in front. Today worked out perfectly for Ethan Brown and when he gave the gelding a kick halfway down the straight you knew they were going to struggle to get past this quality horse. Emshally at Kembla was another winner on the day for the breed.
- Other Results --Serenade the Stars won the 2500m benchmark 90 race with a strong finish for the Gelagotis team. The gelding by Sea The Stars gave that stallion a hemisphere double with the filly, Sea Of Class winning the group one Irish Oaks. Brave Song's win down the straight is worth mentioning as under strong riding he responded to just score. The three year old colt by the Fastnet Rock stallion Your Song is trained by the Snowdens and the breed tend to get alot of winners north of the border but this is a rare win at headquarters. He could be a good one. Invincible Al won the last race on the Flemington card for the I Am Invincibles and Patrick Payne. A quinella to the Ambidexters at Morphetville with Modulate for Richard Jolly just lasting to defeat Amberdi in the BM 70 over 1250m which is about as far as this breed likes.
