Hindsight is a beautiful thing and that’s what Joseph Galati looks at as he assess the run of your horse in yesterday’s Australian Guineas from Flemington.
1st: Shamrocker – Top ride from top jockey Glen Boss, the hot tempo up front helped most of the top 8 or so finish as high as they did. This filly was just cruising along at the 400 meter mark and looked the winner when she burst through powerfully and careered away. She will get even better over further that I am sure. $37… ridiculous odds.
Shamrocker taking out the 2011 Australian Guineas - Photo by Steve Hart
2nd: Bullbars – Big run, was around 2 lengths behind the winner for most of the race after being caught wide early and restrained to the rear. Got home really well down the outside and there are big this in store for this guy.
3rd: Playing God – Probably the hard luck run of this years Guineas. Brett Prebble has alongside the winner at the top of the straight before hitting huge traffic and although he may not have caught the winner Prebble had no option other than to zig and zag all the way down the straight.
4th: Mr Chard – Nice return to some sort of form from this colt who hadn’t shown much in his previous two runs. Sat second last for most of the trip and hit the line tremendously well after getting off the back of Bullbars.
5th: Under The Eiffel – Wasn’t far off Shamrocker for most of the race and was the first horse asked for an effort. He looked in real strife at around the 400 meters but to his credit he really knuckled down and ran very well.
6th: Anacheeva – Great ride. Luke Nolen did well to get the Caulfield Guineas winner from barrier 14 to around 7th in running. He looked dangerous enough in the straight but was a little one paced. Having said that he is starting to recover some good form and thats a huge positive.
7th: Southern Speed – Clare Lindop didn’t get any favours having drawn barrier 16 and on the turn for home her filly was last. Her last 200 metres looked very good and she is well above average.
8th: Eclair Surprise – Bombed the start. He was another one that found something and he will be much better suited over the longer trip.
9th: Spirited Eagle – Another back marker, got mobile pretty early and ran ok without ever threatening.
10th: Startsmeup – Best result for the leaders. He was the widest horse into the first turn and was on the heels of the blistering pace. Could have stayed on for a top 8 finish but the run took its toll on him.
11th: Smokin’ Joey – Sat within the first 5 or 6 and looked well positioned throughout the race but when they quickened he didn’t find much and weakened.
12th: Dusty Star – Would’ve slept well last night. The pace seater was flying along and no surprises was the first beaten on the turn. Her favoured role is leading but she just went too quick and that told.
13th: Enjin Number Nine – Something must have gone amiss with him and there are reports that he has bled since the race. Damien Oliver sat outside Playing God and Shamrocker and although he sat 3 wide for most of the trip he looked some sort of hope before getting squeezed at the 300 meter mark and stopping.
14th: We Can Say It Now – Retired. The most favoured runner showed good early speed to sit 4th but when a run appeared at the 400 metres she couldn’t go and jockey Craig Williams stopped riding her the last furlong.
15th: Run For Levi – Set the early speed before Dusty Star took off. Folded up pretty quickly. Nothing else to report.
16th: Hollowlea – Not sure whats happened to this bloke after being one of Victoria’s better 3 year old’s last year winning the Group 2 Stutt Stakes. Showed very little prior to his Guineas run and was beaten 28 lengths.
Written by Joseph Galati
