Part three of our 2012 racing year in review starts with the South Australian Derby (2500m). The Victorians dominated betting and they dominated the finish, providing the first three. The favourite was Zabeelionaire, for trainer Leon Corstens and Damien Oliver. For several moments, it looked as if he wasn’t going to get clear running, but that Ollie magic came to the fore and the well bred colt kicked clear to beat Sabrage and Westsouthwest.
Seven days later, Australia farewelled Black Caviar as she was off to Royal Ascot to have a crack at the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m). But first, she went to Morphettville and strolled over the 1200m of the Goodwood, to claim her 21st win from as many starts. That is, so far, her last run on Australian soil.
On the same afternoon, Doomben hosted the BTC Cup (1200m). Sea Siren, who was first up, scored a brilliant win and recorded her first at the elite level when she defeated the veteran Scenic Blast and Beaded. It was to be the start of a fruitful campaign for the three year old filly.
The Doomben Carnival continued with the Doomben Cup (2020m). Imported galloper Mawingo, having his third start for Anthony Freedman, continued a golden run for Nash Rawiller when the horse kicked strongly to win from the Peter Moody pair of Lights Of Heaven and Manighar. Luke Nolen, rider of Manighar, fired in a protest against the winner…but it was never going to be upheld. It was quite an ambitious protest.
The Doomben part of the Winter Carnival wrapped up with the Doomben 10,000 (1350m). Sea Siren created history by becoming the first three year old filly to take out the race. Given a gun ride by Jimmy Cassidy, the John O’Shea trained youngster proved too good for perennial Group l placegetter Buffering and Galaxy winner Temple Of Boom.
It was now Eagle Farms turn to showcase first class racing. It started off with the Queensland Oaks (2400m). And in horrendous conditions, kiwi filly Quintessential, aided by one of the rides of the year by Damien Browne, spanked her opponents, winning by a big space. One of the rank outsiders, Eliza Blues, finished second, ahead of Vittoria.
A week later, it was the boys turn on Super Saturday, with the Queensland Derby (2400m). Quintessential was met with good support for the race, but the favourite was Brambles, trained by Peter Moody, and he bolted in, leading throughout for Brad Rawiller. Quintessential was brave in second, with Westsouthwest grinding home for third.
The two year olds strutted their stuff in the T J Smith Stakes (1600m). Sizzling was all the rage after stringing together three very impressive wins. He won, but he was made to work for it thanks to the Gai Waterhouse trained Kabayan, who stretched him all the way. Academus was third, some space away from the first two.
The pride and joy of the Brisbane Carnival is the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). And it proved to be a special day for Peter Moody, a passionate former Queensland trainer. He took out the Derby with Brambles, then 40 minutes later, Mid Summer Music, who was known as a mudlark, sprinted hard to win the prized race. Buffering finished second again. The desperately unlucky runner was Happy Zero in third. If he had any sort of luck, he would have won the race.
The final Group l of the 2011/12 season was the Winter Stakes/Tatt’s Tiara (1400m). All the money was for the three year old fillies, Soft Sand and Shopaholic. But it was another three year old filly, Pear Tart, which upstaged them all, beating the two Sydney mares Skyerush and Gai’s Choice respectively.
Several hours, all of Australia watched and held their breath to see if the great mare Black Caviar would shut up her doubters by winning the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m). The first 800m of the race worked out perfectly. She travelled smoothly and when let down by Luke Nolen, we all thought game over…then came the last 100m. The stride was shortening, then Nolen sat up. Moonlight Cloud got within a pimple of causing the biggest upset for an Australian horse, but thankfully she held on. It was later revealed that the mare should not have run given she was injured.
