The fifth and final chapter of the 2012 racing year in review kicks off at the best week of racing in the world- Melbourne Cup Week, and the best raceday of the year; Derby Day. In the feature race, kiwi colt It’s A Dundeel was the favourite, but easing after his shock loss the week prior by Super Cool at Moonee Valley. But in a surprise, Sydney stayer Fiveandahalfstar, who won a restricted race at Rosehill a week prior, showed great toughness to win the $1.5 Million classic. Super Cool was outstayed, but stuck on for second with the bolter Rawnaq and unlucky third.
The Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) is a good horses race. It attracted a crack field of eight, headed by Cox Plate champ Ocean Park. He was expected to dominate the race, but it was the veteran Alcopop who flashed home near the inside to win his first at the elite level, beating home Glass Harmonium, who was brave in front, and Ocean Park. Alcopop would race a month later in the Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and finished a desperately unlucky third.
The best three year old sprinters in Australia would slog it out in the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m). Crack Sydney filly Snizterland was the top pick in betting, but smart punters launched into Nechita after she produced a brilliant piece of trackwork on the Tuesday prior…and she delivered on the big stage, holding off Jolie Bay and Shamexpress. Snitzerland weakened out of it to finish midfield. It was jockey Christian Reiths first Group l.
The big money came for Streama in the Myer Classic (1600m) after she scored a very impressive win in the Tristarc on Caulfield Cup Day. But it turned out to be a roughies race, with Michael Rodd ending a frustrating run of placings by steering home the Guy Walter trained Appearance to victory, over Soft Sand and Secret Admirer.
The day was filled with controversy when Tony Karatkatsanis, father of Con, was found with tubing gear in a bag he was carrying. Con’s runner Howmuchdoyouloveme, was the shortest price favourite of the day and was allowed to run. The horse led, but was gone 600m out and finished near last, which raised many eyebrows on track.
The Melbourne Cup (3200m)…there is something special about it. To this day, it is still hard to figure out what exactly it is about this race which makes it stand out from others. In the 2012 edition, Americain was the solid favourite after a slashing fourth in the Caulfield Cup. But the Aussies made sure the Cup was staying here thanks to Green Moon and his superb display. Aided by a great ride from Brett Prebble, the former Irish galloper sat just off the speed, before peeling out at the 700m mark and dashing clear. Most punters had dropped off him after his performance in the Cox Plate, but those who stuck solid got as much as $26. Fiorente and Jakkalberry filled the placings.
It was built as a two horse race between Zydeco and Dear Demi in the Crown Oaks (2500m). Zydeco started top pick in betting after a comfortable display in the Wakeful Stakes (2000m). However, Jimmy Cassidy, who butchered Dear Demi in the Wakeful, produced a gem on the filly and she was brilliant in winning. Zydeco was a well beaten second with Summerbliss in third.
The Emirates Stakes (1600m) has pretty much been a lottery for punters in recent years and it proved to be the case again when Happy Trails, stepping back in distance and class from the Cox Plate, and aided by another perfect ride from Oliver, steamed home down the outside and fended off Fawkner and Secret Admirer to claim his first Group l.
The feature race on the last day of the Carnival was the Patinack Farm Classic (1200m), and with no Black Caviar or Hay List, the race was wide open. Buffering still had his admirers despite a poor run in the Manikato, but he again failed and was later on found to be injured. Instead, the two that ran the quinella in the Manikato, Sea Siren and Mental, fought it out again. This time, it was Mental who finished best. Sadly, it was to be his last run on Australian soil as he was shipped overseas to target the high class races. Sea Siren went on to contest the the Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), but was very disappointing.
The review wraps up with the Perth Carnival, starting off with the Railway Stakes (1600m). Luckygray, the 2011 winner, was the favourite, but it was left to outsider Mr Moet, who was backed from $101 into $17, to claim the best race in Western Australia, from Luckygray, who should have won had it not been for him being forced out near the carpark on the home turn. Rosie Rocket finished third.
The other major that day was the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m). Boom sprinter Barakey had his doubters, myself included, because it was going to be his first real test at 1200m against quality horses. But he shut the doubters up with an outstanding on pace display and kept his unbeaten streak in check. Power Princess and Spirit Of Boom filled the minor placings.
The last Group l of 2012 was the Kingston Town Classic (1800m). Many expected Luckygray to make amends, and he did just that, winning quite comfortably from Mr Moet, who proved his Railway win was no fluke. Veteran local galloper God Has Spoken whacked away and held on for third.
