Could racing get any better? So many highlights! Personally, the highlight for me was Pierro and his breathtaking win in the Sires Produce. He was surprisingly at a juicy price given he did win the Golden Slipper. And Nash Rawiller…He is making this Autumn Carnival his own with another gem of a ride.
The Australian Derby proved to be another ripping race with the maiden galloper Ethiopia zooming home over the final 200m to nail Polish Knight right on the line to take the $900,000 first prize cheque. That was just his fourth start, so lord knows how good he will be in the Spring.
Craig Williams proved once again he is one of the best riders in the world when he guided Master Of Design to a shock win in the T J Smith Stakes. Hot favourite Rain Affair led and looked home until the last stride. Young filly Hallowell Belle was most unlucky and is back to her brilliant best.
But the most impressive winner of the day was clearly Atlantic Jewel, the world class filly from the Mark Kavanagh stable. She sat three and four deep with no cover, yet won like Black Caviar in the Sapphire Stakes. How far she can go is anyones guess.
Race One: Matrium Kindergarten Stakes 1100m
FORGIVE:
Ichihara. Wasn’t the send off that Jack Denham deserved. She should have bolted in, but everything that could go wrong did go wrong.
FORGET:
Agueda tries very hard, but she just doesn’t attack the line. If you’re a place punter, this is your pin up horse.
FOLLOW:
Dances On Stars led and kicked on strongly. Definitely one to follow as she heads towards the Brisbane Carnival.
Race Two: Bacardi Carbine Club Stakes 1600m
FORGIVE:
They had their chance thanks to the genuine tempo set by the runner up. If anything, forgive Brambles as he pulled hard.
FORGET:
Galah had the speed on upfront to run on, but he didn’t finish off as well as what he has shown previously.
FOLLOW:
The first two over the line were very good. Fat Al has a big future ahead of him and Now You Know led and stuck on well. 1600m is his go. He just needs to relax better.
Race Three: Patinack Farm Adrian Knox Stakes 2000m
FORGIVE:
Secret Liason was caught deep throughout and with the big weight, she had no chance. Under the circumstances, her run was outstanding.
FORGET:
Scram is a nice filly, but for now, she needs to go back to the provincials and get her confidence up.
FOLLOW:
Full Of Spirit was solid enough. Can she win the Oaks? Maybe, because she runs as if she’ll get 2400m. Plumm is doing a fantastic job to run in these races despite it only racing in it’s first preparation.
Race Four: Darley T J Smith Stakes 1200m
FORGIVE:
Hallowell Belle should have won. Could not get a clear run at any stage. This run proves she is back to her best. Foxwedge didn’t look comfortable. Track might have been too firm for his liking.
FORGET:
Can’t say anything here because they all ran well, apart from Foxwedge.
FOLLOW:
Gee Varenna Miss is in for a fruitful Winter campaign. She really caught the eye and is going to improve many lengths on that in terms of fitness.
Race Five: Inglis Sires Produce Stakes 1400m
FORGIVE:
The beaten brigade because they bumped into an absolute champion.
FORGET:
I thought All Too Hard was most disappointing. He did miss the start, but he had everything go his way in the run. He should have done alot better for a $10 Million colt. He’ll be barely half that now after this performance.
FOLLOW:
Just keep backing Pierro in whatever he contests. He broke Luskin Star’s race record here…and Luskin Star as a two-year-old was about the same as Black Caviar at her peak. He is a champion.
Race Six: Yellowglen Sapphire Stakes 1200m
FORGIVE:
Atlantic Jewel sat wide with no cover, yet won under a hold.
FORGET:
More Strawberries was most disappointing. Most punters expected her to perhaps give the favourite a decent race.
FOLLOW:
Atlantic Jewel is running a very close third, behind Black Caviar and More Joyous, as the best horse in Australia. Very special filly who could take on the world and win.
Race Seven: Australian Derby 2400m
FORGIVE:
Apart from Sabrage, they all had their chance. Silent Achiever had the gun run, but she looked like a tired horse, as did Jimmy Choux 12 months ago when he contested this race.
FORGET:
Strike The Stars just lacks that killer punch. He is very gallant, but just can’t greet the judge. He won’t be having my money for a while.
FOLLOW:
Pat Carey is one of the better trainer of stayers in Australia and this win with Ethipoia has confirmed it. Genuine Cups contender in the Spring.
Race Eight: Schweppes Chairman’s Quality 2600m
FORGIVE:
Once again, they all had their chance.
FORGET:
Retirement has to be next for Once Were Wild. Perfect ride, but she stopped badly in the straight.
FOLLOW:
The first five across the line were strong and will head into the Sydney Cup with a live chance. In saying that, Niwot does look the one.
Race Nine: BMW Doncaster Prelude 1600m
FORGIVE:
Speediness was enormous in defeat, sitting three deep with no cover and only being beat by the bone and muscle of Gai Waterhouse and Fast Clip.
FORGET:
Illo sat on the back of Speediness, had the right run, but he just went backwards. I will not be touching him until he finds some form.
FOLLOW:
Happy Trails is the sort of horse that doesn’t win often, but you just have to keep backing up on her because she has that racing pattern of getting back and flashing home. Foreteller will pick up a race when he heads to Brisbane and the winner Fast Clip probably won’t win the Doncaster next Saturday, but he is tough and could finish in the first half.
