Racing fans across Australia and the world were treated to something very special on Saturday. The doubters were out in force, saying that Black Caviar may struggle beyond 1200m. Her win in the C.F. Orr Stakes has stamped this mighty mare as the best in the world without a shadow of a doubt. If she does clash with Frankel at Royal Ascot, he will need to be at his best and then some if he is going to match it with the Australian champion. And if she didn’t go overseas, she could be set for a Cox Plate campaign and win that too because there is no more doubt about her running beyond 1200m.
In Blue Diamond news, Samaready appears to be the best Victorian hope of taking the $1 Million prize after demolishing her rivals in the Prelude for the fillies while David Hayes produced another unraced galloper, General Rippa, to take out the colts and geldings Prelude. Samaready is now the $2.60 favourite for the big race, set to be run in a fortnight.
While all this went on, at Rosehill, Rain Affair stamped himself as a potential world class sprinter with a devastating win in the Expressway Stakes. If they were to cross paths, could the Sydney galloper give Black Caviar a decent race?
Here is my review of the action from Caulfield.
Race One: BMW Melbourne Handicap 1800m
FORGIVE:
They had their chance here. No excuses for any of the runners.
FORGET:
Put a line through Procida now. Perfect ride by Boss but she did nothing in the straight. Becoming a favourite with the bookies.
FOLLOW:
Spirit Song is a very good mare going places. It ain’t easy carrying 58kg but she did it easily. A blacktype race is at her mercy very soon.
Race Two: Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) 1100m
FORGIVE:
Andre Roo Hoo was stuck three wide no cover for the journey and was very green in the straight. Great first up run under the circumstances.
FORGET:
Hard to say because it was a hot tempo, so Planet Voyage and Greenwich had excues. The others all ran very well.
FOLLOW:
Andre Roo Hoo was stuck three wide no cover for the journey and was very green in the straight. Great first up run under the circumstances.
Race Three: Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) 1100m
FORGIVE:
The barrier didn’t help Applegate. Got back and couldn’t come in to the race. She was all over the shop and is still learning what racing is about. Don’t sack her.
FORGET:
Diamond Earth is a nice filly, but she was very ordinary today. She is a 1000m horse that can’t be held up. She needs to roll along at her own speed and she was quickly beaten today.
FOLLOW:
I’m a big fan of No Looking Back, but gee it’s going to take a big effort to get past Samaready. She just destroyed her rivals today and a repeat of that will see her winning the Blue Diamond.
Race Four: Catanach’s T.S. Carlyon Cup 1600m
FORGIVE:
Barrier was the obvious worry with Ranger and that worry was proven right. Got a long way back, but found the line well. Wait until he gets to Flemington. The bigger surroundings will be right up his alley.
FORGET:
Well the race looked perfect for Shout Out Loud, but he was a bit disappointing late. Maybe he needs cover? Not sure, but I won’t be backing him until he wins.
FOLLOW:
Either it was a very average field or Manighar has come back in super order. Trainer Peter Moody hasn’t really produced a top stayer in his career, but Manighar might change all that this campaign.
Race Five: Hyland Colours Autumn Stakes 1400m
FORGIVE:
Unpretentious was caught wide and had to do too much work. Didn’t get luck today and is worth backing up on again in the future.
FORGET:
Put the line through two horses- Benfica and Huegill. Both were very competitive in group one company last time in, but they have both been very poor this Autumn. Drastic improvement is required if they are going to have a remote chance in the Australian Guineas.
FOLLOW:
Bombalatombas effort to rattle home off a slow tempo was outstanding. I’d like to see his closing sectionals because they would have been not far off Black Caviars. Follow him where ever he races.
Race Six: Sportingbet C.F. Orr Stakes 1400m
FORGIVE:
Can’t mention any here.
FORGET:
The talent is there, but Precedene just doesn’t want to show it at all. He has been ordinary for a while now and I think retirement has to be on the cards.
FOLLOW:
I think Bart might have the Australian Cup winner in Illo. Fabulous return from the German import. Definitely would have run place with normal luck in the straight. He is $17 at the moment fixed odds for the Australian Cup. Have a dabble each-way.
Race Seven: Schweppes Rubiton Stakes 1100m
FORGIVE:
Karuta Queen got stirred up thanks to the serial pest Here De Angels. She missed the kick and that was the end of her chances. Back up on her next start.
FORGET:
Hard to say because a majority of the beaten brigade should be forgotten eg Grand Duels, Master Harry.
FOLLOW:
Decircles raced very flat today. Was wide all the way. On the home turn was going to run last but picked up and just missed a place. Keep following him because a win is not too far away.
Race Eight: Kevin Hayes Stakes 1200m
FORGIVE:
Anabandana was game in defeat. Sat wide all the way first up with the 58.5kg and got beat by a smart type. Right idea to send her over from New Zealand because she’ll be competitve here.
FORGET:
Can’t really say much here. If anything, forget Chivvy from this grade…for now anyway.
FOLLOW:
Soft Sand won in a canter here. I under estimated her big time. She is high class and better than these. Miss Stellabelle was excellent in resuming and she’ll be very competitive in these sort of races over the Autumn.
Race Nine: Pps Geoffery Bellmaine Stakes 1200m
FORGIVE:
Slow The Flow was caught on the worst part of the track and did a very good job to finish as close as she did. She is flying at the moment, but she didn’t have luck today.
FORGET:
Miss Octopussy was given the perfect ride by Dean Holland, but the mare didn’t show much fight in the straight and was most disappointing. It’ll be a while before she starts favourite again I think.
FOLLOW:
Hi Belle proved that her form from the Spring was no fluke. She is a tough and well performed mare who is here to stay in the better class races for the females. Big return from her.
