Group l racing returned to Headquarters at Flemington on Saturday for Black Caviar Lightning Day, where Redzel was expected to kick off 2018 with a bang. Instead, that bang, and in a big way too, went to Redkirk Warrior. Here are a few blackbookers from the meeting heading forward.
Race One: The Asian Executive Stakes 1100m:
Was really surprised when markets first came out that Prairie Fire wasn’t favourite. For those who followed the blackbookers, I made him one to follow from the Feb 3 meeting at Caulfield and he repaid my faith with a dominant win and clearly clocking the fastest splits of the race. Can he win a Blue Diamond? I doubt it, but I think he might be the best of his generation. He’ll be a star three year old. Pierro Belle, who was a notable drifter, pulled up lame…hmm.
The blinkers spark $625k yearling buy Prairie Fire into action in The Asian Executive Stakes. pic.twitter.com/Qx6CUjM7FV
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 17, 2018
Race Four: Goodwood Racecourse Handicap 1600m:
I think Sin To Win could be a cash cow for punters for the next couple of months. Jump out last week indicated he may need the run and that was right, but his last 200m was excellent, working home with real purpose and a horse who is already crying out for further. Winner impressive, but I think long term, Sin To Win is the pony we can make some coin off.
Kings Will Dream alright! Mark Zahra is the King of @FlemingtonVRC today. Make that a treble from three rides. pic.twitter.com/u8BsozQrNA
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 17, 2018
Race Six: The TAB Vanity 1400m:
Stack of good runs here, but I think we can follow Aloisia with a bit of confidence. Just got a mile back on a day where it was very difficult to make up sufficient ground from the back in the circle races. She clocked a 33.65 for her final 600m despite clearly being nowhere near wound up. Lovely return from her, big tick for Shakora, and maybe a sneaky one for later on as the distances increase is Anchor Bid. She had the fastest peak speed of any runner from the race. If you backed Banish, apologies for bringing up the nightmare.
Vintage Oliver! Rimraam hugs the paint and drives through to score in the Vanity. pic.twitter.com/mfjcfe6oCi
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 17, 2018
Race Seven: CS Hayes Stakes 1400m:
I reckon if Muraaqeb draws a decent marble in the Australian Guineas, he will go awfully close to winning. His two runs back have been outstanding. Yes, had the three wide cover here, but as I said, it was a day/meeting where making up the sufficient ground from the back was difficult to do. One of only three horses to break 45 final 800m, and had the second quickest final 600-400-200, all behind Main Stage, who was outstanding. Cliff’s Edge was enormous in defeat. How will he recover from that gutbuster? Will he bounce off it and be ready to go or will he sook it up and dig the feet in?
He possesses serious GRUNT this horse! The CS Hayes Stakes goes to Damien Oliver and @MickPriceRacing. pic.twitter.com/Ssh9SOQX9f
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 17, 2018
Forget:
Handsome Thief- Appropriately named.
Hey Doc- Bias won him the Guineas. Bias/illegal ride won the Manikato. Overrated horse.
Pure Pride- I’ve had enough of her.
