We saw a Melbourne Cup winner, a Caulfield Cup winner, a Cox Plate winner, a Golden Slipper winner and a Blue Diamond at Caulfield on Saturday. However, all four horses failed to return to the winners stall and it was left to up and comers, as well as the proven stars, to take the big scalps.
Samaready was simply brilliant in winning the Blue Diamond and is sure to be right in contention for the Golden Slipper on Easter Saturday. Craig Newitt rode her like she was the best horse in the race and on the line, she clearly was.
Woorim broke through for a well deserved Group One win in the Oakleigh Plate. 400m out he was struggling and was going to run last, but as he always does, he scorched across the turf over the final furlong and nailed Elite Falls on the post.
Kiwi champion King Mufhasa was the best bet of the day and he won like it in the Futurity Stakes. Nash rode him very confidently and even though Pinker Pinker was right on his hammer, there was no doubting that the ine time Group One winner was going to greet the judge.
But the highlight of the day was Lucas Cranach, who is now one of Australia’s best WFA gallopers after he toyed with his rivals in the Peter Young Stakes. Cruised in the run and won like a superstar, which he now is.
Race One: Premier Signs Handicap 2000m
FORGIVE:
Our Serena was the surprise leader in the race and that isn’t her cup of tea. The win blowing in her face didn’t help either and she was beaten before the home turn. Don’t sack her.
FORGET:
I’ve already said to forget Procida. I’ll repeat myself. Forget Procida.
FOLLOW:
The first two clearly. Rock Of Ages doesn’t win pretty, but she gets the job done. Spirit Song was enormous in defeat and the weight pull against her proved the difference.
Race Two: The Champagne Pommery Plate 1200m
FORGIVE:
Instalmet was wide throughout and very green. He had his head on one side and never travelled nicely. With some maturity, Kav might have a handy type here.
FORGET:
It Is Written had a cosy lead, but was the first horse beat. Can’t understand why he was supported given his last two wins weren’t against much.
FOLLOW:
Zabeelionaire got home beautifully over the final 300m. Trainer Leon Corstens has a definite Derby horse here. Keep watching out for him as the distances increase.
Race Three: BMW Caulfield Autumn Classic 1800m
FORGIVE:
Hoylonny was caught deep and got a bit lost racing the Melbourne way for the first time. He’ll benefit greatly from that and should not be forgottten.
FORGET:
Now You Know had the perfect trip, but failed to run out the 1800m. The sibling of So You Think appears to be suited at 1400m-1600m.
FOLLOW:
Ethiopia is a horse to follow. Not sure if it’s going to be this prep, but definitely in the Spring. Pat Carey has once again found a decent stayer.
Race Four: D’Urban Angus Armanasco Stakes 1400m
FORGIVE:
If anything, perhaps Nocturnelle. But she was disappointing in the straight.
FORGET:
I’m prepared to put a line through Anabandana. Run of the race from Williams, but she didn’t find a great deal in the run home. If she is one of New Zealands premier three-year-old fillies…then they are in trouble.
FOLLOW:
Could not believe they were offering $7 about Shopaholic given she beat Mosheen last week. She is up there with it and Atlantic Jewel in terms of Victorias best three-year-old fillies. Twilighting was very good as well. Look for her at a mile and beyond.
Race Five: Cathay Pacific Futurity Stakes 1400m
FORGIVE:
The beaten brigade because Nash pulled their pants down with his front running ride. May as well call him Carl Williams because he got away with murder on King Mufhasa.
FORGET:
Hard to say anything here.
FOLLOW:
Pinker Pinker and Wall Street both produce eye catching first up runs. They are on track for their respective Autumn targets.
Race Six: Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate 1100m
FORGIVE:
Bel Sprinter was the main casualty. No luck at all, but there were about four or five unlucky runners, including Yosei, Stirling Grove and Diplomatic Force. Sepoy was magnificant in defeat. He’ll do Australia proud in Dubai and Ascot.
FORGET:
Curtana is a not a big race performer and she proved it again this afternoon.
FOLLOW:
The first three over the line were fantastic, in particular Facile Tigre. Fitness beat him over the final 50m. But Woorim and Elite Falls went super also. What a race!
Race Seven: Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes 1200m
FORGIVE:
Given it was a Blue Diamond, there was plenty of buffering, but the winner was just too good.
FORGET:
Can’t say anything here because they are two-year-olds and it’s hard to put the pen through any.
FOLLOW:
Peter Snowden has a beauty on his hands in Rusambo. Put the blinkers on him and he’ll be winning a Group One for sure.
Race Eight: Carlton Draught Peter Young Stakes 1800m
FORGIVE:
Southern Speed was caught deep all the way. She was a tad disappointing in the run home, but she can be forgiven…just.
FORGET:
Surely retirement is on the cards for Efficient. Grand old galloper and full credit to Team Williams for getting this horse back on the racing track after several crippling injuries, but he isn’t racing well.
FOLLOW:
Lucas Cranach, Illo and Americain…that’s your Australia Cup trifecta. Lucas Cranach was brilliant, Illo was super and probably should have finished closer but McEvoy waited instead of pulling the trigger and Americain is world class and worked in good style on Friday night at Moonee Valley.
Race Nine: Mannerism Stakes 1400m
FORGIVE:
Slow The Flow was forced back from the wide barrier and didn’t really have any chance. Forgive and forget. Back up on her next start.
FORGET:
Let’s Be Happy was caught deep, but she looked a tired horse late in the piece. Connections have had a wonderful run with her, but she needs the spelling paddock asap.
FOLLOW:
Hi Belle. The breeding, the trainer…everything surrounding her says she shouldn’t be contesting the good races, but based on her effort here, she deserves a crack in the high class mares races in Sydney.
