Superb day of racing yesterday, highlighted by Danleigh recording his fourth group one victory by taking out the Chipping Norton Stakes. At Flemington, Shamrocker surprised many with a strong win in the Australian Guineas.
Meanwhile in New Zealand, champion three-year-old Jimmy Choux announced himself as a serious Doncaster contender with a narrow but gutsy win in New Zealands richest race, the New Zealand Derby. The well known theory is that to win a Doncaster, you need a horse that a 2000m horse because thats how tough the great mile race is. He certainly fits that criteria.
Here is my review of the weekend’s racing and which horses should be followed for the future.
Warwick Farm:
Run of the day:
Foxwedge looked very good in winning yesterday. Still has no idea what racing is about but once he does, he is going to be a superstar. If he can mature a little bit more, he can certainly challenge Sepoy and Karuta Queen in the Golden Slipper.
Ride of the day:
Nash Rawiller was at his best when guiding King Lionheart to a comfortable victory. Slowed them up mid-race and although a couple of rival jockeys wanted to put pressure on him, Nash was cruising on his mount and it never looked in danger.
One to follow:
Maluckyday and Descerado. The Melbourne Cup runner up was very good when coming from well back and flashing home to finish fourth while the Caulfield Cup winner was very wide throughout and only finished within three lengths of the winner. Both horses are to be followed with confidence..
Flemington:
Run of the day:
The manner in which Launay won almost seem illegal. He absolutely cruised in yesterday and is another Snowden horse that has come back in great style. He is no superstar, but he just gets the job done.
Ride of the day:
Glen Boss again weaving that magic wand of his in a group one race. Got a fair way back in the run but as he did on this track three times on Makybe Diva, he just poked through near the inside and at the clock tower hit the go button and the race was over.
One to follow:
There’s three to follow: Laristan, Dubleanny and Eclair Surprise. Laristan had the perfect run but he showed a good turn of foot in the straight and was very dominant. Give him a dry track and he’ll win good races this preparation. Dubleanny was very good winning yesterday and is right on track for the group one races in Adelaide while Eclair Surprise hit the line very strongly in the Guineas and is going to be very hard to beat in the AJC Derby.
Written by Adam Page
