Randwick on Saturday hosted history being made, with the champion mare Black Caviar confirming her status as the worlds best race horse with a stunning win in the T J Smith Stakes (1200m).
Her appearance in Sydney for the first time stole the show, while Shamrocker became the first filly since Research in 1989 to claim the AJC Australian Derby (2400m). Overall, it will go down as one of the best race days in Australian history, but largely because of Black Caviar.
CHAIRMANS HANDICAP REVIEW
Once Were Wild won her first race since taking out last years AJC Oaks with a dominant on-pace win. Owner John Singleton entered the mare for the Magic Millions broodmare sale in July but after the mare’s to effort to win this race, he might have to cancel that. Taken to the front by Nash Rawiller, the mare showed her class and staying dominance to record a confidence boosting win.
Victorian Anudjawun was gallant in defeat to finish second, beaten two lengths, with C’est La Guarre producing a great Sydney Cup trial to flash home for third. Older Than Time was the $4 favourite and was given a perfect ride by Bossy but she couldn’t finish it off and deadheated for fourth with Count Encosta. Strike One might be a horse to follow because he was three wide throughout and was under hard riding at the 800m but he hit the line very strongly late.
DONCASTER MILE PRELUDE REVIEW
The 150-1 rank outsider My Kingdom Of Fire, formerly raced in the UK and owned by the Queen, surprised a majority of people with a brilliant first up win over the mile. His form in the UK was over 2000m and beyond but thanks to a gem of a ride by Dwayne Dunn, the horse showed a good turn of foot and great fight to hold off Hidden Wonder and Bold Glance, who was wide throughout. His next assignment will be the Queen Elizabeth Stakes provided he comes through this run well.
Got to feel sorry for the punters who backed Mentality. Had the perfect run but was under hard riding at the 400m and found nothing. Impossible horse to follow but you know he’ll win a race soon because he has the talent to do it, but he doesn’t bring it on race day.
Viking Hero will be better off for that run and will improve once he races over a longer journey. He could be a horse to follow for the Brisbane Winter Carnival.
T J SMITH STAKES REVIEW
When Black Caviar missed the kick and was forced to sit three deep, I thought for a moment that the streak was about end. And at the 400m it looked as if it would with Hay List roaring to a four length lead. But when Luke Nolen asked the champ for an effort, she went past him like he was glued to the fence. She ended up beating Hay List by three lengths, with Triple Honour five lengths away in third place.
She is the peoples horse now, almost at the same level as Makybe Diva when she was at the peak of her powers. It’s not often that 25,000 people give a standing ovation to a horse.
Hay List was superb in defeat. I doubted him after his win in the Challenge Stakes but he was perfect and he is a superstar and a freak, but he is racing at the same time when a bigger superstar and freak is racing.
Triple Honour was good and will be better off for that effort and Alverta looks like she is in for a big winter judging on her fourth. Shoot Out was rated by many as a strong quinella hope, but he battled it out hard late and was disappointing.
SIRES PRODUCE REVIEW
First two out, first two home. Helmet and Uate controlled the race up in front and had every right to fight the race out with the more experience Helmet having the edge late over a very good horse in Uate, who’ll be a superstar in the Spring. Peter Snowden has claimed all three Group Ones for juveniles this season thanks to Sepoy and Helmet. A wonderful training effort.
Uate led but he was pulling his head off and hardly relaxed for Nash. That may have cost him the race but his run was still good while Pane In The Glass was enormous in dedeat because she was last in a slowly run race yet had the race been an extra 50m she wins. Follow her with confidence and the same can be said for Shared Reflections, who didn’t have much luck.
Do You Think was wide throuhgout, but still his run was ordinary and Elite Falls looked like a tired horse and never travelled like a winner. Both of those horses will probably go for a spell now. Note also that the first three over the line didn’t run on Slipper day, which is always an important factor when it comes to the Sires Produce.
AJC AUSTRALIAN DERBY REVIEW
Bossy is a genius in staying races and he showed it here with one of the best Derby rides I have seen. He had Shamrocker in the perfect spot off a strong tempo and when he peeled out in the straight, it was over because he was riding her like a good thing and at the finish, she won like a good thing over Retrieve, who was brave in defeat while Anacheeva ran well and will be a contender in the Spring.
The favourite Jimmy Choux was given a perfect ride by Jonathon Riddell but the kiwi champ raced like a tired and has earned himself a much needed spell. A majority of the runners were very tired on the line and it’s made clear by the margins. Praecido finished fourth and he was seven lengths from the winner. Jimmy Choux finished sixth and he was 12 lengths from Shamrocker.
Bossy said in an interview after the race that Shamrocker had a wondeful wind capacity. The only other horse that he has said that about was Makybe Diva. Not saying that Shamrocker will reach those great heights, but she is going to be a major player in the Spring.
Written by Adam Page
