Group l racing took place at both Randwick and Sandown on Saturday, where there were upsets, great story lines and a champion confirmed his status as one of the best in the post Black Caviar/Winx era.
Down below is a review of the feature races.
2023 Surround Stakes Replay
2023 Surround Stakes Review: Fabulous win from Sunshine In Paris. It was a very good finish, with most eyes on Zougotcha and In Secret, with Bowman and J Mac playing jockeys. Then you looked out wide and Ruthless Dame was hailed as the winner, only for Sunshine In Paris to burst through and put the head down right on the line. Looking towards the future though. In Secret confirmed that 1400m, at this stage of her career, is a bridge too far. That should leave her spot on for the Newmarket. Zougotcha was excellent, just running out of puff late, and watch the finale of Sheeza Belter. That run screamed of a filly wanting more ground so potentially the Coolmore Classic would be right up her alley.
2023 Chipping Norton Stakes Replay
2023 Chipping Norton Stakes Review: What more can you say about Anamoe. J Mac said in the press on Friday that he is looking forward to the day this horse sits off a good speed. Well he got that here, settling a pair or further back, tracked up, peeled out and he put the race to bed very quickly and was arrogant the way he put them. He’s a champion and he’ll do Australia proud at Royal Ascot. Fangirl is flying and is bursting to win a big race. Mo’Unga is racing like he wants a trip. I dare say he’ll go to the Ranvet next, place behind Anamoe, but I’d love to see him go to the Tancred. Great return from Montefilia as well, and from a Sydney Cup perspective, a big tick for Stockman.
2023 Blue Diamond Stakes Replay
2023 Blue Diamond Stakes Review: Where do you start here? Start with the winner, Little Brose. I thought the Prelude form was crap but it stood up in Sydney in the Skyline and it came to the fore with this guy, who got the sweet ride from Mick Dee and angled clear at the right time to finish best. But, the talking point is those who were beaten, namely Don Corleone and Steel City. Unfortunately Don Corleone couldn’t use the inside gate and settle closer. If he was able to settle closer, he wins the race IMO. But if you backed Steel City, you will be saying if she got out when Shinn was probing, she wins the race. Brave Halo is a very good juvenile and should they press towards the Sires at Flemington, he’ll go very close.
2023 Futurity Stakes Replay
2023 Futurity Stakes Overview: He’s a star Alligator Blood, and what about the training performance of GaiBott. This horse looked absolutely gone this time last year, but fast forward to now, he’s won four Group l races and will go into the All Star Mile as a likely favourite. Mr Brightside is ticking along beautifully…and what about I’m Thunderstruck? Jury is out…it’s come back and it has said he is a Goldilocks. He needs everything to fall into place to win at this level. He had every chance here and was very plain.
2023 Oakleigh Plate Replay
2023 Oakleigh Plate Review: One for the good guys here with the stable, O’Dea/Hoysted, and Ben Thompson, a Victorian who has made the move to Brisbane but comes back home for a Group l win aboard Uncommon James. I thought it was a very good ride. Zoustyle shot out to lead by a space and some riders get nervous in that situation, wanting to dig up and chase, but Thompson waited for him to tire, took the front and was strong to the line. Lofty Strike is a Group l winner in waiting and wouldn’t look out of place in the Newmarket as a key chance. Asfoora was great first up, King Of Sparta continued his love affair with dry ground. From a Newmarket perspective, I wouldn’t totally pen Masked Crusader, The Astrologist and Roch N Horse. They got too far back in a race dominated by those up/in.