Group l racing was the focus at Rosehill on Saturday, with five Group l races on the ten race program, while at Moonee Valley, a very much in form gelding won the All Star Mile.
Down below is a review of the feature races.
2023 Rosehill Guineas Replay
2023 Rosehill Guineas Review: Just a great front running ride from Nash aboard Lindermann. The stop/start tactics worked perfectly and it took away the brilliance of Pericles, who looked all over the winner when presented but credit to Lindermann, he found and finished best to win narrowly. They were the standouts and they gapped the rest, with Williamsburg a few lengths away in third. Looking towards the future. Pericles seemingly just struggled at the end of 2000m so perhaps back in trip for the Doncaster Mile with 49kg on his back would be ideal while from a Derby perspective, Lindermann looks the one.
2023 Ranvet Stakes Replay
2023 Ranvet Stakes Review: Here I was thinking Dubai Honour was no good…what a fool I am. This was the most impressive win from an overseas raider in Sydney for some time, and that includes the deeds of Addeybb. He made an absolute mess of them and if he runs straight, he wins by further. Is he really that good? Or, what most are thinking, that our WFA stocks are terrible. Mo’Unga was gone 600m out but somehow ran third and Montefilia, albeit second, was very comfortably held. El Bodegon may as well head back to the UK while Hinged…she would struggle to win back home at Toowoomba.
2023 George Ryder Stakes Replay
2023 George Ryder Stakes Review: Those that are saying that Anamoe isn’t a champion…stay in your lane, stay in your box. What more does he need to do? Nine time Group l winner, Cox Plate winner, should be a two time Cox Plate winner, and this win was the best. He was wide no cover, had nothing to drag him into the race and really, he was entitled to tire and knock up, but he pinned the ears back, had a real crack, again, and was too good, setting up a dream clash with Dubai Honour in the Queen Elizabeth. Fangirl, in any other era, would be a multiple Group l winner if not for Anamoe. Ripping run with an eye towards the Doncaster. Converge is back on track. Artorius…he’s flying. And Levante confirmed what a ripping mare she is.
2023 Golden Slipper Replay
2023 Golden Slipper Overview: Example 1A of why the world class riders are asked to ride in big races in Australia. Ryan Moore came here for two Group l rides and leaves with two Group l wins, firstly with Dubai Honour and here with Shinzo. He really lifted the colt late to wear down Cylinder, who was given every chance by J Mac. King’s Gambit, I think, will end up being the best horse in the race, but he needs to learn to handle the race day experience. He melted in the yard, again. And what about Chris Waller. He’s won all the majors now and well and truly cements his place as one of the all time greats. If there was a Mt Rushmore for horse trainers in Australia, he can now sit alongside TJ, Bart and CS.
2023 The Galaxy Replay
2023 The Galaxy Review: Joe Pride is the best in the business at improving a tried horse and he did it again here with Mariamia, a mare who was a just a horse when racing in Victoria but fast forward to now, she is a Group l winner. Given a peach ride by apprentice Tyler Schiller, a rising star, he guided the mare nearer the inside and finished best for Uncommon James, who lost no admirers in defeat. Asfoora was desperately unlucky and as the day progressed, the track dried right out so those back/wide had no chance, so I’m forgiving of Remarque.
2023 All Star Mile Replay
2023 All Star Mile Review: Time and time again, we see Australian riders go to Hong Kong and they come back home a better rider. Luke Currie was another example here on Mr Brightside. He steered the Doncaster winner to perfection and he proved too good for Cascadian, with Tassie warhorse The Inevitable. Alligator Blood was there to win on the turn but the end of a hard mile just found him out. The flop was clearly I’m Thunderstruck. Admittedly, it was a poor ride, but the horse still did nothing regardless and the jury is out on him.