Private Life became the latest upset winner of a Caulfield Guineas when he made the most of a smart on-pace ride from Damian Lane to claim Saturday’s $3 million event at Caulfield.
The Chris Waller-trained, Coolmore Stud-raced $13 chance with betting sites led for every step of the 1600 metres to stave off a late challenge from $51 chance Feroce in an event that $1.80 wagering apps favourite Broadsiding had to settle for fourth placing.
Champion jockey James Mcdonald was chasing what is proving an elusive 100th Group 1 success aboard Broadsiding and Waller, who has provided McDonald with more elite-level wins – 36 – than any other trainer, was happy to spoil the party with his lone runner in the race.
“We were quietly confident, obviously Broadsiding is a very good horse and we missed out on James McDonald but we picked up a pretty good rider,” Waller, who has now prepared 167 Group 1 winners, said.
“James, if he could ride two horses in the race he would, but he said, ‘I’ve got to ride this horse, he’s been so good to me’ and I said, ‘no, that’s fine’.
“I said to Tom Magnier from Coolmore, ‘don’t worry, we’ve still got a good chance even though James is not riding. Picking up Damian Lane is a big plus.”
Private Life, a son of Written Tycoon and Group 1 placegetter Aliyana Tilde who cost $650,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, lasted to score by a short-head from Feroce, who narrowly missed out on providing trainer Dom Sutton with Guineas victory at his first Group 1 starter.
Completing the trifecta was $17 chance Evaporate, who finished three-quarters-of-a-length from Feroce.
Lane, who celebrated his first Guineas victory aboard Private Life, said he went in with a positive mindset despite the presence of Broadsiding.
“Every horse is beatable, so you just have to go out with a mindset of riding your horse the best you can, that’s all you can do,” he said.
“You can only paddle your own canoe and let the rest look after themselves.”
Broadsiding’s 1-1/4-length defeat snapped a run of five-straight wins and while trainer James Cummings was disappointed with the defeat he was not unhappy with the colt’s effort from the second half of the field on a day that horses struggled to make ground.
“I’d say that’s Broadsiding has run well and the winner was good on the day,” Cummings said.
“There was a lack of tempo and when he pulled him into the clear he gave a good boot, but it was just very difficult to make an impression given the way the race was run, so he (McDonald) was nevertheless very pleased with the horse’s run.”
