The Carnival wound down at Randwick, big money was on offer at Caulfield and the Carnivals at Doomben and Morphettville were heating up. Here are the blackbookers for the afternoon
Randwick
Race One Number 10 Delivered (5th):
Very ordinary at Benalla before trialling well enough at Wagga before racing here. Thought he was set an impossible task from the back and his effort I thought was great, clocking the fastest final 600m of the race. I’m sure the stable will find a race for him during the Wagga Carnival and I’ll be betting up if placed in something similar.
Race Eight Number 16 Nettoyer (2nd):
It’s been of the best non winning preps you’ll see. She has been absolutely airborne this prep but unfortunately a win hasn’t come her way. Outstanding effort here, clocking 33.17 for her final 600m to get close to Tally. I’m not sure where the stable goes with her, but she deserves a blacktype win I know that.
Race Nine Number 7 Osborne Bulls (2nd):
This was just a nightmare to watch. Got a long way back via the good speed and given the way he didn’t like racing between horses at Kembla, I can see why Avdulla peeled him out. Cost him the win but he got very close. 32.35 final 600m clearly the quickest of the day and that speed is saved for Group l horses. He’s got that look of a Group l horse and I’m sure he’ll get there eventually.
Caulfield
Race Nine Number 2 Calderon (9th):
He still looks a working progress for Tony McEvoy but I reckon there is a decent engine under the hood and I’ll be keen to see him later on in the prep. Tracked up as if he was going to do something on the turn but condition just gave out. Still found the line and ran through it well enough. One to keep an eye on for sure.
Morphettville
Race Seven Number 2 Pleasuring (4th):
The run was hard to miss from a SA Oaks perspective. Warmed to the task late and her last 150m was that of a filly who will take beating next start. In saying that, she was five lengths away from the winner and stablemate Sopressa, so she does have to improve, but given that was her first run since a Tassie prep, she should improve.
Doomben
Race Six Number 4 Marble (3rd):
This was an amazing effort. He got flattened several times in running, looked completely lost around Doomben and didn’t seem that happy on the bog, yet once he balanced up in the straight, he charged home to run third. Outside he and the winner, it was a weak race, so I wouldn’t say he could measure up to the best three year old races during the Carnival, but on firmer footing, he’ll go close next time out.
Forget:
Violate – 2/24 strike rate says it all. Perennial tease
Dothraki – Thought he turned the corner…I was wrong. Had that race shot to bits but turned it up
Tom Melbourne – No words needed
Forgive
Mr Sneaky – Looked to be bolting but the wheels were spinning when he was let down. Firmer footing next time
