Our stocks of racing champs are dwindling, with All Too Hard having his final race (at least in Australia) in Saturday’s ripper All Aged Stakes (SR7, 1400m, WFA, G1), the highlight of a really good Cup day to conclude a memorable “Festival”.
Since reopening, Randwick has provided some extraordinary racing (and conditions!) including swansongs for the great Black Caviar and the princely Pierro.
I don’t expect All Too Hard (7) to win and thus, if Team Hawkes has been rightly quoted, he’ll not head to Ascot. He is an amazing colt but his best form is left handed and here he comes up against one of the greatest ever “clockwise” mares – the mighty More Joyous (6). Her last start defeat was nevertheless one of her grandest efforts, down on her knees at the furlong yet grabbing the bit to fight to the line. She wins. There’s depth here also, with Epaulette (8), Rain Affair (3) and the gallant Rangirangdoo (1) other quality combatants. A smallish yet fascinating field. 6,8,7.
As others take their leave, Australasia’s new “best horse” may well be there for all to see in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (SR4, 2000m, WFA, G1). It’s a Dundeel’s Derby win was astonishing and he’ll be long odds on in this. The most interesting opponent is Reliable Man (2). The white hot Waller stable has recruited this grey after he proved himself in the best of European company at Ascot, Longchamps, etc. Silent Achiever (6) and Manighar (1) are others which will have some supporters but it would be brave (even foolhardy?) to bet against the sub editors’ favorite punnable horse, It’s a Dundeel (9).
The NSW Quaddy kicks off with the Champagne Stakes (SR5, 1600m, 2yo, G1) where the Juveniles push out to the mile. Be careful. Guelph, Scandiva and Fast ‘n Rocking look to have the formlines here but they’ve been up for a while, raced in various directions and on some wearying tracks and won’t represent any value. It looks a sucker race to me. Find a roughie or stay out.
The Sydney Cup (SR6, 3200m, G1) has sometimes battled for relevance in recent decades. It is not a bad race and perhaps this is where Maluckyday (5) will finally flourish. 5 from 4. Don’t discount the toppy off a 54.5 minimum.
The get out (Hall Mark Stakes, SR8, 1200m, Listed) will require a lot of study, even more luck and a Bex and a lie down. 20 acceptors and probably 8/1 the field. (15,5,3,1).
Might be better off casting an eye toward Ascot – or even the final throes of a good Morphettville card.
I’ll be at my Caulfield post looking attentive whilst actually paying greater heed to the Sydney flucs and fortunes!
Should be great. Can’t wait.
Good luck!
Crio
Thanks for this. About to hop on a flight to Sydney for the meeting. Meet me at Tullamarine on Sunday with a wheel barrow!
Enjoy it MOC.
This was a brief glance on Wednesday – hopefully we’ll flush out some winners tonight.
Very keen to find something at odds E/W in the Champagne.
What a treat for you to see It’s a Dundeel, More Joyous and All Too Hard.
E/W in the Champagne = Drago. I like Criterion but unsure about getting the trip.
I came to exactly the same decision. E/W SR5 No9
Good card at Morphettville as well.
The All-Aged looks a ripper. Epaulette was a length or two behind Pierro and ATH last spring, but I reckon he might have caught up. Fiorente is an interesting first up runner. Must be going to Brisbane.
Where’s last year’s All-Aged winner Atlantic Jewel? Is she coming back to race or what?
Crio,
Aribaa first up in the 6th at Caulfield. M Cavanagh puts the polish on and wouldn’t need to be the best import of recent times to win this fresh. Well bred.
Great racing in Sydney but I’m finding it hard to get enthused on the punt there.
Will be trying Mourayan in the cup. In Melb I’m waiting for Bonnie Mac in the last with the blinkers on.
Great card in Adelaide and I’m keener on a few here. Very keen on He’snotthemessiah in the 4th. Snitzerland looks home in the 5th but with a few of the others drawn poorly, Alter will be the only danger if there is one.
The Oaks is really tough and while Molto Bene was a great run against the colts last run, I cannot have Todd Pannell riding a group 1 winner so I’ll probably have something on Proper Madam who I think will improve off a good run last time and may not get as far back from a slightly better draw.
Star of Giselle is a special as it will get a very soft run either in front or on the speed and meets Boonaria a couple of Kg’s better, the rest don’t really seem up to it to me.
The last is a great race and really if Catapulted is near his best he will win, if not Hidden Value will go well.
Elvis,
If your interested in Aribaa in the 6th, you’d want to be thinking about Motivado in the 5th. Ran fav in the Ebor and has form around Mount Athos.
A bit sad really for poor old aussie stayers when we are thinking about English horses who haven’t really set the world on fire. Wonder what Its a Dundeel would do to them over there.
The Dundeel looks a star.
Jock, heard from Gerry (the pacemaker) this morning.
Jock,
I’ll have a look at Motivado (Sounds like Motavato who stood spectacularly unsuccessfully at Nurrung some years ago)
In the Oaks, just take the three Kiwi’s. They will all stay, and they’re not there for a haircut.
Shellscrape is an interesting runner in the last. Two years off after failing at stud. A Group 1 winner I think, and if fit, could blow them away.
Elvis,
Shellscrape?? 2 years off into a group 3! Got the group 1 on disqualification of Ortensia in the Galaxy but needs a wet track.
I had a few tries at stud years ago, haven’t done anything of note since. I don’t really expect much more from Shellscrape.
I do agree about the Kiwis in the Oaks, just find them very hard to line up, my guess is that after this the’ll be off to Brissy.
Seriously good races in Adelaide. Terrible here at Caulfield.
All Too Hard terrific. Dundeel and More Joyous very disappointing.
I must say that I thought More Joyous would be $2.40 today – I worried when she got out past $3. A real worry. Looking forward to the stoush.
Dundeel coming back in distance and tackling the QE as an afterthought. Have the $1.25 all to yourself there. I took the quinella which paid $4.30 (a bit light) I was Reliably informed yesterday by my bro that Reliable Man was the highest rated Timeform horse to visit our shores. He’s eyeballed SYT and Danedream etc in Europe. French Derby winner. Some galloper; shame he bowed his tendon.
Go Kenny and Kochie. Port Adelaide 5-0.