Crio’s Racing Review : The Diamond is on the Soles of HER Shoes

Last weekend’s races deserve some sort of review before being consigned to the scrapheap of losing tickets.

There were some emphatic winners….and bookies were not amongst them in Melbourne.

Earthquake was devastating in the G1 Diamond. Heavily backed despite the gate, she sat handy and exploded away. Slipper beckons. Rubick’s off to the paddock.

Lankan Rupee’s G1 Oakleigh Plate success was not a surprise (fav) but no one predicted such an arrogant dismissal of a good field. He burst away like Moody’s horses would two years ago. Remarkable. Being on the pace gives horses a chance to avoid the rubbish which can obstruct the “get back” types. Knoydart was again impressive and will cough up the $55g to be a late nom for the Newmarket.

Moment of Change got to good odds – they rallied for Bull Point – and pinched another 1400m Caulfield G1, this time the Futurity; reminiscent of Regal Roller. “Skinny” fields and a great training performance. Sertorius missed the kick and was the run of the race.

“Fat” Fiorente grinded out a win in the G2 Peter Young. I thought he was vulnerable and looked in strife on the turn. Surely he can win anything they pursue now during the rest of this prep. Foreteller was OK. The rest are a different class.

I had dismissed Notlistenin’tome in my preview (G3 Zeditave), convinced he’d run in Sydney where he’d trialled during the week – and, to my amateur eye, had looked a gallop short. Instead he turned up at Caulfield. Bookies put up $1.60 which seemed ridiculously short. He won like a $1.10 pop and is a bona fide star. There was a big “slow” for Lion of Belfort and the rest are pretty good but the winner is top shelf.

Up in Sin City, Guelph looked vulnerable and punters agreed. She blew from red figures to 5/4 as the winner, Sweet Idea, firmed. This filly has a bombproof style and excellent form. Guelph will benefit from the run but she might be slightly overrated.

In the other G2, Appearance was again too good. She is a mighty mare. Moriarty made ground impressively from a Cup perspective. Speediness was OK. The jury is definitely out on Boban.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Guineas Day at Flemington this week. They look a reasonable and even bunch of colts….Eurozone, Hucklebuck, Shamus Award, Bull Point – interesting to see how acceptances pan out.

Fawkner’s the notable “returnee” at HQ and by the looks of the Randwick trials there are a batch of stars ready to start their Autumn campaigns soon – Dear Demi and It’s a Dundeel both won their hit outs.

Rosehill hosts the nation’s premier meeting this week – the Silver Slipper, Hobartville and Millie Fox are features.

I’ll post an overview Wednesday night or Thursday after fields are finalized.

My form is terrible but the racing is great. Looking forward to another exciting week.

Comments

  1. Very good points Crio,Earthquake was indeed brilliant, in a season of excellent 2yo’s.
    Reckon Newitt would not want to watch the relplay of his ride on Foreteller, holding him up on Fiorente’s back and then missed grinded to only pick up ground in the last 50.
    Also Boban in Sydney was not one of Nash’s better rides, though it is a little concerning the way the horse has returned it’s first 2 runs back.
    Also noticed Top Dolly pulled up again in the Blue Diamond after pulling up lame 2 weeks earlier in the prelude, didn’t hear stewards report but must be concerning for Tommy Hughes.

  2. Having previews and post mortems this early in the week is no good for old blokes used to pondering over a red on Friday with the form but welcome nevertheless
    However with the Adelaide Cup soon to be run in March (have to ask Jock what he thinks of this) Id better get busy and give it some thought as there will no doubt be a few coming over but Big Memory and Junoob share favouritism at present
    Like you Crio I hope to jag a winner but that may depend on what the locals have engaged

  3. Sounds like Nash made a few questionable decisions on Saturday – even the stewards appear to have noticed!
    Oges, sorry for rocking your weekly equilibrium but it was a significant week and a few comments I was going to make grew to another article – Friday drinks are, quite rightly, the time to cast your eye over the formguide.
    I’ll try to tackle the new challenges tomorrow.

  4. RacingNetwork’s reporting that Miracles Of Life is Flemington bound sans Stojakovic

Leave a Comment

*