The meeting at Caulfield on Saturday lived up to its promise. Emphatic winners and good formlines to follow.
The Blue Diamond Preludes were terrific entrees to the main event in a fortnight. Tony Vasil’s debut filly, Psychologist, blitzed her opponents to scream to the top of the betting markets. Stories had leaked on Friday that this filly had been specked then punted from $120 in to $21 during the week. Cagey Vasil admitted he’s jumped on to her while everyone else watched the trials midweek and felt “WOW!”.
To the MRC’s delight, Sydney colt Beneteau responded in the next with a faster and equally impressive win, taking a sit and pushing his while blaze through to the front under apprentice Darren Ganderton’s urgings.
The Club will be ecstatic with the shaping of their feature sprint for juveniles as Crystal Lily and, my selection, Star Witness stayed home yesterday and will add to the equation. As usual, anything can happen. Secession dropped down the markets but will be ridden more quietly next time and, though seemingly outclassed on exposed form, youngsters can improve rapidly with racing experience and luck in running.
The good things also saluted, offering no value but giving racegoers a treat. “Little Lon”, Denman, toyed with his opponents. Carrara stuck on and is looking for more ground, itself the question on the winner. After his misfortune in the Caulfield Guineas in Spring, can Denham be trusted to get the mile on Super Saturday? I hope so. He’ll be short odds and it is to be hoped So You Think, Manhattan Rain and others can make it a vintage Guineas.
I wonder how Denman would have fared in open company against the brilliant mare Typhoon Tracy who, as expected, made a soft procession of the Orr Stakes. A slow time makes this race tough to read. Heart of Dreams stuck on OK, as one should expect of such a quality horse, and the walk/sprint meant the staying backmarkers couldn’t get going. Sirmione’s run, though, was excellent.
I’d touted that the hardened sprinters would be the way to read the Rubiton Stakes and so it proved. Boom fillies Avenue and (in particular) Irish Lights were found wanting when the pressure poured on. Vasil’s Lucky Secret was a valiant second but Here De Angel’s win was again superb. He sat wide, ran time and won with authority. He had been backed (unsuccessfully) to beat Black Caviar the start before, franking his talent. Rostova’s grinding third was the best of the rest and she may recover her early promise.
The “support” races were interesting. I’m gutted at Bolle’s win in the first, where No Jurisdiction was impressive and Old Jock knocked off his feet. Serial urger Freeza points to Molotov’s run as A Darwin Cup Tip.
No Evidence Needed was good in the second, though My Emotion was definitely the eye-catcher if she can get a race run to suit.
Velocitea and Valentine Miss quinellaed the eighth with the best two horses and rides, while quality mare Miss Maren got the fast pace needed for her barnstorming finish to secure the last.
Great meeting.
Off to the Valley next Saturday for a cracking meeting, which we’ll preview as the week unfolds.
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