Derby Day review
November 4th 2007 00:10
If you took the trifecta on the Weekend Hussler race, a tidy profit would have been yours. If not, a small loss would have been recorded. After the first day's proceedings we are in a pretty good position to record a profit but with the rain bucketing down in Melbourne last night and continuing all through today, a wet track on Melbourne Cup day is on the cards.
The Maribyrnong Plate may have seen two very good colts in action. Exceedingly Good jumped much better this time and was able to lead pretty much all the way. Reaan sat second all the way and never shirked his task. Both will probably be put away for the autumn 2yo races. Nato had no early speed again and finished off very strongly. Ballerina Girl raced very erratically for most of the race but once she got it all together finished off the race strongly.
The Carbine Club was a raffle on paper and the result would be determined by luck in running. Z[B]acroona[/B] had that luck in running, being able to utilise his perfect draw and take a lovely trail in the race, all he had to do was go around the early leader Schilling to win comfortably. Although he had a sweet run, he was very strong on the line and looks to have scope to get over more ground. Puerto Banus was a huge run, he saw more of the river than of the course, he stuck on very well after a tough run.
The Saab Quality was a truly run affair, horses like King of Ashford had their chances to make up ground but made no impression, he was very ordinary. The Fuzz had every possible chance to win, he was well-ridden by Craig Williams, he headed Sculptor but couldn't get the job done. He didn't stay the 2500m, on the run he surely won't get the 3200m of the Cup. No tipster in Melbourne tipped Sculptor. How could you? In 19 starts on a good track he hs only won once, not a good recommendation for a group 2 race. Add to the fact that he was ridden by Lisa Cropp, one of the worst riders I have ever seen. Those who backed Miss Finland in last year's Cox Plate and Lilakyn in this year's Brisbane Cup (when she stopped riding and celebrated before the post and cost the horse the race) would attest to that. Desert Master ran another top race to finish a very stong third. How this horse is not in the Lavazza Long Black on Tuesday is beyond me, with the rain coming he would have been a special.
Greg Childs produced a gem on Zarita to win the Wakeful, the old master adapted to the slow pace set by Antarctic Miss and remained in touch and then when the time was right, he put Zarita into the firing line at the top of the straight. Being by Pentire, she had enough staying ability to hold off Riva San who had a hard run from the 1000m and ran yet another good race. Riva San is most consistent and will be my Oaks tip. I have backed her at $8 prepost, that price will be nowhere to be seen on Thursday. The slow pace gave Serious Speed no hope but she didn't really show anything in the straight. Those comments can be echoed for Absolut Glam. Katherine Gold had every chance. Royale Harmony's run was very good, she was the only backmarker to make any impression.
Weekend Hussler entertained the crowd with an exhibiton gallop in the Coolmore Stakes. The VRC was very generous in paying connections a 300 grand appearance fee. Track work clockers timed him to run 1.8.95, pretty good when you consider Brad Rawiller had to cajole him into trying. The run of Masked Assassin was excellent coming from the rear, as was Bel Mer who forced Rawiller to go for the whip 200 out, there may be something for her next Saturday.
The Mackinnon Stakes....I did mention in my preview that it was a nightmare race for punters. It proved exactly that for me when Princess Coup hit the front 100m out. Can someone please tell me where Sirmione produced that finish from? Scribes in the press are crapping about Sirmione and Bart's 12th Cup, surely not? Princess Coup ran very well and will hold her form going into the Melbourne Cup. Zipping's run was excellent coming from last. He is going very well going into the Cup. Stewards questioned Danny Nikolic about his tactics on Zipping, you may hear more. This is the second time Nikolic has been questioned over his rides in the Mackinnon, the same thing happened when he rode Mummify in 2003. Just a tip for you Danny, at least make it look like you are trying! Maybe Better and Scenic Shot ran on okay and Devil Moon can go to the paddock with another honest run under he belt. Haradasun pulled up lame. Coolmore may pull the pin on his career, thank goodness is all I can say. I am sick of the coverage on a run of the mill weight for age horse. Miss Finland is going to be spelled as well. Perhaps David Hayes will come to his senses and realise she should be kept to mile racing.
In the Derby, they all had their chances. Kibbutz was just a superior stayer....on the day. Don't get carried away with his win. Efficient was supposed to be a superstar last year but he hasn't won a race since. The Derby honour roll is littered with 'superstars' who never won another race. Wait until he starts to show something as a four year old before hailing him. Having he said that, he does remind me of Doriemus.
The Myer Classic was far from it, outside Divine Madonna there was only one other Group 1 winner, Cinque Cento and she is going terribly. Divine Madonna won by 2 lengths but based on what she can do I would say she was far from impressive. Mark Kavanagh said after the race that she may have been feeling the Cox Plate run, if she goes to the Emirates that will make it three hard runs in three Saturdays. She has a Hong Kong trip booked, innoculate her and give her a rest for that. Red for Lou produced another good effort, she saves her best for Flemington. Sovereign Miss ran on very well following Divine Madonna, for a winter mare her run was exceptional. The one to follow out of the race is Translate, she pushed Divine Madonna all the way down the straight and if the conditions of the race were not so beneficial to Divine Madonna, she would have beaten her. There is a 2000m race for mares next Saturday, it may be for her.
The Salinger was a great straight race as usual. James Winks was able to succeed whee many riders have failed and get Swick out of pockets and to produce his best. His last 200m was outstanding. Tesbury Jack went for 800m and the put up the white flag, very weak. Stickpin was ridden with no vigour late by Kerrin McEvoy he finished ok, he is definitely getting fit for something, maybe Sandown? Great is Great turned in a super debut performance for Lee Freedman. Freedman may have been able to sort out his problems and get him going. At his best Great is Great is a very good galloper.
Count to Zero was as stiff as a board not to get near them at Caulfield last time out. The punters forgot that and sent him out at $13. He took advantage of the very fast pace set by Spielmeister and cruised into the race at the right time. Spielmeister showed a ton of guts and only went down by a head. Lord if the Dance had every chance. The backmarkers like Roman Squire and Valedictum were entitled to do a bit better than they did considering the generous pace set up for them. Royal Ida ran on strongly again but gave the first two too much start. He is competitive in any race he competes in.
The Cup day preview will be posted Sunday night
Horses to follow - Translate and Masked Assassin
The Maribyrnong Plate may have seen two very good colts in action. Exceedingly Good jumped much better this time and was able to lead pretty much all the way. Reaan sat second all the way and never shirked his task. Both will probably be put away for the autumn 2yo races. Nato had no early speed again and finished off very strongly. Ballerina Girl raced very erratically for most of the race but once she got it all together finished off the race strongly.
The Carbine Club was a raffle on paper and the result would be determined by luck in running. Z[B]acroona[/B] had that luck in running, being able to utilise his perfect draw and take a lovely trail in the race, all he had to do was go around the early leader Schilling to win comfortably. Although he had a sweet run, he was very strong on the line and looks to have scope to get over more ground. Puerto Banus was a huge run, he saw more of the river than of the course, he stuck on very well after a tough run.
The Saab Quality was a truly run affair, horses like King of Ashford had their chances to make up ground but made no impression, he was very ordinary. The Fuzz had every possible chance to win, he was well-ridden by Craig Williams, he headed Sculptor but couldn't get the job done. He didn't stay the 2500m, on the run he surely won't get the 3200m of the Cup. No tipster in Melbourne tipped Sculptor. How could you? In 19 starts on a good track he hs only won once, not a good recommendation for a group 2 race. Add to the fact that he was ridden by Lisa Cropp, one of the worst riders I have ever seen. Those who backed Miss Finland in last year's Cox Plate and Lilakyn in this year's Brisbane Cup (when she stopped riding and celebrated before the post and cost the horse the race) would attest to that. Desert Master ran another top race to finish a very stong third. How this horse is not in the Lavazza Long Black on Tuesday is beyond me, with the rain coming he would have been a special.
Greg Childs produced a gem on Zarita to win the Wakeful, the old master adapted to the slow pace set by Antarctic Miss and remained in touch and then when the time was right, he put Zarita into the firing line at the top of the straight. Being by Pentire, she had enough staying ability to hold off Riva San who had a hard run from the 1000m and ran yet another good race. Riva San is most consistent and will be my Oaks tip. I have backed her at $8 prepost, that price will be nowhere to be seen on Thursday. The slow pace gave Serious Speed no hope but she didn't really show anything in the straight. Those comments can be echoed for Absolut Glam. Katherine Gold had every chance. Royale Harmony's run was very good, she was the only backmarker to make any impression.
Weekend Hussler entertained the crowd with an exhibiton gallop in the Coolmore Stakes. The VRC was very generous in paying connections a 300 grand appearance fee. Track work clockers timed him to run 1.8.95, pretty good when you consider Brad Rawiller had to cajole him into trying. The run of Masked Assassin was excellent coming from the rear, as was Bel Mer who forced Rawiller to go for the whip 200 out, there may be something for her next Saturday.
The Mackinnon Stakes....I did mention in my preview that it was a nightmare race for punters. It proved exactly that for me when Princess Coup hit the front 100m out. Can someone please tell me where Sirmione produced that finish from? Scribes in the press are crapping about Sirmione and Bart's 12th Cup, surely not? Princess Coup ran very well and will hold her form going into the Melbourne Cup. Zipping's run was excellent coming from last. He is going very well going into the Cup. Stewards questioned Danny Nikolic about his tactics on Zipping, you may hear more. This is the second time Nikolic has been questioned over his rides in the Mackinnon, the same thing happened when he rode Mummify in 2003. Just a tip for you Danny, at least make it look like you are trying! Maybe Better and Scenic Shot ran on okay and Devil Moon can go to the paddock with another honest run under he belt. Haradasun pulled up lame. Coolmore may pull the pin on his career, thank goodness is all I can say. I am sick of the coverage on a run of the mill weight for age horse. Miss Finland is going to be spelled as well. Perhaps David Hayes will come to his senses and realise she should be kept to mile racing.
In the Derby, they all had their chances. Kibbutz was just a superior stayer....on the day. Don't get carried away with his win. Efficient was supposed to be a superstar last year but he hasn't won a race since. The Derby honour roll is littered with 'superstars' who never won another race. Wait until he starts to show something as a four year old before hailing him. Having he said that, he does remind me of Doriemus.
The Myer Classic was far from it, outside Divine Madonna there was only one other Group 1 winner, Cinque Cento and she is going terribly. Divine Madonna won by 2 lengths but based on what she can do I would say she was far from impressive. Mark Kavanagh said after the race that she may have been feeling the Cox Plate run, if she goes to the Emirates that will make it three hard runs in three Saturdays. She has a Hong Kong trip booked, innoculate her and give her a rest for that. Red for Lou produced another good effort, she saves her best for Flemington. Sovereign Miss ran on very well following Divine Madonna, for a winter mare her run was exceptional. The one to follow out of the race is Translate, she pushed Divine Madonna all the way down the straight and if the conditions of the race were not so beneficial to Divine Madonna, she would have beaten her. There is a 2000m race for mares next Saturday, it may be for her.
The Salinger was a great straight race as usual. James Winks was able to succeed whee many riders have failed and get Swick out of pockets and to produce his best. His last 200m was outstanding. Tesbury Jack went for 800m and the put up the white flag, very weak. Stickpin was ridden with no vigour late by Kerrin McEvoy he finished ok, he is definitely getting fit for something, maybe Sandown? Great is Great turned in a super debut performance for Lee Freedman. Freedman may have been able to sort out his problems and get him going. At his best Great is Great is a very good galloper.
Count to Zero was as stiff as a board not to get near them at Caulfield last time out. The punters forgot that and sent him out at $13. He took advantage of the very fast pace set by Spielmeister and cruised into the race at the right time. Spielmeister showed a ton of guts and only went down by a head. Lord if the Dance had every chance. The backmarkers like Roman Squire and Valedictum were entitled to do a bit better than they did considering the generous pace set up for them. Royal Ida ran on strongly again but gave the first two too much start. He is competitive in any race he competes in.
The Cup day preview will be posted Sunday night
Horses to follow - Translate and Masked Assassin
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