August 18th

Caulfield

Race 1- Dane Empire showed the improvement of having a good hit-out first up. Dane Empire bounded around the course and was far too good for these. My top rater and off to a bang 5.50 was best fluctuation. Magnetic who I suggested to steer away from, ran on reasonably but was given a typically soft Brereton ride. Derringer not to bad, Toulese Lautrec stuggled at a critical stage in the race.

Race 2- Rubiscent courtesy of a brilliant positive ride from Newitt got the cash in the second. Ridden hard out of the barriers, Rubiscent managed to get close enough and maintained the momentum required to get the best out of the horse. Things looked tricky when Aftershock was sitting outside in the run, but his condition gave way allowing Rubiscent the clear room to win the race. Master O'Reilly was a terrific run on performance perhaps the stayers run of the day. Mettre En Jeu was entitled to blow up at the end given it was a strong run 1600m race.

Race 3- Perhaps the best horse won the Vain in Shrewd Rhythm. Excellent return to racing, Shewd Rhythm bullocked his way into the clear and hit the line with Zest. Purrealist got the soft run out wide and was reasonable I thought in second. Diplomatic Force our best bet, on paper should have had Purrealist's run in the race, considering Diplomatic Force drew six in a small field, races midfield. Yet we were last on the inside. Having taken the 9.00 put up as first price on-line I was hoping Brereton would ride it to give us a return and in fairness he did just that, putting it in the running line, and not searching for an inside run. Ticks for that. He went to the line as well as Shrewd Rhythm, hard to say if Diplomatic Force would have beaten him on merit, i'm sure though if he had Purrealist's run he would of. I hope you saw the 9.00 put up as first price and took it, because 7.00 was the best fluctuation. I think both PB and Sportsbet put it up at that price and got it hammered. Anyway 150% return on investment is better than nothing. Of the others Marching, Murtajill were ok.

Race 4- Didn't have to wait long to get another hit of cash with top rater Bel Mer saluting in the Quezette. Newitt thought similarly with the way I did, thinking that these good ones might not be ready to be seriously tested over 1100m. Brilliant tactics - big payout. Again another case where the opening price in Darwin of 9.00 paid better than the offical best fluctuation of 8.50. Keep an eye out for that. Again I wasn't going to let that pass, given the 3.00 for the place. Best tote was 9.00, but only 2.00 for the place. That was the difference. Good run the winner, Bel Mer entitled to get tired. Best run for the future was Sleek Chassis...she will be a champion. Chinchilla Rose was a good effort, and I didn't think Forensics was disgusting like others.

Race 5- Perhaps a Cups contender emerged here with Blessed thrashing the Mares. Not sure about Blessed's action, but highly impressed with the motor she travelled welll and kept going to the line. Excellent performance. Kalashani Star showed a bit on top of the ground, and Blue Grouse our top rater should have finished two lengths closer but had to wait on a run with a few getting wobbly in front. Excellent run by Blue Grouse. Siesta Star and Zip Baby Zip were ok.

Race 6- Apache Cat god bless the Cat. Our other best bet did the right thing...grinding them in the Liston. Hope you had something big on Apache Cat thought the 2.30 they put up on Friday was too good to be true so hopped into that. He ran his typically courageous race, never really threatened came away from Marasco on the line. Wasn't it great to see Marasco under the whip at the 500m...that's called money in the bag. He did run on pretty good responded to hard riding. Maldivian solid. Pompeii Ruler excellent, Blue Monday ok, Maybe Better ok.

Race 7- Bon Hoffa loves the handicappers and showed too much for them in the sprint. Flash Coupe charged home well for second, Stanzout stuck around for third but Stanzout had every chance. Speed was pretty good in this race. Archie Senior was a good run in the race and can be followed. Blitzem Reilly was too bad to be true, hustled along to take up a 'midfield' position then under the whip before the turn. Back to the drawing board for Blitzem Reilly.

Race 8- I said Universal Queen would run second, just couldn't come up with my old favourite Storm Signal. She like many before her showed the benefit of a Queensland winter flashing to the line and beating the heavily backed Univeral Queen. Don't give Universal Queen away just yet. Ok there was some runs in this. Juste Momente excellent, Cancanelle excellent and Bellini Rose good she can step up to this grade.

Putting together a great Newsletter for this month keep an eye out for that.

Win of the Day-

Blessed

Horses To Follow - SLeek Chassis, Cancanelle, Shrewd Rhythm

Better than it looks - Universal Queen, Archie Senior, Blue Grouse, Marching.

View Latest Subscription Offers

View Saturday's Report

Related Articles:

* Wrap Aug 11

* Wrap Aug 4

* Wrap July 28

* Wrap July 21

* Racing Wrap