February 9th

Caulfield

Race 1- Saratime brokethrough here after clearly knocking on the door in it's last couple of races. Punter's didn't miss and we had to settle for around 3.00 for Saratime but it looked too good on paper and we didn't miss backing it. Road To Athens as predicted lapped up the speed set up by the frontrunners. Road To Athens looked a threat but couldn't quite match Saratime. Our Spur stuck around for third.

Race 2- Vivacious Spirit was heavily backed in the second again one had to take bookie odds to get something out of Vivacious Spirit if keen. I intimated it was the best horse in the race in my report, however was concerned with the low draw and a trait of playing up in the barriers. Newitt got it right at the start however on Vivacious Spirit and ended up leading and the horse did all the rest. Centexpress and La Golue ran good up on the pace but were no match. Running Riot our pick was dissappointing overall. Didn't get the galloping room required and over-raced in the run but the question marks have appeared now on Running Riot.

Race 3- I managed to pick the Trifecta in the Blue Diamond Prelude in one. Wilander then Exceedingly Good with Minnesota Shark third. I went with Wilander because of the time ran by it at Ballarat and the fact that Exceedingly Good had already reached good levels in the Spring, and there was no real reason to have it flat out first up. Wilander speared away from Exceedingly Good after finding the front under natural steam and Minnesta Shark got home nicely for third. Von Costa Da Hero was an eye catching fourth.

Race 4- Again picked the fillies division here with Believe'n'Succeed and one couldn't pass up on the 11-1 that was on offer best tote about Kavanagh's young horse. Excellent run, leading in we got lucky with the price with strong perceived Power Stable runners in Pachanga, Burgeis and Sugar Babe well backed. Mark Kavanagh has an eye for a horse, and it was obvious watching Believe'n'Succeed in the replays and going around here. Second placed horse Sugar Babe was a terrific second after being caught back in the ruck early doors. Burgeis moved into the race stylishly too. Pachanga was ok. But it was hard to go past the winner and a nice lining of the pockets.

Race 5- I wasn't really interested in the Sprint, and cautioned punters about Royal Asscher though tipping her on top by default. La Chassuese my third selection used race fitness and a liking for the course and distance, as well as good form masked at unsuitable tracks and distances recently to win the Sprint with ease. Most of the sprinters ran on. Coniston Gem ran an exciting second coming off a long break and a good trial, was well supported. Orange County was good. Mind Your Head again missed the start and resented racing inside horses, but went to the line ok. Royal Asscher was ok, will improve on that, as will Miss Judgement (I sidestepped her though trialling well as she races better after having a few runs - her last campaign was a good template for this).

Race 6- Again got the winner here in Lucky Diva, making it 4 wins from 6 races, I finished 5 out 9 one of my better performances. We were rolling in it by this point. Can't deny a mare in good form and again she was too strong for the better mares who were having there first-up hitouts. 10-1 was shopped around in early markets, she started at 4.8. So you did well if you got on early. Lucky Diva raced on the outside of Electrostatic, shekept the pressure in the early part of the straight and had enough in store to hold off Star Rose and Bella Cassini. Storm Signal was ridden upside down. Maslins Beach looked a bit out of sorts.

Race 7- Shinzig at over 20-1 odds thundered down the middle of the track to hold off the perenially unlucky Niconero and Rubiscent to take the Orr. In a relatively slow tempoed race, it suited those who could launch off the slow speed. Newitt again fixed us up here. Maldivian never get in a position to dominate this race. A neutral start adding to the problem was a boyant Shinzig on the outside and Rubiscent in front never, this never allowed Big Mal to get anything to happen in the run. In doing this yes it fixed us up on Maldivian as he was never going to outsprint these cats off no momentum in the run. But Newitt on Rubsicent I believe cost himself victory in the race as Rubiscent was never going to win this in a sit and sprint. If he had off gone early he could have won the race, but would have brought us and Mal into the race. Don't give Mal away yet. Yes it was a costly loss, and maybe you wanted to see more, but he never got his chance to show his strengths. Princess Coup was an eye catching first up run. Princess Coup and Fimucino looked good in running on. Sirmione was a nice run as well.

Race 8- Didn't like the 3yo race and not too suprised I missed the winner. El Mandon, Tranquility Base and Corrugations my tips in the race were all within a length from the winner, so I was around the mark. Turffontein was a good winner of the race, and perhaps if you happened to listened to Cummings thoughts pre-race, I'm sure you would have found room for Turffontein in your thoughts. With a rushed effort leading into his previous race was used to explain his sub-par performance last run. Turffontein always showed good potential on the Sydney racing circuit. Pillar of Herculues returned well, Largo Lad ran on well. El Mandon was a bit sloppy again.

Race 9- Well we had to wait all week to get on this Seafarer. Was most excited about him when the noms came out at the start of the week. There was so much to like about his previous win at Caulfield second up over 1400m last campaign. He came back even better first up, in comparison to his first up last campaign in my mind he was a moral. Then the 12 barrier came out. And there went Best Bet plans. And it showed in how hard Seafarer had to work for the win. Hayes the trainer actually had similar thoughts thinking he was special as commented on radio before the barrier draw. Was still happy to back him as I knew Gotta Have Heart would go foward and Craig Williams would follow him. Unable to force him to lead we had to sit out three wide early, burning fuel. But eventually Seafarer was able to get in. Gotta Have Heart a horse that I have best-bet twice, and followers could now feel agrieved going on this performance, and Newitt's need to lead last start. I think we were dudded there, as he showed in this run he was just as comfortable sitting outside the leader as leading.

He took off turning for home and gave a massive kick, but Seafarer a horse built for Caulfield wouldn't be denied in the last 50m and turned it on for us. Paying us off handsomely. Yes, we were short-changed on the price 5.50 was a joke given the barrier it had drawn and the fact it had only beaten Evilweb before, and it was up against serious depth and opposition. The first four home were good with Barlinnie running on nice. Cargo Cult too. They ran quicker time than the Orr.

Up there with one of my better weeks this week. Wednesday with Benatar, Fuji Fantasy & Zipstream we ran 1st, 1st and 2nd. Best Bet De Ja View screamed in on Thursday paying $2.50. Then picked 5/9 winners on the programme with two Trifecta's provided in order in one. Wilander's race ($42) and Seafarer's race ($150).

Looking foward to another winning week.

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