November 11

Flemington

Race 1- Bond Street had the momentum up in the first to hold out the fast-finishing Electric General. Airstream the favourite was found to be sore after the race, which explained for it's failure. Home in 34.41

Race 2- Husson Lightning just lasted from the unlucky Deferential to win the Maribyrnong Plate. This was a quality race and the first two home look to have good futures, and the rest aren't hopeless as well. Meurice cantered to them at the 400m but died on her run as soon as Husson Lightning grabbed her. Having to wait on runs up the straight, Deferential finally got out in the last 100m and absolutely rattled to the line. Another 10m and she would have won clearly, she was coming that quick. Ran quick time too.

Race 3- Brom Felinity well ridden by Mark Zahra won the rich Hilton International. The interesting aspect of this race was how much it was dominated by middle distance horses with the stayers in general struggling to be competitive. They ran home in 35.03 which is quite quick but not devestating. I think we can draw from this that the class horses dominated here. Brom Felinity, Pin Up, Purde, Valkyrie Diva all have a touch of class. Reggie and Celtic Bloom both made acceptable ground, with Reggie looking the best.

Race 4- Some pretty smart 3yo's fought this one out with Fiveoclockshadow and Revise flying down the outside in a great two-horse finish. Fiveoclockshadow got into it a touch before Revise and that was the difference but both looked great over the last 200m. Speed up front was favourable for backmarkers but was by no means frightening. We tipped Fiveoclockshadow on top last start at the Valley, and included her in our first three this week...followers would have lapped up the $22. In our racing wrap May 27 we were captivated by it's Doomben by win and have wanted to follow it since. Revise seemed to find a second wind, after seemingly having enough when it got to them at the 200m mark, immature but nice. Tullamarine should be mentioned here too as it was the only horse on the pace to stick around. Home in 35.22

Race 5- Magnus finally won a good race after performing well in top company previously. Brilliantly ridden by Luke Nolen, Magnus responded well when eyeballed by Personal Ensign and Undue when they were making their runs. It was a hard fought win over some useful ones. Personal Ensign looks to have a future, after missing the start and then rushing to the lead in the wash-up with not being beaten far it was a commendable performance. Undue ran honestly while Splashing Out found the company a tick hot, perhaps it could have finished closer if raced with a touch more cover. Home in 33.80

Race 6- Divine Madonna continued on with her A grade racing form with a finish too good for these in the Emirates Stks. The pace was just good enough to bring the backmarkers right into this and the best of them took advantage of the clear run to the line managed by jockey Steve Baster. Niconero gave his all in second and Valedictum let down great today and battled on well for third in front of the desperatly unlucky Perfectly Ready. That horse should have finished in the first three as it was buffeted at the 1200m and found it tough to obtain a run in the straight. Lad of the Manor finished it off great with no luck at a critical stage but all honours with the winner. Home in 34.97, overall 1:35:53.

Race 7- Watchyerback sprouted wings here to grab some honest ones right on the line. A fabulous win as the speed wasn't all that quick up front and it suited horses racing in the first half. The well backed Forest Spy gave a tough spirited display out in front and looks back...with Royal Ida, Straddle and Our Apache all running good races and finishing within a half-length from the winner. My tip Straddle found just enough bother at the top of the straight to prevent it from placing. With a tick more speed and more racing room, it's fair to say he would have won. $20-1 about Watcyerback we did mention her....

Race 8- Gallant Guru somehow defeated Magic Instinct in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Gallant Guru raced close to the pace and kept up a good steam to the line and just got the bob in on Magic Instinct. My best for the day Magic Instinct again was a tragedy beaten. On straightening he got himself in a terrible tangle with Zavite and changed course twice before coming up the center of the track. By this time Gallant Guru had crept to the lead. Magic Instinct quickly raced to it and headed it at the 100m with Chris Munce confident. Realising Gallant Guru was still there he went for the horse and look to have won (but didn't) and was actually running away on the Guru after the line. Very Very painful. I told you he was good, and I think he would have been in the first three last Tuesday if he had obtained a run in the Cup. Behind them Fooram made really nice ground, with Bay Story sticking on for fourth. Vanquished my great risk for the day flopped and ran eighth.

Race 9- Utility at any old odds won the last and quite convincingly too. This horse has always shown a turn of foot and that was put to great use here being too slippery for the flashy Trick of Light and the stayer He's A Pearler. Dr Nipantuck and Rubijon were ok behind them. Trick of Light with his grass-cutting action is probably the one to follow out of the race.

Other notables:

Amen and Prince Arthur looked good at the Randwick meeting. Prince Arthur looks to have matured nicely from previous campaigns, and Amen continues to improve. That was a commanding win over 2000m at Randwick, and it looks suited by the bigger tracks.

Delta Blues terrificly won the Cup, Pop Rock had every chance to run it down but wasn't quite good enough. Both Miss Finland were great for their own reasons in the Oaks, while Gold Edition showed twice at Flemington she was the Queen of the Sprinting course.

Win of the Day:

Watchyerback...had to work against the speed and pass a few good ones!

Horses To Follow: Amen, Magic Instinct, Royal Asscher.

Better than it Looks: Fooram, Perfectly Ready, Deferntial, Straddle, Electric General.