October 28

Moonee Valley

Race 1- Cinq Rogue led with SuperFly at a steady tempo in the first. Coming to the corner Royal Asscher decended on the leader very quickly and looked the likely winner. Cinq Rogue though while outsprinted for a stride showed terrific fight to level back and go on to a very narrow win. Two very smart ones here and a great start for favourite punters. Time was competitively half a second slower than the Group 2 Schweppes.

Race 2- Manna Miss made a swift move mid race and that proved decisive in a sluggishly run 1600m race. She managed to get a big enough break on Maritess who was coming quickly from the back. I’m concluding here, that there’s not much between the first two. Kisumu and Pantenny knocked each other at stages in the straight but were only competitive with the first two over the line. Home in 36.26, running over a second slower than Valkyrie Diva’s win.

Race 3- Corton Charlemagne took advantage of a medium tempo and clear galloping room to run over these without too much troubles. Looked an improvement on her hard-fought second last start, I guess she has shown a liking to this track in the past. Swoopers Far Horizons and Evacuate ran on ok. Far Horizons the better. Shake It Off was warned off by us, and that proved to be accurate. He’ll go better at Flemington as he only seemed to threaten when balanced up and racing in a straight line. Something Anything played up a little too much to figure here. Home in 36.02

Race 4- California Dane returned to his best to win the Schweppes. He held Let Go Thommo safely to the line. The West Australian had every chance to run him down but California Dane was too good. Red Oog was a little unlucky in behind them copping a serious check at the start of the race. Home in 34.95

Race 5- Efficient beatufilly ridden in the Vase was too strong for his rivals. Importantly Rodd had him off the rail early which allowed him to make a bold move when the pressure was slapped on. He rounded the turn in front and was strong all the way to the line. The One loomed up ominously but never made any significant ground on the winner. Excites had every chance in third but wasn’t disgraced all the same, as too Danever who perhaps would have been more competitive if jockey Williams held on too the whip. Home in 36.68 while running a frightening overall of 2:05:28. A second and a half quicker than the Cox Plate.

Race 6- Zipping ground out another Moonee Valley win to take the MV Cup. A race that lacked any great pace, Jagger was the first to take off tacked up by Zipping. On straightening Zipping was making the best run out wide with Show Barry giving an almighty kick on the inside. Gallic stuck around for third while Fooram never yielded on his run. You could probably make a small excuse for Jagger for not figuring but Accumulate must be said is not racing well. Good effort by the winner and I’ve got a good feeling he will go even better in the Cup, against what other judges may suggest. Show Barry has form at this track against El Segundo so don’t dismiss this form. Home in 35.71.

Race 7- Fields of Omagh emotionally struck up another Cox Plate victory with a nail biting battle with El Segundo up the straight. Pace was just about medium as predicted and suited horses with galloping room and good Moonee Valley form. Pompeii Ruler swept to the lead on straightening only to be grabbed first by El Segundo and then Fields of Omagh. Both horses were finishing like trains and nothing but a bob of the head separated them, in fact El Segundo was regaining the lead on the post. Aqua Da’more threatened like she has all campaign but just lacked the class over the last 100m to go with these. While Miss Finland got knocked over two many times to seriously compete and along with Grey Swallow where the hard luck stories of the race. Grey Swallow was making a move in between horses at the 600m but then got blocked quite severly and with that too went his chances of figuring. Miss Finland copped similar interference but fought better to the line. Overall 2:06:89, home in 35.59.

Race 8- Valkyrie Diva won a hotly run Inglis Mares over the mile. Intelligently ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, he gave this mare just enough room to explode when she needed too. On straightening she broke away and had enough gravy to hold off the flying Benko. We said it would be hot and it suited stayers like Celtic Bloom and Star Mystic who stuck around really well. Reggie another horse with staying credentials also ran on, but it was the three-quarter sister to Maykbe that was too good here. Home in 36, and overall competitive with the Wateford Crystal Mile.

Race 9- Flash Trick won here in a slog from Sydney’s New Edge and the reliable Rockford Bay. Given a gun run a tick off the speed and on the rail, King was able to produce Flash Trick at the right time to run over New Edge and Rockford Bay in a pretty close go. Behind the first three Cargo Cult was probably the best run, having to come from out wide in a race suited by horses on the rail and close to the lead. This makes Amerryking’s form look very good as he decisively beat the winner and Rockford Bay home last start. Home in 35.87 off a pretty good speed.

Race 10- Truly Wicked continues to race well this campaign notching up another good city win. This perhaps looked her best and she showed that good Valley form has currency on days like this. Remember that she pushed Strikeline here won day in better company. Shadowmaker too showed an appreciation for the track with a good return to form. Then not much separated a few including Cinque Cento, Was That You, Falaise, etc. Home in 35.40 and they ran better than competitive overall time.

At Geelong midweek…

Saddler’s Story should have won the 3yo classic if not for a poor ride. While Stickpin hit a brickwall when it loomed up to win the last so fogive that run.

Win of the Day
Efficient…brilliant times don’t lie
Horses to Follow- Valkyrie Diva (always well placed), Zipping, Efficient, Cinq Rogue, Saddler’s Story.
Better than it Looks- Zipping, Cargo Cult, Shake it Off, Stickpin.