September 23

Caulfield

Race 1- Something Anything got dragged into the first nicely, if ridden better would have won more easily but he got out in time to score. Enemy of Average was a sizzling run from the back, looking at the times he ran the quickest last 600m for the day. Cenotaph fought on and Harb looked good in fourth, while stablemate Jumlah over-raced a little. Home in 34.50.

Race 2- Walking speed here allowed Speedy Rossa to sprint away at the top of the straight and win comfortably. Thus making a nonsense of the Flemington form two weeks back where it clearly favoured horses on the rail or on the speed (Speedy Rossa and co. were caught deep that day). Dyna Myta sprinted well with Benko, as did Rulan Ruby and Brom Felinity from well back. Pin Up the favourite was always going to struggle with the slow speed. She needs them to run along. Home in 34.48

Race 3- Tesbury Jack led them at a even clip, slipped them at the top of the straight and then held off the swoopers to score. A good effort without being great. Let Go Thommo showed some nice acceleration at the top of the straight but just peaked on his run at the 50m, did well to get close though. Rockford Bay was given every chance by Childs, the good runs were from the winter horses Dr Nipantuck and Orange County. The Doctor would have finished closer if he was allowed a clearer run on cornering…I suggest to follow him and Orange County who ran on solidly as well. Home in 34.88 with a slow overall time.

Race 4- Wonderful World brought his Melbourne-game to town here to outsprint the colts. He had too much speed for a few dour types in this. Sharkbite showed that he lacks the dash to outsprint his rivals, he is better when the speed is on. Danever was the run of the race. Hit the line really hard from well back…he went home very seriously. The One was ordinary, note that he raced more ungenerously than at Flemington, his action didn’t look quite right. Wordsmith was ok. Tread wearily with this form. Home in 34.31

Race 5- Some good ones broke away from the field in the Tranquil Star. Anamato and Miss Finland lapped up the good speed up front with Miss Finland being a touch more brilliant in the end to beat the strong-running Anamato. Nothing was left in the tank with Miss Finland but was it was a good effort all the same, it was second up on a hot speed. Anamato was fantastic and looks bulletproof, she deserves to win soon. My Only Hope was fair, Miss Fantabulous maybe a touch better than her, I liked how she went with the good ones on the corner…some good signs with her. Just Momente again finished it off great and screams out VRC Oaks. Home in 35.64, interestingly they only went a touch quicker than the Males overall.

Race 6- The Underwood fell in El Segundo’s lap but he was good enough to take advantage of how how the race panned out and nothing got near him. Polar Bear put in a strong effective Caulfield performance, rolling into it on the turn and finishing it off ok. Molotov looked good too when stretching out, and it should be noted that placegetters in the Underwood have excellent records in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. He looks to be on track then. Behind the placegetters, Sphenophyta was the run off the race, he found himself in no man’s land at the turn and missed a few runs in the straight. He really attacked the line when he got a clear crack at them. Serenade Rose again had no luck, so it’s hard to determine where she fits into the overall picture. Our Smoking Joe got blocked for a run on the turn and had a bumping duel up the straight, he still looks interested enough for mine. Home in 34.65

Race 7- The quality of Rewaaya’s win is shown by where the other horses on the pace finished in this race. Volitant, Minson and Caprizzi Strip all finished in the last 5 over the line while Rewaaya went on too win the event. This makes her win look even better than it looks. Miss Andretti enjoyed a cheaper run in behind them, her run was no better than the winner. All plaudits to Rewaaya and jockey Craig Williams. Undue and Super Kid made there moves on the leaders and were solid. Doubting, Cargo Cult and Niconero were ok behind them. Home in 35.54

Race 8- Queen of the Hill ridden perfectly by Noel Callow found enough in the locker to tip out favourite Megadeal. Good effort by the winner and good signs looking ahead, as it usually improves on it’s first up showing. The placings overall in the race were generally determined by the runs they had in the race. Lyrical Bid was probably the pick of those horses who ran on. Just maybe she will be back to her best this campaign. Home in 34.78

Race 9- Pretty solid race this. Speed was ok and they sprinted home quick with Zipping showing enough to win. Good win by Zipping as it prefers a quicker speed. Show Barry raced to his top and Growl couldn’t quite go home as good as the winner but was ok all the same. Magic Instinct was a fabulous run I thought he went home as good as Zipping, hitting the line extremely nicely. Better than Tawqueet who perhaps races more attractively than he performs. D. Dunn on Tawqueet made a really nice move on the turn after saving plenty of ground on the rail, he came with a run but it just tapered a bit on the line. Home in 35.

Rosehill

Race 1- A Country Girl took advantage off a good speed to gain clear room on straightening and eventually managed to wear down Azianni. The first two looked good. Home in 34.11

Race 2- Ashkabar ran them along here and found enough to hold off other on-pacers Sob Story and Octrivia. Leading Bid was unlucky given it was caught three deep on a hot speed. All those had every chance behind them. King Stellamark took too long to get into it, as it got stuck into the race at the 200m. Home in 36.06

Race 3- Another on-pacers special with Chess Record leading from barrier to box. Replicator loomed large but couldn’t get there and was worried out of second by Ausbred King who was more solid on the line. Home in 35.01

Race 4- Star Of Louis looked pretty smart winning this. Ran to the line strongly in front of the wayward Devout. That horse was a bit all over the shop and the heavily fancied Kelly who may have needed that one coming off a long break. Attend ran on, and Throne Inn raced very immaturely. Home here in 34.93, they went slower overall than the opener won by A Country Girl.

Race 5- Fast’n Famous careered away for another stunning win. Just looks to good for everything at the moment…looks a moral everytime he runs. Rightson went to the line really strong with Posadas battling on. Home in 33.67, and they ran quick overall time in 1.03.15

Race 6- Cheeky Choice showed it’s versatitilty by winning on the bone dry today. It was just a strong win by Cheeky from Gallant Tess and My Lady’s Chamber who both battled hard. Montmelo had every chance but wasn’t good enough. Just Dancing got well back and didn’t come into it.

Race 7- Desert War well ridden by Larry Cassidy outsmarted his rivals by creeping away cheaply midrace. As they cornered, still with a lap full of horse and his main dangers already off the bit Larry Cassidy sprinted away. Eremein stuck to his guns and Grand Zulu was ok but had all the favours. Headturner looked good, he did it easy when they revved the speed up and came home as good as anything. In fact all of the stayers did ok. Railings came home ok, and Ice Chariot sprinted well when let down from last. Home in 33.98

Race 8- With the track bias in full flight punters stepped into All Black Gold and that was accurate as he raced away. Tuesday’s Joy again hit the line the best with Sermon third who was still pretty good. Home in 34.89. Nice slippery win as the ran a race record.

Race 9- Stormhill has come back enormous and again ran them off there feet with a daring display. Johan’s Toy put in a pretty ordinary one but track bias was against. Accumulate went to the line pretty good and is in on track for the spring riches. Home in 34.60  

Win of the Day

Rewaaya (Sure it was my best bet...it was still a good win though)

Horses to Follow- Magic Instinct, Rewaaya, Lyrical Bid, Sphenophyta, Danever

Better than it looks- Cheeky Choice, Zipping, Queen of the Hill, Dr Nipantuck.