Shahwardi Draws First Blood For Foreigners
- Saturday, 13 October 2012 07:00
ShahwardiFrench galloper Shahwardi scored his first win in three years and chalked up another Melbourne Cup tick for the foreign horses at Caulfield on Saturday.
The seven-year-old was declared a Cup chance by rider Kerrin McEvoy after he steered him from last-to-first in the Group Two Herbert Power Stakes (2400m).
Shahwardi is trained by Alain De Royer-Dupre, who won the Melbourne Cup with Americain in 2010.
The win has further strengthened the foreign raiders' claims on spring's two glamour features with the Caulfield Cup still on the radar for the gelding.
Stable spokesman Joe Murray said he was impressed by Shahwardi's performance after his relatively recent arrival in Australia.
"It was a great run," Murray said. "The trainer has prepared him beautifully.
Shahwardi"He's only been here a few weeks and to perform like that is amazing.
"Tony (Bloom) who is the owner, really wants to aim for the Melbourne Cup."
Murray said he was "not sure" whether the Caulfield Cup option for Shahwardi would be taken up.
Shahwardi's three wins all came in France in 2009.
He campaigned in England in 2010 without luck before returning to France where his form improved somewhat.
McEvoy was upbeat about the Cups target for Shahwardi after Saturday's race.
"There was a bit of action early, a bit of pace, and that was plan, just to ride him to be last off the bridle and he enjoyed it," McEvoy said.
"I think it's still up in the air if he backs up in the Caulfield Cup but if he stays at two miles he's going to be a chance in the Melbourne Cup - I think anyway.
"Obviously it's a step up in grade but he's travelled over well and he'd be some chance in the Melbourne Cup.
Shahwardi ($15) won by a length from Excluded ($7) with Exceptionally ($7.50) third.
Photos: Fiona Tomlin
Ocean Park The One For Cox Plate: Boss
- Saturday, 13 October 2012 06:16
Ocean ParkGlen Boss says he will be riding the right horse in the Cox Plate after New Zealander Ocean Park completed a hat-trick of Group One wins in the Caulfield Stakes.
Ocean Park, who turned four on Saturday, backed up from victories in last month's Mafki Challenge in his homeland and the Underwood Stakes to underline his Cox Plate claims.
"He's got weight-for-age form," Boss said.
"I'm not underestimating the job he's got ahead of him but at the moment I wouldn't swap, I really wouldn't.
"He's got the ability to put himself anywhere in the race."
Ocean Park, the $1.50 favourite, defeated Alcopop ($20) by three-quarters of a length with Sincero ($5) a nose back third.
Boss said he was supremely confident of Ocean Park's chances in the $3 million Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 27.
Alcopop, Sincero and Ocean Park"I think he's the right horse, I really do," Boss said.
He said Ocean Park's Caulfield Stakes hit-out would provide the perfect lead-in.
"That's a race he really needed," he said.
"He's actually put on weight since that last run (in the Underwood Stakes) so today's run was one he really needed to clean him right out.
"I'm glad he had a contest today because he needed it but the best part about it was his attitude.
"He put himself in a very good spot very easily and in the run I couldn't believe how relaxed he became."
Michael Rodd said perhaps Sincereo would benefit from blinkers after he loomed up and looked as if he would challenge the winner.
"I got beaten fair and square by the winner but I still think my bloke's got some improvement," Rodd said.
Ocean Park"I think we need to go for a set of shades to sharpen him up a bit. He gets lackadaisical when the sprint goes on."
In contrast Boss said Ocean Park responded to his urgings without fuss.
"For a horse who's had not a lot of racing he's got a very, very good brain in the race," he said.
"He does exactly what you want and as soon as I asked him to come on by about the 600 (metres) he got interested in the race.
"When he got clear he switched off, but that's probably because he just needed the run."
Dominic Tourneur said comeback galloper Alcopop still had improvement and was unlucky not to have finished closer.
"I'm not convinced he was 100 per cent out there today," Tourneur said.
"Having to come off Sincero at the top of the straight probably cost us a long neck. If that hadn't have been the case it may have been interesting.
Photos: Quentin Lang
Buffering Stakes Claim For Top Spot
- Saturday, 13 October 2012 04:16
BufferingQueensland sprinter Buffering staked an undeniable claim for the title of Australia's No.1 sprinter with a win that would have pleased the absent queen of the turf.
Buffering ($2.60 fav) broke new ground with his victory in the Group Two Schillaci Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield, a race the great Black Caviar had won for the previous two years.
"Black Caviar isn't here. He's lived in her shadow for a long time," Heathcote said.
"I think this gives him the opportunity to put his hand up now and say I'm the No.1 sprinter in the country."
Buffering came into the Schillaci with 10 wins against his name, having led throughout in each of them.
But the lightly-weighted Malasun burned him off in the early stages forcing him to register his first come-from-behind win.
BufferingHaving abandoned an early battle for the front, Buffering surged to the lead as soon as jockey Hugh Bowman asked him to, going on to score by 1-3/4 lengths from Golden Archer ($6) who finished a short half-head in front of Stirling Grove ($26) in third place.
While the win has earned Buffering bragging rights at least until Black Caviar returns, Heathcote and the horse's owners had been plunged into despair in the week before the race.
Buffering received routine inoculations last Monday in readiness for a possible trip to Hong Kong and suffered an adverse reaction.
"On Monday the vet called and said he wasn't doing too good. He said our spring might be over," Heathcote said.
"It knocked him down pretty quickly, but just as quickly he came back up."
Buffering is scheduled to run next in the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 26.
He might then go to Perth or to Hong Kong in December before returning to allow Black Caviar back onto the throne in the autumn.
Photos: Fiona Tomlin
All Too Hard Upsets Pierro In Guineas
- Saturday, 13 October 2012 05:46
All Too Hard Beats PierroAll Too Hard has emerged from the shadow of his older half-sister Black Caviar to claim the Group One Caulfield Guineas.
In a major surprise, All Too Hard ran down Pierro to end the hot favourite's unbeaten sequence.
Pierro, chasing his ninth consecutive win, dwelt at the start before he was sent forward by Nash Rawiller to park outside the leader.
Despite all of his early work, the colt still managed to set up a sizable lead in the straight but he had no answer to All Too Hard's finish.
"He's been under big expectations because of his sister and I put my name on him early as a good horse so it's good to see him deliver," winning jockey Dwayne Dunn said.
All Too Hard went into the $1 million race after three unplaced spring runs but co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said the Nathan Tinkler-owned colt deserved to win a Group One.
"He has been getting beaten two lengths (in his race) and not 22 lengths," he said.
Pierro fought right to the wire to keep second with the Darley colt Epaulette finishing third.
Photos: Quentin Lang
Cavalry Rose Gives Ryan A Caulfield Double
- Saturday, 13 October 2012 03:46
Cavalry RoseCavalry Rose has returned to form to present trainer Gerald Ryan with an early Caulfield double when she clinched the Group Three Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.
Ryan had to ease off Cavalry Rose's routine after he was left baffled by the filly's poor performance at Warwick Farm in August when she beat only one runner home.
An improved run over 1200 metres at Rosehill on September 29 when she finished fourth in an eight-horse field gave him some optimism he was on the right track.
And, following Ryan's success with Snitzerland in the Blue Sapphire Stakes, the trainer was delighted to see the three-year-old's return to her peak.
Cavalry Rose ($8), with leading jockey Nash Rawiller aboard, won by a short half-head from Mareeza ($16) with G1en Boss' mount Saturn Rock, the $3.80 equal favourite, third.
Cavalry Rose"It's been great," Ryan said. "The Triple Crown (Syndicate) boys have been terrific, they left it to me after she went awful in the Silver Shadow.
"We had to back off and try to find out why she went so bad.
"We did nothing with her for 10 days and she's bounced back and she's just gone terrific since," he said.
Ryan said he had little doubt Cavalry Rose would perform on cue after her work earlier in the week in Sydney.
"She worked enormously at Rosehill on Monday morning, this (Melbourne) way of going, and I was really confident going into the race.
"She came down here to a nice little barn over there at Caulfield which the Melbourne Racing Club has given us for the spring and she just has not missed a beat," he said.
Photos: Quentin Lang
This Racing Game Is All Too Hard
- Saturday, 13 October 2012 05:26
Pierro's Disappointed ConnectionsGoing into today's Caulfield Guineas, the media spotlight shone brightly on Pierro, the Gai Waterhouse colt being valued in some quarters at $24 million.
As so often happens when a high class horse is the subject of intense media scrutiny, his "trackwork with the stars" appearance on Tuesday became a "we'll show them how good he is" exercise.
While the "best trackwork ever seen at Flemington" headlines the next day may have given an inner glow to connections, the reality is that the work reported as a final 600m in 33.88sec, 400m in 21.35 and last 200m in 10.38 was more suited to the closing stages of the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate than a gallop at Flemington.
The outcome of that gallop, which would have left most horses stiff and sore, combined with an arrogant ride in today's Guineas by Nash Rawiller left Pierro as a sitting duck for All Too Hard. Rawiller must have thought he was on an unbeatable proposition to push Pierro through his early sectionals so quickly, especially up the taxing hill at the back of the Caulfield track.
All Too Hard Races Past PierroPierro ran his first 600m in today's Guineas in 34.12, first 400m in 22.24 and his first 200m in a sizzling 10.74, almost the mirror image of what he did at the end of Tuesday's gallop. In contrast, he ran his final sectionals with the final 600m in 36.57sec, 400m in 24.52 and last 200m in 12.63.
On the other hand, John Hawkes the trainer of All Too Hard must have noticed that the workload imposed on Pierro was altogether too hard and strategised that he would be vulnerable at the end of today's race. All Too Hard was dropped out to last early by Dwayne Dunn who knew that the early pace was unsustainable.
For winning owner Nathan Tinkler today's win may have diminished the pressure he felt to liquidate his over capitalised Patinack Farm by selling it to Qatar's Sheikh Fahad Al Thani for a rumoured asking price of $200 million.
The Sheikh is rather too busy at the moment trying to usurp the government of Syria, so it is not surprising that he knocked back Tinkler's planned sale. But maybe some other Sheikh may come knocking knowing that Tinkler's creditors are pressing for payment.
If Pierro was worth $24 million before today, Black Caviar's little brother might be worth nearly as much as a stallion prospect.
Its still a long way from $200 million though and maybe altogether too hard for Tinkler to realise the vast sums he has spent on his thoroughbred operation.
Racing is a hard game.
Photos: Quentin Lang
Snitzerland Continues Spring Winning Spree
- Saturday, 13 October 2012 02:45
Snitzerland Gets On Terms With Lankan RupeeA rare mix of speed and tenacity turned what appeared to be certain defeat into a fourth successive victory for star filly Snitzerland in the Blue Sapphire (1200m) at Caulfield.
"It's hard to win four on end anywhere, let alone at this time of the year," said trainer Gerald Ryan.
"That was a real good effort, I thought she was gone."
Along with punters who had laid the odds-on, Ryan had virtually resigned himself to defeat at the 250m when Snitzerland ($1.95) couldn't shake off the early leader Lankan Rupee and the Adelaide runner Fire Thunderbolt.
But jockey Corey Brown got busy on the filly who rallied in the final 50m to score by a half neck from Fire Thunderbolt ($18) who grabbed second by a half head from Lankan Rupee ($5).
Snitzerland has now won her four starts this time in, leaving her record at six wins and two seconds from her nine starts.
Snitzerland (Corey Brown)The win also added merit - if any is needed - to the form of super colt Pierro who beat her by only a long neck in the Golden Slipper.
For Ryan it also got her past the race he believed would be her toughest in a spring campaign that may well culminate with the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in three weeks.
"I always thought this would be the tricky one," Ryan said.
"Now that we've got it out of the way we can go to the Coolmore on Derby Day feeling pretty good."
Ryan had originally planned to run against the older horses in the Group One Patinack Farm Classic after the Coolmore but will now re-think that plan.
"If she wins on Derby Day it may be a case of why go again," he said.
Photos: Fiona Tomlin
Solzhenitsyn Wins Toorak Handicap
- Saturday, 13 October 2012 05:00
SolzhenitsynGlamour mare More Joyous has finished out of the placings as Queenslander Solzhenitsyn posted a breakthrough Group One win in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.
In receipt of 8kg from More Joyous, Solzhenitsyn came from the second half of the field under Sydney jockey Corey Brown to claim the 1600m feature.
More Joyous, burdened with 60kg, had work for her spot outside the leader and she weakened late in the straight to finish fourth.
"I knew with the weight pull on the old girl (More Joyous) he was going to be hard to hold out," Brown said.
Solzhenitsyn's win capped a brilliant day for Brisbane trainer Robert Heathcote with his top sprinter Buffering winning the Schillaci Stakes.
A six-year-old, Solzhenitsyn defeated Spirit Song with Yosei finishing fast to grab the minor placing.
Photo: Fiona Tomlin
Instinction Not Heading For A Jumping Career
- Saturday, 13 October 2012 02:29
InstinctionGood looking grey Instinction won his third stakes race at Caulfield this afternoon, in spite of a lack lustre attempt at jumping as a change to his training regime.
Trainer Mick Price thought he would use the hurdles as a way of sparking up Instinction in his preparation for the BMW Weekend Hussler Stakes but the exercise misfired.
"We went to school him on Wednesday because he is an entire and that was a total failure but the horse wins and the trainer loses", Price said.
Relishing the lack of obstacles, Instinction settled in seventh place just off the speed being set by Dusty Star and Sea Lord.
On straightening, Nicholas Hall gave the well backed Instinction ($13-$9.50) clear running and he ran home strongly to win by three quarters of a length to Dusty Star ($13) with a head to fast finishing Veewap ($7.00-$6.50-$7.50).
InstinctionSmokin' Joey, the favourite at $4.60 after drifting from $3.70 was always in last place and appeared to pull up short in his action.
"Just watching the race to the first corner, they went hard and where he was was just beautiful and it couldn't have worked out better", was Price's observation.
He attributed Instinction's win to "the drop in grade and the way the race was run" but was unsure whether the application of winkers for the first time had any affect on his performance.
Price is now focussed on getting Instinction to extend his range beyond today's 1400 metres.
"He is a nice horse and hopefully he can get 1600 metres because it will open a few options up for him."
"You've got the Moonee Valley Schweppes Crystal Mile race and then you go to the Emirates (Stakes) don't you?"
"I'll get an opinion from Nick (Hall) but I think he will get a mile."
By Exceed and Excel from the Encosta de Lago mare Delago Mist, Instinction has previously won the Listed Hilton Hotels Stakes at Flemington and the Zeditave Stakes at Caulfield, making today's win his third at stakes level. The $72,000 first prize took the entire's earnings to nearly $270,000.
Photos: Quentin Lang
Ocean Park Takes Out WFA Caulfield Stakes
- Saturday, 13 October 2012 04:16
Alcopop, Sincero and Ocean ParkOcean Park has continued an unbeaten spring build-up to the Cox Plate with a hard-fought win in the Caulfield Stakes.
The New Zealand star, a short-priced favourite, had to call on all his reserves to beat Alcopop and the Sydney galloper Sincero.
"It was the race he needed to have today ... he's actually put on weight since that last run (in the Underwood Stakes)," winning jockey Glen Boss said.
Ocean Park sat fourth and was eased out three-wide at the 500m to set out after the leaders Midas Touch and Sabrage.
He joined in as the field straightened with Sincero peeling off his back to make a bid.
Sincero loomed large until he peaked on his run, leaving the veteran Alcopop to take the second placing.
A four-year-old, Ocean Park is undefeated in three runs since his return to racing early last month.
Photo: Quentin Lang
Racing Style Exhibition - Opens Oct. 15th 2012
- Wednesday, 10 October 2012 10:47
Presented by the Australian Racing Museum, Racing Style: 50 Years of Fashions on the Field is an exhibition celebrating Australian racing fashion that is set to open in the National Sports Museum on October 15, 2012.
The Fashions on the Field competition was created in 1962 to attract more women to the races.
Since then, it has become Australia’s largest and most prestigious outdoor fashion event and an iconic part of our cultural and sporting calendar.
Celebrities, designers and fashion enthusiasts flock to the Melbourne Cup Carnival every year to see the incredible creations dreamt up by racegoers and designers with a contagious passion for fashion.
The evolution of Australian racewear can be traced through outfits worn by Fashions on the Field competitors.
From vintage classics to daring designs, neutral palettes to bright colours, haute couture to thriftily recycled fabrics, these outfits capture the unique flavour of Australian racing style.
Fashions on the Field - A Timeline
1960s
• The Victoria Racing Club launches the Fashions on the Field competition (1962).
• International celebrity judges become a fixture of the competition and include Jean Shrimpton and French model Christine Borge (1965), acclaimed fashion model Baroness Fiona von Thyssen (1966), US Fashion publicist and founder of New York Fashion Week Eleanor Lambert (1969).
• The competition’s presentation ceremony is first televised as a “gala event” (1966).
1970s
• Fashions on the Field is replaced by smaller-scale fashion contests after the 1971 competition because of the difficulty in attracting sponsorship during the poor economic climate.
• The Victoria Racing Club’s Fashion Contest is introduced for women who have won contests at race meetings around Australia during the 1972-73 racing season.
• The “Ten Elegant Ladies” contest is held by the Victoria Racing Club (1976 and 1977).
• The “Myer Girl of the Day” competition is held at Flemington Racecourse (1979).
1980s
• The Victoria Racing Club re-launches Fashions on the Field (1981).
• Myer begins its relationship with Fashions on the Field as the major competition sponsor (1983).
• The prize pool increases to over $30,000.
• The number of entrants increases from under 50 a day (1983) to over 200 a day (1986).
• The original price-restricted categories are eliminated and replaced with broader categories.
1990s
• The Victoria Racing Club introduces the “Classic Racewear” and” Young Contemporary Fashion” categories to Fashions on the Field.
• The prize pool exceeds $100,000 for the first time.
• The competition’s categories are divided into “Classic Racewear” and “Classic Hats”.
2000s
• The Victoria Racing Club creates a National Fashions on the Field competition (2005). Finals are held in each state and winners travel to Flemington Racecourse to compete for the National title.
• Melbourne Cup Carnival attendances soar to over 300,000 each year.
• Celebrity guests including Sarah Jessica Parker and Eva Longoria wow raceday crowds.
• The Victoria Racing Club introduces invitation-only Millinery and Design Awards.
• The judging criteria still demands appropriate racewear, but the definition becomes less conservative in line with the times.
