Features
Lessons from Caulfield and Moonee Valley as focus switches to Flemington
Both, especially the Valley, played with a distinct advantage to horses on pace and close to the inside. Precisely the same pattern was the case at the two meetings the year before. Whether this is clear track bias, with the inside part of the track faster than the outside, is debatable. There are a number... Read More
More from Pedigree Page
Brave Smash gains second Group 1 in Manikato Stakes
Japanese-bred Brave Smash’s win was decisive despite the margin of only a head over Aidan O’Brien’s raider Spirit of Valor (War Front), as Kementari (Lonhro) flew late to be third, only another half-length further back. Time was 1:09.36 with the last 600 metres covered in 34.84. This was Brave Smash’s second Group 1 triumph in... Read More
Juddmonte gems and Gosden goodies on offer as Autumn HIT rolls on
Juddmonte Farms have 28 lots catalogued in this year’s sale (prior to withdrawals), a number of which catch the eye, while John Gosden has enjoyed another career-defining year on the racecourse and a selection of interesting three-year-olds trained from his Clarehaven Stables are set to be offered under the banner of The Castlebridge Consignment tomorrow.... Read More
‘Winx is unquestionably a champion and one of the greatest racehorses of all time’
It has reduced everything to the lowest common denominator, eliminated rigorous debate, desensitised all of us and given us – not journalists or accomplished broadcasters – but media performers…like Matt Chapman. Reluctant though I may be to give Chapman’s comments about Winx’s lack of quality opposition any more airtime, his comments prompted me to want... Read More
Still hard to believe just how slow the mid-race pace was in the Caulfield Cup
In somewhat of a surprise, the leader was the 2017 Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) winner Ace High (High Chaparral), who went to the front in the early stages due to the initiative of Damien Oliver. The leading rider was then able to keep steadying the pace that actually resulted in two mid-race 200 metre... Read More
Ranier (3 c Lonhro – Kanzan by Commands)
After four seconds and a third from his first five starts, Ranier (Lonhro) was beginning to earn himself a reputation as a serial bridesmaid, but ended his run of placed efforts with a tenacious maiden victory in the Gothic Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Caulfield last weekend. The Godolphin-raced colt settled in sixth place, before being... Read More