Newmarket Handicap Provides Puzzling Result – Was It Track Bias Or The Lack Of Pace?
On leaving the barriers, jockeys seemed intent on winning a race to the far rails side, tactics which saw a number of key chances, especially the $4.40 second favourite Spieth (Thorn Park), blocked in a crowded field on the inner with only 400 metres remaining.
Spieth eventually got some sort of clear running before finishing ninth, beaten three and a quarter lengths, going to the post just behind the sixth-placed $4.00 favourite Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt), who has now failed at both his attempts down the Flemington straight.
After much comment on the day and later on social media, the Flemington Track Manager Matt Goodie subsequently conceded that the track had a bias favouring horses racing on the inside.
But was there an additional factor, the lack of a genuine pace for the full 1200 metre distance?
That is a trend that is recurring regularly of recent times over the straight course at Flemington, ironically perceived as providing all horses a fair chance.
Perhaps that consistent lack of early tempo over the straight course is due to the fact that riders do not feel the need to be jockeying for positions in the early stages to the same degree required on a turning track.
But whatever was responsible – probably both a bias and a lack of early pace – the end result on Saturday was that the field of Group One sprinters covered the first half of the race in only 36.05 and they were racing on a Good 3 track.
The final 600 metres was then clocked in a fast 33.00 – three seconds faster for the same distance, making it difficult for runners too far back in the field to make ground.
The winner Redkirk Warrior raced outside the leader Star Turn (Star Witness) until dashing clear at the 400 metres, which he sprinted in a fast 22.25 (with his last 200 metres in 11.37), to win clearly by two lengths in a time of 1:09.05.
The Darren Weir-trained Voodoo Lad (I Am Invincible) staged an excellent first up effort, at the odds of $17, in coming from ninth at the 600 metre point to grab second with Star Turn holding on for third, a short head further back.
Voodoo Lad’s performance in making so much late ground, saw him produce fast closing sectionals of 32.92 (last 600m), 22.04 (last 400m) with his last 200 metres in 11.39.
It was an impressive effort and Voodoo Lad, who has only missed a place once in 19 starts – winning nine times, looks set for a very good preparation.
Another to take the eye on the watch was the Mike Moroney-trained Tivaci (High Chaparral) who came from 11th at the 600 metres to finish fifth, beaten two and half lengths, clocking 33.07 for his last 600 metres, 22.16 for his last 400 metres with his final 200 metres in 11.23.
The other feature on the Flemington card, the Australian Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) was one race that did not lack pace, the full 2000 metre journey being covered in a fast 2:01.07, the solid tempo throughout suggesting the residual form should be very sound.
The winner, the Darren Weir-trained four-year-old Humidor (Teofilo) ran on strongly from ninth at the 1000 metres to score by a long head from the Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Jameka (Myboycharlie) with British import Exospheric (Beat Hollow) one and a quarter lengths further back in third.
Humidor was timed to run his final 1000 metres in 59.07, last 800 metres in 46.72, last 600 metres in 35.06 with his final 400 metres in 23.66.
Raced previously in New Zealand where he was bred, Humidor is a highly promising stayer who is now likely to tackle The BMW (registered as H E Tancred Stakes) (Gr 1, 2400m) at Rosehill on 25 March.
The third-placed Exospheric also returned impressive closing times, with his last 1000 metres in 59.02, last 800 metres in 46.78, last 600 metres in 35.15 with his final 400 metres in 23.75.
At Rosehill on Saturday, the day commenced with an impressive win by the lightly raced Godolphin import Spectroscope (Medaglia d’Oro) in the Benchmark 89 (1350m).
Having his first Australian start after having shown promise with two wins and four placings from seven starts in France, William Buick had the four-year-old entire back in last place in the six-horse field until nearing the home turn.
Spectroscope then ran on strongly to win comfortably by a length and his times confirm that he is set for a good career in this country, especially over longer distances.
Producing quick closing sectionals on the Soft 7 track, Spectroscope was timed to run his last 1200 metres in 1:09.32, last 1000 metres in 57.51, last 800 metres in 45.67, last 600 metres in 34.17 with his final 400 metres in 22.72.
He is a horse to watch, as too the 2016 ATC Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Tavago (Tavistock) who showed he is returning to his best form with a decisive win in the Sky High Stakes (Gr 3, 2000m).
After racing in fifth place on the rails, Tavago got along the inner on turning for home and after taking the lead on passing the 200 metres, he drew away for a very decisive three and a quarter length win.
Tavago was timed to run his last 1000 metres in 58.83, last 800 metres in 46.43, last 600 metres in 35.20 with his last 400 metres in 23.68.
In the Coolmore Classic (registered as T A D Kennedy Stakes) (Gr 1, 1500m), the Tim Martin-trained mare Heavens Above (Street Cry) came from back in 12th place at the 800 metres to grab a last-stride, short half head win over the Andrew Noblet-trained mare Silent Sedition (War Chant).
Heavens Above, racing on a Soft 6 track, was timed to run her last 1200 metres in 1:09.43, last 1000 metres in 58.11, last 800 metres in 46.30, last 600 metres in 34.52 with her final 400 metres in 23.02.
It was a smart performance but On The Watch was particularly taken by the effort of the runner up Silent Sedition who was forced to work all the way from her very difficult (18) barrier.
After being trapped deep, Silent Sedition settled in ninth place (wide out) before improving to be third at the 800 metres (still wide) before dashing to the front at the 200 metres.
She was only caught on the post for a very close second, staging a very good effort with her wide barrier proving costly.
Silent Sedition’s times were impressive. Clocked from the 1400 metres, she ran 22.59 (first 400m), 34.59 (first 600m), 46.07 (first 800m) 57.71 (first 1000m), 1:09.22 (first 1200m) with the 1400 metres being run in 1:21.22.