Whether Frankel and Black Caviar will meet during her stint in the U K, looks to be nothing more than wild hopeful speculation.

We know the British media of old, anything that is likely to create a headline in the “Old Dart” is fodder to editors, and whether it ever comes to fruition seems immaterial.

It would seem as if the British press have overlooked the key player, Peter Moody, the trainer of Black Caviar, he has declared his hand, the Golden Jubilee Stakes and the July Cup, both over 1200 metres.

A likely match race is being mooted as the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in early August, Moody never intended being away for so long, and more importantly, the race is over 1600 metres, a distance never mentioned.

Moody is very thorough, he is not prone to making idle statements, he had no intention of 1600 metres for the mare, he is not  about to change his mind now, she is down for two starts in England, Royal Ascot and Newmarket, both races over 1200 metres. 

Scone, the horse capitol of Australia, is offering record stakes money of $1.925 million for their two day Cup carnival, with today being the major day the standalone fixture with no city meeting in Sydney.

The two days of racing has attracted several of Sydney’s top trainers,  Gai Waterhouse, John O’Shea, Peter Snowden, John Thompson and Gary Portelli, many of the top jockeys have been booked for rides and a couple from Melbourne, Darren Gauci and Steven Arnold, both have good rides.

Scone officials have promoted the carnival wel,l there is a lot of interest throughout the Hunter Valley in what promises to be a highly successful two days of racing.    

Whether Murray Bridge trained Classy Chloe is up to spring standard remains to be seen, but at least, at present, she’s got the wood on most of those who cross her path.

She is a pretty handy filly as was shown in the 1200 metres trip of the Barbara Booth Handicap, winning the race on raw courage, seemingly beaten within a few strides of the post, she simply refused to surrender.

When You Tell Me got his head in front, she looked to be gone, but to her credit she came back, when the horses hit the line Classy Chloe was almost obscured by the bigger horse on the outside, except for her lip.

Her trainer, John Hickmott, had accepted for her two races a couple of weeks ago at both Morphettville and Caulfield, in the end he stayed at home with her where she won in pretty easy fashion.

There was no flipping the coin this time, Caulfield looked the most attractive, and although this time she was up against the colts and geldings.

Classy Chloe had fitness on her side; she has been racing in good form winning four times from eight starts and has never been out of the money.

She will now be spelled and return for the .spring, how she measures up to the better fillies at that time of the year remains to be seen, there are some good pickings if she can be stretched out to 1600 metres.

The win completed a double for Ben Knobel, turning his back on a promising academic career to become a jockey, he is attached to the stable of successful trainer Mick Price.

Classy Chloe on the rails winning impressively

Saturday’s double was the second for Ben, both at Caulfield, hence he has quite an affinity with “The Heath”, he has now ridden 21 city winners and over 100 in the country, he is making the best of his opportunities.

With the winter fast approaching and the heavy tracks Ben is sure to be in demand, he can still claim, a seasoned rider with a claim to offer, trainers are sure to be seeking him out.

He is a likeable young man and is well presented, trainers should make the best of the claim, it won’t last long .

Ben Knobel with trainer John  Hickmott

It was fitting to see the Melbourne Racing Club name races yesterday in honour of Vo Rogue and Northerly, both died within the last week or two.

Both were fully entitled to be remembered, they were the major players of their era, the box office attractions that draw people to racing.

It is high time that modern race committees, and their marketing departments, used a big more initiative in naming races that are associated with racing, rather than plucking stupid names out of a hat.

Racing is completely devoid of passion that is reflected by on course attendances, the old excuse of off course betting has worn thin, and the wound is much deeper than that.

Racing Victoria has announced that Thursday twilight fixtures will not be continued during the 2012-13 racing season.

A three months trial was conducted in January to March this year with country twilights fixtures within 90 minutes drive from Melbourne each Thursday.

The reason given was the participation on the twilight meetings did not meet expectations during the trial, it was decided not to proceed with them next season, said RVL Chief Executive Rob Hines.

The Thursday twilight meetings, which were programmed for the first quarter of 2013, will revert to day meetings and remain at the same venues.