Sircconi gave trainer, Peter Morgan, a welcome change of luck when he led for much of the trip, to record a narrow victory in the Group 2 Sire’s Produce Stakes.

The colt was a maiden, until he put his best foot forward, making most of the play to scrape in by the narrowest of margins, a short half head.

Sircconi was working his way into a win after finishing second to Eshtiraak at Sandown a couple of weeks ago, and started a warm favourite at Flemington.

Eshtiraak was a short priced favourite, punters could see no further than him after winning at his last three outings.

No excuses could be made for him, Damian Oliver had him perched up in a winning position, he simply failed to go on, he may have had enough for the present..

Linda Meech hasn’t received the opportunities since Peter Moody retired, however, the skills are still there as was shown in a tight finish.

Trainer Peter Morgan has been absent in Melbourne of late, this win will give him a lot of confidence.

He was a former jockey in Adelaide where he stood his ground with the stewards, when it was suggested he should have a haircut, the occasion was at Victoria Park, when stewards stood him down thirty minutes before the last race because he refused.

Sircconi winning the Sires Produce Stakes

Flemington crowd down

Super Saturday was not that super at Flemington on Saturday, again the attendances were down from 21,729 last year, to 17,993 on a perfect day, good horses made for good racing, but not everybody thought the same.    

There needs to be some soul searching to find a reason, or is there one? The pub tabs and casinos are not complaining, and there is no entrance fee, food and liquor prices could be in for some attention.

I Am A Star wins Kewney

Iam a Star, there is no disputing that, her star shone brightly at Flemington when she won the time honoured Group2 Kewney Stakes at head quarters.

The filly was no good thing at the distance, however, she had Dean Yendell on top and he doesn’t know the meaning of defeat.

Mornington is home to the filly where she is trained by Shane Nichcols, she seldom puts in an ordinary run, she is a model of consistency.

“That was gutsy, that one she had the run of the race and then the length of the straight to pull that off, she didn’t give in did she, “said Shane Nichols.  

She has a special place in her trainer’s heart, she never stops trying, nor does her rider Dean Yendell, if there is anything left in he will get it out.

He has come up the hard way, it was never handed to him on a plate, he had to go and get it, he is a credit to the riding profession.

A winner at Flemington on Saturday, a double at Mildura on Sunday, and back at Moonee Valley on Monday.

The Kewney Stakes has Group status as it should have, named in honour of A V Kewney who served the Victoria Racing Club as secretary from 1925 to 1946, on his retirement he was presented with a silver tray with the name of each committee man inscribed in long hand on the well earned trophy.

I Am A Star winning Kewney Stakes 

Redkirk Warrior blows them away

Redkirk Warrior won a race at Sandown back in November, but surely nobody in their wildest dreams would believe he could blow a field away as he did in the Newmarket Handicap.

He was first up since November, he won as if he had just joined in the field 100 metres out, he made good horses look quite inferior.

It is now the Doncaster with $3 million up for grabs, the reverse way shouldn’t be a concern for him, he is adaptable to the reverse way of going as he has won in Hong Kong.

Star Turn made the majority of the pace in the early running with Extreme Choice never far away on the outside, and Redkirk Warrior near the rail and running well, but little notice taken of him.

Most were waiting for the swoopers they didn’t turn up and Star Turn looked to have it on a plate, Extreme Choice was going nowhere, until a rocket from space, in the form of Redkirk Warrior, blew the field away.    

No excuses for the beaten brigade, Sheidel was there and so was Super Cash for a while and The Quarterback didn’t see which way they went, Voodoo Lad came into the race when it was over.

Redkirk Warrior will now go to Sydney, there will be no rider change, Regan Bayliss will be the pilot, he will keep the saddle warm.

Redkirk Warrior winning in a breeze

Equal favourites run 1-2 in Aust. Cup

There was little between equal favourites, Humidor and Jameka, and little in the finish with the Darren Weir gelding Humidor scoring by a long neck.

It was a solidly run race, Ecuador making sure of that before surrendering on the home turn, it was left to Jameka to bring the runners into the straight.

Reminiscent of her run in the Caulfield Cup she was under a full head of steam in the stretch, and looking like a winner.

Flemington is a long straight, she had been there before, but as was seen, the horse she shared favouritism with, Humidor, was beginning to close quickly.

Jameka never gave in, nor did Humidor, he had the better of the mare by a long neck, Exospheric was third, there are sure to be excuses for the unplaced brigade, the most plausible, not good enough.

Humidor defeating Jameka in Aust. Cup