High winds forced the abandonment of the last five races at Caulfield on Saturday as a safety precaution.

After the fourth race the jockeys took a deputation to the stewards showing concerns for their safety, the issue was never in doubt, the risks were too great, and common sense had to prevail.

The high winds were rattling the starting gate which was a concern, and is was not abating, some racegoers were surprised by the decision, however in the defence of the jockeys they were out in the open where as the patrons had the grandstands to shield them.

However, there was no reason for the schmozzle in the weighing area, a lot of people put their own interpretation on the issue which was confusing, the stewards are in control, they make the decisions.

Obviously there some lack of communication, as walking off the course Matthew Hill, the official broadcaster, was not sure of what was taking place.

Robert Smerdon trained his 37^th winner for the season, when Every Faith got up in virtually the last stride to win the opening race on the program, the Janet Brady Handicap.

The favourite, Sullivan Bay, who really was the form horse of the field, held sway until the home turn, she looked all over a winner until Every Faith and Divine Chills staked their claims.

It was a three way finish, Every Faith getting the decision by the shortest of margins; she was luckly as she was held up on the rails at a crucial stage of the race.

Ryan Moloney doesn’t get the opportunities his ability deserves, he is a very capable rider and strong with it, that was a top ride on the winner.

The mare is going to stud in the coming season, to be mated with Medaglia D’Oro, standing at Darley in New South Wales.

”She will have one more run before she finally goes to stud, she is owned by great supporters of the stable, winners were a bit slow at the beginning of the season, we are really firing up now,” said Robert Smerdon.

Every Faith is by Not A Single Doubt, he has progeny earnings in excess of $10 million in the closing season, her dam Zephyria, is by Zabeel.

Her dam has won twice at 1800 metres, plus her other two foals, Alpine Eagle and Royal Fashion are both winners.

Every Faith - Last run before going to Stud 

Kiwia was the first leg of a winning double for Darren Weir; hence with just four races run, due to the abandonment, he had won half the races decided.

After Kiwia won his first in the city win at Caulfield, he looked a pretty serious horse, he started favourite and had the race won a long way from home.

The second run at Caulfield two weeks later was right out of character, over the same distance he was well beaten, he never showed up at any stage of the race.

Saturday he came with his game plan, he was never going to get beaten, he was right on the ball at the home turn, ready to draw away when Damian Lane gave the word.

Darren Weir was confident the gelding would improve that is exactly what he has done “I thought he would improve, his mission is likely to be the Bendigo Cup,” said Weir.

He is a good type of gelding by Reset, possibly last time he just had a day off.

Kiwia rehabilities himself 

Shamport, a $320,000 yearling, made rapid improvement after finishing third at Echuca, earning $2,800, and Saturday’s win in the Join Victorian Breeders Vobis Gold Ingot over 1400 metres, this time stake money to the winner was $82,500.

Whilst he is not out of the woods yet, however he is making steady progress, his nose is pointing in the right direction.

It was a huge jump in direction as there was no form line, yet he opened at $6.00 before drifting out to $9.00.

It was really a big run; he was handy in running for most of the way and let down well when heads were turned for home.

The colt was selected by John Foote for a client of the stable, he is likely to improve, Weir is conscious of his clients, he likes to see them get a return for their outlay.

Whilst he didn’t do anything wrong at Echuca, it was just natural improvement, a colt that is likely to go on with racing.

Weir is a remarkable trainer, he has 250 horses in work and he is hands on with every horse, no one pulls the wool over his eyes

Shamport - Second leg of a double for Darren Weir.

Saint Valorem gave his rivals a start, and a sound beating, when he took the honours in the Jason Hart Handicap, the race was run fourth and the last run on a nine race card at Caulfield, when racing was terminated due to the high winds.  

The four year old gelding put up an amazing performance, he was last to leave the starting gate and was still last when heads were turned for home.

He is a lightly raced gelding, having just 11 starts, winning four races, and been in the money eight times.

On that run Saturday he is bound to win further races, he is just five years of a age and he is a gelding, this should be his best year.

He is prepared by Cameron Templeton, he has just a small team in work at Pakenham, he is able to give each horse individual attention.

The gelding was ridden by Brian Higgins, he has the perfect score, one ride, one winner at Flemington last week, and a repeat performance at Caulfield on Saturday.

Saint Valorem  - A amazing performance