My Punter Com Hcp. 1400 m Time 1.23.80

Trainer, Will Clarken, comments re Steel Frost, “The horse is going fantastically, he is on the way up, he travelled well and took everything in his stride and got the job done, Todd Pannell has a pretty good understanding of the horse.”

“We don’t talk much, he knows what to do, he makes the race his own, they didn’t go very quickly, it was an even run pace, the horse has carried a big weight.”

“We have a few options in mind, there are several likely Provincial Cups with good prize money, we will have a look at those, we have a good bunch of three year olds that are promising.”

Will Clarken 

Italktravel Plate 1100m Time 1.03.41

Trainer, Henry Dwyer, comments re Snitty Kitty, “she was very good today; Anthony who rides most of her work said she was really switched on this time.”

“On her ratings we thought she needed a little more, she surprised me, she was really forward today.“

“She is really a good mare, we will follow those races with their penalties and allowances.”

Snitty Kitty is by the boom sire Snitzel, she has an impressive winning strike rate of 50 per cent, five out of ten, she was an easy winner by one and three quarter lengths.

Henry Dwyer

IInglis Cup 2000 m Time 2.03.44

Trainer, Archie Alexander, comments re Wheal Leisure, “ It’s been great, we have an excellent group of owners and great staff, I have always had a good opinion of her coming into this race we were going well, the one thing I said to Dean (Yendall), she has never been pulled out and given the room she needed.”

“We knew coming into this race we she was going well, she has been beaten by circumstances, poor rides, barrier draws, there has always been an excuse or a reason why she has been beaten.”

“Once you pull her out there is no stopping her, she is very honest, beaten by bad luck”.

Archie Alexander

 Ladbrokes The Challenge Hcp.1700 m Time 1.41.88

Trainer, David Hayes, comments re Cool Chap, “he works like a genuine Group horse and I think he is with a little bit of luck, full credit to Damian (Lane), he was patient, I think the horse has a good win in him, he is on an awkward rating to get into those big handicaps, we will think about that over the next 24 hours and have a chat about it.”

“The path is not completely chewed, the Coongy Handicap might be a nice race for him, or we go the Herbert Power that is a Caulfield Cup qualifier, we will work out which way we go, we have not worked that out yet.”

“That was a big run, three wide with no cover, he finished the race off well.”

David Hayes 

Schweppes 1000 Gns. Prelude 1400m Time 1.23.42

Co Trainer, Matthew Ellerton, comments re Booker “that was a nice win, she has never been out of the money, I’m pleased with her.”

“It was a good effort today, she had to do a bit of work early, we were always going to be positive and she still was good enough to hold on.”

“She is not under pressure at home, she is still learning, and is becoming aware of the raceday pressure.”

“ She didn’t want much further today, but saying that, she did a bit of work early in the race and there is still a bit of improvement to come in fitness, she was bred by Bill Rigg and Barry Griffiths, both have been great supporters of our the stable.”

Matthew Ellerton 

 Caulfield Guineas Prelude 1400 m Time 1.23.47

Paul Perry, from Newcastle, is no stranger to Melbourne, coming here several years ago with the sprinters brilliant, Choisir and Fastnet Rock, both proved highly successful sires.

Perry was among the pioneers that invaded Royal Ascot with Choisir, winning the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes and the Group 2 King Stand Stakes.

He is now back in town eyeing off the Caulfield $2milion Guineas with Perast, who dented the reputation of a few in the Guineas Prelude.

The favourite, Royal Symphony, was disappointing, on face value he struggled most of the way and never flattered at any stage of the race.

Paul Perry

 Underwood Stakes 1800m Time 1.48.41

Co Trainer, Murray Baker, comments, “we didn’t know what to expect of Bonneval. She still has a bit of winter coat, and second up we thought she had improved a bit from last start.”

‘She measures up to some of my past winners of this race, she is a good mare, she will possibly go into the Caulfield Stakes, and then the Caulfield Cup.”

“The quick back up is not a worry, she can handle that, and that is the risk we have to take.”

“I legged Hughie (Bowman), up and said ride your own race, there is no better judge than him, she dropped off a bit at the 900 metres but soon picked them up again.”

Murray Baker

 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes 1400m Time 1.22.28

Trainer, Anthony Freedman, comments re “Santa Ana Lane, it was a great thrill, we have a really good team, the senior guys do a great job like in any stable, and you need the good owners.”

“I thought he was a bit unlucky at the Valley the other day, and his form over the last six months has been very solid.”

“He has been reliable and consistent; I thought if he got himself in one of these races he would equit himself well.”

“We are going quite well, I lost a few horses with Lee going to Singapore, I’m not sure if the horse is a genuine miler, that ground was hard today, we will give him a break with some beach work, and see how we goes.”

Anthony Freedman 

Aquis Pinchapoo Plate 1400 m Time 1.23.31

Trainer, Darren Weir’s, Comment, Leather ‘N’ Lace “ she has been going really well, the key decision was when “David Moodie said Warrnambool first up,” we were able to back her up, she has made the right steps and training on well, she was a little green on the corner but flattened out well”.

“She was comfortable at the end of the race, we will move onto the next step, there is a Group 2 race for fillies coming up in a couple of weeks, we will have a look at that as it is the logical step now, and chase a bit of Black Type as she has a nice pedigree”.

Sportsbet Foundation Hcp 1600m Time 1.37.30

Trainer, Darren Weir’s, Comment Cliff’s Edge, ‘’ he has been disappointing, on face value he has changed his attitude, that has made it hard to get him fit, we decided to back him up as he had a good gallop last week but blew out the last 100 metres, we always thought he would run a mile”.

“Johnny rode him today to run the mile, and he ran it really well, the key to the race was backing him up, it is so hard to get him really fit, the reason he was ridden a bit quiet I was happy with his run last week, and the barrier draw helped.”

Darren Weir

 Lojac Cival Hcp. 1800m Time 1.50.97

Trainer, Trent Busuttin, Comment Anaehim, “ he has come back better, he was second up over 1800 metres, the kid (Zac Spain) gave him a beautiful ride, he did the right thing, pressed the button early, we have no set plans, we had to win today “.

“He hasn’t had much luck as a three year old, he has copped wet tracks, we thought he could be a bit of a risk over 1800 metres, he is entered for a number of races but nothing in particular, there is good stake money around, he is a horse that likes Flemington or Caulfield and running on top of the ground, there will be a nice race somewhere around for him”.

Trent Busuttin

Cancer Foundation Plate 1100 m Time 1.05.04

Stable Manager, David Charles, Comment Bandipur,” this horse has a great constitution, a lovely horse to train, we are absolutely thrilled, we came here with a bit of confidence, James Cummings was a bit negative after the draw.”

“He overcame the awkward draw, Damian Lane rode him beautifully and he was very strong at the finish, we will enjoy today, he has been up along time, if he pulls up well we will find another race for him during the spring”.

He was strong at Moonee Valley at his last start, we could push out to a mile but still take his races as they come along and see what he is up to.”

David Charles

Ladbrokes Jockeys Trust 1400 m Time 1.24. 49

Trainer, Peter Morgan, Comment Sircconi, “ He has been a bit of a headache lately, ending with a virus two weeks ago and having to miss last week, you are not sure of which way to go, a mile or 1800 metres, he will let us know.”

“It gets a bit tough when your playing catch up time, he is still a little bit under done, there is three or four lengths yet to come.”

“It was a good win in open company, we will wait and see which way we will go, he is a good horse, his races will be selected, whether he goes to the Guineas I am not sure.”

Peter Morgan

Testa Rossa Stakes 1200 m Time 1.09.79

Co owner, Ken King, comment Bons Away, “that was fantastic, we bred him, he is a farm bred horse, there are regular owners in the horse, there is a happy bunch standing behind me.”

“We are not betting next Friday for sure, (Public Holiday), he has had an easy time, that was his sixth start, he has earned prize money each time he has gone around. “

“Our owners are involved in various types of businesses, they enjoy their racing, he will be back again this spring, we have a lot of regular owners and while Bons Away continues to hold up his end, we will be back, we love our racing, and certainly while we are winning.”

Ken King

M R C Foundation Cup 2000m Time 2.00.43

Trainer, Ben Hayes, comment Harmel , “his run was good today, a great ride by Dwayne Dunn, he won very dominantly, this was his first win in Australia.”    

“He will now go straight into the Caulfield Cup, and possibly the Melbourne Cup, his run in the Heatherlie was excellent, we though this race may have been a bit short for him, he can be improved, he is a strong staying horse, he is just striking form.”

Ben Hayes

Ladbrokes Boost Stakes 1200mTime 1.09.62

Trainer, Chris Meagher, comment Savanna Amour, “it was a great ride by Brad, he said, you have to bounce from that gate and go forward and slot in where you can, otherwise you will be facing the breeze, and if there is any kick there, we will soon find out , luckily she found plenty of kick.”      

“She just loves Caulfield; her record there is pretty good, having won three of her six wins at this track.”

“We cannot say enough about the place, she loves it, we will let her tell us, there is 1400 metres here shortly, we will look at that.”

“We’re very well set up at Mornington with 25 boxes; we have taken over a stable at Eagle Farm as well, that is a satellite stable”.

Sam Pritchard-Gordon has quit training, selling his Mornington stables to fellow trainer, Jason Warren.

We understand that quite a few horses are also included in the deal, to be trained by Warren.

Pritchard –Gordon is a well educated likeable young English man, for a time he could be best described as a previous travelling foreman for Lee Freedman, before he took out a licence in his own right.

He is yet to announce his future plans; we wish him well, he was always a fresh face in the paddock area.

Jockey makes comeback

Dale Smith, who retired from race riding to take up selling real estate, was spotted riding work for Mick Price, at Caulfield.

Whether he intends to renew his riding licence is not known at this stage, or if it’s just additional exercise to keep fit.    

Cap D’Antibes Stakes 1100 m Time 1.04.63

Comment by Ciaron Maher “Fox Swift is a pretty smart little filly, it is a credit to the team, you can see she is still carrying a fair bit of winter coat, it has been great for the owners.”

“It is a good result for the stable, she was better suited at the 1100 metres rather than the 1000 she finished the race off well, she settled better today, the tempo of the race allowed her to balance up and find her feet.”

“That was a bit short for her at Sandown, it was a good ride by Mark Zahra, he had a lot of cover in the race and she finished off very well.”

“She is an adaptable filly and easy to ride, she is sure to get a little further, maybe out to 1400 metres, it is good to get that touch of Black Type, she seemed to in good order, I was about to put her out but when they win like that it makes it hard, there is no reason now.”

Cairon Maher

Pin & Wine Plate 1400 m Time 1.22.53

Comment by Tony McEvoy “Royal Symphony, that was pretty special, Dwayne had to do a lot of work in the straight.”

“Well, I have half a dozen horses that work better than him, but I’m not going to tell their names, he is a day game horse, he just turns up, that’s what you need to be a top class racehorse.”

“The next five minutes will tell me more; I just want to see how the horse’s condition is and see how quickly he recovers whether we go to a mile, he was very fresh coming into the mounting yard.”

“I thought he was fit enough and thankfully he got the job done, I didn’t trial him, I thought there was lots more to come.”

“I wanted to win today as I wanted to protect his record, I didn’t want him peaking today, he will peak in October, the only thing is how he jumps out of the gates.”

Tony McEvoy

The Sofitel 1400 m Time 1.22.62

Comment by Robert Smerdon “ Theanswermyfriend can dominate like that, and that is what he did today, we are heading in the direction of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, there is nothing wrong with his form.”

“We needed to win here to get us into the Sir Rupert Clarke, he has had a great preparation and nothing has changed, we will head that way, his coat is improving, he is getting better all the time, a little race conditioning, there is no point in stopping this now.”He added."

Robert Smerdon 

 Bobbie Lewis Quality 1200 m Time 1.09.94

Comment by David Hayes Redkirk Warrior “the stable thought he was flying as good as he was when he won the Newmarket Handicap that was a true version of the Newmarket.”

“With the weight he carried, I have been watching him over the past twelve months; I think it will take a pretty good horse to beat him.”

“He is among the best sprinters I have had in a long time, with luck in running he is a very good horse, no doubt about that and adaptable up the straight six at Flemington, we have two class sprinters in Redkirk Warrior and Vega Magic.”

David Hayes

 Danehill Stakes 1200 m Time 1.10.34

Comment by David Hayes ”Catshy was undefeated in Melbourne as a two year old, from that gate we just wanted to give her clear running for the first 600 metres, she was very strong today, she served it up to the boys again.”

“She might be favourite to take the boys on again in the $2 million dollars of the Caulfield Guineas.”

“She will run against the fillies at her next start, she is a Group 1 winner, against the boys that is no problem, I will take them on again,” he added.

“We are very happy with Regan Bayliss, he is a fine young man and a good rider, we give him as many opportunities as we can”

David Hayes

Let’s Elope Stakes 1400 m Time 1.23.50  

Comment by Matthew Ellerton “Sword Of Light, that was a good run from her, she has been all around the place, she was a Stakes winner earlier in her life, she won the 2016 Blue Diamond Stakes Preview”.

“She had a tough run earlier at Caulfield, the Myer classic could be an alternative, we will see how the spring unfolds and how far she takes us”.

Matthew Ellerton

Makybe Diva Stakes 1600 m Time 1.35.35

Comment by Darren Weir “all my horses ran well, but Humidor was terrific, it was just a matter of getting him right, at his two previous runs he has paraded better, Damian Lane has done all the hard yards in track work, we galloped the horse on Monday, he felt very good”.

“When he got to the outside he did go, I never thought he would do that, we are now getting there.”

“The horse paraded well, Damian Lane has done all the hard yards, going up to Casterton and Coleraine to ride the horse in trials.”

“He is getting there, a bit of a wobble on the home turn, otherwise it was all great.”

Darren Weir

Japan Racing Association Trophy 2500 mTime 2.35.

Comment by Nick Williams “Almandin really surprised me the way he cruised pass them with 61kg, it was a great performance, the crew are doing a great job up at Mount Macedon.”

“The Caulfield Cup has to be given some consideration now that the Melbourne Cup is penalty free.”

“I was saying to Michael Felgate the other day; whether it is the Herbert Power Handicap or the Caulfield Cup, which way we go.”

“There are options, the Moonee Valley Cup or the Cox Plate will have to be considered.”

“We will make that decision in due course, I wouldn’t like to encourage anyone to back him in the Caulfield Cup, or persuade them either.”

“That was a very dominant win with 61 kg he added.”

Nick Williams

Sheen Group Plate 1400 m 1-24.72

It didn’t take long for Watchmespin to graduate to city company after her win at Seymour, she made a promising debut winning at Caulfield, and she was the complete outsider of the field.

The favourite, Judy In Disguise, with the services of leading Sydney jockey, Blake Shinn, led to the turn, into the straight, and looked to have the race safely in her keeping until Watchmespin appeared on the scene, she was drawing away when the post was reached, it was a very promising effort, she seems certain to get further as she matures.

Trained by Danny O’Brien, he has always had a high opinion of the filly; she is by the former crack two year old champion, Sepoy.

“We were waiting until she was three before we put any pressure on her, she is a good style of filly, we have always had a big opinion of her, waiting until she turned three, we are looking to get her to a mile, or further, I bought her for my wife, she got a few friends to join a syndicate to race her, she is a beautiful filly,” he added.

Watchmespin  

Chandler MacLeod Plate 1400 m 1-24.29

Oregon’s Bay turned in a pretty good performance coming from a fair way back, to score a narrow win over Swampland, as both were racing together for most of the way, and there was just a head between them when they reached the line.

It was a big run to come from where the mare came from, as she was blocked for a run at one stage, when an opening appeared she got out at the nick of time, started equal favourite with Schism when betting closed.

Oregon’s Bay is by Domesday, standing at Aquis Farm located at Canungra in Queensland, he is also the sire of the unbeaten Royal Symphony, favourite for the Caulfield Guineas.

“Her immediate future is the Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington, and the Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley, that will be nice if we can win one of those races in the spring,”said Mick Price.

This was her third win from ten starts, she has been in the money six times from 10 outings, she is proving a more that useful mare for the Caulfield trainer.

Hockingstuart Plate 1200 m 1-10.48

The more they win the better the price, an old omen that worked on Saturday when Mr Sneakey kept his current record intact, with his third win on end.

It was a big effort as his trainer, Anthony Freedman, has been able to keep the gelding fit and fresh over quite a long sustained period.

“He is a lovely horse, we knew he was going well and it was a great ride, he will possibly run again in two weeks, obviously the Bobby Lewis over 1400 metres, and the Sir Rupert Clarke would be attractive.”

The gelding is by High Chaparral, a versatile sire, he can get sprinters and stayers alike, he was a very popular and proven sire.

Mr Sneakey - Third win on end 

H D F McNeil Stakes Gr3 1200 m 1-10.84  

Merchant Navy has become a serious contender for the Caulfield Guineas after his impressive win in the McNeil Stakes, coming from absolute last with a barn storming performance.

He really looks the goods, he got a fair way back in the field, he was second last at the 800 metres and showing little that he was going to reel in the field until halfway up the straight, he soon came away for what was an authoritative win.

His race record is sure to remain intact, at least until the Guineas, he was a $350,000 yearling, if he wins the semi classic you could write your own ticket as to his value, he is by Fastnet Rock from Legally, a mare by Snippets

Trained by Ciaron Maher who was over the moon after the win?“ he put the writing on the wall after that very good gallop, they do a very good job up at Rock Mount, he came back in great order.”

The Guineas could again be a battle of the titans, when we saw All Too Hard and Pierro locking horns in what was among the highlights of the spring carnival, five years ago.

It is the Guineas where the most attraction lies now, with its stake of $2 million sprinters can get away with the Guineas if they are brilliant enough, they cannot do that in the Derby with its stake money a half a million dollars less

Merchant Navy - Exciting three year old.

Cockram Stakes Gr.3 1200 m 1-11.15

Savanna Amour, by Sun Stud’s sire, Love Conquers All, trained by John Meagher, the mare has been mixing her racing between the Gold Coast and Melbourne with success.

John skipped the interview, he was more interested in the horse, rushing away to see how she pulled up.

She carried the steadier of 58kg which is no mean effort, she wasn’t fancied in the market as she blew out six points to start at $15.

The favourite, Fuhryk, came in from $2.25 to odds on, starting at $1.8; she was hardly sighted in running and was never a chance.

Flying Jess produced an eye catching run as she was in the ruck on the home turn, finishing the race off well.

Whilst Written Era came home well, she is a pretty handy mare with a reasonable strike rate.

The Heath 1100 m 1-03.

Voodoo Lad displayed a return to form, with a vengeance, when he put paid to his opposition in winning The Heath, after being handy for most of the trip.

He has been missing from the winner’s circle since October, when he won the Group 3 Moonga Stakes, also at Caulfield.

He has since been mixing it with the upper crust in two Group One’s at Flemington, including a second in the Newmarket Handicap and two Group One’s at Randwick, in the T J Smith and the All Aged Stakes.

The win in the Heath 1100 takes his stake earnings to the magical million; he is partly raced by Kevin Maloney, of Segenhoe Thoroughbreds, at Scone.    

Memsie Stakes Gr1 1400 m 1-23.36

Vega Magic won the start, from there he led all the way and never looked like being beaten, it was a procession from the outset.

Whether he will get much further than a mile is open to question, he is certainly brilliant, the Hayes team will have plenty of options as to where they can place him.

Black Heart Bart ran his usual good race, he is as honest as the day is long, he doesn’t know how to run a bad race.  

Tosen Stardom is getting closer to a win; he was running on nicely, he may be better suited at Flemington over the longer stretches.

Hey Doc ran his usual honest race, while Jon Snow will benefit greatly from the run, his first since winning the Australian Derby.

Vega Magic - Brilliant winner of the Memsie