29—10—16

Whether the Wakeful Stakes winner, Tiamo Grace, will run in the Oaks on Thursday, is in the melting pot as Darren Weir was locked in a traffic jam and missed the race.

His foreman, Jeremy Rogers, did the saddling up of the filly; however, he would not commit himself in which direction Weir would take with the filly.

The Oaks now looks the logical, she is improving with each outing but there can be no decision made until she is assessed by Weir as to how he believes she has pulled up.

There seems no doubt that she will get the 2500 metres of the Oaks, she was drawing away and won with something in hand.

She has had just the five starts, she was coming off an impressive second to Elenora in the Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield over 2000 metres, the distance she won over on Saturday.

On pedigree she looks capable of running the additional 300 metres as she is by Monaco Consul, he won a Victoria Derby and the Spring Champion Stakes, his oldest progeny are three year olds, he is out of a French bred mare by Anabaa.

Should Tiamo Grace win the Oakes it would be an interesting cross and a great boost for the sire

Tiamo Grace winning the Wakefield Stakes.

Oceanographer has won his way into the Melbourne Cup with a sound staying performance to win the Lexus Stakes over 2500 metres.

He didn’t have much form prior to going into the race, just a third in the Geelong Cup, plus his form in the UK was nothing flash.

However, punters latched onto him with the result he finished running up favourite and will now shorten in price for the Melbourne Cup.  

When Tom Melbourne led the field for much of the trip, and was still going great guns on the home turn, he looked an assured winner, that’s where Kerrin MeEvoy began to stoke up the gelding. winner.

He didn’t come with any great dash, he was just grinding away, he just kept coming, responding to McEvoy ‘s hard riding, he didn’t give up at any stage.

His trainer, Charlie Appleby, having won the Geelong Cup with Qewy and the Bendigo Cup winner with Francis of Assisi, he now has a real live chance in the Melbourne Cup when he saddles up Oceanographer.

Appleby said, “Kerrin McEvoy rode a great race, the gelding responded well for him, he is now right on track for the Melbourne Cup”

Flying Artie left little doubt he is the best sprinting three year old in Melbourne, and at least he will get a mile without a great deal of trouble.

Hugh Bowman didn’t hurry him along, the colt took it all in his stride, there was a lot of horse power ready to explode.

The colt looked the bet of the year, you can search his form, you won’t find many flaws, there he is a super colt with a huge future.

Mick Price had two outstanding three year olds, Flying Artie and Extreme Choice the later  may find it hard to get a mile, but cannot be over looked after winning the Moir Stakes against open age, he drew the wrong side of the track on Saturday.

I Am A Star, surely no one can argue about that, she has been one of the stars of the spring, particularly for her consistency.

She was right on the pace for much of the Myer Classic, when West Australian filly
Whispering Brook began to weaken; I am A Star was right there to take over, and that she did.

The Myer Classic is a Group One, she is now a very valuable mare with a high price tag on her head, she goes into an elite league.

She is trained by Shane Nichols, he has had his share of ups and downs, life has been no bed of roses, after being flooded out at Yarra Glen he has since located to Mornington.

The filly can now rest on her laurels for the present; there are some nice races about in the autumn that will suit her.

There were no hard stories after the Derby, the race was won by the better stayer, Prized Icon, he has had a typical Cummings preparation and has not been far away in any of his lead up races, he could be excused for his run in the weight for age Chelsford Stakes.

He was racing mid field just off the fence for most of the trip when his rider, Glyn Schofield, began to get busy when the field reached final turn.

At that stage Prized Icon was running fourth, Swear was leading with Sacred Elixir on the fence looking a possible winner, nothing else was running on.

When Sacred Elixir, the favourite, reached the lead, he appeared to be full of running, until Prized Icon emerged on the scene, he ran away to an easy win with the margin being two and a half lengths.

You could claim that most of the field failed to stay, but that has never been any different, So Si Bon just plugged away for his effort in finishing fourth, he picked up $67,500.

le Romain, trained at Broadmeadow Newcastle by Kris Lees, ending an exasperating runs of seconds, was on the ball this time, winning the $1million Cantala Stakes.

He was not that far away in the Epsom Handicap, whilst he won well on Saturday, no decision has been made whether he will have another run here or return straight home to Newcastle, there is really not much left here after that win and that was the race the stable set the gelding for, they got the money and that is all that counts.

Kris Lees trains from the stable of his late father Max where he prepared Luskin Star for his record breaking win of seven lengths in the Golden Slipper Stakes.

               22 – 10 – 16

Azazel is a highly promising colt, as was shown when he cruised away to an effortless win, taking out the thick end of the prize in listed Inglis Banner.

When the Sydney colt, Luiza, trained by Chris Waller, bounded from the starting gate putting a space in the field, it looked a case of all over red rover.

He had the form on the board after winning the Kirkham Stakes at Randwick, but once he was collared by the winner, Azazel, he gave up as if he had been shot.

Tony M cEvoy has a high opinion of his colt, a $310,000 purchase by the brilliant Snitzel, he has earned almost half of his purchase already, if he wins the Maribyrnong Plate he will have squared the ledger.

McEvoy purchased well at the various yearling sales earlier in the year, he already has a number of nice young horses coming through the system.

Luke Currie was rewarded with the winning ride, having educated the colt, doing a lot work with him.

Peter Moody was seen in a new role, representing his wife, Sarah, as the stand in owner of Nurse Kitchen, an impressive winner of the Group 2 Fillies Classic at Moonee Valley.

The three year old filly had previously won at Geelong after a break, showed very little at Caulfield, finishing near last.

A step up in distance to 1600 metres, she showed her true worth, coming from mid field to score by a half length, she was very strong on the line.

The filly is trained by David Brideoake, he was playing it cool saying, “she is going to make a pretty fair mare, not only on the race track but also as a potential brood mare”

Peter left the talking to David, he obviously has a big opinion of her, “she came off a fast pace, it was a big effort at her third start,” said David.

Finally Peter had a word to say “she is a nice filly, we bred her from one of our own mares, “he added.

She went into the race having won $11,800 in stakes, and increased her earnings by an additional $120,000.

The United States received the seal of approval in winning the Schweppes Crystal Mile; the owners had been looking at the Cox Plate but favoured the mile instead, with no regrets.

It was an authoritative win and will just about set the seal for the Emirates Mile on Saturday week.

Part owner, Nick Williams, described the win, “it was nothing more than a track gallop, he really showed he was there today, that was terrific and all credit to Stacey, she does a wonderful job with the horse and we have to thank Marty Synan, he presented a great track taking into account all the rain leading into the race, “he said.

Depending on how The United States shapes up in the Emirates, surely he must have a great chance as he is in form, a win would just about ensure him of a trip to Hong Kong in December.

Winx‘s phenomenal performance would have be to seen to be believed, almost beyond description, the win was explosive, rarely seen at that level.

When the great mare moved up just before the turn, the crowd of 26,000 plus was awaiting the dogfight, but that never happened, Winx was away like a puff of smoke.

Her winning margin was eight lengths, eclipsing the record set by Dulcify winning by seven lengths in 1979.

Winx had no sooner won the Cox Plate than the poaching began, to try and lure Waller to consider the Emirates Classic $2 million over 2000 metres as her Spring swan song.

Waller made it quite clear long before leaving Sydney it was the Caulfield Stakes and the Cox Plate, nothing else was intended.

Winx will now go for a break, at least a few weeks before she commences her autumn agenda, her main target being the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.

She is now rising six, having had 23 starts, 17 wins, with $9,348,489 in stake earnings.

Hugh Bowman with trophy 

Sacred Elixir threw the Caulfield Guineas away due to a temperament problem, however, he was on his best behaviour in The Vase, but there is still a degree of uncertainty about him if he can run the trip.

He is the form horse of the Classic; no doubt he has won two races leading into the race, whether he can get the trip remains to be seen, as it does with every horse in the race at their first try over the distance.

The Robbie Laing trained So Si Bon is coming home, in all his lead up races he gets his chance on Saturday to show if he is a genuine stayer.

Our racing and breeding has changed the stud masters are not interested in standing staying bred stallions, while yearling prices continue to soar breeding will be dominated by the dollar.

Years gone by the Derby winner was among the best weight for age horses when they turned four, that era has long gone, that doesn’t happen today.

Sacred Elixir winning the Vase

Yankee Rose is no outsider in the Cox Plate, she is quoted at $15, and whilst her rider, Dean Yendall, has not ridden in the race previously, that does not concern her trainer, David Vandyke, he is in no hurry to break up a successful partnership.

Yendall rode the filly to win the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick; he has the perfect score on the board, with one ride one win on the daughter of All American.

Furthermore, he is a man at a boy’s weight that is seen as a huge advantage, he didn’t come down in the last shower, or the one before.

He is a seasoned jockey, always in demand having had 870 rides last season, resulting in 165 winners.

Yendall ,with his wife Christine Puls, and baby daughter, was at Moonee Valley on Tuesday morning to give Yankee Rose a serious trial ,she ticked all the boxes, she is in fine fettle for what lies ahead.

Yankee Rose has drawn the inside gate, normally she would go back into the field and come with a late run, but with the lack of pace in the race this could be a concern.

Yankee Rose - Dean Yendall up 

Country racing came to a standstill during the war years of 1939-45, many of the courses folded and those that didn’t had little in resources to go on with.

There was little money available, many of the racecourses were closed voluntarily, many fell into disrepair, and committees disbanded, eventually people lost interest, there was more to think about in that era.

The courses that didn’t close came under severe scrutiny as to show cause why they should continue to hold a licence, to act as a racecourse.

High on the list was Avoca, Chairman of the Victoria Racing Club, Sir Chester Manifold, and Tom Austin, Chairman of the Racecourse’s Licences Board, paid a visit to the course with the express purpose of having it closed.  

The secretary of the race club, Keith Astbury, was notified of their coming, he was there to meet them at the gate.

Stepping from the car Sir Chester immediately said, “we cannot close this course, this man is Keith Astbury, he is a war hero, a member of the dam busters crew that crippled Nazi Germany, shortening the war by several months, saving thousands of lives.

Avoca racecourse and the club had a reprieve, the track was nothing more than a clay pan for several years, however, the club had a resilient committee, they worked as a team and have succeeded.

They had a great team of workers and still have the club, they have gone from success to success with a very able secretary in Kate Kirkpatrick, and Ben Sporle, a competent young race caller will be on hand to call his sixth Avoca Cup on Saturday.

Kate Kirkpatrick

8----10----16

Wait For No One showed the benefit of two trials, he had the exposed form that stood him in good stead winning the Inglis Debutante Stakes.

Had the colt not lived up to his name and had waited, he most likely would have been run down by Spoils, as the margin was just a short half head.

He was first out of the gate and then the chase begun; it nearly came off when Spoils ran the favourite to a short half head.

Spoils is certain to win a race on that performance, it is just a matter of where and when, she is going to make into a nice filly, purchased as a yearling for $350,000.

The first two juvenile races of the season have fallen to the Hayes – Dabernig stable, and there is still plenty of two year olds back at the Euroa stable

Wait For No One wins Debutant

Assign gave his rivals something to chase in the Herbert Power Handicap, the race drew a disappointing field of just six runners, possibly the smallest field on record.

The gelding, by noted sire of stayers Montjeu, aided by a brilliant ride from Kathlyn Mallyon, led from barrier to box.

Nick Williams, who shares the ownership in Assign with his father and mother, was complementary of Mallyon and her winning ride on the gelding.

Nick said, “he’s a beauty, he came from Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle, and she gave him a super ride, it is over and upwards, we will now look at something like the Bendigo Cup with him, its six days out from the Melbourne Cup, so Katie may get a ride in the Cup.”

“You could not put any other jockey on that horse than Katie, she rides these horses so well, she understands pace and is a great judge of pace.

Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner, Prince Of Penzance, finished fourth on pulling up, it was found he had fractured his near fore leg, that will have three screws inserted, he will not race again.

Assign wins Herbert Power Stakes

Chetwood is more than capable of winning over this Spring carnival, seven starts and has not been out of a place, winning four races on the trot, as he is a gelding with untapped talent there is a future ahead of him, he could be a force to be reckoned with when he gets back to Sydney for the autumn.

He looked pretty good in winning the Weekend Hussler Stakes, sitting off fast pace set by Sistine Demon, he drew away to win by two lengths, it could have easily been increased if desired.

His trainer, John O’Shea, who prepares the Exeed And Excel gelding said,” I am pleased the horse is going through his grades, he travelled well today, he took the sit and was there at the right time.”

“He was strong to the line, and while they were going quickly that suited him, he responded quickly and was coming right away, he could have gone further, “said John O”Shea.

It has also been a big week for his sire Exceed And Excel, he has sired the winner of the Breeders Plate and Gimcrack Stakes, plus the winner of the Maribyrong Trial Stakes and now Chetwood, who could ask for anything more?

Chetwood winning for John O'Shea

Winx did the job as most expected her to do, a mere walk in the park, not enough to raise a sweat, her big assignment is yet to come.

The Caulfield Stakes has been run and won, she now presses onto the Cox Plate, after that who knows? she has done her bit, there is little left to prove, she is rising six, maybe the autumn in Sydney might be enough, an old adage you can take the pitcher to the well once too often.

Her next assignment, the Cox Plate in two weeks, she is there to defend her title, she was lucky last year drawing the number one, she had exclusive use of the fence from there on.

Barrier one to five would be ideal if you have the pace to maintain your position in the run to the first turn, it is crucial to have an uninterrupted passage, otherwise you can be caught wide most of the way.

Winx - Simply a canter

The recently formed training partnership between Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott has really gone off with a bang, winning two Group 1 races within seven days, when Global Glamour won the Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.

The training team of Gai and Adrian didn’t need any persuasion to take on the Thousand Guineas after their filly had won the Group 1 Flight Stakes, the week previously at Royal Randwick.

Sydney trained three year olds have quite an advantage over the locals when they come down here, they have options of lead up races of 1400 and 1600 metres, while in Melbourne you have to settle for lead up races of 1000 or 1200 metres at very best.

Global Glamour winning for the new partnership

Patient ride wins Guineas after drawing the inside gate Dwayne Dunn allowed the Caulfield Guineas winner, Divine Prophet, to slip back into the field rather than getting cluttered up in the field until it was time to get busy.

A wise move, as they did stack up along the railway side of course, there was no sense in getting involved in a bun fight when the shortest way home is not always the quickest.

Divine Prophet had pretty fair form in Sydney, winning two races and in the money four times from six starts.

He is still in the Cox Plate, however, that looks a bit rich at this stage of his career, he may not be out of place in The Derby instead

Divine Prophet winning the Guineas

He’s Our Rokkii is currently on the crest of a wave, having won seven races with his last five wins on the trot, and the winning streak is not yet over if you listen to his connections, the curtain is not drawn yet.

He was sent out a warm favourite after his good form of late, the margin was shorter than expected, you cannot knock winning form.

The win completed four wins for the Hayes – Dabernig stable, and a treble for Dwayne Dunn; he is riding in great form, with a stack of confidence.

He’s Our Rokkii is by Roc De Cambes is by Red Ransom from Clerihew, an English bred mare by Lomitas.

He's Our Rokkii giving Dwayne Dunn a treble