Werribee, as a racecourse, was back in the news again yesterday, and for the same reason, the track failed again, it was not a safe working place for man and beast.

After a young jockey, having his first ride in race, was injured and two horses had to be put down, the last two races were abandoned.

Surely these incidents can no longer be tolerated, it is just been ongoing, the course has become a mine field.

We continue to hear the same old quotes “we will fix it” that quote has worn thin, nothing is ever done, and the problem is still there.

If the subject in question was a building site it would have been black balled, unions would not place their members at such risk, yet racing officialdom doesn’t have the same attitude.    

Following on from the brilliant win of Dawn Approach in the Group1 St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, it has been announced his sire, New Approach, will not shuttle here this season.

He had a book of 80 mares awaiting him at Darley’s showplace property at Northwood, via Seymour.

Whilst New Approach has been nothing short of a revelation in Britain, he has not as yet enjoyed the same success in the southern hemisphere.

However, he was never going to be that precocious sire, it was a bonus if they won at two, as did Montsegur, winning at Group 3 level down the straight 1000 metres at Flemington.

There is certainly a speed influence in the bottom half of New Approach’s pedigree, but his sire line of Galileo is no doubt the dominant factor.

We are likely to see the best of him in the coming spring, Peter Snowden is sure to have a nice bunch of three year olds ready to emerge over the next few months.

Lord Of The Sky made a one affair of the Procal Dairies Handicap, leading from barrier to box.

There was always big wraps on the youngster long before he raced, after winning a trial the asking price was $500,000, except the money never came to light.

Robbie Laing, the breeder and trainer of the youngster, was hung out to dry, there were no options left but to rally up his loyal troops to form a syndicate to race the colt.

A first up second at Werribee was hardly a confidence booster; although excuses were thrown about that he anchored down on the worst side of the track.

There were no excuses at Caulfield however, in form apprentice, Kayla Nisbet, had him quickly facing the breeze, he was so far in front of the opposition they almost lost sight of him.

Another run this time in before any firm decisions are made, it is possible the autumn will be targeted with the Blue Diamond Stakes coming in for some consideration.

Recent Moonee Valley winner, Miss Steele, didn’t finish the race off as expected, with her trainer, Michael Kent, believing she would be better off now over 1200 metres, that will have to wait for a while as she will now go for a break in the paddock.

Lord Of The Sky - Big winner for Robbie Laing 

Captivating Lady’s win in the Ecoresignagesystems Handicap illustrates the strong bond between trainer, Ray Coombes and jockey, Andrew Mallyon.

They were back in the winner’s circle for the fourth time when the mare came, with a whirlwind performance, to score at Caulfield.

That was the mare’s 16^th start and Mallyon has been aboard her each time and he is always on hand to ride her track work at Mornington.

It has proved quite a successful and rare combination, seldom seen in racing these days when jockeys carefully select their mounts, it’s an age when you are only good as your last winner.

Ray Coombes has the benefit of a few acres of ground, it has proved the winning formula, the mare spends most of the day in a paddock and is boxed at night.

It was a strong win as she had most of the field in front of her at the half way stage of the race, with the result she had to swing out wide to get a crack at the leaders.

Captivating Lady is by Elvstroem, it was the first leg of a winning double for the sire, as Rock Princess won two races later on in the program.

Captivating Lady and Andrew Mallyon - A successful combination

Octavia had the result of the Yarra Valley Farms Plate done and dusted, except for Vicario who grabbed her in the last possible stride.

It looked as if a running double was coming up for Kayla Nisbet until Vicario appeared on the scene, from out of nowhere, to snatch a well deserved win.

Nothing could be taken from the winner, Vicario; she drew an outside gate and was giving the leader a big start on the home turn.

To her credit she responded well to the hard riding of Daniel Moor, giving the impression she will get further.

It was surprising how she drifted in the betting, as her run at Moonee Valley was described by Mick Price as excellent.

It was decided to keep her fresh for this race, plus it was two Listed fillies that finished in front of her at Moonee Valley.

“She has to have the races run to suit her, with a little bit of speed on she can finish off” said Price.

Vicario is by Hard Spun, another son of Danzig, who is leaving winners as his progeny are beginning to mature, they require a little time; it is just a matter of patience.

Vicario gets up in last stride