Adelaide trained colt, Get The Nod, made a one act affair of the Vain Stakes, winning with quite a bit in hand.

If Lloyd Kennewell’s claim is correct that this is the best colt he has trained, the locals could be picking up the crumbs come Springtime.

He did look good in the Vain Stakes, he was on the pace from the outset and simply blew the opposition away once the straight was entered, the only horse to make up any ground was Stingray, a win for him should not be far off.

Kennewell was playing it cool before the race saying little, his belief the owners are entitled to get the best of the odds, hence he was playing his cards close to his chest

Get The Nod was an $18,000 purchase at the Sydney Classic Sale, he went into the Vain Stakes a previous winner at Morphettville, earning $18,000 for his effort, he picked up $90,000 plus a trophy at Caulfield.

Mick Price saddled up three runners with Nordic Empire finishing fourth, the closest of the trio, while Jabali, the favourite, was a shade disappointing, however, there could have been an excuse for him.

He didn’t look comfortable travelling on the rails, he may be better suited racing further out where he would receive more galloping room.

Get The Nod with Joe Bowditch up

Shannon Hope, who shares a trainer’s licence with his father Lee, is not looking too far ahead with the filly Sabatini.

When asked if she would go onto the Thousand Guineas there was no excited response, he is going to let the dust settle, he has time on his side.

In fact the three placegetters could go down that track; the natural assumption would be the Guineas, at least at the moment.

Sabatini was impressive, she commenced a long sustained run from last at the 800 metres, suggesting she would get further, but we will have to wait and see as both of her wins have been at 1100 metres.

Most of the money was for Royal Snitzel, she went to the post a warm favourite, she had the race in her keeping until Sabatini appeared on the scene in the shadows of the post.

The best backed horse against the favourite was Novel Dancer; she finished up at almost half of her opening quote.

She is more that a handy filly, she went into the race after winning twice at the provincials, she is going to win further races.

Kalabek did nothing, blew like a north wind, won a mid weeker at Caulfield back in April, so much for mid weekers, about as weak as boarding house soup.

Sabatini gets the nod in the Quezette Stakes

It didn’t take Craig Williams long to get back in the winner’s circle after another successful riding stint in Japan.

He is now a much travelled international jockey, riding in both hemispheres with success, achieved with hard work and getting off his backside and not waiting about for it to happen.

Yesterday he was seen at his best on the front running Hard Stride, winning the Winslow Group Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield.

While the gelding had won just the two races from 17 starts, with stake earnings of $322,000, much of that amount attributed to placings, he had finished second four times between both of his Caulfield wins.

There is no intention of Hard Stride being allowed to rest on his laurels, he continues to work well and is racing consistently, and when he is turned out for spell he wants to come back into the stable.

The favourite, Thiamandi, didn’t receive the favours she had when winning the Bletchingly, this time she was locked away on the rails, and when the run was presented, the bird, in the form of Hard Stride, had flown.

Moment of Change ran a sound race under the circumstances; he had to give the winner eight kgs

Hard Stride ridden by Craig Williams.

Peter Moody couldn’t wipe the smile off his face after the easy win of Spirit Of Heaven in the Anzac Centenary Handicap, at Caulfield.

It was a case of in the bag a long way from home, she was always travelling well, it was just a matter of her youthful rider, Regan Bayliss, pressing the button and the show was over.

The mare has been a model of consistency, this was her third win on end, with each an improvement on the previous one.

Now that she has won three on the trot it may be time to have a look at Black Type for her, could be the way Moody goes with her.

While the winner carried too many guns for her opposition, Oriental Ruby was seen to be running on fairly; she wouldn’t need anything stronger though if she was to win a race this campaign.

Acapela was also running on, she came from last after drawing a wide gate, maybe better suited at Moonee Valley she filled a placing there at her previous start.

Spirit Of Heaven with in form Regan Bayliss up 

Programming eight races, the first to commence at 1 pm, and the last race at 5.20 pm, as was the case at Swan Hill on Monday is a concern to trainers.

It is absolutely ludicrous and most unnecessary, no consideration for trainers and their staff that have to travel up to four and five hours to reach their final destination.

And it was no different at Bendigo yesterday, the last race at 5.15, in both instances horses were leaving the racecourses in the dark, but no one seems to both, nor do they care.

Trainers met earlier this week we believe, the matter was discussed in depth, but nothing is likely to change, it’s all about betting turnover.

With alterations to working hours people now have more leisure hours at their disposal, hence increase turnover, that’s all that counts.