Another average weekend of racing and as I've said over recent weeks expect it to continue.
I'll still be doing my tips each week and analyzing the "feature events" in more detail but I'll also be adding a new section (below) to hopefully stir up the blood as we head towards another Spring Carnival.
THE SULTANS OF SPRING
Makybe Diva. Phar Lap. Kingston Town.
Every year as the Spring Carnival approaches we hear about the mighty deeds of these Spring champs of yesteryear.
But what of the forgotten heroes? What of the grand campaigners of Spring Carnivals gone by whose names we seldom, if ever hear?
Over the coming weeks, as the Spring Carnival gradually approaches before finally engulfing us, I will revisit the deeds of some of the superstars of years gone by.
I will look at, if you will allow me to wax lyrical, "The Sultans of Spring". (Apologies to Dire Straits.)
I will look at, if you will allow me to wax lyrical, "The Sultans of Spring". (Apologies to Dire Straits.)
Poseidon
What this bloke did in the Spring of his three-year-old year was extraordinary.
A moderately performed two-year-old with just one win to his name from six starts, Poseidon's true potential was about to rise from the deep.
In the space of just under nine weeks he would start eight times for seven wins and a second. After victories in two minor races in Sydney, he claimed the AJC Derby (then run in the Spring) by three lengths before suffering the only defeat of his campaign when backing up two days later against older horses in the Metropolitan Handicap.
He then journeyed to Melbourne to claim the weight-for-age Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield then returned to the same venue three days later to win the Caulfield Cup. A fortnight after that he would win the VRC Derby before winning the Melbourne Cup three days later.
In all he would start 14 times in the 1906-07 season for 11 wins and three seconds.
As if that wasn't enough, Poseidon returned the following Spring and won the Eclipse Stakes (again) and then became the first horse to win back-to-back Caulfield Cups, again on a three-day back-up. He made it three wins on end two weeks later with victory in the Mackinnon Stakes on Derby Day.
He would race at Flemington just two more times. Three days later he finished eighth in his second Melbourne Cup lumping 65kg, before running second on the final day of the carnival in the CB Fisher Plate, now known as the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
LOOKING FORWARD
Who's hot?
In the month of July Gold Coast trainer Helen Page has taken 18 horses to the races for six winners and four placegetters (Win 33.3% / Place 55.5%). Love Stories looks her best tomorrow. (Gold Coast Race 4 No. 13)
Caulfield
Bletchingly Stakes (Group 3, 1200m, w-f-a)
Pago Rock has been in great form this prep winning three from four and he has shown an affinity for this Caulfield track. Was strong at the end of the Bletchingly so the step up to 1200m isn't a concern, especially given he's won three times at the trip. Hayes and Schofield have been a great combo this season with more than 50 winners and 100 placegetters. Won't be any flash price but you won't go broke backing winners.
Elite Elle will give a good sight for a long way and it did take Pago Rock a while to get past her last time out. She's an honest mare in good form and she does go well at the Caulfield 1200m with two wins and a second over the journey here. Handles all surfaces.
I feel Launay is a better horse second-up and a better horse at 1400m, but the stable has said this is no stepping stone and he's in this race to win. I'd still prefer him with a run under his belt although his first-up form is sound if not spectacular (8:1-4-1) so you probably have to include him in your exotics.
Second Effort races best on wet tracks and races best three or more runs into his campaign. With the drying track and the tough run first-up I'm happy to risk him at $4.50.
Hard to entertain any of the others. Sea Lord, Mr Make Believe and Zamorar are handy types but their recent form has been poor.
Locky's Selections
Elite Elle will give a good sight for a long way and it did take Pago Rock a while to get past her last time out. She's an honest mare in good form and she does go well at the Caulfield 1200m with two wins and a second over the journey here. Handles all surfaces.
I feel Launay is a better horse second-up and a better horse at 1400m, but the stable has said this is no stepping stone and he's in this race to win. I'd still prefer him with a run under his belt although his first-up form is sound if not spectacular (8:1-4-1) so you probably have to include him in your exotics.
Second Effort races best on wet tracks and races best three or more runs into his campaign. With the drying track and the tough run first-up I'm happy to risk him at $4.50.
Hard to entertain any of the others. Sea Lord, Mr Make Believe and Zamorar are handy types but their recent form has been poor.
Locky's Selections
5 Pago Rock
11 Elite Elle
2 Launay
11 Elite Elle
2 Launay
Other bets
Koe (Caulfield Race 8 No. 11) got us the chocolates last start and was scratched last weekend when tipped here, after the track underwent a series of downgrades due to the inclement weather. I'll stick solid even though this is a tougher assignment here up against the boys but on the plus side of the ledger she does get some weight relief - dropping to 54kg after lumping 60kg to victory in fillies and mares grade last start. Has won four from five this prep including her last three in a row, all at the 1400m. A mare who is in-form in a race where a lot of these boys aren't. As much as $7 was bet.
Octavia (Caulfield Race 5 No. 9) did all the hard work out in front last start on a track where quite frankly you didn't want to be anywhere near lead and the rail. Another in-form mare who finds herself down on the minimum weight. They bet more than $4 early but that has since disappeared as the smarties tumbled into her. Get on quick!
Yulalona (Randwick Race 7 No. 2) just missed in the Grafton Cup behind a horse of whom I have a high opinion in Mr O'Ceirin. Loomed up to win but just died on his run. That should top him off nicely for this and Hugh Bowman needs all the winners he can get to stave off the challenge from Nash Rawiller for the Jockey's Premiership. Backable at $7.50.
Teronado (Doomben Race 2 No. 2) showed promise in his only campaign to date with two wins by good margins and a second on a bog track in his first three starts. Has since been gelded and has been tuned up for this with a trial win two and a half weeks ago. Looks a good each-way bet at $9.
Octavia (Caulfield Race 5 No. 9) did all the hard work out in front last start on a track where quite frankly you didn't want to be anywhere near lead and the rail. Another in-form mare who finds herself down on the minimum weight. They bet more than $4 early but that has since disappeared as the smarties tumbled into her. Get on quick!
Yulalona (Randwick Race 7 No. 2) just missed in the Grafton Cup behind a horse of whom I have a high opinion in Mr O'Ceirin. Loomed up to win but just died on his run. That should top him off nicely for this and Hugh Bowman needs all the winners he can get to stave off the challenge from Nash Rawiller for the Jockey's Premiership. Backable at $7.50.
Teronado (Doomben Race 2 No. 2) showed promise in his only campaign to date with two wins by good margins and a second on a bog track in his first three starts. Has since been gelded and has been tuned up for this with a trial win two and a half weeks ago. Looks a good each-way bet at $9.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
The big racing news this week is the long awaited confirmation that in her first trip to the breeding barn Black Caviar will be served this Spring by boom sire Exceed and Excel .
The son of Danehill won seven of his 12 career starts including the Newmarket Handicap as a three-year-old, a race Black Caviar also won.
A similar cross has been tried previously when Exceed & Excel served Black Caviar's grandmother Scandinavia to produce the Group 2 winner Wilander.
Gai Waterhouse has been charged with a second infringement over the condition of More Joyous before a race.
Waterhouse has been fined $2000 for not reporting the mare was lame in the lead up to The Queen of the Turf Stakes in April but has appealed.
She is already appealing a $5000 fine imposed for not reporting treatment to More Joyous before her final race in the All Aged Stakes.
Tommy Berry has made a successful return to Australia with victory in the final race at Hawkesbury last Sunday.
Berry has just returned from a stint in Hong Kong where he bagged 22 winners in just over two months.
The news isn't so good for fellow hoop Glyn Schofield who was outed for six meetings and fined $2000 after weighing in light on Wouldn't It Be Nice at Rosehill last Saturday.
The two-year-old was disqualified from his third placing and NSW stewards have renewed their push for a rule change regarding refunds. Schofield plans to appeal.
Meantime Irish jumps jockey Danny Mullins has had his 14 day ban for commandeering an ambulance reduced to 10 days on appeal.
The remaining four days have been suspended for one year.
Darley veteran Pinwheel is back in work and trainer Peter Snowden is hopeful he'll be ready to trial in three weeks.
The rising eight-year-old hasn't started since injuring a suspensory ligament during the Orr Stakes in February.
And lastly on a sad note classy racemare Romanee Conti has passed away aged 24 at Pencarrow Stud in New Zealand.
A winner of the 1992 Queen Of The Turf Stakes and the 1993 Hong Kong International Cup she is probably best remembered as the dam of Caulfield / Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal.
The son of Danehill won seven of his 12 career starts including the Newmarket Handicap as a three-year-old, a race Black Caviar also won.
A similar cross has been tried previously when Exceed & Excel served Black Caviar's grandmother Scandinavia to produce the Group 2 winner Wilander.
Gai Waterhouse has been charged with a second infringement over the condition of More Joyous before a race.
Waterhouse has been fined $2000 for not reporting the mare was lame in the lead up to The Queen of the Turf Stakes in April but has appealed.
She is already appealing a $5000 fine imposed for not reporting treatment to More Joyous before her final race in the All Aged Stakes.
Tommy Berry has made a successful return to Australia with victory in the final race at Hawkesbury last Sunday.
Berry has just returned from a stint in Hong Kong where he bagged 22 winners in just over two months.
The news isn't so good for fellow hoop Glyn Schofield who was outed for six meetings and fined $2000 after weighing in light on Wouldn't It Be Nice at Rosehill last Saturday.
The two-year-old was disqualified from his third placing and NSW stewards have renewed their push for a rule change regarding refunds. Schofield plans to appeal.
Meantime Irish jumps jockey Danny Mullins has had his 14 day ban for commandeering an ambulance reduced to 10 days on appeal.
The remaining four days have been suspended for one year.
Darley veteran Pinwheel is back in work and trainer Peter Snowden is hopeful he'll be ready to trial in three weeks.
The rising eight-year-old hasn't started since injuring a suspensory ligament during the Orr Stakes in February.
And lastly on a sad note classy racemare Romanee Conti has passed away aged 24 at Pencarrow Stud in New Zealand.
A winner of the 1992 Queen Of The Turf Stakes and the 1993 Hong Kong International Cup she is probably best remembered as the dam of Caulfield / Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal.
LOOKING BACK
Who's hot?
Allan Denham has had six winners and four placegetters from his last 15 runners stretching back to July 5 including winners at Canterbury, Muswellbrook, Newcastle (twice) and a double at Taree. Best chance tomorrow appears to be Mount Nebo (Rosehill Race 3 No. 5). 2nd. $1.40 place.
Winter Stakes (Listed, 1400m, quality handicap)
Rosehill
Winter Stakes (Listed, 1400m, quality handicap)
Last week I wrote:
"Putting Mic Mac on top despite the big weight because he showed glimpses of his old self last start and he is a former topliner (he placed in a Stradbroke) plus he did lump a big impost last time out anyway. He's also won two from two at this track and distance.
The obvious danger is the Gai Waterhouse trained Under the Sun. He's been consistent of late and wasn't far away behind Mic Mac last start and meets him a kilo better off."
Locky's Selections
1 Mic Mac (2nd) $2.50 place
9 Under The Sun (1st) $3.40 win / $1.60 place
5 Bold Glance (4th)
Quinella 1-9 $11.20
Exacta 9-1 $26.30
Any 2 1-9 $4.30
9 Under The Sun (1st) $3.40 win / $1.60 place
5 Bold Glance (4th)
Quinella 1-9 $11.20
Exacta 9-1 $26.30
Any 2 1-9 $4.30
Other bets
Last week I wrote:
Shafeeq (Eagle Farm Race 7 No. 5) goes well second-up (4:3-0-0) and was good first-up when making all the running only to be just run down (half a length) in the shadows of the post in the Ascot Handicap. Races well at Eagle Farm and although he's never won beyond 1100m he's only ever had the two attempts at 1200m for a third and the aforementioned close-up fourth last start. Should be able to get $5.50. 4th.
Relaxed and Happy (Rosehill Race 2 No. 1) was scratched last week so I'll stay solid, especially given the track is likely to get back to a dead surface now. Talented on his day and his last two failures were on wet tracks. $3.60 is available. 1st. $3.00 win / $1.40 place.
Koe (Flemington Race 8 No. 2) got us the coin a fortnight ago and I can't see any reason not to butter up here tomorrow. Will be backable at about $4.80 and meets Biadiamond (1.5kg) and Tranquera (2.5kg) better off for having beaten them last start. Is a bit of a specialist at the Flemington 1400m start with two wins from as many attempts. An in-form mare in a race where the rest aren't and it pays to follow the girls when they string a few together. SCRATCHED.
Shafeeq (Eagle Farm Race 7 No. 5) goes well second-up (4:3-0-0) and was good first-up when making all the running only to be just run down (half a length) in the shadows of the post in the Ascot Handicap. Races well at Eagle Farm and although he's never won beyond 1100m he's only ever had the two attempts at 1200m for a third and the aforementioned close-up fourth last start. Should be able to get $5.50. 4th.
Relaxed and Happy (Rosehill Race 2 No. 1) was scratched last week so I'll stay solid, especially given the track is likely to get back to a dead surface now. Talented on his day and his last two failures were on wet tracks. $3.60 is available. 1st. $3.00 win / $1.40 place.
Koe (Flemington Race 8 No. 2) got us the coin a fortnight ago and I can't see any reason not to butter up here tomorrow. Will be backable at about $4.80 and meets Biadiamond (1.5kg) and Tranquera (2.5kg) better off for having beaten them last start. Is a bit of a specialist at the Flemington 1400m start with two wins from as many attempts. An in-form mare in a race where the rest aren't and it pays to follow the girls when they string a few together. SCRATCHED.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
They seem fairly optimistic.
- King Leonidas of Sparta, Thermopylae, 480 B.C.
- King Leonidas of Sparta, Thermopylae, 480 B.C.
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