Birthday present
Smart sprinter Usain Bowler (So You Think) delivered an early birthday present at The Valley to John Sadler with his victory at Caulfield.
In his second run on his current campaign, he flew late to win the Four’n Twenty H. under a top ride from Mark Zahra.
“He’s a pretty fair horse and I just wondered whether he needed one more run,” Sadler said. “I’m 54 on Monday and I’m looking forward to the future.
“I still bounce out of bed every morning, especially for a horse like this.”
Roheryn bounces back
Trainer James Cummings is making no grand plans for Roheryn (Lonhro), who successfully resumed at Randwick.
Unbeaten in his first two runs, he then finished runner-up before he was turned out and gelded and returned to his best to take out the Jockey Celebration Day H.
"He was getting too heavy and he was immature so we decided to geld him," Cummings said. "I think he has a lot of improvement in him, but one race at a time.
"He is the most relaxed he has been and the improving track helped him."
Time key to stayer
Progressive stayer More Than Ever (More Than Ready {USA}) continued his golden run of form with further success at The Valley.
Trained by Tony McEvoy, the 5-year-old had won his previous two starts in South Australia and completed a hat-trick in style when he raced away with the Chandler Macleod H.
“He’s been a bit frustrating, but the owners have allowed us to take our time and they are being rewarded now,” McEvoy said.
Tarzan sees it out
Tarzan (Drumbeats) has belatedly broken his duck over 1200 metres with success at Doomben in the Tim Bell Memorial H.
The 7-year-old had previously failed in all five attempts, but saw the trip out strongly under Ryan Maloney for trainer Stuart Kendrick.
"He's a tough horse and probably going as well as he ever has," Kendrick said. "He dug in, but we had our hearts in our mouths over the last 50 metres."
Ryan Maloney steered Tarzan home to win the Tim Bell Memorial H.
Melbourne in mind
In-form stayer Our Mantra (Sebring) may have earned himself a spring trip to Melbourne.
He made it four wins and a second from his last five starts when bolted away with the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission H. at Doomben.
The gelding gave the Chris Anderson-Robert Heathcote partnership their first win of the new season with a dominant performance.
"This horse is really in a happy place. He is racing so well we are looking at taking him to Victoria for the spring," Anderson said. “He obviously wouldn't be tackling the big races, but there are a stack of country Cup and lesser stakes races for him.
"The other option is to keep racing up here, where he is starting to get plenty of weight, or to put him away for next winter. Robbie is still on holidays but I will talk to him in the next few days when we can make up our minds."
Success for Jimmy
Spendthrift Australia stallion Jimmy Creed (USA) has enjoyed further black type success in the United States.
His son Casa Creed (USA) followed up two recent placings with victory in the G2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. at Saratoga. The Bill Mott-trained colt also claimed the Listed Kitten’s Joy S. last season.
The winner of the G1 Santa Anita Malibu S., Jimmy Creed divides his time between Spendthrift’s Victorian and Kentucky operations. He’s produced two winners in Australia from a handful of runners.
Plate tilt confirmed
Malambo (Duelled) relished the Slow 9 footing at Te Rapa to produce a winning dress rehearsal for her first major assignment of the season, the G2 US Navy Flag Foxbridge Plate at the venue in a fortnight.
She had been freshened after finishing a gutsy third at Trentham back in late May and after pinging away from an inside barrier she led all the way to score with ease for rider Shiarna Johnson.
“With the four kilos off I said to bounce out, be positive and try and lead hard on the fence and she pulled it off,” co-trainer Debbie Rogerson said.
“She’s a very handy mare who I think is a lot better this time up.”
Rogerson confirmed a tilt at the Foxbridge Plate was the mare’s next target provided she came through her latest run in good shape.
Top prospect
Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie has tipped a bright future for The Good Fight (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}).
He successfully resumed over 1400 metres at Te Rapa where he came from last over a distance well short of his best.
“That was a great performance. He was detached and couldn’t keep up early,” Ritchie said. “He’s a very exciting horse and one I love having in the stable. I’m delighted with him.”
