Colt stakes Derby claim
Thought Of That (So You Think {NZ}) has confirmed his place in the G1 VRC Derby.
He was coming off a Donald maiden win when he demolished his rivals in the G3 Ladbrokes Classic at Caulfield with a commanding front-running performance that saw him easing down at the post and still a wide margin on runner-up Warning (Declaration Of War {USA}).
“We raised the bar a bit here, but the timing was right. He’s going the right way and he’ll go straight to the Derby now,” co-trainer Ciaron Maher said. “He’s going the right way.”
Successful rider Linda Meech said the addition of blinkers had been the key to bringing out the best in the colt.
Daring ride pays off
A bold move by Tommy Berry to take Happy Clapper (Teofilo {Ire}) to the front mid-way through the race gave trainer Pat Webster a shock, but it proved the winning of the G3 Yulong Australia Craven Plate.
The Bjorn Baker-trained Samadoubt (Not A Single Doubt) was expected to lead he couldn't muster early speed, leaving Stampede (High Chaparral {Ire}) to make the running.
"I said to Bjorn Baker, don't worry about the speed, we'll be making it, but I was only joking," Webster said. "I didn't think when he took off like that, he could keep going.
"You go back to the Roy Higgins and George Moore days when your weight-for-age races were always about tactics. This is weight-for-age and Tommy Berry did everything I didn't expect him to do."
Randwick specialist
Deprive (Denman) survived a protest to claim a sixth straight victory at Randwick in the G3 Sydney S.
"He was undefeated at Randwick and he's still undefeated," trainer James Cummins said.
"We've lowered the colours of some pretty quality animals there."
Champagne Cuddles' (Not A Single Doubt) rider Nash Rawiller protested, claiming interference in the final 50 metres as Deprive shifted across toward the rail, but stewards quickly dismissed it, ruling the contact wasn't enough to overturn the result.
Special day
Handle The Truth (Star Witness) delivered a massive payday for connections and slot holders with victory in the $1.3 million Kosciuszko at Randwick.
Keith Dryden, who has been training for close to 45 years, has won stakes races at the major carnivals but said Saturday was something very special.
"I said if he runs top five I'll be happy, if he runs top three I'll be ecstatic and if he wins there will be a party on.
"I've trained winners on Melbourne Cup day and down the straight six, I've had a few winners, but this is the biggest prize money we've ever won. I think there's going to be some champagne and prawns."
Confidence rewarded
Michael Moroney expected Alabama Express (Redoute’s Choice) to go close to winning the Listed Polytrack Gothic S. and he wasn’t disappointed.
The colt sat in second spot to the turn before overpowering the favourite and frontrunner Hilo (Lonhro) in the run home.
“We were pretty confident with him. He had some back luck in the running at Moonee Valley and he’d been working well,” Moroney said.
“He’ll go to the Carbine Club S. and he’ll see out the 1600 metres. We always knew he was Group class and he’s a gorgeous type of horse.”
Top sprint targets
Dawn Patrol (NZ) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) returned to winning ways in the G3 Sweynesse S. at Rotorua to have trainer Frank Ritchie eyeing major future Group 1 sprints.
The Cambridge conditioner said the Telegraph and the Railway S. could be possible targets for last season’s G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas placegetter.
Dawn Patrol coped with a rain-affected track on Saturday to beat Princess Kereru (NZ) (Pins), who finished runner-up in the G1 Railway.
“He needs good pace so he can relax and I’ve always thought he’d be better on top of the ground,” he said.
G1 double beckons The Oaks
The Oaks Stud’s prospects of a classic double at Riccarton next month were boosted at Ashburton.
The Cambridge farm bred and owns the G1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas favourite Catalyst (NZ), who is a son of resident sire Darci Brahma (NZ) and his daughter Kali (NZ) claimed Saturday’s G3 Barneswood Farm S. in their colours.
“She’s going to improve and she’s a talented filly so it’s off to Riccarton,” trainer Tony Pike said.
Kali is now a NZ$6 favourite for the G1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
Guineas on radar
Promising colt Equinox (NZ) (Exceed And Excel) kept his classic hopes alive with a hollow victory at Rotorua.
Her was a class above his age group rivals in the Lowe Schollum Jones 3YO and will now run in the G2 Sarten Memorial S. at Te Rapa on Monday week.
“He’s a very professional horse and did it easily,” said stable representative Libby Richards, sister of trainer Jamie. “He’ll back up in the Sarten and if he races well he’ll head to Riccarton for the G1 2000 Guineas.”
Matriarch option
Danny O’Brien is considering a crack at the G2 Matriarch S. at Flemington for his progressive mare Extreme Pride (I Am Invincible).
"That is another leap again, class-wise, but she's in great form and if she can hold that then that would give her an opportunity to run in a stakes race over the carnival," he said.
The Flemington trainer produced the 4-year-old to win for the fourth successive time when she prevailed in the Keno Classic H. at Caulfield.
"She's a big, strong and impressive looking mare that has hit form," O'Brien said. "She doesn't know that she's going up in grade, she just knows it's another race and she's racing really well."
Sweet treat for Kam
In just his first full season of riding and with just one winner under his belt, 28-year-old apprentice Joshua Kam secured the biggest moment in his fledgling career when he guided outsider Sweet Treat (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}) to victory in Saturday’s Listed Staphanos Classic at Rotorua.
“I was just talking to (part-owner) Jo Smithies and told her I offered the mount to about eight other jockeys and they all said they would get a better ride,” co-trainer Graeme Rogerson said.
“She was carrying 53kgs and he (Kam) couldn’t claim, but he did what I asked him and I think the little bit of wet ground helped her.
“She’s won a good handicap now so we’ll have a look and we might go to the New Zealand Cup next.”
