Whitewash again
White Moss (Mossman) took a step back in class at Randwick to successfully defend her G2 Sapphire S. title.
The 6-year-old was fourth in the G1 Canterbury S. before unplaced in the G1 TJ Smith S., but she bounced back on Saturday with her defeat of Fasika (So You Think {NZ}) for the ninth win of her career.
"She has been a wonderful mare for the stable. She has been racing in really good form in higher grade, it was nice to bring her back to mares' grade and obviously the race panned out perfectly for her," trainer Jason Coyle said.
"She probably left those barriers as good as she has this preparation and although it was a big field they sort of left her alone.
"When she can get those sectionals in front she always gives a good kick and gives her all so it's nice to see her bounce back off the back of some good weight-for-age form."
Guineas next target
Indy Car (Sebring) has earned himself a crack at a stakes race with the G3 Hawkesbury Guineas on his program.
Trainer Anthony Cummings revealed that plan following Indy Car’s win in the Listed The Agency South Pacific Classic at Randwick, which came off his resuming victory on the Kensington track last month.
“He’s a really nice horse and up to stakes grade and I think he’ll continue to climb the ladder,” Cummings said. “He’s well above average and his racing style can make him a bit vulnerable, but the good pace helped him.”
Indy Car settled well off the pace and finished powerfully for Tom Marquand to win with authority.
Rain no problem
Diala (Artie Schiller {USA}) showed her ability to handle heavily rain-affected going with a sterling front-running win at Caulfield in the Take It To The Neds H.
"It makes a huge difference as it's quite often wet in the spring in Melbourne and its always wet in the autumn in Sydney," co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said.
"Even if you've got a really good horse, you want it to be a wet tracker nowadays as there's two big carnivals with wet tracks.
"Races like this are going to come along in the next couple of weeks so there's another one for Diala, that's for sure."
Mates share in success
Before heading overseas for a break, Mick Kent discussed his plans for Royal Crown (Helmet) with caretaker trainer Robbie Griffiths.
One of Kent's target races was Saturday's Listed Galilee Series Final at Caulfield, the 3-year-old duly obliged.
If Griffiths can hold the gelding together, there are two more stakes races the trainers have in mind, the VRC St Leger (2800 metres) at Flemington on April 25 ahead of the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500 metres) at Morphettville two weeks later.
"Many years ago, and many kilos ago, I rode Mick's first winner as a professional jockey," Griffiths said. "We've been mates for many years and Mick wanted me to look after this horse.
"He had this in mind for him while he was away and he thought that if we could hold him together that he could go this race into the St Leger and then the South Australian Derby.”
Distance no trouble
Inverloch (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) handled a drop back from 2400 metres to 2000 metres with aplomb to land the G3 Easter Cup at Caulfield.
Jockey Michael Dee adopted daring tactics aboard Inverloch from the 800 metre mark, opening up a break on his opposition before the turn and was too good.
"It was a great effort. He has come back in distance and won before and it is important to get going early on him. The weight relief compared to last Saturday was a positive as I think the weight (59kg) got to him."
Stradbroke option
Eagle Farm trainer Chris Munce hasn’t ruled out the G1 Stradbroke H. for Stampe (Whittington), winner of the XXXX Dry 3YO at Doomben.
"I have been saying how underrated he is for weeks. He hasn't drawn a barrier inside seven this campaign and started two from the outside today," Munce said.
"I will ease up on him and bring him back probably for some of the 3-year-old races in the winter.
"I will not be ruling out anything and that includes the Stradbroke. The 3-year-olds have a great record and so do lightweights."
Patience paying off
Tony Gollan's decision to take his time with Isotope (Deep Field) looks set to be rewarded through the winter following an effortless victory in the Lexus 2-Year-Old Plate at Doomben.
"She won a trial in December but she wasn't ready for the Magic Millions," he said. "I decided to be patient and put her away with the winter carnival in mind.
"It isn't a full winter carnival because of coronavirus, but Racing Queensland has announced some black type races for 2-year-olds which should suit her.
"I have no doubt she will get further than 1110 metres. She will probably be best around 1400 metres."
Top investment
Bargain buy Through The Cracks (Wanted) took his lifetime earnings beyond $345,000 with his barnstorming victory in the Polytrack Provincial Championships Final at Randwick.
Bought for $7500 out of Bell River Thoroughbreds’ Inglis Scone Yearling Sale draft, the 5-year-old has now won six of his 13 starts for Gosford part-owner and trainer Angela Davies.
"I've only been a very small trainer most of my career and I have always backed myself with all the horses I have bought," Davies said.
“What a great thrill. He just keeps improving, we had a slow start with him because he was immature and he’s getting better and better.”
Breakthrough success
Under her maiden name of Tremayne, Catherine Hutchinson rode Group 1 winners in New Zealand and Australia and also enjoyed success in Singapore and Malaysia.
In recent years, Hutchinson has worked for Cranbourne trainer Mick Kent and when he decided on a sabbatical, which has since been cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, she was gifted a couple of horses to train in her name.
One of those, Leale (Moshe), provided Hutchinson with her first winner as a trainer when successful in the Neds Extra H. at Caulfield on Saturday.
"To get my first winner, with it coming at Caulfield, I could never have imagined it," Hutchinson said. "I've been very lucky to have been gifted horses like her and Amadeus."
