Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Yulong’s mare became just the sixth horse this century to win multiple Cox Plates, joining an elite honour roll that includes Sunline (GB) (Desert Sun), Northerly (Serheed), Fields Of Omagh (Rubiton), So You Think (NZ) (High Chaparral) and Winx (Street Cry).
Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) may not have matched her peak 2024 figure, but she still proved superior in Saturday’s G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
But while the figures suggest this was a softer Cox Plate, rating just over a length below the standard, Via Sistina’s class again proved decisive. Much like Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress), she wasn’t at her absolute best on the clock yet still found a way to win.
The tempo was even, and they’ve come home a touch slower than standard, which makes the form tricky to trust. It wasn’t a high-rating edition, but the figures continue a broader trend this spring; a quieter period for our Weight-for-Age ranks.
At the start of the carnival, there was plenty of optimism that last season’s standout 3-year-old fillies could bridge the gap to the open-class horses. When Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) took Via Sistina on first-up in the G1 Winx Stakes, it looked like game-on for the spring.
But while Aeliana didn’t break through again and Via Sistina added only one more win, the overall pattern of the Group 1 ratings has been consistently even rather than exceptional.
If you’d told me that at the start of the carnival, I’d have expected that group of fillies - Aeliana, Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express), Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) and Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) - to dominate. To be fair, Autumn Glow remains unbeaten, albeit yet to test herself at Weight-for-Age, and Treasurethe Moment’s spring was interrupted by a bout of colic.
Napoleonic steps up from Valley win to Orr aim
Back at The Valley last Saturday, it was business as usual - every one of the 10 winners came through lanes one to four. It’s a pattern that’s become all too familiar, and one aspect of the “amphitheatre” I won’t miss once redevelopment begins.
The standout performance came from Napoleonic (Wootton Bassett {GB}) for the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable. The colt took out the G3 Red Anchor Stakes, stopping the clock two lengths inside standard and producing the second-fastest last 1000 metres of the day, along with the fourth-fastest final 200 metres.
Only he and Via Sistina ventured out to lane four in the home straight and still managed to win. The stable has opted to bypass the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and instead target the G1 Orr Stakes over 1400 metres at Caulfield, a race now shifted from its traditional autumn slot to close out the spring carnival on November 15.
It looks a smart play. Napoleonic’s final 200 metres was his strongest section, and the 1200 metres at The Valley is a demanding six furlongs. In fact, the Coolmore could easily rate higher than the Orr this year, making the switch a strategic move rather than a sidestep.
Solid performances to follow
There was nothing wrong with the runs of Salty Pearl (Tagaloa) and Enviable (Frankel {GB}) in the G3 Fillies Classic, the latter is one that’s caught my eye multiple times this spring – I am convinced she’ll win a big race at some point in her career.
Chris Waller’s filly Enviable had to be used up a tad from a poor gate. She averaged 12.18 seconds per 200 metres split through the first 1000 metres, which is almost 12.5 lengths faster than her previous go at the mile.
There’s not a lot for her during Cup week, perhaps they spell and work through the grades in the autumn?.
With her profile, a Group 1 Handicap like the Coolmore Classic would be ideal if she can get into the field. That said, she’s Magic Millions eligible and a short freshen-up into the big January raceday might appeal.
She’s A Hustler (NZ) (Ace High) got the soft tempo to suit winning the G3 Tesio Stakes. She was only second-up and a fast run race might’ve brought her undone. Instead, she won and laid the perfect foundation for a big preparation.
Observer (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) was dominant in the G2 Vase but they handed the race to him. They let Mark Zahra cross from an outside gate and go almost five lengths below standard through the first section. No wonder he kicked away and throttled down.
This was the perfect race shape for a seven-day back-up. He’s the one to beat in the G1 Victoria Derby this Saturday.
Attica and Stefi Magnetica light up Randwick
Still on the 3-year-olds, and Skyglider (Flying Artie) looks a real talent. He reeled off a last 600 metres that was almost four lengths above standard to win the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes at Randwick.
The win of the day at Randwick was Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard), who clocked the best last 1200 metres and 600 metres of the day to win The Invitation lumping 59.5kg. She could be a sneaky G1 Champions Mile prospect if they go that way.
Attica (Lonhro) emerged as a serious galloper taking out the G1 Spring Champion Stakes. He beat standard time by almost four lengths courtesy of a fast tempo that possibly brought runner-up, Shangri La Boy (Pierro) undone.
The first two across the line might be the best staying 3-year-olds in the land. We’ll know more in the autumn but if I owned one, I’d be targeting the G1 Australian Cup at Flemington.
Golden period under review ahead of Cup week
Speaking of Flemington, the G1 Melbourne Cup is exactly one week away and it could be a wet one if you believe the forecasts.
For the record, I don’t want the Cup to be moved. From Turnbull/Epsom day to Cup is just over four weeks. That is our “golden period” for audience numbers and turnover. No AFL or NRL to compete with.
The question is - do we need to extend that golden period to 6 or 7 weeks to accommodate the decline in turnover?
Currently, there is a significant decline in wagering. Perhaps it's just racing’s footprint returning to its rightful position in the community, not the inflated position we were handed during the pandemic as one of the only sports that continued to operate.
The key is for administrators to build a sustainable model. That’s tricky to do when numbers are bouncing around.
Whatever the case, the model must survive peaks and troughs in wagering turnover without impacting infrastructure projects, prizemoney and media assets. To build that model, we have to engage the next generation. The Everest is doing that, but it's not enough to rely on one race.
If that model can’t be built with our current structure, then perhaps extending the golden period is an avenue for examination.
Melbourne Cup week at Flemington should be the grand final, the last big week of racing, so if you’re extending the golden period, then it would mean we’d shift the Cup back two to three weeks.
Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that point.
