Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
A below par G1 Blue Diamond Stakes and fast finishes from juveniles in Sydney and at Eagle Farm leaves the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes picture more fractured than before.
But who else shone on Diamond Day last Saturday, and who is there to look forward to this weekend?
Silver Slipper shines like a Diamond
For the second year in a row, the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes has rated below par.
Streisand (Magnus) clocked 1.10:12s for the Caulfield feature, which is one length outside standard time. The tempo was two lengths above standard, making her overall figure look worse.
A genuine speed should result in a better overall time. When it is coupled with a below par rating, it is indicative of a race that is simply not up to the usual standard.
Streisand winning the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
That being said, fourth placegetter Zambales (Pinatubo {Ire}) could be the improver onto a bigger track.
Weighing in at 615kg, the colt struggled for clean air and could be a sneaky G1 Sires' Produce Stakes prospect; the Randwick track and 1400 metres might suit him better. But keeping a 2-year-old focussed - that’s already had three runs - from now until April isn’t as easy as saying it.
Up in Sydney, we saw Stretan Ruler (Wild Ruler) trounce them in the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes, but did he do enough to win a Golden Slipper?
His run suggests he is three to four lengths inferior to Warwoven (Sword Of State), who remains the clubhouse leader in the juvenile ranks. I suspect we’ll learn more when the Bjorn Baker-trained colt steps out Saturday in the G2 Skyline Stakes.
Stretan Ruler winning the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Tropicus the pick of the pack
The pick of the Group 1 performances at Caulfield last Saturday was Tropicus (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in the G1 Oakleigh Plate; he finished four lengths inside standard time, ran his last furlong home in 11.72s, and posted the fastest last 800 metres of the day.
He shouldered 58.5kg, meaning we can use his time rating as a strong reference to how he’ll perform at WFA in the G1 William Reid Stakes – specifically in relation to Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}).
Tropicus winning the G1 Oakleigh Plate | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Jimmysstar won the Oakleigh Plate 12 months ago, rating about two lengths better than what Tropicus did this year - thanks largely to a four-length bonus for his whirlwind last 200 metres. He’s held that mark since then and on more than one occasion surpassed it, meaning Tropicus will need to lift again to beat Jimmysstar if they meet in the William Reid.
A quick note on the G1 Futurity Stakes; Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) rated five lengths slower than what she did in the G1 Memsie Stakes first-up last year. That was the difference.
Race fitness wins the Hobartville
Again, we were reminded how race fitness and map position are key to predicting the outcome of a race when Ninja (Farnan) stole the G2 Hobartville Stakes.
Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun) was the only horse that could match him on ratings, although there was the potential for Napoleonic (Wootton Bassett {GB}) to experience a spike in his rating, given he was running over 1400 metres for the first time.
Ninja winning the G2 Hobartville Stakes | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
When Ninja was 4 lengths in front of Autumn Boy at the 600-metre mark, it was game over. Not only because they went through the first 800 metres five lengths below standard, but because Ninja's fitness levels meant he was unlikely to stop even in a truly run race. The faster they went in the early stages, the sooner Autumn Boy would’ve peaked.
James McDonald had no choice, but to drag Autumn Boy back from the gate. That, coupled with not being able to creep into the race from the 800 metres, meant Autumn Boy was a low percentage play in the race. We can expect him to be the big improver when they line up in a fortnight in the G1 Randwick Guineas.
Best of the rest
Possibly one of the most exciting horses not to have won a Group 1 yet is Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). Trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, the filly returned in fine style when winning the G2 Armanasco Stakes.
A hot pace set it up for a filly to swoop, and boy, did she let rip once clear. She ran her last 200 metres in 11.3s, which is nothing short of top shelf. This was not only a stylish win, but one with huge substance.
Sheza Alibi winning the G2 Armanasco Stakes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Bossy Benita (So You Think {NZ}) was the only leader to win at Caulfield - and so she should have, given her rivals let her lead when going seven lengths below standard time through the first 800 metres. A speedy finish that was four lengths above standard, ranking 12th for the day, made it near impossible for anything to catch her.
Bossy Benita winning the G3 Mannerism Stakes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The horse of the week to follow is Signor Tortoni (Too Darn Hot {GB}) for Ron Quinton. He clocked the best last 400 metres and 200 metres of the day when winning his BM78 contest, and I have got his rating being not far off where you need to be to win a G1 Galaxy Handicap.
There are good times ahead for one of the nicest blokes in the training ranks.
Signor Tortoni winning at Rosehill | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Saturday sizzlers to watch this weekend
This Saturday, we see Godolphin filly Tempted (Street Boss {USA}) hopefully winning her first Group 1 in the G1 Surround Stakes.
Shortly after, Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) will look to take her unbeaten record to 10 in the G1 Verry Elleegant Stakes.
I will be watching Queensland filly Pembrey (Prague) very closely in the G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes; she smashed standard time by six lengths on debut, but the step from 1000 metres to 1200 metres is a lot tougher than most people realise for 2-year-olds.
If she handles it well, then it wouldn’t surprise to see her second favourite for the Golden Slipper by 5pm Saturday. Of course, that’s assuming Warwoven wins!
