Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Can the Derby winners dominate again?
The G1 Australian Derby sets up as a fascinating staying contest, with history highlighting just how rare it is for 3-year-olds to dominate across the major classics, but in recent years their has been a resurgence of the class stayers dominating inter-state.
In the past five years, the ill-fated Riff Rocket (American Pharoah {USA}) has completed the G1 Victoria Derby–Australian Derby double, while Hitotsu went even further - adding the G1 Australian Guineas to complete a remarkable three-race Group 1 treble, one of which Observer (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) is chasing on Saturday.
The Ciaron Maher-trained colt is continuing to improve with racing and stepping to 2400m at the right time in his preparation after winning over 2500 metres at Flemington.
Observer | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
"Back up to the trip, that's what he's bred for," Maher told racingandsports.
"He came through his run really well, and he's ticking over pretty well.
"Craig (Williams) probably just went a touch slow the other day. If he had his time again, I would say he probably would have gone a bit quicker.
"But he rallied well, and he was good through the line, so I wouldn't read too much into that last run.
"I suppose getting out to that trip twice is a bit of a feat (for a 3-year-old), but we've done it before."
Ciaron Maher | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Adding further intrigue, the G1 New Zealand Derby winner Road To Paris (NZ) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) crosses the Tasman chasing a rare double - something Mongolian Khan achieved in 2015.
Beyond the Derby winners, the race has strong depth. Green Spaces (Street Boss {USA}) brings excellent form through the G1 Rosehill Guineas, while Storm Leopard (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) comes off a dominant G2 Tulloch Stakes win - a race that has produced Derby winners on the quick back-up.
It shapes as an even and tactical edition of the Australian Derby, where proven staying form meets emerging talent peaking at the right time.
Road To Paris (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Joliestar follows proven path toward ‘The TJ’ with an eye on Royal Ascot
Champion trainer Chris Waller is leaning on a familiar blueprint as star mare Joliestar (Zoustar) builds toward the G1 TJ Smith Stakes - with an ambitious Royal Ascot campaign looming in the distance.
It’s a similarpath that took Nature Strip (Nicconi) to global success. Two autumn runs, peak third-up in the TJ Smith Stakes, then onto Royal Ascot where he dominated in the G1 King’s Stand Stakes.
Joliestar | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Joliestar has done her part so far, winning both the G2 Expressway Stakes and G1 Canterbury Stakes with authority, and after the TJ Smith, connections have similar Royal Ascot aims.
“I can't fault her, she is two from two this prep and is a confident lady taking the next step with consistency. She is going great,” Waller told racenet.
“I can't fault her (Joliestar), she is two from two this prep and is a confident lady taking the next step with consistency. She is going great.” - Chris Waller
“You see that (consistency) with more mature horses, that's the difference between I think you find with your 5-year-olds and 4-year-olds.
“Your 4-year-olds can still do a few things wrong where your 5-year-olds, they can race themselves.”
Should she deliver on Saturday, the plan is clear - freshen, then transition toward straight-track racing and training in preparation for overseas targets. Something in whcih Joliestar is already proven at having won the G1 Newmarket Handicap down the straight at Flemington.
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We will give her a jumpout down the straight at Flemington about four or five days before she gets on the plane which is about two weeks before she races.
“I would say she probably has a trial before she has the jump out down the straight.”
A stacked TJ Smith Stakes awaits, with the star 3-year-old Tentyris (Street Boss {USA}), the war-horse Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) and Jimmystar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) all bringing genuine Group 1 credentials into the contest.
Sheza Alibi thrives when the pressure rises
The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) continues to build a compelling profile, chasing a fifth straight win in the G1 Doncaster Handicap on Saturday under just 49kg.
Her last-start performance - a dominant win over dual Group 1 winner Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun) at the same track and over the same distance stamped her as a serious contender for this historic race, even if her work at home doesn’t always catch the eye or show the quality she no doubt has.
Sheza Alibi | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“Luke Nolen and I were talking after she did her final work on Tuesday and we made the same comment,’’ co-trainer Katherine Coleman told racingnsw.
“She’s not an amazing trackworker, she’s not a horse you look at on the ground and say ‘oh wow’.
“But it goes to show she’s just all racehorse. She’s got that very strong desire to win.
“She gets that white line fever, which all brilliant athletes get, that when they get out there the competitive side takes over and it takes a hell of a horse to get past her.”
“She (Sheza Alibi) gets that white line fever, once she’s out there, the competitive edge takes over, and it takes a serious horse to get past her.” - Katherine Coleman
Coleman has been pleased with every aspect of the filly’s preparation, particularly how she has handled travel and maintained her condition.
“She hasn’t missed a beat and has been really bright and well within herself,’’ she said.
“She (Sheza Alibi) hasn’t missed a beat and has been really bright and well within herself” - Katherine Coleman
“When you’re spending every day with a horse you get to know them better than the back of your hand. You can tell when they have that spark in their eye and look nice and bright and well, and in a good headspace.”
Barrier 13 is viewed as no disadvantage.
“I don’t think it’s the worst thing in the world,’’ she said.
“If barrier 13 means we can land somewhere, even if it’s three wide with cover, if that means we can get mobile and work into the race it won’t be a bad thing.”
Katherine Coleman | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
As always in a Doncaster, depth runs deep - Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) has a second behind Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) at his last start, Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun) is a dual Group 1 winning 3-year-old and and Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) brings strong form even though he hasn't been winning into the mile feature.
Does Golden Slipper form hold the key for the Sires'
The G1 Golden Slipper Stakes continues to be the strongest guide into the Sires’ Produce Stakes, and this year looks no different.
Five runners back up from the Slipper, including Campione D’Italia (Snitzel) and Fireball (Snitzel) from the Waller yard.
The remaining Slipper participants in the Sires’ include Blue Diamond Stakes winner and Slipper runner-up Streisand (Magnus), along with Zambales (Pinatubo {Ire}) who finished ninth and Paradoxium (Extreme Choice) who had a tough run and finished eleventh.
Campione D’Italia | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“His run in the Golden Slipper was unbelievable, he’s settling well, that was only his third start in a race,” Waller said on the Chris Waller Racing Show about Campione D’Italia.
“You wouldn’t know he’s had a run,” Waller said.
“He has gone the right way since, if he gets the first half of the race right, he can win the race.”
Fireball also comes through the race with merit despite what looked a battling run in the Slipper, even though he did not have all favours nearer the inside.
Fireball | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“He has come out of the Golden Slipper really well, draws a bit tricky but he will run well.”
Blue Diamond winner Streisand (Magnus) shapes as the runner to beat if she holds her form, while fellow Slipper runners Zambales (Pinatubo {Ire}) and Paradoxium (Extreme Choice) add further depth.
At odds, the Ciaron Maher-trained Tornado Valley (Too Darn Hot {GB}) has been set specifically for the race and profiles as a potential upset chance at odds.
