Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The last day of autumnal Group 1 racing at Randwick was an excellent day for the Chris Waller stable in more ways than one. Just how good were the Group 1 wins of his colts, and who has come out of the day with more to look forward to?
Beiwacht renews the faith
Beiwacht (Bivouac) confirmed he relishes two things at Randwick on Saturday; dry tracks and a bend.
Punters were beginning to lose faith in the 3-year-old since his thumping G1 Golden Rose Stakes victory last September. Off of his rating there, he should have been favourite for Saturday’s G1 All Aged Stakes, but he has been winless in four starts since and had only managed one placing, hence the $7 odds inside the last 20 minutes.
But if you dig a little deeper, then you will see that two of those four subsequent runs were down the Flemington straight and the other was on a Soft 6 over 1500 metres. In fact, his only run that somewhat resembled a Golden Rose or All Aged Stakes was the G1 Canterbury Stakes, where he pushed Joliestar (Zoustar) right to the line before finishing second.
His overall time was slick last weekend and the day’s results defy the remarks that he only won because the track was a leader’s paradise. Three leaders held on and won at Randwick last Saturday, which means seven leaders did not.
You could argue that a run in on the rails had an advantage with six of the 10 winners sniffing the paint on their way in, but perhaps the best way to put it is there was no advantage from coming deep on the turn like on Day 1 of The Championships.
Beiwacht winning the G1 All Aged Stakes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Compounding the issue was the fact he glided through his first 800 metres around three lengths below standard. Anyone who understands Randwick knows the 1400-metre start point is the best for leaders, and given five of the previous eight winners had rails in run, it begs the question - why did they let Beiwacht dawdle like that?
Does he retire? There’s a lot of 1400-metre weight-for-age races run at Group 1 level in this country, and Darley have just retired two of their other homegrown Group 1-winning colts. If ever an entire should be allowed to race on, this is it - and I’m sure his trainer Chris Waller would love it too.
Genuine pressure in the Champagne
Speaking of Waller, he was doing Waller things when saddling up the trifecta in the only other Group 1 on the card last Saturday.
The G1 Champagne Stakes has its own space; a G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes can be won by a G1 Golden Slipper Stakes horse with that class edge, but to win at a mile as a juvenile, you typically need to have some natural stoutness.
Fireball (Snitzel) proved too tough in a race with genuine pressure and the run of Diameter (Brazen Beau) suggested he might even get further next season.
Finding the improvement
The G3 James HB Carr Stakes didn’t rate through the roof, but the shape of the race suggested those on pace were advantaged.
To take nothing away from the winner Snitzel Dancer (Snitzel), but I loved the run of Karinska (Spirit Of Boom) who was held up more than once and savaged the line when clear.
I doubt she will pop up on databases, which means we could get a good price next run.
One of the better rated races of the day relative to class expectations was the Benchmark 88 won by Signor Tortoni (Too Darn Hot {GB}). The tempo was soft and the race suited those up and in.
Our Queen (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) attempted to make her run widest, clocking the best last 800, 600 and 400 metres of the day when finishing fourth - watch for her to improve drastically in a better race shape.
Also in that race was Estremo (Extreme Choice), who attempted to make her run directly underneath Our Queen. She was resuming and I always believe when you see a horse first-up trying to save ground, it means the stable thinks there is a fair bit of improvement to come. Stick with her.
Snitzel Dancer winning the G3 HB Carr Stakes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Does the Everest call for Jigsaw?
Over in Perth, Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain) made it seven straight when winning the $5 million The Quokka. What a revelation he has been this campaign, starting with the Apache Cat Classic at Cranbourne, the $1 million Meteorite, then to New Zealand for a G1 Railway Stakes win, back for a G1 William Reid Stakes, and now this - some ride for Cindy Alderson and connections.
He ran good time as well on Saturday, two lengths above standard. Could he be an G1 The Everest horse in the spring? Nothing beats Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) at his best, but should the upward spiral Jigsaw is on continue, then it wouldn’t surprise to see him with a slot and in with a chance.
Down in Melbourne, Kings Valley (Territories {Ire}) won the Listed Mornington Cup - a qualifier for the G1 Caulfield Cup later this year. Off his figures here, I doubt he will be troubling them in October.
Jigsaw | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
This Saturday, it’s all about the girls with the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes and G1 Australasian Oaks run at Morphettville. Point Barrow (Blue Point {Ire}) is the one I like in the Sangster. Her last start win at 1200 metres rated well and she will drop in weight with the 3-year-old allowance. The barrier means she will camp wide with cover, which suits her pattern.
