A day that started with Flemington’s Turnbull Stakes meeting under threat ended in near darkness for the last at Randwick. In between times, Tempted made some believe The Everest is more than a one-horse race. Jockeys Willie Pike and Siena Grima produced Group 1 masterclasses, while Ben Melham and Austin Galati clocked off before the post in a bizarre Group 2 finish. But maybe the star of the day was a track itself.
HITS
Tempted
She was runner-up to Ka Ying Rising in The Everest last year and looms as his major challenger in a fortnight. Godolphin and Ciaron Maher have plotted a path back to The Everest that has not been a challenging one with Tempted delivering a Group 1 against her own age in the Surround Stakes before returning this spring with storming wins in the Concorde Stakes and Premiere Stakes. She is clearly Australia’s best sprinter and gets her shot at the world’s best next. Tempted’s main problem will be the start she gives the Hong Kong superstar, but she will be charging late.
Willie Pike
Racing is a results game, and Willie Pike had the last laugh on critics with his perfect ride on Cosmic Crusader in the Turnbull Stakes. Plenty of opinions were flying around about Cosmic Crusader after the Memsie Stakes and Underwood Stakes placings, but Pike’s actions are the only ones that count. He was the last horse off the bridle on the testing ground in the Turnbull Stakes and it allowed Cosmic Crusader to power away. Those offering opinions on rides often won’t hold themselves to same account as jockeys.
Siena Grima
Just how far Siena Grima has come in the past six months, is illustrated by her association with Epsom winner God’s Window. The last time the five-year-old won a race was in benchmark company in May with Grima in the saddle and claiming three kilograms. It was a remarkably similar performance to Saturday, coming from near last to win on a heavy track. God’s Window found the best ground as he charged down the centre of the track to give super stallion Dubawi an Australian Group 1 victory. Grima, who is still an apprentice who can claim two kilograms, paid her role, giving God’s Window plenty of time to balance up and charge home for an easy win.
Global Goal
Few families in the stud book are like Global Goal’s. Go back three generations and you find champion stallion Redoute’s Choice, her second dam The Broken Shore, who is now in Europe, produced Shoals and now the family has a Flight Stakes winner in Global Goal. The day at Randwick hadn’t started well for the family with half-brother Columbus, a $1.5 million yearling, beaten on protest in the opener, but Global Goal was the strongest filly at the mile, delivering on a long-term plan of trainer John Sargent.
Flemington
Melbourne’s weather would have seen most meetings called off on Saturday, but the Turnbull Stakes meeting was run and won on a testing but fair surface at Headquarters. It shows what can be done with investment in the main infrastructure required for racing – the track. Liam O’Keeffe and his team had to put up with race day rain, but his track raced extraordinary well. It should be used as the framework for tracks around the country.
MISSES
Ben Melham and Austin Galati
Ben Melham probably has to thank Austin Galati’s inexperience at Flemington for saving his blushes on Skybird in the Gilgai Stakes. Melham thought he had the Group 2 in hand and sat up on the favourite in the final few strides, and Galati followed suit rather than driving the fast-closing Smooth Chino right to the line. Melham pleaded guilty and was fined $2000; if he was beaten, it would have been the end of the spring for him. Galati copped a $1000 fine for his role in one of the more bizarre finishes you will see, with neither jockey fulfilling their requirements under the rules.
The last at Randwick
With a storm blowing in, Wanaruah and Platinum Pantheon charged to the line in near darkness on Saturday. It won’t be a problem for this week with daylight saving starting on Sunday, but race caller Darren Flindell had trouble sighting the two noses in the tight finish. Even on television, which usually lightens the picture, it was hard to work out the winner. It wouldn’t be a problem if the long-promised lights had been installed at Randwick.
Well Written
The previously unbeaten Kiwi filly got her chance in the Epsom and was found wanting had her massive impost. She was game to the line but should be granted some relief in the ratings now. It was clear that her 114 benchmark was beyond her ability at present. Compared with other great four-year-old mares, she effectively had 1-1/2kg more than Autumn Glow and 2 kg more than Winx had in the Epsom at the same point in their lives.
Guest House
Coolmore are looking for another horse to fill their Everest slot after the Golden Slipper winner was spelled with a hamstring injury. “He worked [Saturday] morning, and they weren’t happy with his action. They had a look at the near-side hind and the ultrasound showed there was some disruption in the fibres of the ligaments attached to the hamstring,” trainer Mick Price said. “We’ll get a second opinion, but we don’t doubt the first opinion will be correct. It’s basically three months rest up and then get him ready for the autumn. He’s basically done a hammy. But we’ll get him back.”
