The Sunday Wash-Up: A mighty boilover, a Guineas star and Moody at his best

Credit where it’s due: Caulfield delivers on the big stage

Credit to Caulfield track manager Sam Bennetts and his team, who presented the surface in magnificent order for one of the club’s grand final days.

The past few months haven’t been smooth sailing, and Caulfield has certainly had its below-par moments. But Saturday’s track was outstanding, rewarding quality horses regardless of where they settled.

Point Barrow came from last to win the Northwood Plume, while talented on-speed runners were equally well served. Bennetts and his team deserve plenty of praise.

Warwoven dominant, Blind Raise brave, but Coach might be the best of the lot

Warwoven continued his dominant spring, backing up a fast-time Golden Rose demolition with another brilliant Group 1 victory in a quality Caulfield Guineas.

Rachel King gave him a beautiful run before he trucked into contention and put paid to a brave Blind Raise, who endured early pressure from Tron Bolt and Seraphox. The result reinforced the strength of Sydney’s three-year-old form over Melbourne’s.

What looked like it might be a sedately run Guineas on paper turn into anything but, Blind Raise going out 11.5L above standard to the 800m mark (courtesy Vince Accardi’s Daily Sectionals), just shy of the early speed set by Regal Award in a fast-run Toorak Handicap. But, that’s Group 1 racing and if they aren’t going have a dip when there’s a huge prize on the line, then why call  it racing?

In a year where the Cox Plate has fallen away with Sir Delius battling to find his best, Sheza Alibi and Autumn Glow heading on different paths, and no international participation, Warwoven and Blind Raise are going to be in the race up to their ears. In fact, I’d be surprised if Warwoven doesn’t jump favourite as he looks to emulate the deeds of Shamus Award, So You Think and Savabeel to win the great race this century.

But the best horse to emerge might be third-placed Call Me Coach. He still has little idea what he’s doing, yet charged home in a strong Guineas. Once the penny drops, look out. He could be a star come autumn.

Might And Power Stakes: A graveyard for punters

The Might And Power Stakes has become a graveyard for punters, with Land Legend’s defeat of $1.40 favourite Sheza Alibi continuing a remarkable trend of short-priced favourites being rolled.

The past four editions have clashed with the King Charles III Stakes the following week, impacting field sizes. Saturday attracted six runners, while last year’s edition had just four.

Many beaten favourites have been using the race as a stepping stone towards the Cox Plate, Champions Day or other major targets. Winning would be nice, but it isn’t necessarily their grand final. That’s why intent matters.

Leaders have also enjoyed success when allowed to dictate around Caulfield, particularly on firm ground.

Land Legend wasn’t gifted Saturday’s race. Ethan Brown set a searching tempo (15L above standard to the 800m mark), spread the field before the home bend and established a 2000m course record of 2:00.30. Incredibly, Land Legend limped to the line in the 103rd best last 600 split of the day!

It was a brilliant performance. Yes, the track was a Good 3 and times were slick, but I’ve seen quicker Caulfield surfaces.

Globe last year, Deny Knowledge in 2024 and Douro Valley in 2008 also led throughout to topple more fancied rivals.

It reminds me of two great small-field upsets in Australian racing.

Spargo’s extraordinary victory over Redoute’s Choice and Testa Rossa in the 1999 Ascot Vale Stakes, when the $51 outsider humbled two outstanding colts in a five-horse field.

Then there was the 1988 Australian Cup, billed as a match race between Vo Rogue and Bonecrusher. Eight runners contested the Group 1, but $126 bolter Dandy Andy stormed from the back to run down Vo Rogue, with Bonecrusher third.

Small fields certainly don’t guarantee predictable results.

As for Sheza Alibi, she was terrific in defeat, but how easily will she bounce out of such a fast-run 2000m before dropping to 1500m for the Golden Eagle at Randwick?

The Might And Power is another reminder that superior ability and short odds don’t guarantee victory. Intent and race shape can be just as important.

The Ballarat Hill will be busy this week…

Expect traffic jams on the Hill track at Ballarat this week as trainers rush to replicate Ciaron Maher’s preparation of $61 Might And Power Stakes winner, Land Legend.

According to the stewards’ report, Maher attributed the gelding’s remarkable improvement to an increased workload, including gallops up the Ballarat Hill on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday, followed by a treadmill session on race morning.

The firmer track was also used as an explanation, which is perfectly reasonable as Land Legend loves a hard deck.

Either way, expect the Hill to be chockers…

Raw Pete, great for the game

Peter Moody rarely leaves you guessing what he’s thinking, and his post-race assessmen with Channel 7’s Xander McGuire of Sheza Alibi’s defeat was vintage Moody.

“All honours to the winner,” he started, before adding: “Probably a harder run than I wanted going to a mile race (the Golden Eagle) in three weeks.”

“She’s run good, she’s run gallant. So long as his arse (Land Legend) points to the ground he won’t beat her again – he’s had his day in the sun, hasn’t he?”

And Birdman wasn’t spared either.

“We followed Birdman and he went terrible and we were going to use him to drag us into the race.”

I reckon Pete was a touch harsh on Birdman, who was travelling considerably better than Sheza Alibi turning for home and was ultimately beaten just over a length. Hardly a shocker!

Moody finished with: “That’s life. We got beaten on our merits.”

That’s what makes Moody so good for racing. No sugar-coating, no rehearsed lines, just a trainer telling it exactly as he sees it.

More of it, please.

“As long as his arse points to the ground he’ll never beat her again” 🤣

Xander gets the latest from an ever-entertaining Peter Moody after Sheza Alibi’s second in the Might And Power 👇 https://t.co/rlRX4esLXc

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 10, 2026

And while we’re on Channel 7…

I tend to gravitate towards Racing.com or Sky on a Saturday afternoon, largely because I want to keep an eye on the Victorian secondary meeting, but I’ve found myself watching more of Channel 7’s coverage of late.

And it’s first class.

The production strikes an excellent balance between catering to rusted-on punters and those with only a passing interest in racing. Clever, informative graphics that actually add to the coverage, and a suite of presenters who are clearly passionate racing fans with a genuine understanding of the sport.

It’s polished without being sterile, informative without being overly technical, and manages to make the big moments feel genuinely big.

Bruce McAvaney’s post-race contribution following that bombshell Might And Power Stakes was simply brilliant. Few people in Australian sport can capture the theatre, history and emotion of a moment quite like Bruce.

Credit where it’s due. Channel 7 is doing an outstanding job showcasing our sport.