'Hay List' eyes Patinack and Caviar

Superstar sprinter ‘Hay List’ has his campaign back on track, dismissing any doubts about his fitness with a scorching jump out win at Flemington today.

Trainer John McNair brought Hay List from his training base near Geelong for the 800m jump out down the straight at Flemington, and was impressed as well as relieved.

It was Hay List's first serious track test since last week's virus scare that forced McNair to bypass a start in last Saturday's Schweppes Stakes at Moonee Valley won by ‘Black Caviar’.

Despite winning today's jump out in a fast time, McNair said he will not be tempted to start the former Perth sprinter in Saturday's Group 2 Salinger Stakes at Flemington.

The Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic on the last day of the carnival will instead be the gelding's finale, where a much awaited clash with boom sprinter 'Black Caviar' awaits.

Cox Plate 2010

Cox Plate 2010

It shapes as the battle between the king and queen of racing, both on and off the track. This years edition of the Cox Plate pits Bart Cummings superstar ‘So You Think’, up against the best mare in Australia ‘More Joyous’ trained by the enigmatic Gai Waterhouse.

It’s hard not to get caught up in the hype surrounding these two horses, and I'm sure the race tomorrow won’t disappoint.

Race One:
7.By The Hour – 8.Chi Chi – 6.Mirror Man – 1.Aashiq

Two year old races are always ridiculously difficult to predict this early in the season, and tomorrow’s Inglis Banner is no exception. With no real trial form surrounding a few of these runners I’ve gone with a trusted two year old trainer in Clarry Conners, who trains ‘By The Hour’. The son of ‘Strada’ has trialled well twice in Sydney and should be very competitive.

Race Two:
1.Ambers Waltz – 6.Attributes – 4.Follonica – 3.Zubbaya

After disappointing in her debut Melbourne run in the Edward Manifold two starts ago, ‘Ambers Waltz’ ran out of her skin to run fourth in the Thousand Guineas. She drops back dramatically in grade here and even though carries a bit of weight, is the by far the classiest horse in the race. ‘Attributes’ could be the surprise packet, after winning in Ballarat at her last start, and she certainly looks like a city galloper.

Race Three:
6.That’s Not It – 2.Lone Rock – 5.Multahem – 9.Blink

The good training form of Matt Ellerton and Simon Zahra should continue with developing galloper ‘That’s Not It’. After winning a competitive maiden convincingly two starts back, he ran a super race when off the speed in a leader controlled race at Caulfield. ‘Lone Rock’ has won at the track two starts back and it will pay to forget his last start when he pulled up with an atrial fibrillation.

Race Four:
5. Poor Judge – 4.La Rocket – 1.Rock Kingdom – 12.Firebolt

In one of the most competitive events of the day, 13 evenly rated horses run in the Group 2 Crystal Mile. ‘Poor Judge’ ran an excellent race in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap two weeks ago, and after working hard near the speed he managed to hold on for third behind ‘More Joyous’. I’m expecting only improvement from this consistent galloper, and should be in the finish. La Rocket also ran a cheeky race in the Toorak, and gets back to his favourite track.

Race Five:
6.Black Caviar – 5.Melito – 1.Eagle Falls - 3.True Persuasion

With the withdrawal of top liner ‘Hay List’, the Schweppes Stakes has lost some of its shimmer, however a battle of the Group 1 mares is sure to excite. ‘Black Caviar’ rates alongside Hay List in the upper echelon of Australian sprinters, and should confirm her status tomorrow. From Barrier 2 she should sit just behind the speed, and prove to be to strong for another Group 1 winner in ‘Melito’. ‘Eagle Falls’ should improve 2nd up and loves the track.

Race Six:
4.Smokin’ Joey – 1.Hollowlea – 3.Shadows In The Sun – 5.Bullbars

In what was a slowly run Caulfield Guineas, ‘Smokin’ Joey’ looked to be one of the few horses to be making ground. The extra distance should be a big plus for the colt, with the only worry being a repeat of the slow tempo. ‘Hollowlea’ won at this track two starts back, and forget he went around in the Guineas. ‘Shadows In The Sun’ jumps in class but could be a big improver.

Race Seven:
2.Precedence – 6.Master O’Reilly – 12.My Bentley – 5.Above Average

To keep the Melbourne Cup dream alive, ‘Precedence’ will have to win tomorrow’s staying test in authoritative fashion. I expect this to be the case after winning the JRA Cup and running a close third behind ‘Linton’ at Caulfield. ‘Master O’Reilly’ hasn’t won for an eon, but this looks his easiest race for a while, and is thrown in at the weights, expect improvement. ‘My Bentley’ looks an improving stayer.

Race Eight:
1.Zipping – 5.So You Think – 6.Shoot Out – 7.Trusting

This looks to be the champion making race for Bart Cummings ‘So You Think’. However, if there is a chink in the armour, the one horse to expose this weakness looks to be the Iron horse ‘Zipping’.

Going around in his fourth Cox Plate, Zipping looks to of only improved with age and could go two better than his 3rd last year. After winning the Australian Cup and the Turnbull Stakes at his last two Weight For Age 2000m runs, I expect Nick Hall to make this into a true staying test, and break So You Think’s Heart.

I’m happy to be wrong and watch Bart’s horse become a champion, but stranger things certainly have happened in racing.

Race Nine:
6.Belscenica – 1.Katie Lee – 4.Ghostmilk – 2.Lady Lynette

The last race on the card also proves to be the toughest for the with a high class Group 3 mares. ‘Katie Lee’ has won numerous Group 1 races in New Zealand and should be too classy; however I’m not willing to take a risk on unexposed form. ‘Belscenica’ looks an excellent each way option getting back to her favoured track and distance, and forget she went around last start. ‘Ghostmilk’ and ‘Lady Lynette’ are always right in the finish in these races.

Best Bet: Race 7 No.2 Precedence

Best Roughie: Race 9 No.6 Belscenica, Race 8 No.1 Zipping

Quaddie:
1,3,4,5,10/2,6/1,5/1,2,4,6,8
$100 for 100%

Melbourne via Geelong for 'Drunken Sailor'

English-based trainer Luca Cumani will saddle up improving five year old ‘Drunken Sailor’ in tomorrow's 2010 edition of the Geelong Cup.

Cumani, who trained ‘Bauer’ to win the Geelong Cup in 2008, appears confident with the ‘Tendulkar’ gelding, who is coming off a strong win in a listed 2800m race in England and boasts two wins at the Geelong Cup trip.

Drunken Sailor was given a more searching gallop than normal this morning in a bid to make up for lost time after the horse suffered a minor hoof injury last week.

"This has obviously been an interrupted preparation", said Cumani's wife, Sara.

"We wouldn't normally give them a gallop this close to a race, but we've had to do that because of the circumstances, but he seems to be fine now".

Currently a $34 chance in the Melbourne Cup, Drunken Sailor must win the Geelong Cup and earn a penalty to ensure a start, given he is currently 33rd in the order of entry. Hong Kong-based Australian jockey Brett Prebble will take the ride.

Prebble last flew down in similar circumstances to partner ‘Crystal Lily’ in the $3.5 million Golden Slipper, and went on to win that race in convincing style, a strong pointer to his chances in this race.

The Geelong Cup is one of the few remaining opportunities for horses to try and push their way into the Melbourne Cup on November 2, which recently has been used by overseas runners as an important Cup trial.

'Moudre' currently heads the market at $4.20 with second favourite 'Mr Charlie' at $7.00. Drunken Sailor is currently an $8.50 chance.

Caulfield Cup 2010 Preview

Caulfield Cup 2010

With the rain tumbling down all around Melbourne, and the track deteriorating rapidly, the 2010 Caulfield Cup meeting seems in terrible danger.

The landscape of the main race has changed complexion dramatically in the last 6 days, and in the next 24 hours, I expect it to take many more twists and turns.

Race One:
1.Enzed Girl - 9.Follonica - 3.Koala Bear

Consistent galloper ‘Enzed Girl’ looks an each way special in tomorrow's opening race. Getting back onto the softer ground is certainly the biggest plus, and after jumping from barrier 1,she should control the race. Expect big improvement from ‘Canconi’ after striking trouble last start.

Race Two:
1.Skilled – 4.Multahem – 2.Territory – 8.Toolbag

‘Skilled’ is certainly the class horse of the field, he is a Group 1 winner and also ran on well behind Guineas winner ‘Anacheeva’ last start. Even if the wet track poses a concern,he should be to good for these. The David Hayes trained ‘Multahem’ could be the wildcard in the race, I was impressed with its debut win, and will only get better with racing.

Race Three:
8.Our Pride And Joy – 3.Speed Of Dark – 2.Zutara – 4.Dizlago

‘Our Pride And Joy’ gets the nod in what is shaping as one of the most difficult races of the day. Arguably should of beaten Derby bound ‘Pitt Street’ last start, and has a liking to wet tracks, as shown by its length second to Snowden galloper ‘Censor’. You could throw a blanket over the next five or six, but ‘Speed Of Dark’ and ‘Zutara’ look the biggest threats.

Race Four:
1.Retrieve – 4.Mackadoo – 2.Yulalona – 10.Ulundi

Although a shade disappointing in the Spring Champion (where he ran 2nd), ‘Retrieve’ looks to cement his Derby favouritism in the Norman Robinson. After jumping from barrier 1, he should get a nice sit in behind the leaders and prove to strong. New Zealand colt ‘Mackadoo’ is certainly his biggest danger. After winning at this course two starts back in impressive style, he again ran well for sixth in a race in which you could forgive most runs.

Race Five:
4.Soul – 8.General Truce – 6.Definitely Ready – 7.Dubleanny

Lightly raced Darley sprinter ‘Soul’ looks the one to beat in the main sprint race on the card. After running second behind ‘Toorak Toff’ at his first run this preparation, Soul strolled in to win the Danehill Stakes at Flemington a month ago. ‘General Truce’ who also came out of the Danehill, ran third behind super mare ‘Black Caviar’ last week, and the week back up may be his only downside.

Race Six:
4.McClintock – 12.Rothera – 2.All Silent

Looks a perfect race for the internationally travelled ‘Dao Dao’, who second up from a spell steps up to his favourite distance of 1400m. Last time at Caulfield he ran a game second to ‘Typhoon Tracy’ in a Group 1 event, and from barrier 2, should get a perfect sit behind the speed.(SCRATCHED) 'McClintock' ran really well in Melbourne last spring and has warmed up well with three solid runs in Sydney.

Race Seven:
5.Rainbow Styling – 10.Zoomin – 8.Purple – 1.C’est La Guerre

Underrated galloper ‘Rainbow Styling’ should continue his excellent vein of form tomorrow, and add to his growing resume. After winning the Naturalism two starts back, he was outstanding in running second behind 'Precedence' in the JRA cup, and the 2000m seems to be his best distance. In what seems a hot race, the wet track might separate the others, with the best in the wet probably being consistent gelding ‘Zoomin’.

Race Eight:
9.Monaco Consul – 1.Shocking – 15.Descarado – 7.Manighar

Even with the weather putting a dark cloud over the Caulfield Cup, it still looks a race for the ages. All 18 horses have a chance at claiming the coveted Group 1 race, but I believe the four I have nominated have the best chances.

Last years VRC Derby winner ‘Monaco Consul’ may have turned in a shocker last start, but if you ignore that race, his two previous runs were definitely encouraging. I believe he is hitting his straps at the right time, and the heavy ground can only be a bonus for the entire.

‘Shocking’ and ‘Descarado’ should both be around the mark, relishing the wet ground and the 2400m, which will seem like 2800m this late in the day. The best of the imports looks to be ‘Manighar’ and it wouldn’t surprise to see him slashing home late to grab a place. Other chances to ‘Harris Tweed’ and ‘Herculian Prince’.

Race Nine:
3.Culminate – 14.Aloha – 8. I’m A Hussy – 6.Montana Flyer

Classy mare ‘Hot Danish’ despises the wet, and will most probably avoid this race at all costs. ‘Culminate’ resumed from a spell with an average run at Flemington first up, but will take significant improvement into this race. She will appreciate the softer ground, and on her best will definitely take some beating. ‘Aloha’ definitely looks an improving horse, and could be the wild card, ahead of a group of 6-7 others. A typical tough mares race.


Race 10:
12.Misty Blue – 10.Little Gem – 20 Varenna Miss
Apart from the cup, this looks to be the toughest race on the card. Every horse has a winning chance, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a roughie thrown up into the mix. ‘Misty Blue’ is a lightly raced mare, coming back from an eight month break. Looked classy in her first preparation, and wouldn’t be surprised to see her winning some black type in the near future. Throw the field into the quaddie, because this race does look impossible!

Best Bet: Race 5 No.4 Soul
Best Roughie: Race 1 No. 1 Enzed Girl, Race 8 No. 9 Monaco Consul

Quaddie:
1,5,8,10/1,7,9,13,15/3,6,8,13,14/4,6,10,11,12,15
$100 for 16.67%

Caulfield 1000 Guineas day

Race One:

7. White Universe
8. Crawfish
4. Muchos Respectos
6. Domesky

Race Two:

3. Isopach
4. Minute By Minute
6. Chinchilla
10. Mo Vo

Race Three:

3. Curtana
2. Pelizotti
4. Breitling
1. Marmaa

Race Four:

5. Foxham
2. Rundle
12. Bellabaci
16. Galizani

Race Five:

4. Adashim
10. Faster Son
3. Latin News
5. El Mandon

Race 6:

11. Brazilian Pulse
10. Pinker Pinker
4. Yosei
3. Sistine Angel

Race 7:

6. Jolie Brise
12. Platinum Passion
3. Lovemelikearock
1. Lady Lynette

Race 8:

12. Cyclone Al
2. Devils Force
17. Colonial Boy
15. Viking Hero

Best Bet:
Race 4 No. 4: Adashim

Best Roughie:
Race 8 No. 12: Cyclone Al

Quaddie:
4,10/1,3,4,6,7,10,11/3,6,12/2,12,15,17
$50 for 29.8%