The Racing Weekend In Review 21/8

Group 1 racing was back at Royal Randwick with the running of the Winx Stakes which featured a plethora of stars back for the Spring. Whilst Moonee Valley played host to some nice listed races ahead of their big Spring Carnival in Melbourne. 

Randwick

The feature of the day was the Winx Stakes with defending champion Verry Elleegant back to defend her title. She was unsuccessful in doing so, however the seven time Group 1 champion is back and ready to launch into another exciting preparation after running a brave 2nd. It was the new WFA kid on the block Mo’unga, who took out the Winx on Saturday claiming his second Group 1 under Tommy Berry.

After a tough day at the office for Berry, he was able to place Mo’unga in the perfect position during the run from a tricky barrier. The pair then got a nice cart into the race behind the superstar mare in Verry Elleegant before battling it out with her to take home the first Group 1 of the season in front of a wall of fast finishes.

For trainer Annabel Neasham it was her third Group 1 win and she was more than pleased with how the race unfolded. 

“He looked the winner a long, long way out. When he came up outside Verry Elleegant, I knew he was going to be in for a tough battle as she’s such a fighter as well. 

“He’s in for a great prep. Don’t know where we will go from now. I think we are going to have a fun spring,” Neasham said. 

You could throw a blanket over them in the finish with the first six over the line finishing within one length. There were some eye-catching runs including She’s Ideel who is on track for a Melbourne Cups campaign whilst Japanese import Keiai Nautique ran a huge race at the $41, running into 4th. 

Unfortunately the race was marred by the injury sustained by Brandenburg who went amiss in the final 200 metres and our thoughts go out to his connections. 

Following the Winx Stakes the attention quickly turned towards the Group 3 Toy Show for Fillies and Mares with some handy gallopers lining up. With Rachel King stood down from her ride on Fituese, Jean Van Overmeire stepped in and rode the John Thompson trained mare a treat to take out the Group 3. 

The likes of Written Beauty, Forbidden Love and Tailleur all look in for fruitful campaigns running on well in what could be a strong form race to follow. 

Earlier in the day Swift Witness took out a messy Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes. After jumping slow the Waterhouse & Bott trained filly was caught wide the trip but battled on to hold out the fast finishing Latino Blend. 

Favourite Four Moves Ahead ran well but peaked late finishing back in 3rd but should be better for the run. In behind there was some chaos at the 200 metre mark with Xtremetime clipping the heels of Jamaea and going down dumping Brenton Avdulla. Whilst promising Mallory is one to forgive after getting locked up at a key stage of the race. 

It was another pick up ride win in the Group 3 Mostyn Cooper Show County Quality with Private Eye getting the job done under Jay Ford who replaced the injured Brenton Avdulla. 

Ford gave the horse every chance and after getting back in the field the pair were able to nab Embracer right before post. Icebath filled the minor placings in third whilst favourite Splintex was slightly disappointing, dropping out after leading to finish in 4th.

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Moonee Valley

The nine race card at Moonee Valley didn’t have as many strong races but there were still some nice horses going around including multiple Group 1 placegetter Hilal resuming in the McKenzie Stakes. However the Hawkes trained colt got way too far back and couldn’t claw in the front runners with He’s Xceptional causing a major boilover saluting at $31. 

Jigsaw ran another honest race whilst Beldivian who was also in the market finished last with the stewards reporting vets could find no abnormalities

Later in the program the Carlyon Stakes was run and won with the NSW galloper Ballistic Lover getting up, beating Esta La Roca in a close finish. The top 2 fancies in the market were disappointing with Miss Albania and Ancestry finishing over 3 lengths from the winner.

The latter is a head scratcher after being a one time Group 1 Oakleigh Plate favourite, the Phillip Stokes gelding looks to be out of form at the moment. Meanwhile the Nick Ryan trained Express Pass was a late scratching at the barrier.

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Looking ahead to next weekend… 

Group 1 meeting kicks off in Victoria with the running of the Memsie Stakes which will be headlined by the likes of Behemoth, Tofane and Beau Rossa. Whilst Kembla Grange plays host to the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes and the Group 3 Ming Dynasty. 

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