The Racing Weekend In Review 29/5

All eyes were on Eagle Farm this weekend with the running of two Group 1 features, the Queensland Derby and the Kingsford-Smith Cup. Caulfield played host in Melbourne whilst racing headed back to Royal Randwick for the first time since the Autumn Carnival.  

Eagle Farm 

It was a big day at Eagle Farm with Australia’s best horses and jockeys descending on the sunshine state. The feature Group 1 Queensland Derby didn’t disappoint with a ding dong battle down the straight between the Chris Waller stablemates, Senor Toba and Kukeracha with the latter getting the better with the help of James McDonald aboard collecting his 54th Group 1. Senor Toba didn’t go down without a fight and was arguably the run of the race jumping from the outside barrier. Favourite Explosive Jack finished off in third after John Allen was forced to duck and weave through the pack and did get clear in time but looked to have peaked on his run. After winning the Tasmanian, ATC and South Australia Derby all in his first preparation, he now heads out for a well deserved break with connections eyeing towards a Melbourne Cup in the Spring. 

Following the Derby it was time for the running of the second Group 1 for the day, the Kingsford-Smith Cup. In what was a relatively strong Group 1 with the likes of Savatiano, Trekking and Gytrash, local trained Vega One got the job done with a superb ride from Jamie Kah. The five-year-old looked to be travelling out the back but was desperately searching for runs until a split appeared with Kah driving her mount straight through to win her 6th Group 1 by half a length. Trekking as usual loomed up to look to have the race in his keeping before a flurry of runners stormed home to finish over the top of him. Whilst the top two in the market in Savatiano and Gytrash finished back in 9th and 12th respectively. Both gallopers came out of the race with lameness issues and are clear forgives.  

The program also featured a strong Group 2, the $1 Million BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes. Ranch Hand and Prince of Boom started equal favourites and crossed the line together although back in 11th and 12th. Tiger of Malay stole the show dashing clear at the 200 metre mark with Craig Williams in the saddle to go on to win at $17. He heads to the Group 1 JJ Atkins in a fortnight as one of the main chances but punters piled into Converge after the Sires with his slashing run down the outside to finish within 0.2 lengths of the winner. Another eye-catching run was Port Louis who has shown he can mix it with the best after the massive betting plunge at his last start in the Group 1 Champagne. 

Earlier in the day, all eyes were on boom horse Ayrton who went around a $1.50 chance in the Group 3 Fred Best in an attempt to qualify for the Group 1 Stradbroke. Unfortunately he won’t make the race now after failing to salute off over the weekend going down to Apache Chase by 0.2 lengths. He looked to have had every opportunity but just didn’t display the turn of foot he had shown in his first three starts. He will continue his QLD trip in the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic whilst Apache Chase is all systems go ahead of his Group 1 tilt. 

In the Group 3 Premiers Cup it was Sydney galloper Spirit Ridge who broke through for his first win this preparation. Whilst favourite Le Don De Vie trucked into the race he didn’t let down and failed to feature in the finish. An eye-catching runner was the run of Carif under Jamie Kah and the Q22 looks a suitable option next start with prize money still relatively good for 2nd and 3rd with Zaaki heading there too.  

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Randwick

Racing headed back to Randwick on a Saturday for the first time since All Aged Stakes day and while there weren’t any features there was still some good racing around. 

The Brad Widdup trained Adelong broke through for her first win this campaign, taking out Race 6 on the card. All her runs this preparation have been solid, running in Listed and Group 2 company but finally broke through over the weekend thanks to the slight drop in class. Australian Bloodstock mare Wandabaa finished off nicely into 2nd whilst favourite Marway knocked up to finish 3rd after travelling strongly in the run.  

Earlier in the day Tommy Berry clawed his way back in the Sydney Jockey Premiership with a win aboard No Compromise. After running on well in his Australian debut the now Chris Waller trained galloper started favourite and went on to win in a comfortable watch for favourite backers. 

In the two-year-old race Park Avenue just got there in the final bound beating Winning Verse who looked home. There was a flurry of unlucky runs in behind including Sonnet Star and Conexy whilst the favourite looked to have every possible chance. The winner Park Avenue was slashed in the market for next month’s Group 1 JJ Atkins but it is yet to be decided whether connections push on to a trip to QLD. 

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Caulfield

Similar to the racing at Randwick there weren’t many highlights on the card with all the action up at Eagle Farm. 

Peter Moody trained Riot and Rose remained undefeated in the three-year-old mile race and looks a horse on the up. Whilst earlier on the program in the two-year-old race, South Australia visitor Magic Max just held on ahead of the luckless All About Eve who arguably should’ve won. Gordon Richards, who trained the winner, has a high opinion of the gelding and is another one to follow in the future. 

In the staying race Yonkers capped off a very consistent preparation, getting the job done comfortably in the end with trainer Chris Waller claiming a winner in the three major states. 

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Looking ahead to next weekend… 

Eagle Farm hosts another Group 1 meeting next weekend with the staging of the Queensland Oaks. Racing heads back to Flemington in Melbourne whilst Rosehill plays host in Sydney. 

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