It was a weekend of racing dominated by Jamie Kah who has her sublime touch back riding nine winners over the three days including the Group 1 Moir Stakes on Coolangatta on Friday night.
At Mornington on Saturday she produced a record equalling five winners from only six rides and she rode doubles at Moonee Valley and Sandown Hillside.
The most interesting race in Australia for the weekend was the Underwood Stakes run at Sandown Hillside on Sunday but in terms of a reference point for the Cox Plate threw up more questions than answers.
Let’s look at each of the runners.
ALLIGATOR BLOOD:
He dictated the tempo out in front and he played the roll usually filled by Zaaki. He was able to outkick him though in his best win since the Australian Guineas. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have rejuvenated him and he might only get better. He’s a traditional weight-for-age style galloper.
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MO’UNGA:
He’s another sneaking under the radar. He finished fourth in last year’s Cox Plate and third in the Mackinnon Stakes. He produced the fourth fastest last 200m of the day when he rallied hard to gain second. He might be a better horse than last year.
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ZAAKI:
Annabel Neasham suggested he doesn’t like Sandown and Jamie Kah said he wanted to lay in. Regardless it was a slightly disappointing run. He can bounce back though.
I’M THUNDERSTRUCK:
On face value he was disappointing, but he put in a massive surge to get into the race recording the fastest 200m for the 600m and 400m with a split of 10.83 seconds. No surprise he tired in the closing stages off that.
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MR BRIGHTSIDE:
Ditto for this galloper. He had to work to get into the race off the slow tempo. He was a little disappointing though but trainer Ben Hayes said he would pick up a lot in terms of fitness and experience from that race.
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NONCONFORMIST:
He was never in the race and looked a bit dour. Grahame Begg is timing his preparation to peak in the Caulfield Cup.
HORSES TO FOLLOW
CAP DE JOIE:
Massive effort from this imported galloper to finish second in the opening race. Damien Oliver had to go back from barrier 20. He produced the fastest last 400m and 200m of the meeting in the opening race and he was on a Soft 5 track which was upgraded to Good 4 two races later.
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I WISH I WIN:
This ex Kiwi looks a star in the making and may well have been the best horse to run at Sandown on Sunday. He sprinted home to win easily after looking to be in awkward spot and he produced the third fastest last 200m for the day and won easily.
