Group l racing was the focus at both Rosehill at Flemington on Saturday, with an enigma getting that Group l win she has been promising to do for some time while a three year old filly gave her rivals a spanking down the straight.
Down below is a review of the feature races.
2023 Newmarket Handicap Replay
2023 Newmarket Handicap Review: In Secret just missed out on her second Group l win last start in the Surround over 1400m but back to the scene of the crime of her Coolmore Stud win, the Flemington 1200m, especially right down in the weights, she made a mess of her rivals in an arrogant display. The win was somewhat marred given Jamie Kah, who was down to ride her, had a nasty fall along with Craig Williams in the Sires and wasn’t able to take the ride, so up to the plate stepped Dean Holland and he rode the filly a treat. Lofty Strike was enormous again, running another placing, while I Wish I Win just got a bit too far back and with a 5kg weight swing on the winner, he couldn’t dash quick enough to round her up. Private Eye looked the first horse beat but remarkably kept finding the line for fourth. It’s hard to pinpoint a disappointing run, but if you had to, it would be Buenos Noches. He was there to win 300m out but didn’t go on with it.
2023 Coolmore Classic Replay
2023 Coolmore Classic Review: The last three Group l winners for Chris Waller have been ridden by Mick Dee, something you’d never really have contemplated once upon a time but such is the big race rider he has become, he’s fast becoming the go to rider for the stable in the big races. He rode Espiona an absolute treat and the mare finally fulfilled her potential of being a Group l quality horse with a win here, just getting the win over Pride Of Jenni, who was the run of the day by a mile. She led, copped heat throughout, didn’t handle the Sydney way at all but only got beat a lip. Sheeza Belter was ridden with intent by Pike and that all but worked. 300m out she looked the winner but just couldn’t quite get there. They gapped the rest, with Hope In Your Heart next best. Annavisto was the favourite leading into the race but she wanted to get it over and done with quickly and post race, pulled up 3/5 lame, so a clear forgive run.
2023 Pago Pago Stakes Replay
2023 Pago Pago Stakes Review: There have been massive wraps for Shinzo for some time and he lived up to it, finally, with a win here, securing his place in the Golden Slipper next Saturday. J Mac rode him with a sit and it worked, because he came with a well timed run and won well. The knock is the time. Relative to the Magic Night, it’s far inferior and he would need to improve big time to beat Steel City. That said, both winners would need to improve big time to beat the likes of Cylinder and Learning To Fly. Of the beaten brigade, keep an eye on Godzilla for Team Snowden. He warmed to the task nicely late and I reckon the 1400m 2YO race in two weeks time on Tancred Day looks his race. He’s a nice horse.
2023 Magic Night Stakes Replay
2023 Magic Night Stakes Overview: The equation was simple for Steel City. Win this race and she’s in the Slipper. Regan Bayliss made sure of it, taking her straight to the front, letting her roll on speed and she gave nothing else a look in, winning by a space and running time in doing so, overall much better time than that of Shinzo. Doing it from the front as well, that was the impressive bit, and she comfortably ticked the 1200m box. Blanc De Blanc was good from the back while August Bloom was an eye catcher for a filly wanting more ground. But, it’s all about the winner.