The weather at Randwick on Saturday had a touch of spring about and so did racing as a number of handy gallopers made a quiet May meeting into one to be remembered regarding form.
From the first race when Prince Fawaz beat favourite Reloaded, to Deprive’s remarkable response to a daring Rachel King ride to charge to victory, there were plenty of horses for blackbooks.
The ATC has got the programming of this meeting right and it gives an insight into the Brisbane group 1s to close the season but also gives horses on the rise a chance to finish their preparation on a high.
Prince Fawaz and Reloaded are likely to fight out the JJ Atkins in a couple of weeks at Eagle Farm and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Nobu and Carif again quinella the Queensland Derby after their battle up the straight on Saturday.
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Michael Hawkes said Renewal would be put away for the spring after another win to lift in the ratings to place where he can challenge for an Epsom.
“He has always been a horse we knew was good, we just had to wait for him to mature and the best thing for him is to have spell now because he will come back better,” Hawkes said.
Behind him, Noire was good enough under top weight running into fourth to suggest she will be a big factor in the Tatts Tiara. Chris Waller used a similar preparation with her last year but her rating didn’t allow her a chance at the group 1. She will be there this time around.
Waller will also send the new 1500m track record holder at Randwick, Kolding, to Brisbane for the Queensland Guineas, but beyond that he looks a group 1 prospect at a mile.
He races in the Neville Morgan colours and is unbeaten in three starts since being gelded.
Imports Wolfe and Master Of Wine are only just finding their feet in Australia but both have good futures. Gai Waterhouse will attempt to qualify Wolfe for the Cups through the Brisbane Cup in a fortnight, such is her opinion of him, but don’t forget the runner-up, which will continue to improve.
Joy of winning overflows online
The joy of racing, and winning, was on show as Steel Prince won his place in Melbourne Cup via a photo finish in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
Damien Oliver was hoisted on the shoulders of the owners after weighing in as owners realised a dream.
That celebration might have got the gold medal for the weekend but on Twitter Bjorn Baker's response to winning the Grand Prix Stakes with Fun Fact was also good.
However, it was bettered by the owners of Prince Fawaz, who watched their two-year-old win before a wedding.
Military Zone out of Stradbroke
The weights for the Stradbroke are released on Monday but Peter Snowden has decided not to chase the $1 million prize with impressive Fred Best Stakes winner Military Zone.
Snowden will stick to a plan to allow the talented three-year-old, which also won the Hawkesbury Guineas this preparation, to grow and furnish.
“He’s still very immature. He’s still another preparation from being where you want to see him,” he said on Brisbane radio.
“For me, I think he’s this time next year, autumn or winter, sort of horse until he’s really there.”
Graham seeks ton and ready to shine
North Coast apprentice Ceejay Graham made a flying start to her loan period, with Peter and Paul Snowden riding a winning double at Gosford on Saturday.
Graham is closing on 100 winners after just three years in the saddle and Peter Snowden believes she can make her mark in the provincial and metropolitan areas.
“She is a very well-balanced rider and horses run for her,” he said. “It is a good time to come to Sydney because at this time of year she is going get more opportunities with the Brisbane carnival on.
“We are going to support her and I think she will be busy because she has a good reputation.”
Graham’s first winner of Sydney stay was Soul Soldier in the China Horse Club silks at Gosford.
Callandar race day offers a priceless lunch
There are only a couple of tables left for the second Matt Callander charity race day function at Rosehill on Saturday.
The popular Callander lost his battle with brain cancer just under two years ago and the race day luncheon for more than 900 supports the Mark Hughes Foundation, the Muldoon Foundation and Sivan Arul Foundation.
There will be several auction items including a legends lunch at Flying Fish for eight guest with champion trainer Chris Waller, NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler, Kenny Callander, Ray Hadley and John Singleton.