Racing Spring Carnival - Guineas Day Recap

Punters and experts are still scratching their heads as numerous favourites failed to deliver in the big races at the weekend. Caught at Caulfield, run down at Randwick, 5 gripping Group Ones produced some stunning upsets and remarkable results. There was drama in the Caulfield Stakes where a Cox Plate contender’s spring campaign ended, while in the Guineas Rich Enuff wasn’t quite good enough, gunned down by Shooting To Win

Shooting To Win Hits Target

After a dominant display in the Prelude Rich Enuff jumped at under evens with some bookies in the Caulfield Guineas and headed straight to the front in the million dollar event. The colt set the pace and remained in the lead heading into the straight despite being under pressure from his fellow front runners. But just as the favourite looked to shake off the pack Shooting To Win was warming to the task. The horse had been given a lovely ride in transit by James McDonald, poised to strike with 300 metres remaining, McDonald made his move. But a gallant Rich Enuff who was running the mile for the first time wouldn’t go down without a fight and kept his nose in front at the 200 hundred mark before Shooting To Win finally went past his rival to finish the winner by a neck.

It was a fairy-tale finish for Father and Son co-trainers pair Peter and Paul Snowden who claimed their first Group One as a partnership. However it was the senior Snowden’s third Caulfield Guineas triumph and successive victories after Long John won the race last year. Rich Enuff’s brave effort won’t have lost him admirers while triple figure outsider Wandjina flashed home for third.

Amicus With Ease

Amicus was a comfortable winner in the Thousand Guineas despite jumping at $10. Hugh Bowman gave the only Sydney filly in the race a beautiful journey just off the pace and she was far too robust in the run home. Sydney trainer Chris Waller was able to celebrate his third Group One win in 2 weeks long before the finishing post and he hasn’t ruled out a crack in the Group One 2500 metre Crown Oaks. The million dollar race is at Flemington on November 6. The Robert Smerdon trained Favourite Lumosty disappointed, dropping back in the early stages of the race and never producing a surge.

Drama for Dissident as Fawkner Firms for Cox Plate

Lloyd Williams took a step closer to his first Cox Plate after Fawkner powered to victory in the Caulfield Stakes, but Dissident’s dream spring was shattered. The horse has incurred a mandatory 3 month ban after bleeding during the race. It’s a bitter blow for trainer Peter Moody who was hoping to break his Cox Plate duck with the 2 times Group One winner. Dissident’s arguably been the best horse this spring after winning the Memsie Stakes and Makybe Diva Stakes before finishing runner up in the Rupert Clarke Charity Cup. He joined the lead on the final straight before dropping backwards while Fawkner found space and had plenty left after Nick Hall gave the 7 year old a perfect position throughout the race. Fawkner hit the front in the final hundred and held on for victory over a flying Criterion.

Favourites Stunned in Spring Stakes

Flying Filly First Seal was supposed to whip the Boys in The 2000 metre Spring Stakes at Randwick and end Sweynesse’s unbeaten run along the way. The expected 2 horse race was panning out that way after the 2 pulled away in the final 300 metres. But as they had eyes for each other, Gai Waterhouse’s Hampton Court wound up out wide, she gobbled the pair up with 100 metres to go in an impressive display. 2 wins in his parts 2 starts now has the 3 year old Court progressing toward the Victoria Derby.

Trust In A Gust too Good in Toorak Handicap

After his victory in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last start punters again trusted in Trust In A Gust ahead of the Toorak Handicap. He was backed from $5.50 into $4.60 pre race and the tough 4 year old delivered. Trust In A Gust rolled forward as usual stalking leader Solicit before Brad Rawiller went for home from a long way out. He was left alone and always looked the winner, despite a scare from Speediness who flashed home for second. Consecutive group one victories gave the horse its tenth win in 17 starts while Brad Rawiller notched up his 18th group One triumph.