3 minute read

Chris Scholtz reviews racing around Australia on April 1.

THE STARS

CHAUTAUQUA: Amazing...incredible...freakish...historic – just insert your own superlative for a truly memorable performance!

MURRAY BAKER: What a record this master trainer from New Zealand has built in our classic races.

CATHERINE RODE: Country Championship winner who trains only three horses enjoys an unforgettable day on the big stage.

SNITZEL: Just watch his prices soar at this week’s Sydney yearling sale after a trifecta by his 2YOs in the Sires’ Produce Stakes.

JOHN SADLER: Fine training to win a second Bendigo Golden Mile two years with Observational two years after his first when the import was a vaunted member of the Lloyd Williams team.

CRAIG ANDERSON: Wins the Bendigo Gold Bracelet with his $250 horse Give Us A Go, one of only three he has in work.

QUOTES OF THE DAY

“He’s a rock star and owns the 1200m at Randwick.” - Michael Hawkes praises TJ Smith triple winner Chautauqua.

“I realy felt all over a winner then out of nowhere the big grey came and got me.” - Blake Shinn, rider of TJ Smith runner-up English.

“It’s a pleasure to be in partnership with a great trainer.” - Murray Baker’s junior partner Andrew Forsman after Jon Snow’s Derby win.

“I was watching the race with Daz (Darren Beadman) and when he shot clear we looked at each other and thought should we cheer yet.” – John O’Shea, trainer of Doncaster winner It’s Somewhat.

“I’ll always back myself. If you win it’s great and if you lose, well, at least you lose trying.” – Zac Purton reflects on his winning ride on Doncaster hero It’s Somewhat.

SIN BIN

CLARE LINDOP: Lost the plot on the long odds on favourite Danger Deal at Morphettville.

ASTERN: A troubled autumn prep ends in failure.

DANIEL McCARTHY: Must wear the blame for the tactics he issued to young apprentice Mitch Aitken on the heavily supported Ashlor at Bendigo.

SOOBOOG: Surely this will be the last time he starts favourite!

HE OR SHE: Gone!

RIDES OF THE DAY

TOMMY BERRY: Breathtaking ride on Chautauqua.

HUGH BOWMAN: At his cool and calm best on Invader and Property.

BLAKE SHINN: In top form. Leads the Nathan Berry Medal.

JIM BYRNE: Rode the Doomben track to a nicety to land three winners.

BEAU MERTENS: Another double for the young star. Not easy on a big day at Bendigo.

TALKING POINTS

RANDWICK RAILS: It’s been the most difficult autumn preparing the saturated Sydney tracks for the big races but nobody expected Randwick to be so favourable to horses drawn on the inside, a complete reversal to the normal pattern after rain and just weeks after we saw them skirting the outside fence in the straight. The question now is how it will play over the next two Saturdays when rails shifts are applied?

NEW ZEALANDERS: What can you say about Murray Baker, or for that matter any Kiwi 3YO that targets the Sydney autumn. They may find it hard to win Melbourne Cups these days but the Kiwis have been having a picnic with their three-year-olds in Sydney each autumn for the last decade. They believe coming off their classics at home gives their 3YOs an edge in seasoning and maturity when they land in Sydney. The results make it hard to pot that theory.

MONEY TALKS

PROPERTY ($4.80): With Alizee on a big drift he was clearly best backed. Another example of why Robert Smerdon is one the most feared money stables in Australia.

BIG DUKE ($2.45): Big go by the big players. The Sydney ring got a taste of a Darren Weir ‘good thing’.

HANS HOLBEIN ($8 to $6): The smart punters seldom miss with these Robert Hickmott-trained imports.

TOP ME UP ($4.20 to $3.20): A big get out go for many punters after a day of tough results at Randwick and Bendigo.

IN THE BAG

GALAXY WARRIOR ($16-$7): Might have landed the money on a fairer track.

RAIMENT: Best backed from the time markets went up. She became the flop of the day.

GINGERNUTS ($3.20 to $2.60): Punters plonked for the wrong Kiwi in the Derby.

RUSSIAN REVOLUTION ($7 to $3.40): Endless money for the Galaxy winner from Thursday to the jump. No excuses.

SPECTROSCOPE ($12 to 7.50) and REDKIRK WARRIOR ($10 to $6.50); The two big goes in the Doncaster were never a chance.

BAYSA ($8.50 to $4.80): Ended another bleak day for the Waller supporters.

SACRED SHAM ($2.20): Poor effort after such confident support.

WAIT FOR NO ONE ($4.20 to $2.90): Never likely to land this plunge.

JALAN JALAN ($5 to $3.90): DIdn’t justify this support.

BLACKBOOK

DISSOLUTION: Eye catching start to what may be a promising career.

MEDAILLE: Watch for her to step up in distance.

HARDHAM: Has earned a rating among the best of the 3YO classic crop.

JE SUIS TYCOON: Had little go right on debut at Bendigo.

KAZIO: Unlucky after attracting strong support. Follow the money.