Even reduced to 1300m, the Cameron Hcp was a strong race for tough sprinters during the Spring.
It brings together those six furlong types who want to extend and those prospective milers looking to head to the Epsom Hcp. Weren't many better wins than Court's in Session who lumped 60.5 to score in 2006. Who might take the next Cameron now it is up to 1500m?
• 2005 – COLLATE 4h (Catbird x Calfree) ($2.85 fav)
Jockey: Glen Boss, Trainer: Allan Denham
Barrier: 7, Weight: 52.0kg
Gross Time: 1:23.27, 600m Sectional: 34.01
Margin: 1L, Track: Good, Starters: 10
2nd: Mr Celebrity (52.0kg), 3rd: Cincinnati Gal (52.0kg)
Timeform Rating: 117
Collate raced on the speed to win Photo by Racing and Sports Collate won his first start but once he graduated into open 3yo company, the likes of Eremein, Outback Prince and Dance Hero were too much for him. So the Whites and Denhams simply gave him time. He came back a better, bigger 4yo and won lead up races very well in town. By the time he got to Newcastle, he was the short priced favourite. Glen Boss rolled over and parked him right on the speed, happy to tag along until the time was right to unleash. After straightening he did that and established a winning break. He withstood the fast finish on the fence from Mr Celebrity who would go onto win the George Main at his next outing. After racing erratically in the Epsom, Collate was put away but could only win a Clissold afterwards.
Court's In Session was a great weight carrying winner Photo by Racing and Sports Horses have been braver, bigger, more beautiful and more brilliant but rarely have they been better at ravaging the post like Court's In Session. However sadly this outstanding win at Broadmeadow was the last time we see him in the winning stall, in fact the last time we'd see him finish a race. After winning a George Ryder in '05, his next best win was the Warwick Stks first up prior to the Cameron. He defeated a field which included Racing to Win, Desert War, Eremein, Aqua D'Amore, Headturner, Railings etc – need I go on. Coming to Newcastle there was only one thing that could beat him and it was weight. As usual Beasley went forward and led. In the small field the danger was that even though he loved to roll along, the backmarkers were going to be never too far behind and hence punters made Malcolm favourite. He got to the 300 and most thought he might lay down but when challenged he grabbed the bit and charged like a credit card company. There was no way they'd beat him in a photo. But as we said fate would see him wounded but not wound up in compounding to injuries in the George Main on the home turn. He lives on as a warrior in the owner's farm.
• 2007 – ABANDONED DUE TO EI
• 2008 – RAHEEB 5h (Royal Academy x Gatana) ($5.50)
Jockey: Danny Nikolic, Trainer: Anthony Cummings
Barrier: 5, Weight: 53.5kg
Gross Time: 1:22.44, 600m Sectional: 34.61
Margin: 3.5L, Track: Good, Starters: 11
2nd: Ashikaga (53.5kg), 3rd: Falaise (56.0kg)
Timeform Rating: 117
Raheeb was a big winner with sponsorship links Photo by Racing and Sports Patinack Farm had made some massive investments in the racing game. The fruits of those monies would be seen the following year and many more to come you'd think. But one of the stallion prospects Nathan Tinkler bought into was Raheeb. Beautifully bred he is the full brother to Piccadilly Circus, Coolmore's stakes winning mum of another Newcastle hero in Fastnet Rock. Well Raheeb was all around the place including Port Macquarie. He showed promise with Tim Martin but in his first run for A Cummings, he rollicked along near the lead and was just nutted on the post by a G1 winner in Typhoon Zed. 2½ weeks later he would get to the seven furlongs at Broadmeadow and was allowed to camp on Sliding Cube. Ashikaga who normally led was midfield. Nikolic couldn't hold on long enough. 300 out was it and he trotted in with Ashikaga fighting back to get 2nd. Despite the big win he hasn't won again.
2nd: Black Piranha (60.0kg), 3rd: McClintock (53.0kg)
Timeform Rating: 109
Absolutelyfabulous scored a popular local win Photo by Racing and Sports Newcastle hadn't seen a locally trained winner of the Cameron since the tough little horse Adam and it was time for that to change. Kris Lees had been sending his really good mare around in many of the big F&M races including placing in a Myer Classic to Forensics. In the Autumn she ran into the likes of Hot Danish and Typhoon Tracy which can't be a good thing but she ran well first up at Rosehill before only having her second start on her home track. Innings missed the kick but then we saw Pins On Parade, Rockwood and McClintock take up forward positions. The fav was Stradbroke winner Black Piranha who was resuming with 60kg. With the usual charge at the 400m, as BP charged out wide, Abfab got off heels, took splits and surged in the last 100m to win coming away and giving Lees his first Cameron. She had one more start when placed in a quality Salinger on Derby day at Flemington.
• 2010 – KENNY'S WORLD 6g (Kenny's Best Pal x See The Stars) ($17)
Jockey: Tim Clark, Trainer: Graeme Murray
Barrier: 3, Weight: 53.5kg
Gross Time: 1:15.39, 600m Sectional: 34.66
Margin: 1.3L, Track: Good, Starters: 12
2nd: Prince Braeman (53.0kg), 3rd: Chasm (55.5kg)
Timeform Rating: 113
It was a upset up the fence for Kenny's World Photo by Racing and Sports With the race at 1300m, things were in need of a shake-up. It had started to lose its place. And with due respect, maybe the result of 2010 might end up being a godsend with changes afoot. Kenny's World was a good honest battler coming through the open class sprints at lower levels. He won the Show Country at Warwick as his final lead up. But that was at 40-1 and considered a little lucky to win. Hence he was sent around at double figures again. Several potential guns were in the race but got a long way back like Star Of Octagonal and Trusting and stayed there. The trouble for them was that this contest suited the on-pacers and fence followers. McClintock led with Pinwheel nearby but Kenny's was behind them and Chasm tagging them along. Tim Clark took the rails and kept kicking to score in a dominant fashion. He was placed in the Bill Ritchie in town next run.
RACE PREVIEW
o Run again at 1300m down from 1400m of previous years.
o Been a very good race for the Sydney trainers – Adam the last local to win before last year.
o It has been a very fair race with leaders and swoopers equally at play.
o Not a great race for favourites.
o Mulan Princess in 2000 was the last mare to win before Abfab.
o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner – 4yo (3 times)
o Last 10 Winners Average Weight of winner – 54.0kg
o Last 10 Years Winningest Barrier Range <5-8> - 5 times
o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner – $7.60
o Breakdown of winners – 6 geldings, 1 mare & 2 entires
o Last 10 Years Warwick Stks / Cameron Hcp double – Court's In Session ('06)
o Last 10 Years Show County Qlty / Cameron Hcp double – Kingsgate ('01)
SUMMARY & SELECTIONS
With the first running of the Cameron Hcp at 1500m to be on this week, it has brought together one of the better field in the recent history. And it is very open as well.
Ginga Dude is a kiwi in pacer who will be great value Photo by Racing and Sports
Not often G1 winners and G1 placed horses run in this but this looks a top drawer Epsom lead up.
With Gai having a couple of staying types in the race, you can bet they might roll forward along with Ginga Dude and Neeson – who was reported to be needing to quicker than last run.
Assuming he just gets a tag behind the obvious lead, Ginga Dude trialled really well at Wyong and for a horse capable of running third in a Mackinnon Stks to So You Think, this gives him a big chance.
His first up record over 1400m is good so up at the 1500m is even better. He is also used to be carrying big weights at WFA.
While Syreon has been back a little in both runs this time in, this is the sort of trip he requires.
His two wins and two tops runs in the Doncaster Mile and Queen Elizabeth mean he only needs to be fit now to challenge at great odds.
Sea Lord is the sort of horse who can pull out a run at odds. He likes to get up in behind them, stalk them and get out late.
Met a slowly run race first up and the stable might keep their run going.
