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Weekend Post Mortem - September 29-October 1

by By Chris Scholtz 7 years ago 3 minute read

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Chris Scholtz reviews the weekend racing at Moonee Valley, Randwick and Caulfield.

THE STARS

GARY PORTELLI/SHE WILL REIGN: Remiss not to credit the confidence the stable has had in this filly to come back and do the job as a 3YO. Great to see her drop the jinx on Golden Slipper winners with a fine first-up win over the older horses.

PAT WEBSTER/HAPPY CLAPPER: None more deserving of an Epsom win. One of racing’s nice guys gets his first G1 win after more than 40 years of training.

ANTHONY FREEDMAN: A 1-2 finish with his runners in the Rupert Clarke Stakes – it doesn’t get any better for a trainer. Has really stepped up since big brother Lee left for Singapore.

MURRAY BAKER/ANDREW FORSMAN: It’s money in the bank following this Kiwi stable in Australia. What a spring this team is heading for with stars like Bonneval and Jon Snow.

MICHAEL DEE: Lloyd Williams put his faith in this 21-year-old because he wanted a left hand whip rider for Foundry in the Metropolitan. Didn’t let him down with a perfect ride.

BENJAMIN SMITH: Could do no more than bring his top mare In Her Time back in winning form. Should feel cheated she isn’t in The Everest.

PAUL PERRY: Does this Newcastle legend ever not win a race when he sends horses to Melbourne. Did it again with Perast at Caulfield.

TALKING POINTS

SYDNEY STAYERS: We might have The Everest as a showcase for our sprint talent but The Metropolitan is a poor spring advertisement for the quality of the Sydney staying ranks after attracting only 10 runners with the Victorian pair Foundry and Big Duke and Kiwi stayer Chocante filling the placings. If it wasn’t for the multiple runners from the Chris Waller stable that seemingly prop up staying races in Sydney every week what would we have left? The ATC and Racing NSW should take a step back from The Everest and get seriously about saving The Metropolitan before one of Sydney’s most historic races loses its G1 status.

JOAO MOREIRA: His waning strike rate on his Australian visits is a worry. Not sure why he is needed to ride at our big meetings when there is so much local riding talent on offer.

VICTORIAN FORM : Victorian stables could be in for tough time over the spring carnival if the results at Moonee Valley on Friday night and Caulfield on Sunday are a guide. Visitors from NSW, Queensland, South Australia and New Zealand had a picnic winning six races at Moonee Valley and three at Caulfield, but more significantly six of the nine feature Group races.

THEY SAID IT

• “He is a great horse. He deserved it. It's my biggest moment in racing.” - Pat Webster sums up his Epsom win with Happy Clapper.

• “It was a nervous week because when you have the favourite you have to deal with the pressure.” – More from Pat Webster.

• “We did it, brother.” - Blake Shinn to Pat Webster after the Epsom.

• “He was primed for today, he’s the class horse and he did a great job.” - Blake Shinn on the Epsom winner.

• “She is a genuine Cups contender. I just wish I was light enough to ride her." – Hugh Bowman laments that he cannot ride Bonneval in the Cups.

• “With Lee going, I lost a few horses because of that. Results like that put your name back up there.” – Anthony Freedman’s reaction to his Rupert Clarke Stakes quinella.

• “My heart was in my mouth all the way up the straight.” – Ben Smith after watching In Her Time win the Premiere Stakes.

• “I’m speechless – I’ve never even ridden a winner at this track.” – Michael Dee after winning The Metropolitan aboard Foundry.

• "I just snuck away on them without them knowing." – Michael Walker reflects on his tactics on Hill Stakes winner Classic Uniform.

• “He's ridden him upside down." – Classic Uniform’s trainer Gary Moore on Michael Walker’s Hill Stakes tactics.

• “There are some punters who are going to have a big night.” - Isorich’s trainer after his honest sprinter lands another win at big odds.

• “She had her head in the feed bin as soon as she got home.” – Gary Portelli’s report on She Will Reign after her Moir Stakes win.

• “Bring on the Everest. Bring it on - she’s the real deal.” - An elated Gary Portelli after She Will Reign wins the Moir Stakes.

“I think she's a live chance with a light weight, I really do." – Jeff Lloyd’s thoughts on his Everest ride Houtzen after her Moonee Valley win.

• “It's my first Group winner. It was a goal of mine to win a Group race this spring.” Beau Mertens after winning the Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley on Showtime.

RIDES OF THE DAY

BLAKE SHINN: An Epsom gem. Knew he was on the best horse and rode him like a good thing, putting him into the race from the start rather than give up a big start under the topweight.

GLYN SCHOFIED?: Has really struck a chord with Alizee by getting her to switch off early in her races.

DEAN YENDALL: Judged it perfectly to win the Rupert Clarke at Caulfield on Santa Ana Lane.

SIN BIN

MOONEE VALLEY: Russian Revolution; Foundation.

RANDWICK: Life Less Ordinary.

MORPHETTVILLE: Glam Guru.

CAULFIELD: Kerrin McEvoy (Hartnell); Black Heart Bart

BLACKBOOK

KEMENTARI: He’s a work in progress. Best to come.

SOVEREIGN NATION: Capable of landing a good race this spring.

TANGLED: Luckless run under big weight. On the up.

FIESTA: Will be amazed if this filly doesn’t win races.

LIZZIE L’AMOUR: A Valley victim. Should have been in the finish.

CLEARLY CHOSEN: Obviously doing well for his new stable.


Racing and Sports

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KEMENTARI SOVEREIGN NATION TANGLED FIESTA LIZZIE L’AMOUR CLEARLY CHOSEN

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