From Left Of Centre with Steve Morris

FROM GOOD TO GREAT

It was Derby Day 2012. I remember it vividly. I had been knocked out of the quaddie by a long shot, a $43 shot to be precise. I was knocked out, but Jack Reiwoldt and his 10 or so mates who had made the trip up from Tasmania and were situated on the table next to me, were still in.

In fact they proceeded to land the quaddie and take home nearly $80,000 between them and let me assure you the boys were pretty happy. The only reason I could find for me having a greater appreciation for the mare that saluted at such odds is if I had of thrown her in my quaddie, or at least been a part of the group that did on that day.

The mare named Appearance landed her first Group 1 and little did we know, would go on to become one of the great sprinting mares we have seen over the past decade. As an owner, most would have a preference towards their horses being able to sit up on the pace and put themselves into the race on most occasions.

In my opinion, as a spectator, there is nothing greater than seeing a horse come from off the pace and show a dashing turn of foot to claim victory. Appearance has started to make a habit of doing just that to horses of the very highest calibre. The manner in which she claimed her fourth G1 victory over the weekend suggests there may be a few more yet to come.

Appearance is out of talented Grand Lodge mare Disguise, whose only two progeny by Commands have both been stakes-winners with the other being Mascareri. Interestingly, she has an unraced 2yo by Commands named Commanding Secret. Watch this space.

Not often does a broodmare happen to have three runners on the one day, let alone at the same meeting. Rarer again that those three horses are all contesting black-type races.

That was indeed the case nearly a fortnight ago when Encosta De Lago mare Pretty Penny had Clifton Red, I Am Titanium and Sertorius all contesting stakes races at Flemington on the same day. Clifton Red flew the flag highest when scoring at G3 level on debut.

History hasn't quite repeated itself but all three horses will be tackling important races within a 24 hour period this weekend. I Am Titanium chases some strong Super Vobis bonuses on Friday night at Moonee Valley. Clifton Red and Sertorius both venture up to Sydney to race in the G2 Reisling Stakes and the G1 Ranvet Stakes respectively.

Whilst all three are at long odds, all three go to the track in good form and will continue to add to the sparkling start their dam has made to her broodmare career over the coming months.

I made the trek out to Modewarre, only a short drive from the Victorian coastal town of Anglesea, to visit Pretty Penny at Shadow Glen Stud during the week. When you see Pretty Penny in the flesh it certainly is no wonder this impressive mare has thrown some progeny that can gallop. Perhaps the yearling 3/4 brother to Sertorius by High Chaparral you see pictured is the next in line.

UPCOMING

Without doubt the most anticipated clash of the weekend occurs in the G1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill where Fiorente meets the gun 3yo of last year, It's A Dundeel. The depth in this race is outstanding with some genuine G1 stars plotting their plans to spoil the party.

Finally Catkins is starting to earn the respect that she so thoroughly deserves, having been installed favourite as topweight in the G1 Coolmore Classic.

The battle between the highly touted Ecuador and picket-fence formline of Messene will be an intriguing one in the G2 Ajax Stakes.

The star filly of this season Earthquake will look to maintain her sheer dominance in the G2 Reisling Stakes whilst the equivalent filly of last year, Guelph, will be desperate to find her prior form in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes. The G2 Todman Stakes appears to be a raffle with the 2yo colts proving to be a reasonably even bunch this year.

On Friday night, Samaready holds favouritism whilst the two 3yo fillies that are proven to handle the Valley, Gregers and Thump, have both been met with support to claim G1 success in the William Reid Stakes. Let's hope in any case that Petrify can salute in the last for yours truly and his many other excitable owners.

Until next week....Good luck and good racing!