It's been another huge week in the world of racing.
SANDOWN IS BACK
After a couple of well-publicised issues with Victorian tracks racing untruly over the past couple of weeks it was great to see Sandown return in fantastic order on Wednesday.
With a big, wide and long straight, Sandown is a track that trainers can take their horses knowing they should have their chance to figure in the finish if good enough.
Two great examples of how evenly the track played on Wednesday were the wins of Kansha in race 2 and Written in race 3.
Kansha settled well off the leaders at the rear of the field. As they approached the 400m Kansha was still 12-15 lengths off the leader but after peeling out off heels, proceeded to rocket down the outside to clinch victory in the shadows of the post.
In the next race, talented filly Written crossed to the lead early in the race. As the field straightened, Written had extended her lead to five lengths and certainly kept going strongly recording a three-length victory.
It’s great to have such an important Victorian racetrack return at the top of its game.
LIGHTNING STAKES DAY
It was a pretty ordinary afternoon at Flemington for the running of the Lightning Stakes.
Snitzerland was super when landing her first G1 victory sitting on the pace and holding off all comers.
Shamexpress again showed he is one of the best sprinters in Australia, whilst superstar mare Samaready had her ears ridden off midway through the race but hit the line strongly for third.
The talk of the town has been the previously-promising, now star-in-the-making 3yo Street Cry filly Solicit. She led the fillies up in the Vanity and cruised away to win by nearly three lengths.
Scratchy Bottom hit the line well after taking a while to wind up and should find further ground more to her liking.
Hucklebuck delivered upon the big wraps placed on him in winning the CS Hayes Stakes, and assuming favouritism for next weekend’s Australian Guineas.
Up in Sydney, Mossfun showed what a professional filly she was when getting the job done in similar fashion to her debut victory.
Fighting Sun was outstanding when stamping himself a genuine Golden Slipper contender, only to be retired to stud due to injury just days later.
Whilst on the 2yos, Gai replaced Fighting Sun with Wandjina on Wednesday when he made amends for a disappointing debut by bolting in and throwing his hat in the ring for the Golden Slipper.
The incredibly competitive Catkins broke the unbeaten run of gun filly White Sage who was not disgraced when running third.
UPCOMING
It's been billed as a race between the star filly and the boom colt. Earthquake and Rubick head the betting but the Blue Diamond runs a hell of a lot deeper than that.
It's a quality field of 2yos that will no doubt deliver on the build up.
Bull Point has been heavily backed to beat the in-form Moment of Change in the Futurity.
Lankan Rupee has been extremely consistent of late, whilst Knoydart showed an astonishing turn of foot last start in what looks to be an intriguing Oakleigh Plate.
Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente has blown like the wind for his resuming run in the Peter Young but is clearly the best horse in the race.
I'm a big fan of Bring Something, who runs in the Autumn Classic after a luckless return to the track.
Guelph returns as a $1.95 favourite in the Light Fingers at Randwick, but it’s hard to forget the fact she was beaten by Bound For Earth first-up last preparation.
Punters are struggling to split Appearance and Boban, with the two sharing favouritism at a $2.80 quote.
What a treat we are in for this weekend.
Until next week…good luck and good racing!
