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Site Contributors |
| Chief Editor: Elliot Dean |
| Writer: Marcus Walta |
| Writer: Luke Taylor |
| Photographer: Candis Seoud |
| Photographer: Jared Hunter |
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All Heart In the Underwood |
This year's Underwood Stakes at Caulfield was meant to be all about Whobegotyou, the boom 4 year old expected to win every race he contests this Spring. However Heart of Dreams had other ideas, bursting through the middle in the straight and holding off the short priced favourite by a head, showing that he is a genuine weight-for-age runner.
Heart of Dreams was drawn to get a smooth run, and smooth he did. It was a very different run from the Makybe Diva Stakes, when he got knocked around and struggled to get home at the end. But his talent was shown this week, as the Mick Priced trained galloper has now come right in to $8 for the Cox Plate.
Whobegotyou is still the firm favourite for that race, but this performance definitely makes the WFA event anything but a one horse race. Last years winner, Maldivian, covered a huge amount of ground in the Underwood and still ran into 4th place, his Cox Plate odds also being slashed.
Controversy surrounded the other Group 1 race at Caulfield, with short price favourite Gold Salute being scratched after getting stuck in the gates. The starter pressed the button while Gold Salute was rearing up in the air, yet a false start was not called. Estee, who was in the next gate, missed the start by 5 lengths, in a crazy race which was eventually won by Turffontein.
In the 3yo Guineas Preludes, exciting youngster Demerit won the colts race, while Irish Lights won the fillies race. Both of them have shortened in their respective feature races.
In Sydney's main two races of the day, Miss Marielle and Drumbeats finished on top, both taking out the Group 2 races at Rosehill. More Joyous narrowly beat Melito and Deer Valley in the main 3yo race, with all 3 runners looking to come down to Melbourne later in the Spring.
Next weekend sees the country's best sprinters in the G1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night with the George Main Stakes the best of the day at Randwick on Grand Final day.
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