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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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In one of the hottest Caulfield Guineas fields in recent times, Starspangled banner has smashed the opposition, leading from start to finish to take out the $1 million Group 1 feature at Caulfield on Saturday. It was a huge victory for Team Corstens, who put to rest speculation that the 3 year old would not run out the 1600 metres.
Jockey Danny Nikolic took Starspangledbanner straight to the front from barrier 1 and was never headed, leading by as many as six lengths at the 1000m mark, and kicking into the straight to leave his rivals way behind. Another horse who had been on the pace, Carrara, finished 2.75 lengths behind the winner with Manhattan Rain holding on for third.
The three pre-race favourites never threatened. Short priced favourite Denman was caught three wide most of the trip and faded into 7th place. Second elect Trusting who many thought could go on to win the Cox Plate pulled up lame after finishing 8th.
The Bart Cummings-trained So You Think was impressive despite finishing 5th. He was forced 6 deep at the home turn and after being 11th at the 400 metre mark, managed to fly home in a race where nothing was running on. He may progress forward to the Cox Plate in 2 weeks time.
But take nothing away from the winner who Troy Corstens pronounced as "the best 3 year old in Australia" moments after the race in the mounting yard. Bought for $100,000 as a yearling, Starspangled banner could be worth up to $10 million as a stallion.
He will now head to the paddock for a spell.
Meanwhile, Whobegotyou has confirmed his Cox Plate favouritism after claiming the Group 1 Yalumba Stakes. The win also gave Damian Oliver his 2000th career win after a very smart race on the $2.15 favourite.
Ollie weaved through the field saving ground in a risky move that paid off, getting clear at the 200 and running home by 3/4 length over second favourite Heart of Dreams.
"I took a bit of a punt early", Oliver said. "I thought if I was going to be out the back and come around them he'd have too much to do".
On the flip side, Heart of Dreams' jockey Craig Newitt admitted he hadn't ridden the horse perfectly, electing to go to the back of the field rather than getting posted wide and sitting closer to the speed. "It was a pretty messy ride", he said.
Heart's trainer Mick Price was still happy with the horse depsite its run, and believe he will be competitive going into the Cox Plate. "He made up ground on Whobegotyou who will be favourite, so we'll be there and it's on again".
Vision and Power and Master O'Reilly both came home well finishing 3rd and 4th respectively and should be competitive in the Caulfield Cup next weekend.
In the Toorak Handicap, $41 outsider Allez Wonder shocked the classy field, and gave jockey Michelle Payne her maiden Group 1.
During the race, she sat midfield and one off the fence, then got through in the straight to pass early leader Raheeb and hold off fast finishing Gold Salute by a long neck, with Epsom winner Rock Kingdom close behind in third.
The win was trainer Bart Cummings's 254th Group 1 and the legend was very pleased for the up and coming female rider. "She's a cute little thing and she rides pretty well". Allez Wonder will now go onto the Caulfield Cup.
Gold Salute continues to be one of the unluckiest horses of the Spring. He was favourite for the Rupert Clarke Stakes before being a late scratching after getting his leg caught in the barrier. Then in the Toorak he was blocked for a run in the straight before finally getting clear and charging home late.
Rock Kingdom's effort was excellent and proved his Epsom run was no fluke. Posted three wide during Saturday's race, he battled on strongly for a close-up third, and will probably now head to the Mackinnon Stakes.
On Wednesday the 3 year old girls do battle in the Thousand Guineas.
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