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| Editor: Elliot Dean | | Writer: Marcus Walta | | Writer: Janet Bastow | | Photographer: Matthew Smith | |
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Cup King Claims Caulfield Quinella |
Only weeks from his 82nd birthday, the king of Australian racehorse training, Bart Cummings, has done it again, finishing 1-2 in the $250,000 Caulfield Cup on Saturday. Reigning Melbourne Cup champ Viewed pulled off an impressive 2 1/4 length victory over stablemate Roman Emperor, giving Cummings his second quinella of the Group 1 race.
"I thought he was pretty lucky", Cummings said, referring to the rails run Viewed enjoyed. Jockey Brad Rawiller kept the horse near the back of the pack until the final turn. He then decided to stick to the inside when everyone else was swinging wide to be in the supposed better part of the track. It was a decision that proved telling as Rawiller won the race without going around a single horse.
Roman Emperor ran a brave race, pulling a little in the run but still finishing off strong to hold on for second. Both he and Viewed are major movers in the Melbourne Cup markets after their runs. Early Caulfield Cup favourite, Vigor, also ran an impressive race. He hit the line hard with his light weight and finished third.
New Zealand mare Daffodil also put in a solid Melbourne Cup warmup, running into fourth after Chris Munce got her into a great position. Fiumicino and Master O'Reilly put in good Cup trials, running into 5th and 6th respectively and posting solid late sectionals.
It was a different story for the two internationals who were heavily backed and failed to deliver on the day. Kirklees raced wide throughout but was less than impressive in the straight when expected to step up a gear, finishing seventh. Cima De Triomphe was even more disappointing, only managing 13th.
The Derby and Oaks markets are now starting to take even more shape, thanks to the 3 year old results on the weekend. Shamoline Warrior confirmed his favouritism for the Victoria Derby with a strong win in the Norman Robinson Stakes. He has now firmed to the $3.50 favourite ahead of Extra Zero ($7) and Monaco Consul ($8).
Filly Run For Naara regained her recent form with a big win in the Sportingbet Plate. Carrying 59 kilograms, she came from the back of the field to win by almost 3 lengths. She is now $4.50 favourite for the Crown Oaks ahead of Thousand Guineas placegetter Faint Perfume. Maiden filly Valdemoro also came from the back in the Plate to finish second, and is now third favourite for the Oaks.
In the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes, 4 year old Typhoon Tracy regained her winning form with an impressive victory over a hot field that included Hot Danish, Gold Water and Neroli. The Peter Moody trained mare will now go on to the Myer Classic at Flemington on Derby Day.
In the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint, favourite First Command was too good, defeating Turffontein and Happy Glen. The Lee Freedman trained horse has now won 7 races from only 9 starts.
Next week the racing heads to Moonee Valley for the Cox Plate.
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