Cameron Happ's Flemington blackbook
Schwarz and Atishu were both last start blackbookers, and they delivered in a big way on Saturday and I've found a few more that will feature in the back end of a long spring carnival.
The track looked to be playing in favour of on pace types but horses like Muramsa, Atishu and Amokura showed it was more to do with the right horses being on a firm deck than anything being wrong with the track. We had perfect weather and once again Liam O'Keeffe delivered a track that punters could bet on with extreme confidence.
It's never an easy carnival for punters but with four outright favourites winning on the last day and Pride Of Jenni the only winner at double figures ($13), they had the advantage on Champions Day. Imperatriz kicked off multi's and the quaddie on the right note and if you could manage to find the airborne Pride Of Jenni in the second leg, the quaddie was achievable for a dividend of $1,556.60.
BLACK BOOKERS
KIND GESTURE
An imported mare that may be ready to improve into her second Australian prep. First-up over the mile, she was horrible out of the gates giving away 2-3 lengths and had to do a bit of work to rail through to just worse than midfield. When the lead pair kicked 300m, she couldn't quicken but did run almost identical closing splits to the winner to be beaten just under three lengths. A real dry tracker and still having several grades left to go through, she's well-placed for a good summer campaign.
EXCELLERATION
This gelding was another resuming over the mile having undergone a throat operation during the spell and it looks like it's been successful. Ridden cold in a race dominated by the lead pair, he was still back closer to last straightening before going through his gears running the best of every closing split including the fifth best last 200m of the day in 11.98. With a solid second-up record, he'll be tough to beat if they find the right race.
Mowdown (blue and green) was solid finishing second to Schwarz in The Amanda Elliott at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: George Sal–Racing Photos via Getty Images
Not sure how many more starts this Charlotte Littlefield gelding will have in his first prep, but he's certainly a horse we can follow next time in. Slow away and checked to be back worse than midfield, Craig Williams has stuck to the rails and chasing a super impressive winner, he's run the race best last 400m and 200m to get within two lengths on the line. A race like the Sandown Guineas wouldn't be totally beyond him as he looks like he'll enjoy the mile.
It's not often you black book a horse that's gone three from three for the prep, but I'm sure we will get one more collect out of him before he goes for a spell. Given a perfect steer midfield by regular rider Daniel Moor off a good solid speed set by Knights Order, he exploded to the front and was powerful when challenged running the best of every closing splits. Three weeks to the $750,000 WFA Zipping Classic at Caulfield, I can't see what's around to beat him as he just reaches his peak.
Muramasa ridden by Daniel Moor, clears out with the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Pictures: George Sal–Racing Photos via Getty Images
Not sure if the Kris Lees stable will hang around but the $500,000 Ballarat Cup over 2000m looks an ideal target for this lightly raced mare. Only second-up on Saturday after winning the G1 Queensland Oaks over the winter, she was up against it back last after missing the start. With the winner dominating in front at a good solid speed, she was still near last straightening before rattling off the best of every closing split to get within half a length. Just peaking, it looks an ideal race.
There was a knock on her in the yard first-up from a spell and the betting suggests similar easing $3.20-$4.40. James McDonald gave the Godolphin mare a perfect smother midfield, but she just couldn't quicken with the winner racing a touch tight, but she did manage to close in the best of every closing split in the race. With natural improvement, she should pick off a race in her next few starts.
FORGIVE AND LUCKLESS RUNNERS
Disappointing beaten eight lengths but may have had an excuse pulling up with EIPH (a partial internal bleed).
The Geelong Cup winner missed the start by four lengths and was beaten the same margin. He can bounce having only had the four runs back from a spell.
He may have been feeling recent tough runs, but he was given no chance on Saturday. Slow out to be near last after 200m, Jamie Spencer decided to go 11.27 and 11.58 from the 1800-1400m and the horse was cooked on the point of the home turn. Just take your medicine after a start like that.
The opposition chased hard but were no match for Pride of Jenni in the Champions Mile. Picture: Vince Caligiuri–Getty Images
He was luckless in the straight copping checks at the 400m and 200m before driving hard through the line. He may have made it interesting with clear air.
Not sure why he was running over 2000m again after not running it out in the Cox Plate. He was going well over a mile previously.
She was in trouble from the start when having to ease back last from the outside gate. Having to get moving early, she's peaked on her run a touch late and was entitled to.
FORGET
She was slow away in a jumpout prior to this race so was lucky to be at the races. Barred now until she shows she can jump in two consecutive trials, it's hard to see her getting back to the races any time soon and she certainly can't be trusted.
