MAGNIFLYING jumped cleanly from barrier 10, led and was not for catching. The son of Magnus has more wins in him if he can stay sound.
Unlike previous Saturday maidens, this race seemed to have more depth and there should be a few winners to come from it.
The winner, MAGNIFLYING, returned to the winners’ circle having quartered the outside of his off fore heel and lame in the same leg. Let’s hope he can recover quickly.
Race 2 - 1:29PM JULIAN SULLIVAN FAREWELL HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
Very fast filly UNDISCLOSED jumped well, led and won in fine all-the-way style, putting her last start disappointment behind her. This win brought up a double for Troy Turner.
THE GOOD
MANTIME made up good ground from back in the field, to run second, and will not be a maiden for much longer. ATACAMA SKY was brilliant after sitting three-wide, on the speed, and battled on well for third to only be beaten 1.25 lengths. 1000m is his go. After going back in the field, BELTER finished off well for fourth.
THE BAD
Front runner CODE VIOLATION wasn’t as fast away as he usually is and was used up early to get outside of the leader. He faded noticeably on turning.
FASTEST LAST 600M
MANTIME – 33.59
Race 3 - 2:09PM MUMM CHAMPAGNE HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
GALAXY STAR is simply a class above. The race didn’t go to plan after the mare was pocketed on straightening but William Pike barged out passing the 200m mark and put the race to bed. However, there was a sour point to come out of the race, Pike was found guilty of careless riding and suspended for 14 days.
THE GOOD
KEY TO FAME ground away well to the line for second, especially considering he copped a heavy bump from the winner. CARD KNIGHT is in for a great preparation after nice third in Saturday company. Keep an eye on him.
THE BAD
Pike getting suspended again is not ideal.
FASTEST LAST 600M
GALAXY STAR – 33.98
Race 4 - 2:49PM AUTUMN ASCOT RACING CARNIVAL HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
SEEKER looks to have put all of his soundness issues behind him after scoring impressively for the third time in as many races. The fact that he was on the one-week backup also has to be respected. The five-year-old is racing well for Lou Luciani and Kate Witten has not put a foot wrong when riding him.
THE GOOD
MARCHAND was brilliant fresh. He got the box seat run and stuck on well for second. Robert and Todd Harvey’s team is going very well. RECOILED set a hot speed and held on well for third. He should improve. MIGHTY BLONDE, back to 1000m, also ran a great race for fourth and a great fast late sectional.
THE BAD
JUST ACT NATURAL wasn’t his usual self and missed the start which ruled him out of contention from the very beginning. His last 600m was very good though.
FASTEST LAST 600M
SEEKER – 33.25
Race 5 - 3:25PM PRO RATA CLUB MEMBERSHIP HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
THE WINNER
POINT won with thanks to positive ride from William Pike. Pike settled the son of High Chaparral just off the speed and urged the gelding through a slight opening at the 200m mark. Out to 1600m was probably what he needed.
THE GOOD
After catching the eye last start, TANJIER ran another very good race, for fifth, after starting from barrier 15. There is no doubt that if he settled closer in the run, he would have been in the finish. Three-year-olds FONTAINEBLEAU and FRIARESQUE ran on powerfully against the older horses. TYCOON TARGET was heavily backed late and ran a great race for second.
THE BAD
SONNEN had another tough run in transit but let’s hope that those two efforts haven’t taken too much out of him.
FASTEST LAST 600M
TANJIER – 35.18
Race 6 - 4:00PM CYRIL FLOWER STAKES (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
The 2016 Belmont Guineas winner GREAT SHOT has returned with a bang. After looking like a spent force, at the 150m mark, he found again to nail Potent Secret and hold off Dream Lifter. Well done to young trainer Rhys Radford.
THE GOOD
POTENT SECRET ran another bold race out in front, for third, after crossing from barrier eight. DREAM LIFTER looked the winner at the 200m but could only manage second. And RED ORA got a bit further back than punters would have hoped and rattled home late for fourth.
THE BAD
DURENDAL seemed to have every possible chance in running from the good draw but failed to finish off under the sufferance of 59kg.
FASTEST LAST 600M
COMING BACK – 33.71
Race 7 - 4:35PM CHALLENGE STAKES (1500 METRES)
THE WINNER
PRECIOUS MEMORIES was well found as favourite and duly saluted for the punters to give Jerry Noske another Listed winner. The way that the Stratum filly knuckled down and got the job done to run down Gangbuster and Veuve De Vega suggested that she will win more races at this level.
THE GOOD
VEUVE DE VEGA stuck on gamely for second after leading. GANGBUSTER ran on very impressively again for third. And the least fancied cerise and white runner VERY TEMPTING ran on strongly for fourth to strengthen her Geraldton class two form lines.
THE BAD
GLIMMER GIRL was very keen in running and has a lot of learning to do. She will be a nice filly moving forward though.
FASTEST LAST 600M
GANGBUSTER – 34.47
Race 8 - 5:14PM STONE MOTHERLESS AFTER THE LAST HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
CORPORATE LARRIKIN led and was not for catching under 3kg apprentice Tayla Stone. The freewheeling gelding flowed out in front and could not be run down.
THE GOOD
MATERIAL MAN and INFATHUATED both went well first up from trainer Justin Warwick, finishing in third and fourth respectively. STEP RIGHT UP ran well but he has done this before where he runs well and then goes to Wednesday class and runs poorly. Treat warily.
THE BAD
Favourite MAJINIKA had every possible chance to run down the leader in the straight but couldn’t get there despite the weight advantage and receiving the run of the race.
FASTEST LAST 600M
ROYAL SUPREME – 34.22