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Monday, 12 November 2007
CUP CARNIVAL WRAP UP
They came, they saw, they partied and the bookies made a truck load of money.
Derby Day kicked off the Melbourne Cup Carnival with splendid weather and a hot ten race card. Well backed favourite Marching was out stayed by Kibbutz to give trainer David Hayes his only feature race win of the big four days. Look out for the three year old next year he looks a likely type to follow in the foot steps of Efficient who completed the Derby Cup double this year.
Also on Derby day Bart Cummings, who turns 80 years old on Wednesday proved he still had the magic to train a thoroughbred when Sirmione won the Group 1 weight for age McKinnon Stakes at 88-1 and in doing so gained himself a runner in the Melbourne Cup. Bart trained a double on the day with Swick also winning.
Devine Madonna proved she is the best miler in Australia by winning the Group 1 Myer Classic. Her trainer Mark Kavanah was the standout of the carnival, also training big race winners Maldivian and Devil Moon.
And who could forget Weekend Hustler; the freak three year old's performances in the Caulfield Guinness at 1600 metres then after being freshened up for three weeks winning the 1200 metre Group 1 Coolmore.
The Melbourne Cup this year was once again a thrilling race after three late scratching's on race morning with the international raiders being favoured to beat cup favourite Master O'Rielly. As they straightened for home Mahler led Purple Moon and looked to kick clear before jockey Michael Rodd pulled Efficient to the outside, with an amazing burst of speed he made up eight lengths to claim Purple Moon on the line and win by a long neck. Congratulations and big thank you to the Lloyd Williams racing team, the Cup stays in Melbourne!
The tragedy of the carnival was on Melbourne Cup day, when Bay Story broke his hind leg and was later put down. His jockey Mark Zara hit the running rail and up rights and broke his scaphoid plus his tibula and fibula. He will spend the next three months on the side lines.
On Crown Oaks day a dream came true for trainer Pat Carey, when his three year old filly Arapaho Miss simply outstayed her rivals to give jockey Corey Brown his first major Group 1 in Melbourne. Pat has been in the game his whole life being in his mid forty's, it was refreshing to see him emotional after the race.
On the last day, the Emirate Stakes produced the fairytale of the carnival. Tears I Cry won the million dollar race at 101-1. For 26 year old Warrnambool trainer Ciaron Maher and gave female jockey Nikita Beriman her first Group 1. She also became the first female jockey to ride a Group 1 winner over the four day carnival.
Special mentions go to Vlad Duric for riding his first Group 1 winner aboard Bon Hoffa. It was also trainer Wendy Kelly's first Group one as well. Vlad didn't stop there- he also produced a superb ride aboard Master O'Rielly to claim the Caulfield Cup. Luke Nolen's ride on El Segundo was also a gem to win the Cox Plate and proved he was the best weight for age horse this spring.
Miss Andretti was absolutely brilliant in beating super sprinter Gold Edition twice in the clash of the carnival.
In finishing a massive congratulations goes to all the registered Victorians in racing who abided by the EI rules to allow the spring carnival to go ahead, after Sydney and Brisbane was shut down two months ago.
Finally, I hope you all did alright out of the Carnival, whether it be at the track or on the punt. The Carnival is one of the great dates on the calendar and so until next year, go you good thing!
Simon Marshall