The Might And Power Stakes promised to be one of the races of the year and it didn't disappoint with Anamoe scoring a narrow but decisive victory while the ‘blue army' was dominant landing four races including two Group 1s.
It was certainly a task to sift through so many good performances in landing on five to follow but there were also plenty to be forgiving of.
MIGHT AND POWER STAKES TRIFECTA (Race 7)
Would not surprise to see Anamoe, I'm Thunderstruck and Zaaki be first past the post in the $5m W.S Cox Plate at The Valley on October 22, in the same or similar order. Anamoe was brilliant winning on Saturday, while I'm Thunderstruck showed great courage to match motors with Australia's weight-for-age benchmarks. Zaaki will be cherry ripe for the greatest two minutes in sport. Less than half a length separated the big three.
Bring on Saturday's Caulfield Cup, the culmination of a meticulous 12-month plan. Gets in with 54.5kg in the $5m spring major and trained to the minute to peak at 2400m. Carried 59kg in the Might And Power on Saturday when seventh of eight but only half a length separated the five horses outside of the big three trifecta. Nonconformist was beaten a blister in the corresponding race last year and backed up the following Saturday to beat all but Incentivise in the Caulfield Cup. Handled like a proper stayer this time around he looks a definite top-three chance in his grand final.
Last on the turn, spotting the leader the best part of eight lengths but finished like a train to get within ¾ of a length from impressive winner Tuvalu on a tough day to make ground from the back. Is paid up to third acceptances for the Cox Plate but probably needed to win the Group 1 Toorak Handicap to get past the Moonee Valley Racing Club committee deliberations. The $3m Champions Mile at Flemington on November 5 looks a nice fallback option.
Where to next is the question. On the cusp of making the Caulfield Cup but failing that, a race like the Geelong Cup looks ideal for the talented import. Powered to the line in a race not necessarily conducive to backmarkers as the field went moderately for the first 2000m and sprinted home from the turn. The lightly-raced stayer is building a nice profile, with six wins and five placings from 17 starts.
Should take a power of beating in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley in a fortnight. Classy sprinter, who placed three times in Group 1s last preparation, showed great tenacity to slice between Zoustyle and Queen Of The Ball late in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes without losing too much momentum. Once clear sprinted cleanly to put a margin on fast-finishing stablemate Ingratiating.
Berkeley Square on the way to the barriers prior to the Caulfield Guineas. Picture: Racing Photos
Not a lot went right and still finished fourth in a Group 1. Slow out of the machine and raced keenly in the early stages. Within striking distance in the straight but found himself behind a wall of horses at the critical stage. Looks to be screaming out for 2000m and beyond.
Forget she went around. Held up from the 300m to the 150m and still forced to race in restricted room between eventual winner Literary Magnate and Chassis. Got some clear air with 50m to run but went to the line untested, yet only beaten two lengths. Usually takes a couple of runs to find her rhythm but a nice return overall. Keen to back her when she gets to Flemington.
Widest of 15 out of the barriers and no option but to go back and take his medicine. Charged late but too much ground to make up at the finish. Will be popular next start, especially if he draws a marble.
Jumped awkwardly and forced to settle middle on the rail. Got mobile late but raced in restricted room the whole way down the straight and barely asked for an effort. Open to sharp improvement with clear running next start.
Dean Yendall after winning aboard Literary Magnate. Picture: Picture: Racing Photos
"It's been worthwhile getting back … pretty gut wrenching (time out of saddle), not so much the way it happened but for my family and ‘what if' it happens again if I fall off. That's always at the back of my mind. I had to brush that off, say toughen up, and what else are you going to do? There's nothing else in life after riding. I don't want to be a horse trainer and I think the golf is out the door. I was probably dreaming on that one … it is back to horse riding and I actually love it this time around." Jockey Dean Yendall after his first Saturday metropolitan winner back from injury.
"They saddle up perfect, present perfect and they savage the line like they're the underdogs and that's the way they should." Trainer James Cummings rapt about Group 1 superstar Anamoe and Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile.
"We won't dodge that he (Anamoe) has to go to another level, but at least we know he's going to be there when the whips are cracking and if push comes to shove, he'll find a bit." Champion jockey James McDonald cannot wait to ride Anamoe in the Cox Plate.
"Super run. Got beaten by an outstanding colt but a great run, no excuses." Jockey Blake Shinn after Elliptical ran second in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.
King's Gambit cruised to victory in the Debutant Stakes with Blake Shinn aboard. Picture: Racing Photos
PAUL'S REGRET (Race 10) will appreciate getting over further ground after rattling off the fastest last 400m (22.73sec) and 200m (11.52sec) sectionals of the entire meeting at Caulfield last Saturday.
MO'UNGA (Race 7) faced an impossible task coming from last in the Might And Power running off a moderate early tempo and yet he reeled off a slick 11.75sec last 200m sectional, third quickest on the day. Much better suited at The Valley next start with the Cox Plate a virtual 2040m sprint.
SHERAZ and GRAND PROMENADE (Race 10) put in nice Cup trials, coming home the last 200m in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) in 12.01sec and 12.05sec respectively.
They finished fifth and ninth of 15 but in comparison, Herbert Power winner SARACEN KNIGHT and runner-up MAKRAM closed out the 2400m feature with 12.14sec and 12.05 last 200m sectionals. More ground and bigger track a bonus for Sheraz and Grand Promenade.
KING'S GAMBIT (Race 1) was just as impressive on the clock as he was to the eye.
The debutant had the second fastest last 800m (45.05sec) on Saturday, bettered only by Ingratiating (44.74sec, Group 2 Schillaci Stakes), and third quickest last 600m (34.29sec) and 400m (22.98sec).
Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott before the Alligator Blood stepped out in the Might And Power. Picture: Racing Photos
Stewards concluded an inquiry into Alligator Blood being presented at Sandown last month ahead of the Group 1 Underwood Stakes, which he won, with a skin condition that had not been reported.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott said the gelding improved significantly with further treatment and conceded in hindsight the condition should have been relayed to Stewards in the week of the Underwood.
Bott pleaded guilty to the misdemeanour and was fined $1000.
Jockey Craig Newitt will sit out the week after a seven-meeting suspension out of last Friday night's Pinker Pinker Plate at Cranbourne.
Newitt is free to ride in the Caulfield Cup meeting Saturday, with his ban expiring midnight on Friday.
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