Black Caviar won on this day two years ago Photo by Racing and Sports MORE SPRING RACING CARNIVAL FACTS
The countdown to the Spring Racing Carnival continues this Saturday at Moonee Valley with a trio of Listed races. Following are some facts about the feature events that may be of interest.
The Adapt Australia Crockett Stakes was won in 2009 by Black Caviar. It was her third racetrack appearance and she defeated four rivals by 3.8 lengths at odds of $1.20. (7) Sweet Ella and (11) Queen Of Roses are the two unbeaten fillies in this year's race.
The Essendon Nissan McKenzie Stakes has been a good Caulfield Guineas pointer of late. Anacheeva won it last year en route to Guineas success and the year prior Carrara won the McKenzie before finishing second to Starspangledbanner in the Guineas. (6) Anythingthatmoves is the only acceptor this year not entered for the Guineas.
Nine of the past ten McKenzie Stakes winners have been at single-figure odds. Mondano ($51 in 2006) was the blowout winner.
Stephen Baster is the most successful McKenzie Stakes jockey in the past decade, winning with Lago Delight (2003) and Mondano (2006). Baster is booked to ride third emergency, the Leon Corstens-trained debutant Zabeelionaire, this year.
Five of the last six McKenzie Stakes winners have been first-up from a spell and three of them – Danerich (2005), Carrara (2009) and Anacheeva (2010) – went on to win second-up.
The Printhouse Graphics Stakes carries Listed status for the first time in 2011. It was won last year by Stanzout.
