3 minute read

Chris Scholtz reviews racing around Australia on March 11.

THE STARS

TIM MARTIN: Coolmore Classic win was great result for a popular trainer who has battled back from some hard times.

REGAN BAYLISS: Always great to see a young rider crack it for their first Group One win.

REDKIRK WARRIOR: Forget the track bias – this was some Newmarket win.

WILLIAM BUICK: Perfect start to his stint with Godolphin in Sydney.

LINDA MEECH: Fine reward for a hard working rider.

QUOTES OF THE DAY

“I've always thought she was a Group One horse. She's the reason I didn't give training away - because of her." “- Tim Martin thanks his Coolmore Classic winner Heavens Above.

“This is all I've dreamed of. I don't care about anything but horse racing.” Regan Bayliss after his Newmarket win on Redkirk Warrior.

“I told anyone who cared to listen he's probably the best horse in our stable and I think he proved that today.” David Hayes on Redkirk Warrior.

"She rides bigger and stronger than she looks. It's not often you get to ride the best horse in the world, she’s got that aura about her.” Kerrin McEvoy after riding Winx in an exhibition gallop at Rosehill.

“I hoped Kerrin wasn't in the same amount of panic as I was at the turn,” stable manager Charles Duckworth after watching Kerrin MCEvoy’s troubled ride on Foxplay in the Phar Lap Stakes.

"I think She Will Reign is pretty superior but if things go wrong in the Slipper, as they can do, I've got a plan B." Gary Portelli after Single Bullet joined stablemate She Will Reign in the Golden Slipper.

SIN BIN

TERRAVISTA: Was this the same horse who won the Lightning? Terrible!

DOTHRAKI: This was his chance. Another costly loss at the hands of a stablemate.

TOM MELBOURNE: Connections might think otherwise but he’s not a Group One horse.

LARRY CASSIDY: Among plenty of hard luck runs at Doomben none worse than Can’tbuybetter. It riled the social media fanatics.

RIDES OF THE DAY

SHAYNE CAHILL: Terrific judgement to ride the rail on Royal Request at Morphettville.

DEAN YENDALL: Lifted I Am A Star to the line.

DAMIEN LANE: Had a lot against him from the back on Humidor but got the job done.

JOAO MOREIRA: Lost some fans with his ride on Hursley but there was quick redemption on Circular, his first ever win for Godolphin!.

TALKING POINTS

FLEMINGTON: How much longer can the industry tolerate unfair racing on such a great racecourse. More licensed people should speak up and be damned with the consequences!

GOLDEN SLIPPER: Is the Sydney form up to it this year? The Blue Diamond looks the benchmark after Tulip’s Rosehill win and how can you question Houtzen’s Queensland credentials?

MONEY TALKS

I AM STAR: Big punters were all over her at the short odds.

FOXPLAY: She was the go of the day at short odds in Sydney. Heart in the mouth stuff but her class came through.

CIRCULAR ($5 to $3.50): The Magic Man’s fans buttered up. The ride won the day.

ROCKET TOMMY ($7 to $3.80): Black finish for the bookies at Flemington. They’re calling this flying grey the Echuca Bazooka!

IN THE BAG

KEN’S DREAM ($7 to $4): Money never stopped from when the markets went up.

DOTHRAKI ($2.90 to $2.30); Many will say never again.

ESHTIRAAK ($3.20 to $2.30): Lindsay Park followers got burnt.

LIMBO SOUL: ($3.50 to $2.90): Big plunge winner on debut but they left it in this time.

EXTREME CHOICE ($5.50 to $4): Surprising to see such a big go in an open Newmarket.

DUCIMUS ($3.40 to $1.90): They backed the Melbourne form. Just failed to bring it off on Sydney debut.

ANTONIO GIUSEPPE: No excuses at the short odds

BLACKBOOK

IKENEDNA: Big finish against the on pace bias.

SWEET SHERRY: Terrific first-up effort under big weight on wrong side of the straight track.

TIVACI: Hard to miss his surging Newmarket fifth. Big talent.

MEMENTO: Promising filly has wins in store.

NEW TIPPERARY: A real trier. There’s a good race in him.