3 minute read

Chris Scholtz reviews racing around Australia on February 24.

THE STARS

WRITTEN BY/GRAHAME BEGG: Outstanding Blue Diamond win by a top colt to put his former Sydney trainer back in the big league in Melbourne with a horse owned and bred by his Hall of Fame father Neville.

. becomes a GROUP 1 winner as Written By storms away to win the Stakes for ! pic.twitter.com/qyddtBm8a9

— Racing.com February 24, 2018

Blue Diamond Stakes

JORDAN CHILDS: A lot of love from punters for the 21-year-old son of former champion jock Greg Childs after his confident ride on Written By to land his first G1 win. The story behind his success is the hard work he had to put in to manage his weight.

SUNLIGHT/TONY McEVOY: While Written By was dominating the Blue Diamond this super filly was doing her thing at Rosehill, making it four straight in the Silver Slipper to consolidate her place at the top of the Golden Slipper markets. Tony McEvoy’s management of her preparation has been faultless.

A battle royale in the TAB Silver Slipper as the two outstanding fillies gap the rest but it's Sunlight who continues her winning run wearing down a game Estijaab in a brilliant prelude to the !@atc_races @racing_nsw pic.twitter.com/RKBhTTL5Mx

— Sky RacingFebruary 24, 2018

Silver Slipper Stakes

KEMENTARI: Showed his class to beat a very strong field of three-year-olds in the Hobartville Stakes. Looks every bit a topliner but the mile at Randwick will be a much bigger test for him in the Guineas.

He's a high quality colt! Kementari sits just in behind Trapeze Artist and lets down too well to win the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes in commanding fashion! pic.twitter.com/pMunhLdrUe

— Sky Racing February 24, 2018

Hobartville Stakes

RUSSIAN REVOLUTION/TEAM SNOWDEN: The expert training of the Snowdens came to the fore as this crack sprinter overcame the toughest run to fight off his rivals for a second G1 win in the Oakleigh Plate.

Russian Revolution claims a gripping edition of the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate. pic.twitter.com/qJ52DY0acV

— Racing.com February 24, 2018

Oakleigh Plate

DARREN WEIR: Takes his weekly place for his G1 quinella with Brave Smash and Tosen Stardom and a G2 win with Gailo Chop, a superb example of how he is getting the very best out of often difficult imports from Japan and Europe. Suspect his success with Tosen Stardom and Brave Smash will see a lot more stables looking for tried horses from Japan.

REDEMPTION. A smashing ride from sees Brave Smash secure Group 1 glory in the Futurity Stakes. pic.twitter.com/2Pcq0fpVTH

— Racing.com February 24, 2018

Futurity Stakes

LIAM HOWLEY: A fine start to his role as private trainer for Lloyd Williams with a quinella result from a new import Homesman and Melbourne Cup winner Almandin. A big autumn lies ahead but it seems the old rules still apply – the Williams family still do all the talking!

"From Belmont to Caulfield."

Homesman fends off for a Team Williams quinella in the opener. pic.twitter.com/P1ET6H4QhS

— Racing.com February 24, 2018

Homesman

DANIEL WILLIAMS: Rookie trainer has had only one horse go to the races for just nine starts and he lands a G2 win! And he’s now talking Australian Cup and ATC Derby for Valiant Spirit – enjoy the ride!

., you absolutely stole that! Valiant Spirit produces a spirited performance to hand local trainer his first city winner. pic.twitter.com/ZoUF5BC2cs

— Racing.com February 24, 2018

Valiant Spirit

BOUQUETS AND BRICKBATS

LEE MARGORRIAN: Resembled a pinball when he was jammed up between runners and desperate for a clear run on ALWARD over the last 200m in the second race at Rosehill. Probably wins with a clear crack.

The two favourites go to the finish to fight our Race 2 @rosehillgardens in front of the unlucky Alward but it's Cellarman who just keeps winning after a lovely ride. pic.twitter.com/N2uIQJAMj9

— Sky Racing February 24, 2018

Alward – Lee Margorrian

BLAKE SHINN: Timed it right to get the money on I AM EXCITED but you can bet he would like his rides on SHE KNOWS and NEUTRALITY over again. So would the punters who backed ESTIJAAB in the Silver Slipper after Shinn’s tactics on NEUTRALITY left her a sitting shot for SUNLIGHT.

DANNY WILLIAMS: Not to be confused with his Melbourne namesake, the top Goulburn trainer sent out nine runners in the Country Championship Qualifier on his home track including the odds on favourite and came home with the trifecta. The downside for punters was the favourite missing a place!

A race in two as Kopi Luwak & Pumpkin Pie fight it out in a thrilling sprint, but it was the yellow and black colours of Mitchell Bell reigning supreme as they head to the big dance in the Country Championship Finals! Well done !! pic.twitter.com/tr29BTLCWa

— Sky Racing February 24, 2018

Goulburn Qualifier

MARK ZAHRA: Some fine riding to land big Group wins at Caulfield on RUSSIAN REVOLUTION and GAILO CHOP.

MORE ENERGY/JESS TAYLOR: The blow out result of the day with Jess Taylor riding the rank outsider like a good thing to land the Parramatta Cup in the last stride. Only those smart enough to follow our Blackbook horses may have profited – I wasn’t one of them!

A blowout in the opening leg of the @rosehillgardens quaddie as More Energy puts the bob in to just nail Supply And Demand to win the Parramatta Cup for Jess Taylor and ! pic.twitter.com/jn312jkYFp

— Sky RacingFebruary 24, 2018

Parramatta Cup

CRAIG WILLIAMS: Another milestone for the leading rider with BRAVE SMASH giving the jock his 50th Group One win.

RIDE OF THE DAY

ANDREW ATKINS: Riders may have been under more pressure riding in the big Group races on the day but his never say die effort on Daysee Doom made the difference to a win or a loss for the mare in the Millie Fox Stakes. An important result for a young rider just three weeks after completing his apprenticeship.

A blanket finish for the mares in the Millie Fox but it;s Daysee Doom who sticks her neck out and wins the Group 2 for Andrew Adkins & .
What a thrilling race! pic.twitter.com/mU4mnp0Zgb

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 24, 2018

Millie Fox Stakes

QUOTE OF THE DAY

• "Words can't really describe it. Growing up and starting out all you want to do is be riding on the big days and win Group Ones. To win my first in the Blue Diamond, it's fantastic!” – a delighted Jordan Childs after winning the Blue Diamond Stakes.

: reflects on the biggest achievement of his career, the 2018 Stakes. pic.twitter.com/udLLF0dy1U

— Racing.com February 24, 2018

Jordan Childs

THEY SAID IT

• “He's a pretty special horse - we’ve known that for a while, but that was just super. He doesn't know how to lay down, that was emphatic." – Grahame Begg sums up his Blue Diamond winner Written By.

Welcome back to the Group 1 winner&39;s list, . pic.twitter.com/bGdT7ExMXX

— Racing.comFebruary 24, 2018

• "I think Russian Revolution is still improving. The older he's getting, the better he's getting, he's not a one-hit wonder. " – Paul Snowden on the Oakleigh Plate winner.

• "It was a dog fight over the last 100 metres and luckily we were just too strong. It's real pleasing that someone that's supported you throughout your career, you can win a Group One with them." – Russian Revolution’s rider Mark Zahra.

• “She has always shown she is tough. She’s a bit mad, but she’s one tough nut. The owners have been offered big money but she won’t be going anywhere in the near future.” – Daysee Doom’s trainer Ron Quinton.

"She's one tough nut, she never knows when she's beat"

Hear from an elated following Daysee Doom's brilliant first-up effort in the Millie Fox Stakes. pic.twitter.com/2YSUBQc5vD

— Sky RacingFebruary 24, 2018

Ron Quinton

• "He was dominant. He ran true, he ran straight and was strong." – Kementari’s rider Glyn Schofield.

• "My filly was out on her feet the last 100m but she has a great will to win. She is pretty push button. A very sensible filly….she has probably three lengths there of improvement." – Sunlight’s rider Tim Clark.

• “I think we learnt something about her today. She raced like a true professional, It was all class. There is still improvement to come which is why I have a big smile on my face.” – Sunlight’s assistant trainer Calvin McEvoy

"She raced like a true professional today" couldn't be happier as Sunlight wins the TAB Silver Slipper Stakes for the McEvoy Stable. Listen as he gives a rundown of the talented 2YOs future, including their plans for the Golden Slipper. pic.twitter.com/p7aHpsiHL8

— Sky Racing February 24, 2018

Calvin McEvoy

• “He’s a great horse with a great racing style. Just watching him, he really seemed to be enjoying that.” – Gailo Chop’s trainer Darren Weir.

• “It’s important that we get results with them because they are very well-bred horses. Both horses have now done it and while it’s a huge thrill, it’s also a huge relief as well." – Darren Weir’s review of his Futurity Stakes quinella.

• "He won cheekily, he won cute and he really gave me a great feel.” - Brave Smash’s rider Craig Williams.

"He was very dominant today. He won cheekily. He won cute." The sky&39;s the limit for BRAVE SMASH. pic.twitter.com/wPXteWs4i4

— Racing.com February 24, 2018

Craig Williams

THE SACK FILE

GALLIC CHIEFTAIN: Punters must have had enough of him.

SINGING: One of those soft imports who needs all the favours.

SIEGE OF QUEBEC: Cracked early. Felt the pressure from the top colts.

FLIPPANT: Time to think about the breeding barn for this mare.

BLACKBOOK

ALWARD: Luckless return. Good stayer.

SHE KNOWS: Game after a tough run. Plenty of scope for improvement.

D'ARGENTO: Big talent with a big show in the Guineas races.

MR SO AND SO: Strong effort from the back. Should stay.

PALAZZO VECCHIO: Top prospect for longer fillies races.

HUMIDOR: Will be ready for his Winx rematch when he gets to Sydney.