Melbourne Cup Carnival Flemington evaluate

The spring carnival got here to a dramatic shut at Flemington on Saturday with three sizzling favourites rolled within the Group 1 races however the occasions of the day did little to decrease the world class racing we obtained to take pleasure in over the whole thing of the previous week.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

(Blue chip)

IN SECRET (1st, Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes)

Probably the most dominant winner of the carnival and can’t wait to see her again on the racetrack. Massive, robust and lightning quick.

In Secret ridden by James McDonald wins the Coolmore Stud Stakes. Image: Morgan Hancock–Racing Pictures by way of Getty Photographs

GOLD TRIP (1st, Group 1 Melbourne Cup)

Clearly on the prime of his sport and can proceed to ship within the Sydney autumn. Took some time to snare second profession win however extra success simply across the nook.

ALLIGATOR BLOOD (1st, Group 1 Champions Mile)

Trademark robust and tenacious winner. Leads, kicks, wins.

SHE’S EXTREME (1st, Group 1 VRC Oaks)

Might she be again subsequent 12 months on the primary Tuesday in November? Secured all-important second Group 1 success and dealt with Flemington with aplomb.

She’s Excessive ridden by Tommy Berry returns to scale after successful the Kennedy Oaks. Image: Jay City–Racing Pictures by way of Getty Photographs

SMOKIN’ ROMANS (seventh, Group 1 Melbourne Cup)

The actual fact Ciaron Maher is most trying ahead to getting Smokin’ Romans again to Flemington subsequent 12 months is an effective sufficient cause.

ROCH ‘N’ HORSE (1st, Group 1 Champions Dash)

Beat all of them honest and sq. final Saturday, together with the champion Nature Strip. Will get the possibility to go back-to-back within the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap subsequent autumn.

TUVALU (2nd, Group 1 Champions Mile)

Nowhere to cover with 59kg within the weight-for-age Champions Mile and put in a trademark blinder, crushed half a size by arguably the perfect specialist miler within the nation, Alligator Blood.

Honourable mentions: ZAAKI (1st, Group 1 Champions Stakes), MO’UNGA (2nd, Champions Stakes), MR BRIGHTSIDE (third, Group 1 Champions Mile), EMISSARY (2nd, Group 1 Melbourne Cup)

Tuvalu and Mr Brightside fill the placings behind Alligator Blood within the Kennedy Champions Mile. Image: Scott Barbour–Racing Pictures by way of Getty Photographs

HORSES TO FOLLOW

(Speculative)

SOULCOMBE (1st, Group 3 Queen’s Cup)

Would be the most talked about stayer within the nation for the subsequent 12 months. Class above final Saturday however should proceed to enhance.

LOFTY STRIKE (seventh, Group 1 Champions Dash and 4th, Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes)

Overwhelmed a size within the Champions Dash and arguably on the inferior floor nearer to the rail. Convey on the Group 1 Lightning Stakes and Newmarket Handicap subsequent 12 months.

C’EST MAGIQUE (2nd, Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes)

Could possibly be something subsequent preparation the thrilling half-sister to Blue Diamond-winner-turned-Widden stallion Written By.

WHITE MARLIN (1st, Benchmark 96)

Can’t do greater than be five-from-five however wants to fireside within the autumn to stamp Cup credentials.

Tim Clark returns to the mounting yard on White Marlin after successful the The Macca’s Run at Flemington. Image: Brett Holburt–Racing Pictures by way of Getty Photographs

PAVITRA (2nd, Group 1 VRC Oaks and 2nd, Group 2 Wakeful Stakes)

Took a correct Group 1 winner to beat the big-striding filly within the VRC Oaks however her time will come.

SHARP ‘N’ SMART (2nd, Victoria Derby)

Did every thing however win the Derby. Must be proper within the thick of the Guineas and Derby motion subsequent autumn in Melbourne and Sydney.

Particular point out: HEZASHOCKA (third, Group 1 Champions Stakes), QUEEN AIR (third, Group 1 VRC Oaks and 4th Group 2 Wakeful Stakes), AS TIME GOES BY (fifth, VRC Oaks and third Group 2, Wakeful Stakes), BUENOS NOCHES (third Coolmore Stud Stakes), CHARM STONE (1st, Group 3 Ottawa Stakes), ATISHU (1st Group 2 Matriarch Stakes), STEINEM (2nd, Group 2 Matriarch Stakes)

Allure Stone ridden by Damian Lane wins the Darley Ottawa Stakes. Image: George Sal–Racing Pictures by way of Getty Photographs

FORGIVE

ANAMOE (4th, Group 1 Champions Stakes)

The most effective horse in Australian is not a bike and that’s OK. Given each likelihood within the Champions Stakes however finally ran out of petrol tickets. Put up-race inspection revealed a gradual restoration.

I’M THUNDERSTRUCK (fifth, Group 1 Champions Stakes)

Gallant on the finish of an extended preparation. Ought to solely be stronger within the autumn and subsequent season, with the Cox Plate entrance of thoughts once more.

NATURE STRIP (2nd, Group 1 Champions Dash)

By no means low cost a champion. He discovered Roch ‘N’ Horse too slick final Saturday – not for need of attempting to struggle again after being headed. Will take pleasure in a break now and get his likelihood at redemption subsequent 12 months.

WITHOUT A FIGHT (thirteenth, Group 1 Melbourne Cup)

Fancied within the Melbourne Cup however monitor situations diminished his possibilities. Eager to see the Anthony and Sam Freedman acquisition carry out on prime of the bottom.

PRIVATE EYE (seventh, Group 1 Champions Mile)

Unplaced as short-priced favorite however pulled up lame within the left hind.

Personal Eye had excuses within the Kennedy Champions Mile. Image: George Sal–Racing Pictures by way of Getty Photographs

BY THE NUMBERS

498 horses competed in 37 races at Flemington, for a mean discipline measurement of 13.4 runners

$34m prizemoney paid

23 trainers shared within the spoils

20 jockeys gained races throughout the 4 days

Ron Hutchinson Award: Main rider James McDonald, eight winners

JB Cummings Award – main coach: Chris Waller, 5 winners

Craig Williams with JB Cummings Award winner Chris Waller after Soulcombe gained the Queen’s Cup. Image: Brett Holburt–Racing Pictures by way of Getty Photographs

TRACK TALK

“It did not damage him that he was underneath a little bit of stress as a result of he thrives off it. He actually put in, he did what he likes doing greatest and that is rolling alongside. We noticed the celebrity horse that is Zaaki.” Jamie Kah after successful the Champions Stakes aboard Zaaki.

“Tremendous run. He’ll win the (Tancred Stakes) or one thing huge in Sydney, it simply hasn’t fairly come collectively for us, I believed it was going to return collectively in the present day however it did not fairly.” Jockey Nash Rawiller on Champions Stakes runner-up Mo’unga.

“The horse I used to be following did not fairly take him far sufficient. If it had taken him one other 100 metres, I believe he is in it and it is a utterly totally different outcome. He is a Group 1 horse for certain.” Jockey Craig Newitt after being unplaced within the Champions Dash on Lofty Strike.

“I used to be solely saying to my spouse in the course of the week, I’ve ridden a whole lot of good colts and geldings, I’ve ridden a whole lot of fillies and good sprinting fillies however I’ve all the time admired Hugh Bowman and successful Oaks on good fillies.” Jockey Tommy Berry on the importance of successful a primary VRC Oaks on She’s Excessive.

“It is only a nice honour to be working with these horses and dealing for Ciaron and it is not misplaced on me what a privilege it’s … many of the workers are right here and it is an incredible crew effort. Truthfully, the farrier has carried out a miracle with this horse. It is fairly surreal for the time being.” Coach David Eustace after Gold Journey delivered him and Ciaron Maher a primary Melbourne Cup.

“She’s most likely going to be The Everest favorite for subsequent 12 months.” Coach James Cummings on Coolmore winner In Secret.

“In the event you stated to me earlier than this spring that I might have two main Group 1s arising, I might most likely giggle. It’s fairly surreal and hopefully it may well proceed.” Jockey Michael Dee using the Group 1 wave after successful the Caulfield Cup and Victoria Derby.

STEWARDS SAY

(Suspensions)

Patrick Moloney (careless using) 15 conferences November 3-16 and $15,000 effective

Jamie Kah (careless using x 2 from Racing NSW) 13 days November 6-18

Blake Shinn (careless using) 11 conferences November 3-11

Nash Rawiller (careless using) 9 conferences November 12-20

Jarrod Fry (whip) 9 conferences November 6-14 and $15,000 effective

Chad Schofield (careless using) 9 conferences November 1-10

Damien Thornton (careless using) eight conferences November 9-16

James McDonald (careless using) eight conferences November 5-12

Daniel Moor (whip) seven conferences November 4-11 and $2000 effective

Damian Lane (whip) seven conferences November 3-9