Spring Racing Review: Camelot falls on massive Guineas Day

ARCADIA QUEEN
Arcadia Queen upset boom galloper Russian Camelot to win the Caulfield Stakes.

Five Group 1 races were run and won around the country on a massive Saturday of horse racing action. Ole Kirk and Montefilia made it back-to-back Group 1 wins, Odeum justified her late market support, Mr. Quickie returned to the winner’s stall in the Toorak Handicap, and favourite backers were left with egg on their faces Russian Camelot was beaten by Arcadia Queen in the Caulfield Stakes. We look back on the big winners of the weekend and try to find you some good things for the future.

Ole Kirk doubles up with Caulfield Guineas win

Ole Kirk completed the Golden Rose/Caulfield Guineas double thanks to a brilliant ride by the Wizard of the West, William Pike. After settling midfield, Pike brought the colt to the middle of the track and finished off very well to beat home Aysar and Grandslam. Crosshaven was game once again in fourth. There doesn’t look to be a great deal to take out of the race given that this was the grand final for a lot of these three-year-olds, but we liked the way Aysar knuckled down, as too did Lunar Fox. The former is likely to go to a Cox Plate, while the latter is a likely VRC Derby runner.

Odeum dominates in Thousand Guineas

Michael Walker was bullish during the week about Odeum’s chances, and those thoughts were justified when she won the Thousand Guineas in dominant fashion. After box seating, Walker hugged the rails and shot clear in the straight as they proved too good for Personal and Instant Celebrity. Agreeable made the most ground late to run fifth, but she does that every race start after getting too far back. She’ll win one eventually.

Arcadia Queen springs huge upset in Caulfield Stakes

It was a massive upset in the Caulfield Stakes as Arcadia Queen was too good for the odds-on favourite, Russian Camelot. After over-racing a touch a long the back, Russian Camelot was left a sitting duck in the straight when William Pike popped of his back on Arcadia Queen and pulled away late. The now dual Group 1 winner hadn’t tasted victory for over 12 months, but she clearly appreciated the rise in trip to 2000m. You or I could run faster than the rest of them.

Favourite punters, look away now:

Mr Quickie ends drought with Toorak Handicap win

Mr Quickie hadn’t won since the Queensland Derby last year, but he returned to the winner’s circle with a dominant 2L victory in the Toorak Handicap. He carried the top weight under Jamie Kah and stormed away from Buffalo River. It’s likely we will see the pair fight it out again in the Cantala Stakes on Derby Day, where they’ll be hard to beat again.

Montefilia fires again in Spring Champion Stakes

Montefilia made it two Group 1 wins in seven days when she won the Spring Champion Stakes, beating Lion’s Roar and Bucharest. The heavily backed filly settled on the inside from barrier one under Jason Collett, bustled her way clear in the straight and was too strong late. Lion’s Roar was very tough in defeat, losing by just 0.8L, but gapped third.

Flit takes out Silver Eagle at Randwick

A key lead-up race was run and won in Sydney as Godolphin mare Flit outshone the likes of Alligator Blood, Dawn Passage and Subpoenaed in the Silver Eagle at Randwick. After nearly falling at the start, Alligator Blood settled a touch further back than anticipated and had to cart the field up, which suited the winner Flit down to the ground. Dawn Passage was very good from last.

Big week looms in 2020 Spring Racing Carnival

Now that we are smack-bang in the middle of the carnival, a lot of horses are running in their grand finals. Thus, in our opinion, there isn’t a great deal to take out of the weekend just gone. Next Saturday will be a big indicator for the Melbourne Cup when we see the running of the 2400m Caulfield Cup and get our first looks at a number of imports, including top weight Anthony Van Dyck.

Best futures bets for Spring Racing Carnival 2020

VRC OaksMontefilia $4 with Sportsbet
Golden EagleAlligator Blood $4.50 with Sportsbet

Horses to add to your black book

  • Alligator Blood
  • Aysar
  • Dawn Passage
  • Instant Celebrity
  • Lion’s Roar
  • Lunar Fox
  • Montefilia
  • Personal

Topics: Alligator Blood, Caulfield Guineas, Caulfield Stakes, featured, Montefilia, Silver Eagle, Spring Champion Stakes, Spring Racing Carnival, The Thousand Guineas, Toorak Handicap

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