The Follow Files: Group 1 players impress in first-up runs
Group 1 racing headed to Caulfield on Saturday for the Memsie Stakes (1400m) and a number of quality horses resumed. We also saw some high-quality racing at Rosehill Gardens for San Domenico Stakes Day, so we are keen to add a few runners into our blackbook and follow them into the spring.
Caulfield | Track: Soft 6 (Soft 5 after R4) | Rail: True
Race 5: Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:11.09
- Horse to follow: TIJUANA (3rd)
We couldn’t believe the price of TIJUANA heading into the McNeil Stakes on Saturday, so we weren’t too surprised to see him run a place at $51, but we absolutely loved the way he finished off. The Ben & JD Hayes-trained three-year-old went into the race unbeaten from two starts, which also included a comfortable all-the-way win in the Listed ANZAC Day Stakes (1400m). He settled back near last on Saturday and worked home terrifically, suggesting he has come back even better than where he left off, finishing behind only Jacquinot and Aft Cabin.
When to bet: We would expect to see the camp step him out next in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on September 17 before going to the Caulfield Guineas (1600m), where he is a $15 hope with online bookmakers. Bet, bet, bet.
Jacquinot returns with a BANG@LaneDamian @MickPriceRacing pic.twitter.com/4drmLIBa3P
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 27, 2022
Race 8: Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) | Time: 1:24.38
- Horse to follow: DUAIS (10th)
Here’s a serious animal. DUAIS is already one of the nation’s best horses, and her run on Saturday in the Memsie Stakes was as good as you will see from a resuming stayer. After suffering a minor setback seven days earlier when forced out of the Winx Stakes (1400m), the Ed Cummings-trained mare hit back hard with a fast-finishing run in the 1400m contest. Clocking the quickest last 200m sectional of the race, the Melbourne Cup-bound mare is well and truly on her way to the first Tuesday in November.
When to bet: While the Melbourne Cup (3200m) will be Duais’ ultimate goal in the coming weeks, a race like the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) third-up at Flemington could be hers for the taking. Who’s to say she can’t win a Caulfield Cup (2400m) or a Cox Plate (2040m) along the way too?
How good was Snapdancer in the @mmsnippets Memsie Stakes on Saturday? And how about that perfectly rated ride from @Brown_ethan8?
Relive the moment @cmaherracing captured the first Group 1 of the Victorian Spring Carnival 🏆 pic.twitter.com/FuT7wkPSKW
— Melbourne Racing Club (@MelbRacingClub) August 30, 2022
Rosehill Gardens | Track: Soft 5 (Soft 6 after R2) | Rail: True
Race 8: Group 3 Up & Coming Stakes (1300m) | Time: 1:17.14
- Horse to follow: GOLDEN MILE (2nd)
We thought we might have got there on Saturday with our roughie tips in the Up & Coming Stakes, but Kibou was a touch too sharp for GOLDEN MILE. The James Cummings-trained galloper firmed from $51 at the start of the week into $16, and the money proved to be thereabouts as he charged into second. He had a couple of excuses, too, as he was forced back early and then ended up between horses and back on the fence in the worst part of the track, so to finish off the way he did was impressive.
When to bet: Whether or not this guy has the class to win a Golden Rose remains to be seen, but the Caulfield Guineas over 1600m could be right up this colt’s alley. Wherever he goes next, we want to be with him as he will only improve with race experience.
Kibou and @Reganbayliss turn the Up And Coming Stakes into a one horse race with a dominant all the way win in the Group 3 at Rosehill Gardens from Golden Mile with Basquiat in third. @tabcomau @GaiWaterhouse1 pic.twitter.com/OwehcIjtNN
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 27, 2022