GROUP 1 Reviews

Gp1 Racing Reviews:

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Another huge weekend racing been and gone. Heres how we saw the big group 1's on the weekend / who to watch moving forward.

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CHAMPAGNE STAKES - RANDWICK - 1600M - HEAVY 8

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Winner: She's Extreme
 

Race Review: Given the distinct rails in run advantage and the slow tempo, they handed this race to She’s Extreme on a platter. She jumped well and Berry pushed forward from the gate to gain an uncontested lead. He walked to the 600m mark and ramped the race up at the perfect time, which made it impossible for anything to run her down.

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Fireburn has been huge in defeat, recording the best last 800, 600 and 400m of the entire meeting. If there was more speed in the race, she would’ve absolutely walked in. These 2 again cleared out from the rest of the field, clearly demonstrating the stranglehold they have over the other 2 year olds in the country.

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Key Runners:

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She’s Extreme: Berry was critical of his own ride last start in the Sires stating that he felt he didn’t ramp the speed up early enough; he certainly made amends for that mistake here. He was able to get away with daylight robbery out in front, absolutely crawling to the 600m, however the winning move was taking off from here making it nearly impossible for anything back in the field to run past. A super ride and a huge preparation from She’s Extreme. She will certainly be a horse to watch in the Spring.

Fireburn: Think she clearly stamped herself as the best 2YO in the country. As stated above, the splits she was able to rattle off here and only go down narrowly was almighty impressive. If there was an ounce of speed early, I think she bolts in here. Unfortunately, nobody wanted to challenge She’s Extreme out in front which made it impossible for Fireburn to run her down. Supposedly, is going to have a quiet Spring Carnival and we will see her back for the Autumn in likely the Surround/Flight Stakes races. Exciting horse moving forward.

Not much to say about the rest, there was daylight between 2nd and the rest of the field.

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ALL AGED STAKES - RANDWICK - 1400M - HEAVY 8

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Winner: Cascadian 

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Race Overview: With the pattern of the day clearly evident, there was a frantic dash for the lead early on in this race with Overpass kicking up from 3, Ellsberg springing the gates and In The Congo eager to control the race. Clark had to scrub In The Congo’s ears off the first 200m to get across and this certainly told late. Tofane, in her final race start, pushed forward and was trapped 3 wide the entire race. She was enormous, being left in front with 250m left, she can certainly head to the breeding barn on a high note.

The eventual winner of the race, Cascadian, missed the start by a length and you certainly didn’t want to be on him during the early stages of the race. However, the master, James McDonald, didn’t panic and was able to ease him off the fence at the 300m and he absolutely let rip storming over Tofane to win the race. A well deserved Group 1 win for Cascadian who has been competitive in some of our best races in Australia.

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Key Runners:

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Cascadian: He’s as honest as the day is long and what a huge preparation this horse has had. Kicked off over 1400m in the CF Orr stakes back in February, has been to 2000m in the Aus Cup and then had his previous 2 starts over 1600m in the All Star Mile and Doncaster. Comes back to 1400m here, relishes the fast tempo and storms over them late to claim the Group 1 victory. He had the perfect run up the fence and was aided by a  superb ride from James McDonald. What a preparation.

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Forbidden Love: Looked like the run of a horse who has come to the end of her preparation, and what a preparation it has been. 2 Group 1 WFA wins and a 4th in the Doncaster. She rolled forward again here and was being cuddled on the corner, however weakened out the last 200m. Expect her to head to the paddock after this run.

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In The Congo: Think it’s safe to say at the top level In The Congo needs a dry deck to perform at his best. Had to work a bit to get to the top here, but was able to control the race how he likes it. When the pressure went on it looked like his wheels were spinning. He might head to Queensland for the Doomben 10,000 and will be praying for dry ground.

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Mo’unga: Another horse who is certainly looking for dry ground. Had 7 weeks between runs, and the wheels looked to be turning when the pressure went on. Still sick he didn’t run in the Ryder where I think he was set to peak over 1500m. A bit of a wasted prep now, not sure if they press onto QLD or put him in the paddock for the Spring.

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Tofane: Would be remiss of me not to quickly mention Tofane. Ran the race of her life in her swan song, sitting 3 wide on speed and only being nabbed late by Cascadian who had a much, much softer run. The two leaders capitulated and she was left in front a long way from home. A super run from a multiple Group 1 winning mare.

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King 🙏🏼

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