3 minute read

While the weather was unkind and the heavy track difficult, we've seen some nice horses emerge.

On Saturday Jim Bolger saddled the quinella in the 2000 Guineas when Mac Swiney on 8/1 just pipped Poetic Flare for the top prize.  These two obviously loved the going while third placed Van Gogh may not have been at his happiest on it but nevertheless put in a gutsy run for third with Lucky Vega fourth.

On the same card Castle Star looked very promising to storm away and win by 2 lengths from Masseta and Strapped in the Marble Hill Stakes G3.  Cadamosto and Sangria were non-runners.

The Greenlands Stakes G2 went to the unheralded Gustavus Weston on 14/1 with Make A Challenge second and Sonaiyla third.

Sunday and the going was still soft to heavy with a thriller in the 1000 Guineas when there was a very tight finish for the stablemates Empress Josephine who just got the nose in front on the line from Joan of Arc.  No Speak Alexander was third.  Empress Josephine may head to the Coronation Stakes and Joan of Arc appropriately to the French Oaks.

Earlier the Gallinule Stakes went to the Johnny Murtagh trained Earlswood 11/2 with Ben Coen on board with Arturo Toscanini second and Snapraetorio third.

Another thrilling finish in the Gold Cup where Helvic Dream held on to get the win over Broome and True Self ran third.  Tiger Moth didn't fly – maybe needed the run or better ground but it was his first start since the Melbourne Cup.