3 minute read

It may have been seen as a well deserved win but Icebath also put her stamp on the $2 million The Invitation (1400m) with turn of foot we haven’t seen from her on a good track before.

Punter's Intelligence sectional data revealed the mare clocked 33.60 for her last 600m, over three lengths superior to the next best, and was the only horse to break 34 seconds.

She also posted the fastest last 800m (45.07) in a remarkable performance to round up a quality group of mares in a race that wasn't run as quickly as it may have appeared.

Compared to the other 1400m event on the day, the Filante Handicap, the first 800m in The Invitation was run in 47.87 which was 12 lengths slower than the open handicap (45.77).

Overall, the difference at the finish was six lengths as the mares sprinted home a bit quicker – and they were entitled to.

Behind Icebath, the second fastest last 600m came from Sweet Deal (34.16) who finished ninth. Madam Rouge (34.26) and Rocha Clock (34.28) were next best and Media Award ran a solid last 600m of 34.33 and she's set to back up in the $7.5m XXXX Golden Eagle (1500m) this weekend.

The Filante Handicap was won by Exoboom, who will also contest the Eagle if he gains a run, and he put behind him the fastest last 600m of the race of 34.14.

He made a sustained run off the back of a strong speed up front running 11.12 (800m-600m), 11.06 (600m-400m) and 11.12 (400m-200m), all quickest of the race, and he was just outside the race best final 200m running 11.96.

Our old friend Criaderas ran 11.93 for his last 200m as he made late ground into fifth place, his last 600m of 34.26 was second best.

Where Joe Pride sends two-year-old Shalatin next will be of interest after his very promising debut in the Kirkham Plate (1000m).

The colt was a bit slow to get going (14.14 for his first 200m) but he stretched out very nicely, despite being a little green, to run 33.23 for his last 600m (1-1/2 lengths faster than the next best) and 11.31 for his last 200m which was two lengths faster.

There were five Godolphin youngsters in that race and the one to keep an eye out for might be Rakomelo, who ran seventh and clocked 33.49 for his last 600m.

Quantico is relishing racing on dry tracks and continued his charge through the grades with a dominant win in the Southern Cross Group Handicap (1200m) and there's no reason he can't keep it going.

His last 600m of 33.07 was easily the race's best, by almost four lengths, as well as the meeting's best and his last 200m was just under two lengths quicker than the field.

So long as he strikes more dry tracks he can win again.

A trio of handy three-year-olds filled the placings in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) and all can be followed both short and long term.

Mazu clocked 33.64 for his last 600m, just shy of runner-up Battleton's race best 33.61, while Able Willie ran 33.74 after a wide run that started when he ran the fastest 800m-600m (10.78).

Fastest last 600m: Quantico 33.07