3 minute read

A look at some of the action at Caulfield on Saturday.

Sassy goes Boom in Angus Armanasco 

For the second week in a row, the Danny O'Brien stable has collected one of the early autumn three-year-old fillies Stakes races. 

Last week it was Grinzinger Belle who took out the Group 3 The Vanity (1400m) at Flemington while on Saturday it was the turn of Sassy Boom in the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m). 

Sassy Boom was jumping from victory in a benchmark 64 grade race at Sale to her win at Stakes level, but the filly had displayed ability to O'Brien in her trackwork. 

"She filled us with confidence last time when she won effortlessly," O'Brien said. 

"It was really a barrier trial style of run. 

"She's a filly we just couldn't get going in the Spring, so we only gave her the one run, but we've always had a good opinion of her. 

"She had a very easy week, presented in great order again today, and once again got a good map and a good ride and it was a very painless watch." 

O'Brien said Sassy Boom and Grinzinger Belle are likely to meet in the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on March 9. 

"It's the logical race for them both at Flemington," O'Brien said. 

Straight to Stakes success for Raikoke 

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr  stable had no hesitation in taking Raikoke straight from a maiden debut win to success in a Stakes race. 

Raikoke led throughout to claim the Group 3 Zeditave Stakes (1200m) in the style of a gelding that has more wins in store. 

Kent Jnr said Raikoke's career had been delayed due to a gelding operation after the now three-year-old had trialled poorly in his second outing in the lead up to his debut. 

"As soon as he won that debut, we said straight to the Zeditave Stakes," Kent Jnr said. 

"So, for any horse to do that at their second start, it's impressive. 

"It's a great result, as we took our time, but it might be the making of him." 

Kent Jnr said beyond Saturday's success, no plans have been put in place for Raikoke. 

Immediacy claims Autumn Classic 

Immediacy is set to continue his autumn campaign in Sydney after registering an impressive win and remaining unbeaten after three starts. 

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained three-year-old raced to a commanding victory in the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) after registering wins at Cranbourne and Sandown in his first two starts. 

Busuttin said the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on March 23 was the likely next step for Immediacy, rather than a drop in trip for the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) on March 9. 

The Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 6 is the target for Busuttin and Young. 

"Maybe the Randwick Guineas to give him a spin around, but probably not," Busuttin said. 

"He was five weeks between runs today, so four weeks into the Rosehill Guineas and then another two weeks into the Derby." 

A son of Tarzino, Immediacy was a $200,000 purchase as a New Zealand Ready To Run to horse. 

Busuttin said he purchased two horses from that sale last year with Immediacy being undefeated in three runs while Interlinked , a $100,000 purchase, is a two-time winner from five starts and headed back across the Tasman to be set for the New Zealand Derby. 

Campionessa lands Peter Young Stakes 

New Zealand mare Campionessa showed no signs of jetlag when taking out the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m). 

The Mark Walker-trained mare arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday night before heading to the weight-for-age contest on Saturday when she held off two Melbourne Cup winners Vow And Declare and Gold Trip. 

Walker said the performance was full of merit as Campionessa had been mixing her distances in the lead up to Saturday's success. 

While Campionessa is a Group 1 winner in New Zealand, Walker would like to add an Australian Group 1 victory to her record, although he is loath to confirm plans for the mare. 

The Group 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley and the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick could be on the agenda. 

"My gut feeling is don't ever make decisions on race day, but my gut feel is we'll probably come back to a mile, for the Sunline Stakes at Moonee Valley," Walker said. 

"There's also a Group 1 in Sydney called the Queen Of The Turf Stakes, so that's my gut feeling after today." 

Revolutionary Miss goes back-to-back 

A week after landing a Stakes race at Flemington, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Revolutionary Miss again took the honours with a solid on-pace win on Saturday. 

Revolutionary Miss held off Forbidden City to score in the Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m) at Flemington last week, but it was a lot easier victory in the Mannerism Stakes (1400m) on Saturday after Michael Dee had the mare following the early pace set by Wrote To Arataki. 

The victory provided Dee with a double for the day having earlier scored aboard Campionessa in the Peter Young Stakes and helped ease the pain of a narrow defeat in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) aboard Hypothetical. 

With more than $1.5 million banked from her 23 starts that has netted six wins and six minor placings, Peter Snowden said the mare now deserves a shot at Group 1 glory. 

The Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on March 16 is likely to be the mare's next assignment. 

"She deserves a crack at a decent race now," Snowden said. 

"She's earnt the right to be there, her ratings are up nice and high, and she'll be competitive. 

"If she gets a good draw, she can race on speed, and she's learnt to tough races out well now." 

Melbourne Cup dream with Dunkel 

Planning for the Melbourne Cup is on in earnest for the connections of Dunkel who registered his eighth win from 11 starts in the Vale Very Elleegant (2000m). 

Last year's Tasmanian Derby winner, has been set for the Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington on March 30, a race that provides the winner a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington in November. 

Brendan Danaher, representing the ownership group of Dunkel, said the Patrick Payne trained gelding had taken them on a fantastic ride. 

"We've mainly just got family in the horse, family and friends so it's just been the best ride of all time," Danaher said. 

"Patrick has mentioned the Pakenham Cup we're going to next, and then the next race will be the Roy Higgins at Flemington which automatically gets you into the Melbourne Cup. 

"If we can get him there, we might not be able to control it."