After Takeover Target's win as a 9yo, it was Melito at the younger end of the scale last year.
The legend of TJ Smith at Randwick has rightly been immortalised with the only G1 1200m WFA sprint in Sydney. It was first called the Endeavour Stks and appropriately was taken out by the most versatile galloper of our time Mahogany. Upgraded to elite status in 2005, it was aptly won in that first year by Gai with Shamekha. Last few wins have been high rating.
• 2006 – RED OOG 6g (Brief Truce x Mary Julia) ($17)
Jockey: Hugh Bowman, Trainer: Joe Pride
Barrier: 4, Weight: 57.5kg
Gross Time: 1:09.72, 600m Sectional: 34.39
Margin: 0.1L, Track: Good, Starters: 6
2nd: Glamour Puss (55.0kg), 3rd: Snitzel (55.5kg)
Red Oog caused a big upset Photo by Racing and Sports In a small field, full of G1 winners as it was, how often do you see the roughie salute. Red Oog had won the Doomben 10,000 in dramatic fashion. Since then, besides a Concorde Stks win, he hadn't figured in the winner's stall. Probably his unfashionable breeding added to the fact he wasn't going around at short quotes. Of the six runners, four were considered go forward horses and that was a potent mix for a backmarker that wouldn't get too far behind the ruck. Topping the rise and Hugh Bowman was still last but because he was close, the last 200m was just a matter of getting a split. He got it and got the bob in to beat Glamour Puss. He also had several starts (8) and couldn't win.
2nd: Black Ink (58.5kg), 3rd: Virage de Fortune (56.0kg)
Bentley Biscuit did a great job for Gai Photo by Racing and Sports Bentley Biscuit had been a bit of a project horse for Gai. Not many Peintre Celebre's have raced successfully in Australia but she seems to have the knack with them. He'd won his first 8 starts and also placed in a very good Doncaster to Racing to Win. An up and down Spring was followed by a 4th in a damp Galaxy run at Warwick Farm. He was in need of the run or just set for race, but he sat off a solid pace and came with one run. Nash Rawiller was also part of the story after making the big decision to base himself in Sydney, this was the first big result to justify his resolution. The likes of Spark of Life, Dance Hero and Virage de Fortune were always going to make it a run on event and despite being still lengths off them at the 400, he worked strongly through the mud to come away and win with plenty to spare. Black Ink flashed late but never was a winning hope. Better was to follow.
2nd: Reigning to Win (58.5kg), 3rd: Takeover Target (58.5kg)
Apache Cat was in the middle of his great G1 spurt Photo by Bronwen Healy The middle leg of his sprinting handful of G1 wins was by far the highest rated – so much so that this TJ was recognised as the highest quality race of the year in Australia. A fresh specialist, Apache Cat got conditions which he also liked given the heavy track. Takeover Target led from his wide barrier from Magnus who kicked up. The Cat sat 5th, some 5L off the lead. Rounding the bend and you could see the race taking shape. Takeover gave his legendary kick at the same time Apache hit his infamous flat spot. While this was happening Reigning to Win tacked on and looked a hope but within 100m after the rise, both Apache Cat and RTW got over TT. The white blaze drew away to win with what looks like incredible ease – he was flying at the time. More Winter sunshine warmed the cockles of his heart.
It was remarkable what Takeover Target did Photo by Bronwen Healy You would not have too many times when a field of six could derive such a quality line up and provide such emotion. There has been a few recent preps where Takeover took a few runs to get both race hardened and physically fit. But when actually set for a race, Joe often had him right on track. However meeting five other G1 winners wasn't going to make this easy. Coming off the good Perth trip, he was in the fettle. But the big change was only his third jockey in well over 30 runs. Nash Rawiller was given the mount and he jumped brilliantly to lead half-lengthing Northern Meteor most of the way. Up the rise you could sense the others were not making any ground and Nash nursed him until the 300m when he hit the go button. The crowd roared as Takeover put three lengths on them and never looked likely to lose. The bookies even joined in betting $7 at stages. The star shone the brightest he had in Australia. While he subsequently won the Goodwood, his international runs in Singapore and England were disappointing as age wearied him.
• 2010 – MELITO 3f (Redoute's Choice x Cloister) ($10)
Jockey: Blake Shinn, Trainer: Gerald Ryan
Barrier: 7, Weight: 54.5kg
Gross Time: 1:09.21, 600m Sectional: 34.33
Margin: 0.8L, Track: Dead, Starters: 7
2nd: Hot Danish (56.5kg), 3rd: Mic Mac (58.5kg)
Melito was another upsetter knocking off Hot Danish Photo by Racing and Sports This race has a history of seeing upsets occur. While last year wasn't an upset per se, it was a surprise to see how it unfolded. Well there was another top field combined this time and several future G1 winners at the Brisbane carnival. Patronyme led with Hot Danish nearby and Wanted with Mic Mac ready to pounce. Despite being tried as a stayer in the VRC Oaks, it was clearly not her go and so they aimed Melito at the sprints. She had last call at them in the straight and with the track somewhat affected, Hot Danish couldn't get away. She tried hard but could not withstand the Redoute's filly's finish. After that win, Melito would contest five more G1 sprints and not miss a place in any.
RACE PROFILE
o Race went from non black type in 1997 to G1 in 8 years.
o Small fields have meant barriers have been of little importance.
o Ladies have won five of the 14 runnings.
o Gai Waterhouse has honoured TJ taking it 3 times (Phoenix Park, Shamekha & Bentley Biscuit).
o Upsets have occurred here which is unusual for a WFA contest.
o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner – 3yo (3 times)
o Last 10 Years Winningest Barrier Range <5-8> - 5 times
o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner – $17
o Breakdown of winners – 2 fillies, 6 geldings & 2 mares
o Last 10 Years Australia Stks / TJ Smith Stks double – Apache Cat ('08)
o Last 10 Years Lightning Stks / TJ Smith Stks double – Apache Cat ('08)
o Last 10 Years Schweppes Stks / TJ Smith Stks double – Dilly Dally ('04)
o Last 10 Years Darby Munro Stks / TJ Smith Stks double – Century Kid ('01)
o Last 10 Years South Pacific / TJ Smith Stks double – Century Kid ('01)
o Last 10 Years Winterbottom Stks / TJ Smith Stks double – Takeover Target ('08/09)
o Last 10 Years Scahill Stks / TJ Smith Stks double – Takeover Target ('08/09)
SUMMARY & SELECTIONS
This won't take long to preview. C'mon Sydney – get excited about the champ running here.
Black Caviar goes OK Photo by Racing and Sports
A horse coming away from home for the first time, going clockwise first time and meeting a G1 field would normally be reason for the bookies to start laying but not this one.
Black Caviar should jump out, camp on the speed or lead and once up the rise give them a surge they won't handle.
She deserves every accolade afforded her to date.
On the very unlikely chance that she is vulnerable, the best Randwick horse in this is a Queenslander.
Shoot Out is 3 for 3 at Randwick with 2 x G1s and 1 x G2. He should get a lovely run in behind and showed enough pace in his barrier trial win to think he'll keep up somewhat early and rattle late. But hard to see him winning.
Thought Demerit's run in the Canterbury Stks was a cracker. And take note. The form around him looks superb after last week.
More Joyous won a G1 and Love Conquers All with Rangirangdoo quinellad the George Ryder. Makes it all sound like a win in a normal race bar for the foe here.
