The Bob Baffert trained Heck Yeah takes out the $200,000 California Cup Derby. Baffert likes him as a grass horse though. Interesting. No 4.
Time Warp put up a hell of a display in front running when he took out the G1 Hong Kong Cup a couple of days ago. Not only did he run them off their feet, he became the first horse in Sha Tin history to clock under two minutes for the 2000m trip. He stopped the clock in 1:59:97, beating the record held by Jim And Tonic which was set 19 years ago. The favourite Werther bled in transit and has been stood down for 3 months.
The 1400m G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup went to Beauty Generation, ridden by Zac Purton. The win gave trainer John Moore his seventh Jubilee Cup success. After sitting outside the leader, he looked as though he was about to be nailed with a half furlong to go, but Purton's strong riding lifted him home.
The Winx hibernation is almost over. The mare makes a welcome return to the track this Saturday in the G1 1600m Chipping Norton Stakes at Randwick in Sydney. Hugh Bowman will again be in the saddle. The daughter of Street Cry will be looking to make it win number 23 on the trot and is expected to start at around 1-20. Her earnings at present stand at A$15,627,925 and a few dollars more should spill in soon. There has been no end of interest in the future plans of the horse. Travel agents are constantly on the phone wanting to know if Winx is off to Ascot this year. One gent has said that as soon as the England trip is confirmed, he'll book 200 rooms in London. However, the mare's connections will not give the green light until after the George Ryder Stakes on March 24.
Last weekend The Blue Eye, the two-time champion older horse in Qatar, made it back to back wins in the G1 H.H.The Emir's Trophy. The race call and film was wonderful. I wish we could see more of this type of quality coverage, it's first class stuff.
Today in Sydney, Winx stepped out for the first time in her latest campaign, her target was the G1 Chipping Norton over the 1600m trip. One intrepid punter manned up and dumped $108,000 on the mare to win just $6,480. Blue and white.
Cyc; what's the latest news on Winx? Is a trip to Royal Ascot for the Queen Anne Stakes still being considered?
No decision will be made until after the George Ryder on the 24th. As you pointed out Kenny, if she makes the trip, she'll target the Queen Ann. The one fly in the ointment is the AU$4,000,000 Queen Elizabeth which is run in Sydney in early April. She pretty much has the race at her mercy and it's a lot of money to turn down. The Queen Ann is only worth AU1,218,000. I hope she gets to England tough.
Winx won hands n heels last night by 5 lengths. Came from 2nd last and 6 wide around the straight too. Footage a few posts back.
The New Zealand Derby was run today at Ellerslie. It turned into one heck of a race.The winner No 5 Vin De Dance sat close to the leaders throughout. Blue yellow body bands, white sleeves and cap.
2017 Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup (March 4, 2017), 1800m., won by Dorsett (red cap, red headgear): Slowly away and right at the back early on.
The Breeder's Cup Turf winner Talismanic returned to the track in the Prix Darshaan at Chantilly, in preparation for his tilt at the $10,000,000 Dubai World Cup. His main opposition came from his stablemate Cloth Of Stars, who is being set for the $6,000,000 Sheema Classic.
