Features
Finche has all the credentials to hand Waller his first Cup win
But could there be one final twist to the tale? The prospect of significant overnight rainfall has the potential to change the complexion of the race, particularly on a well-watered track, although so, too, does Chris Waller, as the acquisition of European import Finche (Frankel), sprinkled with a touch of the maestro’s antipodean magic, might... Read More
More from Steve Moran
Derby Day: One of the greatest afternoons Australia has to offer
The volume of interest and attendees as it opens the superb four days of Cup week entitles it to top billing but as days go – and at the risk of being exiled from my home state – I’ve always been fond of Epsom and Turnbull DAY and The Everest now complementing the Caulfield Guineas... Read More
The really strong pace in W S Cox Plate was a surprising feature of the $5m race
With a final field of eight, the race was anticipated to be run at a steady to reasonable pace at best, but that proved far from the case. The overall time of 2:03.47 was only 0.53 seconds outside of Winx’s (Street Cry) track record of 2:02.94 established in her eight-length 2017 Cox Plate victory. The... Read More
Bavella (AUS) 2 f Snitzel – Zonza by Zabeel
Bavella (Snitzel), a recent trial winner, won with plenty in hand on debut at Ellerslie on Friday. She sped through after a slightly tardy start to sit outside the lead at the 600 metres before taking over in the straight at the 400 metre mark, where she was stargazing and seemed a little lost. Jockey... Read More
Lessons from Caulfield and Moonee Valley as focus switches to Flemington
Both, especially the Valley, played with a distinct advantage to horses on pace and close to the inside. Precisely the same pattern was the case at the two meetings the year before. Whether this is clear track bias, with the inside part of the track faster than the outside, is debatable. There are a number... Read More
Brave Smash gains second Group 1 in Manikato Stakes
Japanese-bred Brave Smash’s win was decisive despite the margin of only a head over Aidan O’Brien’s raider Spirit of Valor (War Front), as Kementari (Lonhro) flew late to be third, only another half-length further back. Time was 1:09.36 with the last 600 metres covered in 34.84. This was Brave Smash’s second Group 1 triumph in... Read More