Toulouse Lautrec and the kiss
June 1st 2008 03:52
Riva San won the Group One feature the Queensland Oaks in a minor upset on a very heavy Eagle Farm track. This lightly framed filly circled the field and covered more ground than any other runner to narrowly defeat another Victorian filly, Rathsallagh. The odds-on favourite Heavenly Glow was a close third.
I say a minor upset because although Riva San won at $26.00, she had been a top rated speed horse in fillies events through the last Melbourne Spring carnival. She was best speed horse in feature races and it is not unexpected to find her validating this with a Group One victory. In the Edward Manifold Stakes (Group Two at 1600m) she was drew a wide barrier and covered tons of extra ground and with any luck would have finished much closer than fifth behind El Daana, with quality filly Serious Speed showing her future potential this day with a flying finish at 20/1. Then into the Group One Thousand Guineas at Caulfield she finally drew a good barrier (4) but was held up and baulked, and although beaten 3.5 lengths, was desperately unlucky with this time Serious Speed finding clear galloping room to defeat Extension Of Time and Antarctic Miss. Riva San then stepped out over a longer trip in the Wakeful Stakes of 2000m at Flemington and after a great tussle (after she had covered extra ground) she was narrowly defeated by the top filly Zarita. Finally she reached the VRC Oaks and once again drew poorly and had little luck. Most likely by this stage this lightly framed filly had come to the end of her tether after beginning racing in May and after winning at Moonee Valley in June being given only a short break before starting an arduous Spring Campaign. Practically her first (and very long) preparation. Riva San came back to racing in the Autumn and has progressed slowly without showing the brilliance over a short course. But Peter Moody has succeeded in accomplishing the holy grail of getting this talented filly to win a Group One event.
In Melbourne all eyes were on the big striding Toulouse Lautrec. This time trainer Chris Hyland and jockey Craig Durden adopted a plan to let the freegoing grey settle in the ruck and build as the race progressed, rather than leading and being possibly subjected to some targeting and pressure midrace (as an aside, this was the circumstance that caused the defeat of champion hurdler Some Are Bent when Shrogginet dislodged his rider early and then charged forward to pressure the natural frontrunner all of the way. Another way to be beaten).
Toulouse Lautrec surprised with his improved jumping and versatility. At one time a favourite to win the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, this reformed character (unlike his French namesake) adds much excitement to a Melbourne Winter. And just how good do the modern jumpers need to be on the flat? The Novice hurdle was won by Danever (can't disclose his impressive juvenile Speedfigures, but he did chase home Efficient in two strong speed races and was a $600,000 purchase and winner over 1000m) who defeated stakeswinner and Kilmore Cup winner, Sand Sweeper. Of course the evergreen champion Karasi was a stakeswinner and multiple-placed Group One performer. I did note that even Purple Chocolate had been given a test over obstacles, and although taking to the jumps, it appears that his lack of stamina may mean that he won't make an appearance.
There were several falls in the three jumping races yesterday, but I understand that no serious injuries were suffered. Some jockeys and trainers are saying that there is a design fault in the hurdles that means that larger horses lose sight of the jumps as they approach. The belief is that the smaller horses are advantaged, though this may also be pure nimbleness of foot.
In the lead up to the Belmont Stakes on June 7 the connections of Casino Drive have replaced Japanese jockey Yutaka Take with Edgar Prado, a winner of the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey in 2006 and winner of more than 6,000 races. Prado (who won the Kentucky Derby on the ill-fated Barbaro) has won the Belmont Stakes on two occasions and is a very accomplished rider over longer distances. Prado won the 2002 Belmont Stakes aboard Sarava, who at 70/1 was the longest priced winner in the history of the race. When Barbaro faltered in the 2006 Preakness Stakes it was widely attributed that Prado's quick actions and understanding led to Barbaro (with terrible fetlock injury) to be saved from death on that day. Prado was visibly shaken, declining and unable to make comment at the time. Veterinarians worked on saving the horse's life for many months until euthanasia was deemed the only course on January the 29th, 2007.
(photo: Sabina Louise Pearce)
Prado was born in Peru and is a much respected jockey and man. In 2006 he was awarded the New York Racing Association's Mike Venezia Memorial Award. The winner is decided by votes from his fellow jockeys, turf writers and an online vote by fans. It is awarded in memory of Mike Venezia who was killed in a race fall at Belmont Park in 1988. It honours those who exemplify extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship. It would appear that they have a good jockey for their good horse.
Barbaro winning the Kentucky Derby 2006:
I say a minor upset because although Riva San won at $26.00, she had been a top rated speed horse in fillies events through the last Melbourne Spring carnival. She was best speed horse in feature races and it is not unexpected to find her validating this with a Group One victory. In the Edward Manifold Stakes (Group Two at 1600m) she was drew a wide barrier and covered tons of extra ground and with any luck would have finished much closer than fifth behind El Daana, with quality filly Serious Speed showing her future potential this day with a flying finish at 20/1. Then into the Group One Thousand Guineas at Caulfield she finally drew a good barrier (4) but was held up and baulked, and although beaten 3.5 lengths, was desperately unlucky with this time Serious Speed finding clear galloping room to defeat Extension Of Time and Antarctic Miss. Riva San then stepped out over a longer trip in the Wakeful Stakes of 2000m at Flemington and after a great tussle (after she had covered extra ground) she was narrowly defeated by the top filly Zarita. Finally she reached the VRC Oaks and once again drew poorly and had little luck. Most likely by this stage this lightly framed filly had come to the end of her tether after beginning racing in May and after winning at Moonee Valley in June being given only a short break before starting an arduous Spring Campaign. Practically her first (and very long) preparation. Riva San came back to racing in the Autumn and has progressed slowly without showing the brilliance over a short course. But Peter Moody has succeeded in accomplishing the holy grail of getting this talented filly to win a Group One event.
In Melbourne all eyes were on the big striding Toulouse Lautrec. This time trainer Chris Hyland and jockey Craig Durden adopted a plan to let the freegoing grey settle in the ruck and build as the race progressed, rather than leading and being possibly subjected to some targeting and pressure midrace (as an aside, this was the circumstance that caused the defeat of champion hurdler Some Are Bent when Shrogginet dislodged his rider early and then charged forward to pressure the natural frontrunner all of the way. Another way to be beaten).
Toulouse Lautrec surprised with his improved jumping and versatility. At one time a favourite to win the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, this reformed character (unlike his French namesake) adds much excitement to a Melbourne Winter. And just how good do the modern jumpers need to be on the flat? The Novice hurdle was won by Danever (can't disclose his impressive juvenile Speedfigures, but he did chase home Efficient in two strong speed races and was a $600,000 purchase and winner over 1000m) who defeated stakeswinner and Kilmore Cup winner, Sand Sweeper. Of course the evergreen champion Karasi was a stakeswinner and multiple-placed Group One performer. I did note that even Purple Chocolate had been given a test over obstacles, and although taking to the jumps, it appears that his lack of stamina may mean that he won't make an appearance.
There were several falls in the three jumping races yesterday, but I understand that no serious injuries were suffered. Some jockeys and trainers are saying that there is a design fault in the hurdles that means that larger horses lose sight of the jumps as they approach. The belief is that the smaller horses are advantaged, though this may also be pure nimbleness of foot.
In the lead up to the Belmont Stakes on June 7 the connections of Casino Drive have replaced Japanese jockey Yutaka Take with Edgar Prado, a winner of the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey in 2006 and winner of more than 6,000 races. Prado (who won the Kentucky Derby on the ill-fated Barbaro) has won the Belmont Stakes on two occasions and is a very accomplished rider over longer distances. Prado won the 2002 Belmont Stakes aboard Sarava, who at 70/1 was the longest priced winner in the history of the race. When Barbaro faltered in the 2006 Preakness Stakes it was widely attributed that Prado's quick actions and understanding led to Barbaro (with terrible fetlock injury) to be saved from death on that day. Prado was visibly shaken, declining and unable to make comment at the time. Veterinarians worked on saving the horse's life for many months until euthanasia was deemed the only course on January the 29th, 2007.
Edgar Prado gives Barbaro a kiss
(photo: Sabina Louise Pearce)
Prado was born in Peru and is a much respected jockey and man. In 2006 he was awarded the New York Racing Association's Mike Venezia Memorial Award. The winner is decided by votes from his fellow jockeys, turf writers and an online vote by fans. It is awarded in memory of Mike Venezia who was killed in a race fall at Belmont Park in 1988. It honours those who exemplify extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship. It would appear that they have a good jockey for their good horse.
Barbaro winning the Kentucky Derby 2006:
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