Neds Caulfield Guineas (Group 1)

THE first 11 of the 16-horse Caulfield Guineas finished within two lengths of the winner, such was the evenness of the 141st edition of the 1,600-metre Group 1 classic.

Coming off a fourth in the Golden Rose Stakes, a consistent source of recent winners, it was the Godolphin-owned Golden Mile that prevailed.

Tracking wide on the final bend, having slotted in two-wide and better than midfield, jockey James McDonald had the strongest entrant when it counted.

The Astern colt powered up to the leaders to keep the challengers at bay, winning by a head from the Dundeel colt Elliptical as the Pierro colt Osipenko claimed third, providing Godolphin, Cummings and McDonald with a Group 1 double following Anamoe’s win 40 minutes earlier.

Top jockey

“He was huge and the ride was just a pure ride and it makes a difference when you can get a top jockey on,” said trainer James Cummings.

“Golden Mile, he’s been through all my stables. He started at Crown and won on debut from Carbine. But at Osborne Park, the guy there, these are seriously talented people behind me and they deserve the accolades they get because they can produce colts like Golden Mile and Anamoe.”

Schweppes Thousand Guineas (Group 1)

JAMES McDonald combined with Madame Pommery at Caulfield on Wednesday to claim his third Group 1 on the second of their three-day Cup Carnival.

Chris Waller saddled up Madame Pommery for the 1000 Guineas, the No Nay Never filly cutting the final corner under McDonald to set up a winning margin as the field, in search of better ground in the heavy 10 conditions, remained in the centre of the track.

Prevailing by two lengths, Madame Pommery defeated the Russian Revolution filly Revolutionary Miss as the Turn Me Loose filly She’s Licketysplit held third.

“I was very comfortable with where I was, it was so economical tucked away, a Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained runner (North Star Lass), ridden by Timmy Clark, was always going to get to the right spot at the time,” said McDonald.

“He took me to the right spot at the right time and my filly was classy enough to get the job done.”

Bred and raised at Coolmore, before being sold from their draft at the Magic Millions for A$150,000, Madame Pommery becomes the first Australian Group 1 winner by No Nay Never who shuttled to Coolmore’s Hunter Valley base for four seasons.

THE Vadamos filly La Crique put on a clinic in running out an uncomplicated winner of the Arrowfield Stud Plate at Matamata, New Zealand last Saturday.

The 2,000-metre Group 1 had been delayed a week due to the abandonment of Hasting. “I let her slide from the 500 metres and she was just too good,” said jockey Craig Grylls.

“After the way she worked here on Wednesday, I have never been so confident going into a Group 1 race like I was today. It is a great result for the whole team and she showed she is a very classy animal.”

Untroubled in the straight to win by four lengths, La Crique defeated the Vanbrugh mare Mustang Valley and the Savabeel gelding Prise De Fer.

“She bloody deserved that today. It was great to see her get back to her style of racing as she has fantastic tactical speed.” said Katrina Alexander who along with her owners have decided to head to Flemington at the end of the month.

CHAMPION race mare Winx has produced her first live foal, a filly by Pierro. Having lost her 2020 I Am Invincible foal and not covered in 2021, her owners were understandably delighted.

“Both mum and foal are healthy and doing very well,” relayed Winx’s owners.

The four-time Cox Plate winner retired from racing in 2019 undefeated in her final 33 starts, accruing over A$26.4 million.

THIE weekend a second consecutive Everest win will see Nature Strip within striking distance of Winx’s prize money record of A$26,451,175.

The $6.2 million first prize money for the Everest would tackle his earnings to $24,731,785, just $1.7 million shy of the great mare.

Cup contenders

FIVE Melbourne Cup contenders arrived safely on Wednesday morning with all to debut on Cup day.

Deauville Legend, Hoo Ya Mal, Loft, Without A Fight and Camorra all disembarked though Hoo Ya Mal will be joining the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable, while the Irish-bred Camorra moves from Ger Lyons to Ben and JD Hayes.