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We saw a fantastic day of racing on Saturday with dominant victories, unbelievable stories and five Group 1s run and won.

Fireburn saluted in the world’s richest two-year-old race when overcoming difficulties to win impressively in the $5 million Longines Golden Slipper (1200m).

The filly was severely checked/blocked at the 600m mark and was able to pick herself back up again and weave a passage through to victory in style under the guidance of Brenton Advulla.

In addition, that was the peak 2YO performance of the season surpassing Coolangatta’s Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) win.

Punter’s Intelligence sectional data recorded, once balanced up and regaining her momentum, she sprinted her last 400m sectional in 23.30 which was approximately 4.5 lengths superior to 13. Ojai who was the second-fastest closer.

The Golden Slipper rated highly relative to the entire day, and we can bring strong comparisons with four races coming out of the 1100/1200m chute.

From a pace perspective, it went out approximately 6.5-7 lengths faster for the first 600m than the Darby Munro Stakes and a sizzling 10 lengths quicker than the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m).

Further, this was reflected in the overall time where they ran 72.79. This was again 1-1.5 lengths superior to the Birthday Card Stakes and 2.5 lengths faster than the Darby Munro.

Best Of Bordeaux’s run was full of merit after being ridden up to lead in the very-fast pace running his first 600m in 36.55. The colt was brave and tried hard to the line to only be gobbled up in the final 100m.

He is well educated and one to keep following, whether he runs again this prep or not as he will undoubtedly improve as a three-year-old.

Favourite Coolangatta was ridden a treat by James McDonald, she loomed to win but being first-up on a testing track told over the finishing stages.

Other market fancies Sejardan and She’s Extreme had no luck at all and must be forgiven.
 

 
The Birthday Card Stakes, albeit was run slowly, had clear sectional merit performances.

Emanate had every chance but won easily and recorded the equal fourth-fastest last 200m sectional of the entire meeting in 11.61.

Samoot and Hasstobegood were both unsuited and are ready to peak third-up over further distance.

Most anticipated they would roll along at a genuine tempo for the G1 Galaxy (1100m) however, it was another race run at a slow pace.

Rock-hard fit cult hero Shelby Sixtysix for smart country trainer Danny Williams landed in the perfect spot from a soft draw and was too strong for them late, running the fastest last 200m of the meeting in 11.41.

He did only carry 52.5kg, but with the expected wet tracks to stick around he can continue to take on the best and be competitive in future Group 1’s.

The Rosehill 1100m start makes it hard for backmarkers historically and Brooklyn Hustle was in an impossible position after getting too far back from a wide draw.

She made up considerable ground running the meeting’s quickest last 600m in 33.78 and can be followed on rain-affected ground where she produces her career peak figures.

Belluci Babe was solid and nothing went right for Paulele who still ran the equal fastest 400m-200m split of the race in 11.01.

The G1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and G1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) both came out of the same chute and were again races run at farcical tempos, but there was merit in their closing sectionals.

The Ranvet Stakes ran quicker overall time by almost 1.5 seconds, equating to 9-9.5 lengths, and had decisive margins throughout to confirm the form.

It was a duel at the top of the straight between winner Montefilia and runner up Verry Elleegant before the four-year-old mare Montefilia pulled away over the final furlong to score and ran her last 200m sectional in 11.71.

After a solid first-up performance, she has improved this prep and has proved she can now match it with the best at the WFA level.

Champion mare Verry Elleegant started a long odds-on favourite at $1.24 and, while beaten, she may be looking for further now or a race with more pressure. Although she has regressed from a ratings perspective, her profile confirms she can peak again in the same preparation and bounce back.

Visually Profondo looked to be travelling at a strong speed whilst overracing in the Guineas; however, as mentioned, it was quite the opposite.

James McDonald put Anamoe right into the race as soon as the gates opened and, from then on, the quality colt had every chance in the run before demolishing the field.

He flew home in his final 600m in 34.89, which was almost a length quicker than Montefilia in the previous race.

The three-year-old colt is at optimal fitness now, and after making a mess of his age group at his preferred distance range, he is ready to take on the older horses once again.

Forbidden Love added another Group 1 to her resume after winning the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) and once again excelled in the heavy conditions.

The hidden run of the race was NZ import Bankers Choice after having the pace/bias against him and still ran the race’s fastest 600m-200m split in 22.83.

A quick mention of No Compromise and Chalk Stream who both worked and sat wide at stages in a very fast pace in the Queen’s Cup (2400m) and never shirked the task to the line in a high rating race relative to the day.

Fastest last 600m: Brooklyn Hustle 33.78.

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