This race was run at even sections and rated as a rather typical C4 event rates. Gracious Ryder, according to the stewards report “was not fully tested” and had a horror run around. It is hard to know where he would have finished but he seemed to have something to offer. I’d be happy to stick with him in a similar contest.

Steady fractions through the first 800m made it mathematically almost impossible for those settling off lead to make ground as a consequence. The leader himself Young Empire was weak but the first three past the post were all handy. One made the SID file, Manful Star. He was taken back through the early stages from an awkward alley and given the race shape that proved hard to overcome.

It was a solid win from Sichuan Boss who set a genuine pace before picking it up from the 800m mark. It was a nice ride and he can win again with a claim over this course and distance. It took a while for Chaparral Star to balance-up at Happy Valley, but he hit the line very nicely and also has another win in store. The form will work out okay for these two. 

The pace picked up here from the 1200m mark and that left Holy Unicorn a little empty late in the race, which he was entitled to be. The stewards, quite rightly, questioned Callan Murray on his ride aboard Top Ace, he was simply “too patient”. The winner has won twice this term and remains in the same class. He is clearly improved and can win again.

The first half of the race was run at a sedate pace, but the winner Fine With Me got the “nice run” and just lasted with Lucky Shiny Day catching the eye with a powerful finish. He posted the 28th-best final-400m, but was awkwardly placed early in the race when going back looking for cover. He handles the all-weather but can find a race over this trip or further and is one for the SID file.

There wasn’t a massive amount of pace here, which made it hard for the backmarkers. From that perspective, Lucky Guy was excellent. He posted (albeit in a 1000m contest) the second-best final-400m (22.28) of the meeting. He is rated 61, on the brink of a drop in grade and when he gets that drop, we will be following him over 1200m. He makes the SID file with a caveat!

The first 850m of this race was brutal, but the majority of the field were not involved in the early burn. It was quite simply an inept ride on the leader Taking Aim (van Niekerk) who was told by trainer (Moore) to ‘make the favourite’ work. Remarkable stuff and clearly a ride that lacked judgement. The winner was good, he might win again up in grade while Brave Legend was working home very strongly when he ran straight in to the back of Let’s Take It Easy. He can win at some stage soon, but needs a lot to fall his way.

This was a slowly run race and developed in to a sharp sprint home, with “leaders back” (Country Star) and lead horse (Little Bird) running one-two. It was huge run from Super Leader (Whyte) who was given far too big a task. Again. And again. He has been ready to win for a while but I dont feel I can follow him with the regular pilot constantly giving him too much to do (he did win second-up last season).