Belleluia’s hot family could produce an important winning double tomorrow at Moonee Valley.

The unbeaten Black Caviar, a sister-in-blood to Belleluia, is long odds-on favourite to win the Listed Arrow Training Services Plate (1200m), while the Lee Freedman-trained Wilander resumes as topweight in the BC3 Future Stars Sprint (1000m).

Black Caviar is by Belleluia’s sire Bel Esprit from Helsinge, a daughter of Desert Sun and the former top sprinting mare Scandinavia (by Snippets from Song Of Norway). Belleluia is out of Song Of The Sun (by Desert Sun), a half-sister to Scandinavia.

Wilander, by Exceed And Excel, is a Group 2 winning son of Scandinavia, who also is the dam of the Group 1 winner Magnus.

Ian Rimington, formerly of Aquanita Racing and now PR man for Swettenham Stud, recalls that Helsinge had tremendous talent but was unraced due to injury. “At $360,000, she was the highest priced yearling bought by Aquanita that year,” he said.

Like Belleluia, Black Caviar is a big filly, but she is far more precocious than the The Thoroughbred Magazine Club filly, who has recently returned to pre-training at Eliza Park. Trained Peter Moody is aiming her at the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield in October.

Wilander won the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield last spring, and in the autumn was competitive with Scenic Blast when fourth in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington. Freedman said the chestnut was 30kg heavier this campaign. “He’s always been an immature horse. He’s only now coming into his own,” he said.

Trainer David Hayes’ decision to focus on the rich races in Melbourne and Sydney with a Euroa (Northern-Eastern Victoria) base has been several years in the making – since his return to Australia from Hong Kong just over four years ago, in fact  – and yesterday that focus became much clearer with the announcement that he would sell the training part of Lindsay Park, the famous South Australian property set up by his father, Colin.

Hayes is selling the idea as an evolving part of his father’s philosophy that “the future belongs to those who plan for it” rather than a dismantling of an Australian racing landmark.

That is true, in two ways: Angaston, in the Barossa Valley some 80 kilometres north-east of Adelaide, is in an area that now services a city that has become a capital struggler in racing and is too far from the Melbourne-Sydney hub; and Hayes is not abandoning the property and its stud, although he lives in Melbourne and has his headquarters at Flemington.

For sale is the training part of Lindsay Park, listed thus: 93.5ha, stables for 120 horses, grass tracks, artificial tracks, staff accommodation, staff canteen, heated equine swimming pool, treadmills.

For keeps is the bulk (706ha) of Lindsay Park: the house (more mansion) and grass tracks, artificial tracks, pre-training facilities, stud farm, stables for 100 horses, housing for track riders and staff, veterinary clinic, laboratory and operating theatre, administration office, and workshops.

Work is well underway on Hayes’ Euroa property, and he hopes to have it running next year, in conjunction with the Flemington stables, which will be cut back, even phased out. The trainer said he would keep a presence in Adelaide for horses coming through the grades. And of course breeding, educating and spelling horses will continue to be a part of the retained property.

Champions and big race winners who have been trained from Lindsay Park include Better Loosen Up, Zabeel, Dulcify, Jeune, At Talaq, So Called, How Now, Desirable, Special, Rory’s Jester, St Covet, Fields of Omagh, Tawqeet, Miss Finland and Niconero.

Hayes, who has won the Adelaide training premiership each season and gone two-two with Rye-based Lee Freedman for the Victorian title in four full seasons since returning from Hong Kong, told thethoroughbred.com.au earlier this month the he would love to keep winning premierships, but added: “I got bigger than I wanted to be. I’m getting a bit smaller in the next couple of years – where I really am interested is the Group and Stakes winners for more stakemoney.”

Euroa, a couple of hours from Melbourne, will make Sydney’s big races more accessible, reducing the travel time to around seven hours, similar to the time crossing from Angaston to Melbourne. “It’ll probably be up and running this time next year,” Hayes said then. “It’s been a bit slower than I first thought.”

Now, the pace has picked up. And at the forefront of planning, as it was with Colin Hayes, is David Hayes’ succession aims – he and wife Prue have four children, and their three boys are already rolling up their sleeves when schooling permits. “The succession plan for my family’s future is well thought out – I want to downsize horse numbers and land holdings, centralise my training operation and enhance quality control,” Hayes said in a statement.

“The sale of Lindsay Park will allow me the opportunity to develop the Euroa property and restructure my organisation. With the majority of my clientele being Melbourne and Sydney based, Euroa is the ideal ‘half-way house’ and I plan to build a state-of-the-art facility for 100 racehorses in full-time work, and target both Melbourne and Sydney racing.”

What is the section for sale at Angaston worth? Hayes reportedly turned down $7.5 million a few years ago. He estimated it would cost $12 million to set up a similar property. And he floated the idea that, in this tough economic environment, $6-7million might buy it when expressions of interest close in October.

The big question is: who will buy it? The very reason Hayes is selling appears to rule out big players such as Darley and Patinack, and trainers focused on Melbourne and Sydney and their rich rewards.

Likely to be interested are those prepared to punt on the future of South Australian racing – just as Colin Hayes did in 1965.

You know you’re on to a good thing when, pre-race, the commentator proffers “fate is a dramatist who does his best work with small casts”. And a cast of four was what the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes (1m 2 1/2f, or 2100m) offered at York, via Sky Racing, overnight.

The cast was lopsided, too – three runners from Coolmore’s Ballydoyle against the much-hyped Sea The Stars, trained at the Curragh by another Irishman, John Oxx. The chances were fewer – Sea The Stars at 1/4f and the Aidan O’Brien pea, Mastercraftsman (3/1). Set Sail (125/1) and Georgebernardshaw (100/1) were not there to make up the numbers, but to make the pace.

Such manipulation is anathema to the Australian watchers who sat up for the 12.35am race, and probably said to themselves, “Imagine the uproar if Freedman or Hayes padded a Group 1 field with speedy lesser lights to upset a Kavanagh star”; standard fare in big races in England and Ireland.

The Coolmore team did its job well. The pace pair quickly led and led quickly, Georgebernardshaw a touch ahead of Set Sail. Mastercraftsman sat in behind, and Sea The Stars tagged along. About 800 metres out the pair widened the gap – not the distance from the two chances but the space between themselves, presenting the gap to Mastercraftsman. Jockey Johnny Murtagh pushed him through, to plan and easily. What would Michael Kinane do on Sea The Stars? Follow and risk interference? Or ease out and around a weakener? 

Sea The Stars was going so smoothly that he tailed Mastercraftsman through as if attached by an invisible string. Within strides the pacemakers were also-rans. (They finished 30-plus lengths in arrears.)

The Coolmore job wasn’t complete, but it was shaping like a complete success when Mastercraftsman (winner of two Group 1s this season) put a little gap on Sea The Stars who, after three Group 1 wins from his past three starts (the 2000 Guineas, the Derby and the Eclipse Stakes), was staring at the leader’s rump and defeat. No, he showed he was just a little flat-footed when Murtagh applied maximum pressure. In the final furlong the colt hauled in that invisible string to win nicely, by a length.

Thanks to Coolmore’s brutal testing with their pacemakers and their slipstreamer, Sea The Stars had broken the track record by a second, running 2min 5.29sec on good to firm ground on the Knavesmire. The caller and the commentators let loose with superlatives. “Sea The Stars, a galaxy apart.” And “They cannot take Sea The Stars down.” And “Ticker with the talent and pace.”

Kinane later told racingpost.com: “I asked him to go and quicken up between the two Ballydoyle pacemakers, which was probably a bit of a risky manoeuvre, but I wanted to follow Johnny (Murtagh, on Mastercraftsman) through. So I let him quicken up and then eased him down. Then Johnny quickened and found a couple of lengths and his horse has run a hell of a race … just a combination of those things made it more difficult than maybe it should have been.”

The Coolmore team did their job, but Sea The Stars did his. And more. Racing can be great theatre.

(The one small downer from a late night well spent was Georgebernardshaw – not the horse but the horse’s name, as in the growing absence of space in names to fit them in the 18 characters allowed, with a space counting as a character. Coolmore also has Changingoftheguard, nominated for the Melbourne Cup and favourite for the big staying handicap, The Ebor, at York tonight (12.25am EST). And the Irelandracinggiant has priors, giving us Henrythenavigator, Footstepsinthesand – Juststopnowplease! George Bernard Shaw must be turning in his Irish grave. He would never have written Thedevil’sdisciple.)

BREEDING

Sea The Stars (B c 3, Cape Cross (IRE)-Urban Sea (USA), by Miswaki (USA))

Mastercraftsman (Gr c 3, Danehill Dancer (IRE)-Starlight Dreams (USA), by Black Tie Affair (GB))

Racing To Win, who is expected to resume in Saturday’s Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, is trying to become the 12^th horse to win multiple editions of the spring weight-for-age feature.

Some great champions have won multiple Warwick Stakes, including Kingston Town, who won three from 1980 to 1982. Limerick also won three (1927 to 1929), while the wonderful Super Impose won in 1990 and 1991 before winning the Epsom Handicap (1600m at Randwick) both years.

Racing To Win (Gr g 2002, Encosta De Lago-Surrealist, by Kenny’s Best Pal) won last year’s Warwick Stakes, beating Gallant Tess and Danzippo. But he missed the rest of the spring because of a nagging leg injury that has hindered him in the past two seasons.

He is stiff not to have won three Warwick Stakes on end, as he finished second behind Court’s In Session in 2006 – the 2007 Warwick Stakes wasn’t held because of the equine influenza outbreak.

Racing To Win and the autumn star Vision And Power are the class runners of 16 nominations for Saturday’s race, which also includes the exciting O’Lonhro, a son of the great Lonhro, who won the Warwick Stakes in 2001 and 2003.

Both Racing To Win and Vision And Power are on the Group 1 Cox Plate (WFA 2040m) trail, although Racing To Win has some demons to exorcise from his last attempt in 2006 when he finished 11^th behind Fields Of Omagh at Moonee Valley after being heavily backed into $3.80 favouritism.

Racing To Win has raced six times at Randwick since 2006 for three wins – all at Group 1 level.

History says it takes a champion to win the Warwick Stakes (at WFA) and the Epsom Handicap. Apart from Super Impose, the three others to complete the double are Filante (1996), Sky High (1961) and Chatham (1933), all horse who deserve the champion tag.

Ten horses have won the Warwick Stakes and Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (WFA, 1600m, Randwick) double – the last was Lonhro in 2003 – and nine have won the Warwick Stakes and Group 1 George Main Stakes (WFA, 1600m) in the same campaign, and again the last was Lonhro in 2003.

Anthony Çummings also has Melbourne Cup hopeful Zavite, who this year has won th Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) and Group 3 Launceston Cup (2400m), resuming in the Warwick Stakes. No winner of the Warwick Stakes has gone on to win the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.

Warwick Stakes’ recent history:

Year

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

BACKGROUND

First run: 1923 (won by Sunburst). Group 2 since 1979. Run over one mile before 1938. Run over 7 furlongs 1938, 1942, 1949 & 1951. Run over 1300m 2000 & 2001. Run at Randwick 1941-51, 1969, 1971, 1980, 1981 & 2003.

Last mare to win: Private Steer (2004).

Last 3YO to win: C&G – Lonhro (2001); Filly – Silver Shadow (1975).

Multiple winners: 11 – Lonhro (2001 & 2003); Filante (1996 & 1997); Super Impose (1990 & 1991); Kingston Town (1980, 1981 & 1982); Gay Gauntlet (1965 & 1967); Sky High (1961 & 1962); Tarien (1953 & 1954); San Domenico (1950 & 1951); Chatham (1933 & 1934); Johnnie Jason (1931 & 1932); Limerick (1927, 1928 & 1929).

Fastest time (1400m): Filante (1997) 1:21.06

Notable winners: Racing To Win (2008); Lonhro (2001, 2003); Sunline (1999); Filante (1996-97); Shaftesbury Avenue (1992); Super Impose (1990-91); Kingston Town (1980-82); Sky High (1961-62); Tulloch (1957); Flight (1944); Chatham (1933-34); Amounis (1930); Limerick (1927-29).

Warwick Stakes & Chelmsford Stakes: 10 – Lonhro (2003); Filante (1996); March Hare (1994); Kingston Town (1980-81); Purple Patch (1976); Longfella (1973); Bernborough (1946); Beaulivre (1940); Defaulter (1939); Limerick (1927 & 1928).

Warwick Stakes & George Main Stakes: 9 – Lonhro (2003); Kingston Town (1981-82); Party’s Pride (1978); Purple Patch (1976); Nippon (1972); Tarien (1953); San Domenico (1950); The Groom (1949).

Warwick Stakes & Epsom Handicap: 4 – Filante (1996); Super Impose (1990-91); Sky High (1961); Chatham (1933).

Warwick Stakes & Cox Plate: 3 – Sunline (1999); Kingston Town (1980-82); Chatham (1934).

Warwick Stakes & Caulfield Cup: 4 – Tulloch (1957); Beaulivre (1940); Amounis (1930); Whittier (1925).

Leading jockey (since 1930): Darby Munro, 6 wins (Tarien 1954; Removal 1945; Katanga 1943; Beaulivre 1940; Allunga 1937; Rogilla 1935).

Leading trainer (since 1982): Jack Denham, 3 wins (Filante 1996 & 1997; Flotilla 1988).

Points of interest: Racing To Win, second in 2006, went on to win the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick in October. 

FAMILY FORTUNES

They look as much alike as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny de Vito did in the 1988 movie Twins, but Predatory Pricer is the new Takeover Target in more than the ‘Alliteration Stakes’.

Predatory Pricer, Saturday’s Group 2 Liston Stakes winner at Caulfield, is by Street Cry (IRE) and is six years younger than his half-brother, the recently retired champion Takeover Target (B g 10, Celtic Swing (GB)-Shady Stream, by Archregent (CAN)). And he is a chestnut, and an entire. And he has a long road to travel to get anywhere near TT’s record of eight Group 1s in 21 wins from 41 sprint starts for $6 million in stake money. (Takeover Target is recovering from surgery in England after fracturing a cannon bone in the Golden Jubilee (1200m) at Royal Ascot in June.)

But Predatory Pricer can gallop and his strong win over the Group 1 winners Whobegotyou (also by Street Cry) and Typhoon Tracy in the 1400m Liston shows the potential is there to build on his handy record of four wins from 13 runs and $650,000 stakemoney. He didn’t win last campaign, but was third in the Group 1 AJC Derby (2400m) and thereabouts in other strong races, and the previous campaign was second in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) after winning the Group 3 Gloaming (1800m) and the Listed Ming Dynasty (1400m).

All achieved, according to trainer Paul Murray before the penny dropped and, at times, on unsuitable wet tracks.

Murray, who was given Predatory Pricer to train by NSW breeder Tony Hartnell (Meringo Stud), said the stallion was “not the type of Takeover Target – he’s more scopey, more like a staying sort of horse. Takeover Target is short and nuggety.”

Murray, clearly impressed by Predatory Pricer early doors, paid $425,000 what he called “the next one” as a yearling, the half-brother by Dubawi (B h 2002, Dubai Millenium-Zomaradah by Deploy), who has just turned two.

(The Stud Book lists only two other Shady Stream foals, both fillies by Mr Henrysee – Shady Henrietta (seven wins) and Saskarla (four wins); both are broodmares at Meringo.)

Murray, who trains at Kembla Grange near Wollongong with his father Bede Murray, brought Predatory Pricer to Victoria – he is based at Ballarat and had a winning trial at Cranbourne – to give him every chance to adapt to the anti-clockwise way of racing.

“He’s just got to keep stepping up,” Murray said, indicating that he preferred the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 24 to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield a week earlier as the spring goal. “One owner wants the Cox Plate, another one wants the Caulfield Cup. I’d love the Cox Plate … he has backed up before in seven days, he can do anything really, he’s tough.”

Predatory Pricer will need to be tough to overcome the Liston legacy – thethoroughbred.com.au’s Danny Power pointed out last week that the only horse to win the Liston-Caulfield Cup double is Sydeston (1990) and only three have won the Liston-Cox Plate double, with So Called (1978) the most recent.

“Last year, the Liston promised a lot when Light Fantastic beat Weekend Hussler in a dramatic finish, but by the end of the spring neither horse had lived up to expectations,” Power wrote. But he also gave last year’s race some credit, writing that Maldivian (third) went on to win the Cox Plate.

Record concerns aside, this year’s Liston seems to be a spring-shaper for the following reasons: the first four home (Predatory Pricer, Whobegotyou, Typhoon Tracy and Heart Of Dreams) were fist-up after starring as three-year-olds; fifth (Orange County) is a Group 1 winner at the track and distance, and didn’t get a crack at them; and the next two (Gallica and Red Ruler) finished strongly, as stayers should.

Predatory Pricer’s  win came with plenty of mounting-yard yelling of “Go Pricer, go big boy!” from Murray. Expect more in the Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 5. The Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 19 comes after that, followed by either the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 3 or the Group 1 Yalumba Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 10. Steven King, who was impressed with Predatory Pricer on Saturday, has been booked for the spring.

Murray got the money with Predatory Pricer, and just missed with another of his visitors first up at Geelong on Friday – Beautiful Timing (B g 5, Beautiful Crown (USA)-Strike Time, by Switch In Time (IRE)) was beaten a length by Rusty Edge over 1218m.

WE SAW IT

Winter wonders Kasabian and Hay List kept up the good work on the other side of the continent. Kasabian (B g 4, Choisir-Safety Valve, by Air De France (USA)), who has won his past four races at Belmont Park, justified the short odds ($1.90) with an impressive all-the-way win in the perthracing.com.au Handicap (1650 metres).

Hay List (B or br g 4, Statue Of Liberty (USA)-Sing Hallelujah, by Is It True (USA)) made it five wins from five starts, in the Perth Racing TV Handicap (1200m), and started even shorter – $1.40. Winning rider Jason Brown said the gelding was too relaxed without blinkers (winkers went on instead). “Blinkers on, make him a real racehorse,” he told perthracing.com.au.

We didn’t need the photo finish camera to see that Denman had plenty on the other 3YOs in the Group 3 Run To The Rose (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday, nor to see that Phelan Ready had no luck when third to deadheaters Mentality and Kroner in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m).

The runs give plenty of lead-in ammunition for the $1 million Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on August 29. Brad Rawiller will be back on Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready (Br g 3, More Than Ready (USA)-Nancy Eleanor, by Blevic) in place of Chris Munce; Kerrin McEvoy will stick with Denman (Br c 3, Lonhro-Peach, by Vain), who did not start his winning streak until June, by which time autumn star Phelan Ready was resting up for the spring. (Denman, by the way, was not named for the Woodlands/Darley Stud in the Hunter Valley, but for the Denman peach.)

The photo-finish camera was out of action at Rosehill when judges declared Acquired the winner of the first from Seeking Attention on a 4-1 ‘naked eye’ vote. Four races later the camera, working again, couldn’t split Mentality and Kroner – wonder what the ‘naked eye’ vote was on that one?

THEY SAID IT

“I think if he’d had a clear run in the straight he might have been more successful.” – more wisdom from Bart Cummings after Kroner shared first prize with Mentality in the Premiere Stakes.

“He is a superstar, isn’t he?” – trainer Fran Houlahan speaking rhetorically after Pentiffic (Br g 6, Pentire (GB)-Sailing High (NZ), by Yachtie) dethroned steeplechasing’s glamour gelding Mazzacanno in the Crisp Steeplechase (3900m) at Sandown yesterday.

“It’s polite to be invited first.” – Houlahan’s diplomatically correct response when asked if Pentiffic would go to Japan for next year’s Grand Jump.

“This is my first win down here.” - Bendigo-based former Queensland trainer Shaun Dwyer, now at Bendigo, after Heartland (Br m 5, Show A Heart-Naturaline, by Naturalism (NZ)) won the ‘Weary’ Dunlop Research Foundation Handidap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Dwyer trained dual Group 1 and Magic Millions winner Regimental Gal, winner of $1.6 million in prize money and sold to stud for $800,000.

 “He’s the one that’s jumped out his box and we’ve got high hopes for him this spring.” - trainer Mark Kavanagh after Raffaello stormed home first-up to win the 75^th Anniversary of the Shrine of Remembrance Handicap (1200m) at $14. Raffaello (B h 5, Encosta De Lago-Sweet Delight, by Rancho Ruler), still owned by his former trainer Jim Marconi, is in his second campaign for Kavanagh, and has been nominated for the spring’s big three races

 WE’LL WATCH IT

Markets for the spring ‘majors’ don’t have a lot of meaning at this stage, but Bits & Pieces will follow the betting right through.  TAB Sportsbet offers these odds (all in):

Caulfield Cup, October 17

$7.50 Predatory Pricer

$15 Vigor, Whobegotyou, Shocking

$17 Metal Bender, Speed Gifted

$21 Nom du Jour, Roman Emperor, Gallica, C’Est La Guere, Rebel Raider

Cox Plate, October 24

$6 Whobegotyou

$11 Maldivian

$12 El Segundo, Predatory Pricer

$14 Pompeii Ruler

$16 Jolie’s Shinju<rn

$18 Black Piranha, Heart Of Dreams, Zipping, Typhoon Tracy, Mic Mac

$21 Vision And Power, Theseo, Ortensia, Onemorenomore, Black Caviar

Melbourne Cup, November 3

$13 Profound Beauty

$15 C'Est La Guerre

$17 Efficient, Changingoftheguard, Roman Emperor, Viewed, Rebel Raider

$21 Schiaparelli, Precedence, Speed Gifted, Vigor, Zipping, Tuesday Joy

On Saturday Randwick has the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) packed with spring talent and two Group 3s for 3YOs, the Up And Coming Stakes (1200m, c & g) and the Silver Shadow (1200m, fillies). Moonee Valley, too, has split Listed races for 3YOs over 1200m (the Essendon Nisson Stakes, the Arrow Training Services). Morphettville has the Listed Penny Edition Stakes (1400m) with Rebel Raider entered, Belmont the Listed Goodwood Sprint (1300m).

They also race at Doomben, where the "watch" is jockey Stathi Katsidis, who has been red hot after returning to Queensland racing last month after a long absence because of a drug disqualification and a broken leg. We're only 17 days into the new season, and Katsidis (30) has 13 winners already. 

The Thoroughbred’s in-depth Perth preview reveals the chances in the Quaddie legs and all races at Belmont on Saturday.

The best bets are in the third and seventh races, and the best each-way value in race four.

To find out what our form analyst is tipping CLICK HERE

This is the latest photo of Belleluia, taking at Eliza Park not long after returning to work under the care of Sue Ellis.

You will notice the filly has filled out and strengthened in her spell. She has certainly grown – she has come up in the wither which now matched the height of her rump.

According to all reports from Sue Ellis, the filly is working along nice, and she is due to return to full training at Cranbourne in a couple of weeks.

Irish ‘wizard’ Dermot Weld’s bid for a third Melbourne Cup gathers pace, with the trainer’s mare Profound Beauty winning overnight at Leopardstown (Dublin) in Ireland. It was her third win in three starts this campaign after a near-eight month break following her promising fifth in last year’s Cup at Flemington.

The Leopardstown win was in a field of six in the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes, over 2400m on a good track. Profound Beauty (B m 2004, Danehill (USA)-Diamond Trim (IRE), by Highest Honor (FR)), backed from 7/4 to 6/4, settled third before comfortably beating 11/8 favourite Mourayan by 1¼ lengths, with 8/1 chance Shreyas third another five lengths back. She was third of nine on a heavy track in last year’s Ballyroan.

Weld, who won the Melbourne Cup with Vintage Crop in 1993 and Media Puzzle in 2002, has had a return visit in mind since the first Tuesday of last November, when Profound Beauty, ridden by Glen Boss, loomed up in the straight but was found to be too immature over the final stages. Weld said later it was a “cracking” run and that Profound Beauty “came to win a furlong out”.

This year she has come back bigger and stronger, and, more seasoned, has finished well in her races, over 2800m at the Curragh (June 27) and Leopardstown (July 16), and now over 2400 at Leopardstown. Weld’s stable jockey Pat Smullen has had the mount each time, an indication that he will ride at Flemington in November. 

Weld told the UK Press Association after the latest win: “That was a very impressive performance from Profound Beauty. She was very fit and very right for today’s race, but the runner-up may just have needed the run.

“The race panned out well for us and she’ll run in the Irish St Leger (2800m at the Curragh on September 12) next. The Melbourne Cup remains a possibility in November, but her participation will depend on how we are treated by the Australian handicapper.”

Racing Victoria’s handicapper Greg Carpenter will announce the weights on September 2 and, until then, Weld will remain coy about whether Profound Beauty will head to Melbourne. Odds are, in a quality handicap, that she will not be harshly treated and will have a second try in the black, white sleeves and red cap with black star of Moyglare Stud Farm.

Bookmakers in Australia and Europe think she’ll make the trip. The Ballyroan win prompted Sportingbet to tighten her to $12 favourite. TAB Sportsbet made her top pick at $13, and William Hill in the UK tightened her to $15. With 11½ weeks to the Cup, she is ahead of a pack that includes last year’s winner Viewed, dual Derby winner Rebel Raider, Lloyd Williams’ pair C’Est La Guerre and Efficient, the Aidan O’Brien trained Changingoftheguard and Bart Cummings’ AJC Derby winner Roman Emperor.

 ”She’s a filly and I’ll try and win as much as I can with her,” Weld told racingpost.com. “We’ll see what way she is at that (Melbourne Cup) time of the year.” Interestingly, Danehill has not sired a winner over the 3200m journey.

Weld’s great warrior Vinnie Roe won the Ballyroan in 2002 and 2003. He didn’t come to Australia in ‘03, but in 2002 started 9/2 favourite and was fourth to stablemate Media Puzzle (11/2).

The story of the 2002 Cup, when Weld provided Victoria’s champion jockey Damien Oliver with heart-wrenching triumph after Oliver’s brother Jason was killed in a track fall days earlier, is told in The Cup, published by the Slattery Media Group (RRP $34.95) – see http://www.slatterymedia.com/books.

Other 2009 Cup entries are to race at the weekend: Godolphin has Age Of Reason and Luca Cumani has Basaltico in the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes (about 2600m) at Newbury in England on Saturday; Rockhampton will run for Coolmore in the Group 2 Royal Whip Stakes (2000m) at the Curragh in Ireland.

News that the champion 2YO of last season, Phelan Ready, will kick off his spring campaign on Saturday in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill focuses the attention to the record of 3YOs in the weight-for-age sprint.

Since the Premiere Stakes was first run in 1972, only three 3YOs have won the race, including the first winner Outback. The others are Imperial Baron (1986) and Integra (1990).

Historically, in August, trainers have preferred to keep their best 3YOs to races against their own ages, particularly the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1000m), which was run last week at Randwick (won by Shellscrape), and the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1200m), which will be run at Randwick on August 22.

Phelan Ready (by More Than Ready) had a brilliant season in 2008-09, winning the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m, Rosehill) and the Magic Millions Classic (1200m, Gold Coast). The near black gelding hasn’t raced since finishing seventh, after suffering interference, behind Manhattan Rain in the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 18.

He recently showed he was forward enough for a good showing first up by beating Manhattan Rain in a Randwick 800m trial on August 7.

Phelan Ready is one of five 3YOs entered for the Premiere Stakes, although More Than Great (by More Than Ready), Trusting (by Tale of The Cat), Porsched (by Dehere) and the filly Schipper (by Elusive Quality) are also nominated to compete against their own age in the Group 3 Run For The Roses (1300m). The latter three are owned by Patinack Farm, which also has entered Porsched and Schipper in the Listed races for 3YOs over 1100m at Caulfield on Saturday (the Vain for males, the Quezette for females).

Phelan Ready, trained by Jason McLachlan, is attempting to be the first Golden Slipper winner to win the Premiere Stakes. Champions who have won the Premiere Stakes include Kingston Town (1981), Emancipation (1983) and Campaign King (1987).

View Saturday’s Rosehill nominations. 

Premiere Stakes recent history:

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

BACKGROUND

First run: 1972 (won by Outback). Group 3 1979-96. Group 2 since 1997. Run over 1300m 1972-74. Run at Canterbury 1976-78, 1982, 1984 & 1993.

Last mare to win: Shania Dane (2005).

Last 3YO to win: C&G – Integra (1990); Filly – Nil.

Multiple winners: 2 – Mr. Innocent (1999 & 2000); Joanne (1991 &1992).

Fastest time (1200m): Shania Dane (2005) 1:08.80

Notable winners: Paratroopers (2006); Spark Of Life (2004); Thorn Park (2003); Mr. Innocent (1999 & 2000); Joanne (1991 & 1992); Sky Chase (1988); Campaign King (1987); Emancipation (1983); Kingston Town (1981).

Missile Stakes-Premiere Stakes: 6 – German Chocolate (2007); Spark Of Life (2004); Legal Agent (1996); Klokka (1993); Joanne (1991 & ‘92); Campaign King (1987).

Premiere Stakes-Epsom Handicap: Nil.

Premiere Stakes-Manikato Stakes: 1 – Spark Of Life (2004).

Premiere Stakes-Theo Marks Stakes: 2 – Joanne (1991); Silver Wraith (1980).

Premiere Stakes-Warwick Stakes: 2 – Kingston Town (1981); Purple Patch (1976).

Premiere Stakes-Concorde Stakes: 1 – Joanne (1991).

Leading jockey: Mick Dittman, 4 wins (Mr. Innocent 1999; Joanne 1991 & 1992; March Magic 1984).

Leading trainer: Jack Denham, 4 wins (King Ivor 1997; Joanne 1991 & 1992; Purple Patch 1976).

Point of interest: 2004 Golden Slipper winner Dance Hero was second to Shania Dane in the 2004 Premiere Stakes.

ONE ‘EL OF A RUN: El Segundo’s efforts never cease to amaze, and as surprised as anyone on Saturday was Caulfield trainer Colin Little, who has handled the fragile gelding with the utmost care throughout a career that has been headlined by his win in the 2007 Cox Plate.

Asked if he expected what El Segundo provided (third, a length and a half-head from the winner Mic Mac) in the Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday, Little said: “No, not with the weight (63.5kg). I don’t really think he’s all that forward. We’ve got a bit to look forward to if we can keep him sound.”

The four-times Group 1 winner has a history of leg problems and had not raced since February, when he had his only two runs since it was found he had hurt himself during or after the Cox Plate win 15 months earlier. During that extended break he had stem cell surgery on a tendon.

Saturday’s win was further proof of the success of trainers who use water-walkers – this time Peter Morgan at Whittlesea, because usual host Peter Clarke (at Murchison) was unavailable. “We’ve been pretty happy with him all through this preparation,” Little said. “He went to Peter Morgan’s only because Peter Clarke was having a holiday.

“He only had a month up there and he’s actually only been at my place about five weeks. We normally have him a lot longer … but the race was here and we had to go. Peter said you’d be surprised what a foundation he’s got underneath him with the month at his place, and he was right.”

Little has made a habit of starting El Segundo (B g 8, Pins-Palos Verdes (NZ), by Oak Ridge (FR)) in the $150,000 Listed Aurie’s Star, a traditional spring beginning for good horses – he was third in 2007, second in ‘06 and eighth of eight in ‘05.

“He can do exceptional things that horse,” Little said of El Segundo. “He can get out of the ground. I think that winner put four (lengths), maybe five on him at one stage – he went, we were a little bit flat-footed … probably was only two off him and the winner put five on him. I think he’s been beaten a length and a half, so he’s gone pretty good.”

That was the understatement of the afternoon. El Segundo’s sectionals (Mic Mac’s in brackets) were 800m 43.86 seconds (44.02), 600m 32.80 (32.95), 400m 21.94 (21.97), 200m 11.22 (11.37).

At the track, Little said the Memsie Stakes ($200,000, Group 2, wfa, 1400m, August 29) at Caulfield was the logical next step provided El Segundo pulled up OK, and he reported on Sunday that was the case. El Segundo won the Memsie in 2006, after a first-up second to Bel Danoro (Apache Cat third) in the Aurie’s Star.

Mic Mac (B g 4, Statue Of Liberty (USA)-Amandine, by Tertian (USA)) is being touted as a Cox Plate chance. He doesn’t have soundness issues, but his brilliance could be his problem. He has to prove he can get beyond the 1600m, and Cranbourne trainer Greg Eurell expects to give him that chance. After the impressive first-up effort in the Aurie’s Star, the trainer said: “I’m very, very confident he can run a mile – and based on what he does from there, which will be the Dato Tan (Stakes, Group 2, 1600m at Moonee Valley on September 12) after the Memsie, I think that’ll give us a very good indication of where he’s going.”

Mic Mac has won six of his seven starts, the only defeat a fifth (4/1) to Metal Bender in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) in March at the end of his preparation. Eurell said he liked the way Mic Mac settled for Damien Oliver on Saturday and was not concerned by his lean appearance. “Sometimes it’s not what the exterior shows, it’s what’s under the hood,” he said.

“Ollie” said there was no doubt Mic Mac was up to the best horses, but he wondered if he might be a bit brilliant for a Cox Plate at this stage.

THEY SAID IT

“It’s got to be said I’m riding for a genius”  -  Nash Rawiller on trainer Gai Waterhouse after Gigas won at Randwick on Saturday. Gigas (B f 3, Dubai Destination (USA)-Pinwherry (UAE), by Selkirk (USA)) was coming back in distance (1300m to 1200m), had blinkers off, had a new jockey and was freshened up instead of going for a spell.

“My better half questioned me when I told him the plan. He said it was unusual, but I told him I’m unusual” – the Lady Trainer adds her bit, not about Rawiller, but about bookie husband Robbie Waterhouse.

“He’s just a tough horse. Nothing fazes him and he’s got the world ahead of him” – Rosehill trainer Chris Waller on Shellscrape, winner of the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1000m) at Randwick. Next start will be in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1200m) at Randwick  on August 22. Shellscrape (B c 3, Dane Shadow-Kisma, by Snippets) has had 10 starts for four wins, five places, earning $290,000).

“I’ve never met him but he keeps sending me cheques and I’m happy to send him a few back” - Caulfield trainer Peter Moody at Flemington after Pass Me By won the Mitchell & Smith Handicap (2510m) for Tasmanian owner Bob Lynch of Lynrowan Stud at Acton, near Burnie. Moody estimated he had won 15-20 races for Lynch, but put the latest in context when he said of Pass Me By (B g 5, Savoir Vivre (GB)-Regal Poem, by Our Poetic Prince): “He’s a toiler. I don’t think we’ll upset the Cups markets with this win.”

“I was a little concerned today over the distance and when he was off the bridle down the side I was more concerned.  But Paul Harvey is a gem and he revved him right up and it was a good win” – Perth trainer Frank Maynard after former Victorian Escadaire (1200m) won the Listed Belmont Newmarket. Escadaire (B/br g 6, O’Reilly (NZ)-Escada (NZ), by Centaine)) has eight wins from 28 starts, four from eight in the West since leaving Danny O’Brien’s Flemington stables in the middle of last year. With William Pike heading to Hong Kong, Harvey should soon be back as top of the pops in Perth.

“I wouldn’t think 13 would stop us. They say 13’s unlucky, but my wife tells me 13’s her lucky number so the 13′ll be easy. The 14^th might be harder” – the always quotable Bart Cummings, on the chances of adding to his 12 Melbourne Cup wins, at the Scobie Breasley Medal night in Melbourne on Sunday.

“I hope the grandson does better than the father, but he’s a nice, bright young fellow and I think if he wants to continue getting up at 3.30 in the morning he’ll make it” – more Cummings, when asked if he was proud of his trainer son Anthony and prospective trainer James, Anthony’s son.

WE SAW IT

Leica Larrikin’s liking for Flemington was evident when the raw four-year-old gelding won the Learmonth & Topp Handicap (1710m), but a Melbourne Cup campaign will have to wait until next year. “I didn’t enter him in the Cups deliberately so there was no chance of changing my mind,” said Corowa trainer Richard Freyer.

Older brother Leica Falcon (Br g 8, Nothin’ Leica Dane-Lady Peregrine, by Scrupules (IRE) came in at the rear in the same race. The Falcon, of course, was unlucky in both the Caulfield Cup (fifth) and Melbourne Cup (fourth) in 2005, and because of injury, EI and plain bad luck did not get the chance to improve on those runs.

The Larrikin’s winning rider Dean Holland wore a black armband for stable stalwart Chris Woodberry. Freyer said Woodberry was a “good friend and an owner who’s been with us for 30 years, and he died on Thursday … Why we put the black armands on Larrikin was because that was his last bet when he won here at $41.”

Holland said of Leica Larrikin: “He’s got a bit to learn, but he’s a good horse.”

Driffield Gold, winner of the last at Flemington, the Foletti & Keane Handicap (1410m) was perhaps even more impressive first up than he had been in four straight wins last time. Trainer Robert Smerdon and jockey Nick Hall suggested he might be better than a country cup contender, the original mark they gave him.

Hall relished the win, his fifth in five tries on Driffield Gold (B g 6, Aristotle (IRE)-Lyndon Gold, by Gold Carat (USA). It was Hall’s last ride with an (a) against his name, prompting Smerdon to say: “He has been a winner as an apprentice and he’ll be a winner as a jockey too.”

Hall, head screwed on, said: “It’s a new chapter now and I think it only gets harder, so we’ll see how we go.”

New Zealand named its horse of year on Friday – Mufhasa (Br g 5, Pentire (GB)-Sheila Cheval (NZ), by Mi Preferido (USA)), who won two G1 sprints as a 4YO before racing in Sydney as King Mufhasa for a third in the G1 George Ryder Stakes, 1500m, (behind Vision And Power and subsequent G1 winner Black Piranha) then finishing 16^th of 19 in the G1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m), also won by Vision And Power).

WE’LL WATCH IT

On Saturday at Caulfield we have the Group 2 Liston Stakes (1400m), the G3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) for mares, and for 3YOs the Listed Vain Stakes (1100m, c & g) and the Listed Quezette Stakes (1100m, fillies). Rosehill has the G2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) and the G3 Run To The Rose (1300m). There are meetings at Belmont, Doomben and Morphettville.

Jumps are the focus at Sandown on Sunday, with the $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (3900m) and two races over the smaller obstacles ­ – the $100,000 Lachal Hurdle (3900m) and $75,000 George Watson Hurdle (3300m). 

And we’ll be interested to see how Hong Kong’s super miler, Good Ba Ba, chasing a third successive Hong Kong International Mile in December, goes for new trainer Derek Cruz after owner John Yuen Se-kit took him from Andreas Schutz at the weekend.

“The transfer came as a total surprise to me, but then again, when I was given the horse back in 2006, that was a complete surprise to me as well. It seems Mr Yuen is a man full of surprises,” Schutz told Murray Bell in the South China Morning Post. “When I asked him a reason, he said he wants to support Derek Cruz because he has only 25 horses. I still know of no other reason.”

One offered by an anonymous friend of the owner was that Yuen was an advocate of fung shui and believed “all his good luck with Schutz may have been used up”.