Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
Bauhina's (Hellbent) win in the Magic Millions Wyong S. (1200 metres) made her the horse to beat in the 3YO Guineas at the Gold Coast next month.
That was until the Peter Snowden-trained Tuileries (So You Think {NZ}) strutted her stuff at Canterbury on Friday night. Let’s break down the two performances as both fillies look destined for far better races than their respective recent assignments.
Bauhinia was quite something to watch. Sitting 5l off the second last placed horse is not the place to be anywhere but especially around the tight turns of Wyong. The pace of the race was only 2l above standard and she conceded 7l at the 600 metres, more if you go back further.
Despite taking the turn awkwardly, the filly knuckled down to win beating standard time by 5.5l and in the process clocked the best last 800, 600, 400 and 200 metres of the day. They don’t go much better in this lead-up race.
She was first-up and her last 200 metres suggests she has improvement to come. She is now $7 for the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400 metres) in January.
Bauhinia winning the Magic Millions Wyong S. | Image courtesy of Wyong Race Club
Just over 48 hours later, Tuileries resumed in a 3-year-old maiden at Canterbury over 1250 metres. They went slow in front going 2.5l below standard through the first 600 metres. But the acceleration Tuileries showed was unrivalled by some handy 3-year-olds. Her last 600 metres wasn’t just the best for the night, it was also 8l above benchmark and she was soft on the line.
Like Bauhinia, she was first-up but stronger through the line albeit entitled to given the tempo of her race was far less taxing than Bauhinia’s. Tuileries probably needs one more run to have her ready for what is usually a stern 1400-metre test at the Gold Coast. Bauhinia, on the other hand, could go straight into it given she’s had a solid hit out.
Still on 3-year-old fillies and Rockin’ At Midnite took out a 1200-metre event at Moonee Valley on Friday night producing the best last 1000 metres of the meeting. Her overall time of 1.09:64 was more than half a second faster than the BM70 later in the night and was 4l above standard time.
Within The Law makes winning look easy
On Saturday, Bjorn Banker’s Within The Law (Lucky Vega {Ire}) made it two wins from as many starts when taking out the $500,000 Inglis Nursery (1000 metres) at Randwick. Our database says she rated 1l superior to her debut win, which was modest at best. But what this filly has is pure professionalism. Perhaps her ability won’t see her in the top 10 of her generation but she wins races because she does so much right. And that trait must be appealing for potential breeders. Her time was 1l above standard for 2-year-old open races at Randwick and coupled with a strong last 200 metres, this filly appears to be on the improve.
Pier Pressure (Press Statement) chalked up a hattrick of wins taking out a BM78 (1600 metres) named after Bob Ingham AO. Her overall time was average for the grade, but the penny appears to be dropping, and she mixed it with some handy fillies during her 3-year-old season.
Gallery: Handy winners at Randwick on Saturday, images courtesy of Sportpix
Beau Dazzler bolsters Derby credentials
Up north at Eagle Farm, Beau Dazzler (NZ) (Ardrossan) qualified for the Queensland Derby next year with a barnstorming win in the G3 Grand Prix S. (1800 metres). He started $8.50 for the event and it might be the last time we get that price for him in this type of race. Off a genuine tempo, he’s ripped out the fifth fastest last 200 metres of the meeting to record 1.52:8 for the 1800 metres, which is more than 2l above standard. He was held up at the top of the straight and won by 3l. Let’s not forget he was wide throughout the G1 JJ Atkins (1600 metres) when fifth behind Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}).
Gallery: Winners at Eagle Farm on Saturday, images courtesy of Trackside Photography
Queen Air (Toronado {Ire}) was the highlight up there. Having her second start for Tony Gollan, she clocked the best last 400 metres and 200 metres at the meeting to win second-up at the mile on a testing track. The now 5-year-old was placed in the VRC Oaks during her 3-year-old season and has always shown glimpses of being well above average. Perhaps the Queensland sun has given her a new lease on life? It would for most of us!
