Two big wins in a row as a slow maturing 4yo mare, who came from bolting in Caulfield Heath with -3.4 lengths below benchmark at the mid week meeting, but here has produced an IVR figure of substance, with a clear PB and there still looks more to come. -3.0 at the 800 when 7.2 lengths from the leaders who were overdoing it. +0.7 in the mid race and a very strong last bit best bit +5.4 last 400. This is just BM78 level so just holding this figure is most likely to keep her deep in the finish placed conservatively, and could in time pick off a summer stakes race in the staying ranks without surprise. 

Subsequently: Nose 2nd Cranbourne 27/12, before 3rd Flemington 10th January and 4.3 length winner Caulfield 24/01

Solid return after 280 days away having not come up in 2 runs previous prep, but had trialled well leading in. Of note he was slowly away from the wide barrier so was unable to use his lead speed asset. -1.7 at the 800, before +2.2 in the mid race and +3.2 last 400. This included a 2.3 length slowdown from the 600 to 400, and his overall closing rankings were the 3rd best last 800 and 600, before the 13th best last 200 stating the conditioning benefit to come. His PB is +1.9 set Flemington Oaks Day 2024, and he can get closer to that from here. Should now be very hard to stop from going one better.

Subsequently: Winner Caulfield 24/01.

Excellent run and the data strongly suggests she'll be advantaged if asked to step out over longer. Just -6.8 at the 800 asked to settle 3rd line, before +3.3 in the mid race meaning a booming 10 length squeeze, and sustained it home with +4.0 last 400. As she did first up when winning at Kembla with a super +8.1 last 400, produced the best last 800, 600 and 400 of the meeting. That closing speed should see her very hard to hold out from here noting the rail out 8 metres today assisted those on pace.

Subsequently: Winner Kenso 21/01

A low IVR figure to include, but this is a lightly raced import winning a maiden with an excellent turn of foot, on the quick back up 3rd up after gassing out last bit at Canterbury when -2.0 lengths below benchmark. Here -10.5 at the 800 and -3.2 in the mid race, before +4.4 last 400 when clear at the top of the straight before bolting in. Should have no problem elevating to -1.0 range, so conservatively placed can win again, where we can track his progress further. 

Subsequently: Winner Warwick Farm 07/01

Modest IVR figure, but this was still very good! 1st up after 262 days away from a one run prep March which was his only previous run as a gelding, clearly not right post race given the long gap, and a friendless $21 said lack of stable expectations. Accordingly was out the back early with -8.9 at the 800 when 9.3 lengths from the lead. +0.7 in the mid race meant a 9.6 length squeeze, before +1.8 last 400. However the 200 increments showed a 2.1 length slowdown from the 400 to 200, and his last 200 was a booming 3.4 length pick up and the best of the day. Ready to smash his -1.8 PB with a big summer ahead.

Subsequently: 4th Randwick 27/12 then winner Wyong 10/01 and again Randwick 24/12

All honours! Amazing performance by this 7yo who won this track/distance 2nd up 10/10 with +1.5 lengths above benchmark at the Friday night meeting, and that was breaking a drought back to April 2023. His Cox Plate Day win was +0.1 when leading throughout on his terms, but here has rebounded to a new level not produced since January 2023! +1.5 at the 800, +0.8 in the mid race before a slight late taper of -0.9 last 400. Clearly back in the zone with his old tenacity. Perhaps the Xmas Handicap Sandown from here?

Subsequently: Winner Group 1 Telegraph New Zealand! 

3rd up after missing 262 days from a one run prep after being gelded, and if he stays sound there's no reason he won't be winning multiple races from here. Just -11.4 at the 800 but 5.2 lengths from the lead in a super slow tempo race shape. +1.8 in the mid race was a significant 13.2 length squeeze. That he was able to go on with a booming best of day +9.8 last 400 including an outstanding +5.9 last 200 underlines the brilliant closing speed and upside potential from this basic BM78 level.

Subsequently: Winner Randwick 24/01

Got back to doing what he does best; rolling at high speed and "breaking" the opposition. +8.0 lengths above benchmark at the 800 was blistering speed, and was still +3.5 from the 800 to 400. Last 400 was just -5.4, but everything behind him had no energy left too. His all time best is +1.0 to +1.9 range. There's not much locally for him at present, so unsurprisingly is Listed as spelling. Probably will be targeted to defend his Bendigo Golden Mile in April?

Subsequently: Winner Caulfield 24/01

Nice return after 217 days away having just his 3rd career start, nothing the data says a 3.7 length improvement from his debut win at Eagle Farm December. +0.2 at the 800 stalking the lead was good speed, before -1.4 and -1.7 last 2 sections. Should get a good conditioning elevation from this given the early pressure exerted and a benchmark range run is likely. Perhaps 1400 Flemington next??

REPOST: First up winner again Caulfield 24/01

Made it 5 in a row, despite clearly not being "screwed down" first up after 147 days away and just one lead in jump out. -5.9 and -5.7 first two sections stalking the lead helped given the lack of "heat" before +3.1 last 400. This has matched his best ever performance from winning at Flemington 3rd up and smashed his previous best resuming run. Looks set for further success this summer and can continue through the grades.

Subsequently: Unplaced Pakenham 13/12 then winner Caulfield 24/01

Ready! Super elevation from just -4.7 on the quirky Caulfield Heath track, and a new PB from -1.0 from her 2nd career start Bendigo 2023. At the 800 was midfield going -0.7 spotting the leader/winner 5.5 lengths. +3.2 in the mid race before -0.7 last 400. Did lose a length over the last 200 as the chase told only 2nd up, but note ran the best last 1200 and 1000 of the day. Has tactical versatility winning twice as a leader, but has three times ran a closing 400 between +7.5 and +9.1. Caulfield BM78 staying at 1400 on January 31 from here???

Subsequently: Winner Pakenham 23/01

Winkers off, relaxed, and after being very good at not winning despite continuously being in the market over the past 18 months, put it together and smashed them! Sat 3 wide no cover going -1.8 at the 800 stalking the leading duo, +5.0 in the mid race, before +1.6 last 400, losing a length with the race won. This was also seen via the 6th best last 600, but the 27th best last 200 of the day. The raw time was a slick +4.7 lengths above benchmark, and given he's Magic Millions eligible, a trip north looks on the cards. If he "races" as well as he did here, he'll be very competitive again at worst.

Subsequently: Unplaced Flemington 10/01 then winner Group 2 Australia Stakes Pakenham 23/01