Monday Racebook: Brad Waters‘ horses to follow, forgive from Caulfield Guineas day

Griff got the money in a controversial Caulfield Guineas but there were many other superb performances on a terrific day’s racing at Caulfield on Saturday.

Jockeys earned every cent of their riding fees in a difficult finish to Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas. Picture: Getty Images.

Spring carnival hopes rose and fell during an outstanding day’s racing on Caulfield Guineas Day.

FIVE TO FOLLOW:

MAKTOOB: The import showed he was ready to win at Flemington second-up and backed-up that effort with his strong win in the opening race of the day. The race was run at a slow speed until the 600m but Maktoob got going early, sustaining a long run to score comfortably under 59kg. He’ll be fitter for that and can continue to work through the grades in the coming weeks.

EXCESS: Excess showed her ability with her win on debut in a strong maiden at Cranbourne but indicated a bright future is ahead of her with a brave second on Saturday. The filly pushed forward and led for most of the way, punching into the headwind in the straight before only going down narrowly. She’ll continue to develop and there might be a race for her over the two meetings of the Cox Plate carnival at The Valley.

FOXY FRIDA: Foxy Frida looks ready to win after an excellent third behind Wishlor Lass in the Catanach’s Jeweller’s Vase over 1600m. She wasn’t disgraced when resuming at Group 2 level at Flemington and produced a better effort at Caulfield. Foxy Frida raced off the pace in a slowly-run race but closed well along the rail once fully clear in the last 150m to finish two lengths from the winner. She’ll be better for two runs back and will threaten at her next run.

VERDAD: Verdad is an exposed talent but there was a bit to like about his Caulfield Guineas effort from a Derby perspective. The three-year-old raced three-wide with cover from barrier 14 and was building momentum from the 600m but lost his rhythm on the home turn and had to change legs in the straight. Verdad got on his right leg and was just starting to stretch out when hampered late. He can continue to develop.

DAQIANSWEET JUNIOR: The Phillip Stokes-trained stayer has continually improved this time in and looks ready to fire after a solid effort in the Herbert Power. He settled second last in an extremely slowly-run race and had to get going a bit earlier to get into the race. The winner Military Mission sprinted better than him but Daqiansweet Junior worked through the line well under 58kg. Phillip Stokes has him ticking over well.

The Gator 🐊

He's a champion & a 7x G1 winner ⭐@[e-mail]/rAVf945Pa3

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 14, 2023

CRUNCH TIME:

Brilliant mare ASFOORA dominated the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at both ends, pushing forward in a speed duel with UNCOMMON JAMES before easily seeing off her opposition, clocking 34.13 seconds for her last 600m. The Schillaci Stakes also produced the fastest last 400m and 200m with CURRAN running 23.04 seconds and 11.73 seconds for those respective sectionals. Developing filly SHEVA (1) showed she was one to watch with her closing sectionals in the second race, running the second fastest last 400m (23.07s) and 200m (11.73s) of the meeting. Interestingly PO KARE KARE clocked the fifth fastest last 200m of 11.92 seconds but dashed her own chances when blowing the start in her race.

COX PLATE: FAVOURITE TAKES TO THE VALLEY ‘LIKE A DUCK TO WATER’

PLEASE FORGIVE:

KING COLORADO: King Colorado had his fans in Guineas betting and ran an exceptional fourth after a tough trip. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained colt did it tough three-wide without cover for the entire race and fought on well in the straight until he was hampered late. He’ll continue to be competitive this spring.

APPIN GIRL: The Queensland filly was a beaten favourite in the second race but punters can forgive that effort. Appin Girl had her first run since the Brisbane winter carnival and not much went right for her. Appin Girl was a touch slow away and found herself in an awkward spot. She found trouble a couple of times in the straight before finishing three lengths from the winner. She’ll be much fitter for that.

Griff becomes the first horse in 15 years to do the Stutt Stakes & Caulfield Guineas double 👏@[e-mail]/cKRUC5NHxN

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 14, 2023

MELBOURNE CUP: NO CERTAINTY GOLD TRIP WILL BE BACK TO DEFEND TITLE

TRACK TALK:

“It is awesome. It means a lot. Biggest race of my career and I think she has more ahead of her. Really exciting,” jockey Mitch Aitken posted a career best win with Asfoora in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes but believes the Henry Dwyer-trained mare can give him a maiden Group 1 win.

“He had a lot of toxicity in his system. We suspect it was a white tail spider. We nursed him and nursed him. He was a very sick horse,” trainer Mick Price was amazed Ayrton made it back to the racetrack, let alone win at Listed level at Caulfield.

“What he has done for me and my family over the last twelve or 18 months, he’s been a wonderful horse,” jockey Tim Clark hailed seven-time Group 1 winner Alligator Blood after his latest win in the Might And Power.

“I don’t really get emotional that often but obviously with Dad’s passing earlier in the year, all he wanted to do was see me ride a group one winner,” jockey Beau Mertens rode his first Group 1 winner a month after the passing of his father, former jockey Peter Mertens.

Amazing scenes 🙌

Attrition delivers @Freedmanmitch & @beau_mertens their first G1 victories 💥 pic.twitter.com/IxUxDuF21P

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 14, 2023

STEWARDS SAY:

OUR EMPRESS ZOE (2nd Race 1) – Degree of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage detected.

CARINI (Unplaced Race 3) – Held up from to 400m until the 200m and not suited by the slow tempo.

SERADESS (Unplaced Race 4) – Vet’s examination revealed cardiac arrhythmia.

MINSK MOMENT (Took no part in Race 6) – Refused to jump from the barriers and took no part.

WEWAL (Unplaced Race 6) – Lame off hind leg.

FORGOT YOU (Unplaced Race 7) – Degree of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage detected.

IRONCLAD (Unplaced Race 10) – Lame in near foreleg.

Originally published as Monday Racebook: Brad Waters‘ horses to follow, forgive from Caulfield Guineas day