Even in the company of black dog, last week was difficult to define being in scenic Fingal Bay spelling preceding what promises to be an outstanding autumn considering Saturday and the return of Via Sistina, Ceolwulf and Switzerland.
Via Sistina, Australian’s best horse on current rating, was $2.50 earlier this week for the Apollo Stakes, only Group two, because she takes on Ceolwulf, probably the most promising.
Of course, Switzerland could well be a contender for both, resuming in the Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington that enticed champion jockey James McDonald to Melbourne, away from Via Sistina, for the three-year-old in the Group one sprint.
So what are these potential greats doing in the same sphere as Reba, the black bitch of Fingal Bay, the idyllic spot in the Nelson’s Bay area where I’ve been for the last week?
Reba, too, is exceptional.
Randwick last Saturday, a $2 million sprint for two-year-olds, the Inglis Millenium, didn’t turn me on. Ciaron Maher has a training farm in the Fingal Bay vicinity so a change of environment could be deemed beneficial. Anyway Maher horses and Reba thrive.
However Randwick this week could not be missed. It is difficult to recall a similar year where both venues, Sydney and Melbourne, have held so much appeal.
Yes, the Lightning is Group one with the champion Black Caviar a three-time winner while the Apollo is Group two but the mighty Winx notched three successes in the 1400 metre sprint.
Certainly other three-year-olds, Growing Empire and Traffic Warden will provide worthwhile opposition to Switzerland.
Still when Switzerland surged clear in the Coolmore Stud down the Flemington straight six last start, downing them, he gave the impression of being special following which trainer Chris Waller hoped the colt would not be retired to stud, always a possibility with the owners, but kept for The Everest.
No doubt the Black Caviar has put the Expressway, Randwick’s best sprint, in the shade. Although Group two it only drew six acceptors, including Waller’s Joliestar. She could be on the way to fulfilling her potential, dimmed on paper but better than it reads. Perhaps she was only seventh in The Everest but was beaten 1.6 lengths with excuses for her subsequent failure.
Like Switzerland and Joliestar, Via Sistina is prepared by Waller and it’s difficult to reason why she was not shorter than her opening quote.
After all the imported mare is rated on 125 compared to stablemate Fangirl’s 119 and Ceolwulf’s 115, based on what they have done. What’s coming could be the answer.
Fangirl notched the Apollo last year and has earned $8.7 million, ahead Via Sistina’s $8.6. By comparison Ceolwulf is on ground level but is $4 on Saturday for what he promises. Unlike the favourite who scored first-up last preparation, Ceolwulf was only sixth, looked common in the coat and not set for a bold return.
Trainer Joe Pride will present a more developed and tuned Ceolwulf for the Apollo. Ceolwulf beat Via Sistina in a recent barrier trial. The mare only did what Waller required but Ceolwulf looked ready for the fray.
Where does Reba emerge?
Observing the magnificence of Fingal Bay on Tuesday evening a black figure was spotted in the water: a seal possibly. Back and forward the head bobbed across a considerable briny stretch. On closer examination she was a dog. Occasionally she would detour to the sand, relieve herself and return to the water. Identified as Reba by a local on the beach. Apparently Reba has thousands of followers on Instagram. By nightfall she was still paddling, and had been doing so for longer than an hour.
Dear Mr Presnell,
I am so glad I stumbled onto John Tapp podcast where I learnt of this website .
I grew up in Brisbane and on my first trip to Sydney in1985 we headed out to Rosehill on a wet July day . I bought my first copy of the SMH. I devoured your race by race opinions and was convinced about the merits of a horse called “Meticulous” . I didn’t win but the style of the writing made up for it ! I didn’t win manage to back one of my own picks in a different race – gold sabre at 16 to 1 with my last 3 dollars on it . Thus we had enough to travel to the coogee bay hotel and pay 8$ to see 3 bands
Nonstop dancers
Dynamic hypnotics
Mental as anything
Eventually I became a doctor and one of my patients told the smh was available and I should look at the ratings of Monty. That was in 2008 and I quickly subscribed to get the have the weekend editions delivered and after brewing a mug of cha I would devour the volume of yourself and Chris roots which supplied many winners including the 2015 Sydney cup winner Grand Marshall at 50/1 ridden by pumper .
Alas your. Column disappeared but I thought you had just gone for a rare holiday . Now Roots column has disappeared ! What next …. If Monty goes I am cancelling the subscription .
Yours sincerely
James Brett Williams
Your thoughts on the historic Leilani Lodge drama [disappointment], please Max?