The Empire Rose Blooms, Derby Day Wilts, and Romance Rules at Randwick

The touch of class at Royal Randwick on Saturday extends beyond Autumn Glow, successful at her only seven starts, in the $10 million Golden Eagle.

“Romance rules” headlined the editorial in the Daily Telegraph, regarding the “Golden Mingle” extravaganza where “looking for love” was mentioned in what is becoming a multi-functional venue.

Cynics will deduce my absence from Derby Day at Flemington, historically racing’s best program, and my presence in Sydney for the first time since 1978 (apart from Covid) signals an aging cocktail cavalier having his last throw of the dice.

But Derby Day once was an insight into the Melbourne Cup, with stayers practising in the Mackinnon Stakes, over 2000 metres, also those in the Hotham or Dalgetty, 2500 metres, often offering an insight. Remember Shocking in 2009 when it was called The Lexus.

However the Mackinnon has gone to next Saturday and is probably a better race, while the Hotham or Lexus has evaporated.

Now the Coolmore Stud Stakes, moved to Derby Day in 2006, is a great sprint for three-year-olds and the best event on the menu. The other Group One, the Empire Rose for fillies and mares, is also strong, but the Victoria Derby, the Classic, is rarely worthy of main event status—again the situation this year.

By comparison Randwick’s the Golden Eagle, featuring Autumn Glow, compares with the Coolmore Stud, as does the $3 million Russell Balding, a prime lineup, with the Empire Rose.

The Rosehill Cup (2000 metres) badly tagged being at Randwick isn’t the Hotham but adds middle distance to an otherwise short course day.

With the benefit of Chris Waller and James McDonald Autumn Glow is the headliner. Alas, around $2.15 yesterday, the four-year-old is too short against budding talents like Evaporate, and Linebacker, plus the Japanese invader Panja Tower, a Group one winner with a four out of six-strike rate.

The Epsom success of Autumn Glow was solid if not strong. Evaporate at $10 or better attracts. Consider his form against Transatlantic, so good at Randwick last Saturday.

From the seven gate and Nash Rawiller, Evaporate is going to be competitive. J-Mac is coming from nine on Autumn Glow and possibly will not get it as easy as she did in the Epsom. The ride will win.

Certainly Jimmysstar, hard to beat in the Balding, didn’t get any favours against Ka Ying Rising in The Everest: three wide, no cover, and galloped on before his 1.42 lengths third.

Maybe $2.80 yesterday doesn’t entice because Jimmysstar gets back in the field, possibly a problem from four. Navigator Ethan Brown understands him well.

Which is the situation with Adam Hyeronimus with Beiwacht in the Coolmore Stud. Hypo is the Sydney form jockey, but Beiwacht is making his debut down the Flemington straight often a bogey for visitors, horse and human.

Beiwacht carries the Godolphin blue as does rival Tentyris, well-seasoned to the Flemington straight, so too his pilot Mark Zahra. On the score of raw ability another Sydneysider, Beadman, should be considered. But I am with Beiwacht, and Godolphin’s Observer, $2.10 yesterday, in the Victoria Derby.

Yes, Providence was an eyecatcher behind an eased down Observer at Moonee Valley last Saturday. Even with the saddle mastery of Craig Williams the gelding drew 12, and could do it tough. Observer should be cruising under Zahra out of four.

Most years the Victoria Derby is suspect on the maturity of the three-year-olds. Every so often there are suggestions it should come back from 2500 metres to 2000 metres, a point that has increased the recent blood pressure of Gai Waterhouse.

The Australian or then the AJC Derby (2400 metres) at Randwick was switched from the spring to the autumn in 1978, and replaced by the Spring Champion Stakes over 2000 metres.   

Before and after the Australian Derby has been a better race than the Flemington equivalent.

Still the Empire Rose on Saturday maintains major prominence although Pride Of Jenni and Fangirl, outstanding mares, are coming off slack last start performances.

Waller’s Fangirl was only sixth in the King Charles at Randwick recently but J-Mac was nearly bounced out of the seat early. Fangirl would not have won but should have finished closer than 2.89 lengths behind Ceolwulf.

Now a seven-year-old, it could be argued she is on the slide, but two starts back she downed Lindermann, a particularly strong credential. Also she has course and distance highlights to support it.

Again, though, Waller, presents the stablemates menace: the up-and-coming but erratic Leica Lucy, Lazzura and a lesser light Firestorm making up his three against Fangirl.

Looking for a rising star against them, Matthew Smith’s Idle Flyer appeals as does Waller’s Imperialist in the Rosehill Gold Cup, a good reason to be at Randwick, but hardly the first time many have been to the racecourse for pursuits other than backing winners.

Once the Australian Jockey Club went into raunch: the “gee-gee spot” promotion, and recent announcements indicate Randwick will be more of an entertainment venue.

Steve McMahon, currently the ATC CEO, clarified it is only a matter of fast-tracking permission to appear at headquarters and will not interference with peace and tranquillity required for horses.

The Pope has played at the hallowed ground as has Blood, Sweat and Tears a situation to which punters, in particular, have contributed.