The bragging rights for Saturday go to Melbourne with Caulfield’s Bletchingly Stake, at Group Three level, with Miraval Rose ready to explode, but a lesser grade Royal Randwick sprint that could produce more substance.
Winner of five out of six starts, Ice Kool was $2 in the Sand And Soil, 88 benchmark usually lacking scintillation, on Friday, and obviously is a three-year-old of considerable promise but faces a demanding task.
Yes, Saturday’s standard at both capitals are hardly the features but Victoria is on a roll due to current figures while the Australian Turf Club, flagship of the NSW industry, is going through a transition process.
With the current guidance of chairman Tim Hale and vice chair Caroline Searcy plus Steve McMahon CEO was sufficient, but Racing NSW has appointed Morgan Kelly to lead the administration structure supported by a five-member advisory committee. Top heavy?
Anyway, because of an unfair funding model, Randwick hardly lives up to the Royal tag, being more Third World than Flemington — justifiably the pride of Victoria, as is the Melbourne Cup, still the most popular race in Australia, although it doesn’t rate in my top three.
Nor does The Everest, widely regarded as Sydney’s best, a great promotion, but not in my trifecta in the state. Just personal preference.
Sure, it is elite standard but the Everest was denied Group status being a special conditions race and like the Gold Coast spectaculars did not qualify.
Racing overall, though, is strong. Horses and those that make them are as good as ever. Victoria has confirmed the worth of what is not a sport but an industry and there is no reason to believe New South Wales overall is inferior.
“Thoroughbred racing industry generated more than $4 billion in economic value and supported almost 25,000 full-time-equivalent jobs during the 2024-25 season,” a new independent report down south has revealed.
“Thoroughbred racing accounted for $4.067 billion, representing 73.4 per cent of the total generated by the three codes, and also produced $2.862 billion in direct spending, generated more than $2.1 billion in household income and supported 24,618 full-time-equivalent jobs.
“The sport also involved 64,170 owners and syndicate members, 4383 volunteers and 540 race meetings comprising 4333 races.
“Thoroughbred meetings attracted 1,163,611 attendances during 2024-25, while Victorian racing clubs had 73,149 thoroughbred members.”
After a period in the doldrums, ATC is on the front hoof. Allocating oncourse Randwick stables, once Leilani Lodge, to Gai Waterhouse – Adrian Bott partnership was overdue, cutting down on horses traipsing through the Kensington traffic to the racecourse. Waterhouse deserved it on historical grounds.
Punters, too, are getting more consideration with the “issue of historical dataahead of Saturday’s meeting at Royal Randwick, aligned with the corresponding meeting last year,” according to the media release.
“This Saturday, the rail will be out 11m from the true position at the 1100m start to the winning post, and 8m for the remainder. This is consistent with the meeting 12 months ago,” McMahon announced as “part of the ATC’s new commitment to providing increased communications for the industry and punters.’’
“At the meeting last year, there were 104 starters across 10 races, on a soft seven. Last year’s results produced winners off pace and away from the rail.”
A suggestion: also list the winners and placings of the corresponding meeting the previous year. History repeats itself.
However the rail situation makes it more testing for Ice Kool, who drew 9. Big Red Tequila, too, could provide a hurdle for the favourite. No doubt the ride by Jay Ford on Ice Kool will be vital with pace aplenty likely.
Ice Kool was able to be three wide under 60kg and scored over the Randwick 1000 metres on June 20. Subsequently the gelding bolted away with a barrier trial. “A mile in front,” according to the broadcaster.
Astutely placed by trainer David Pfieffer, Ice Kool has accounted for Big Red Tequila, a promising four-year-old mare, in her two recent defeats. Still she had even more demanding transits.
I am gambling on Sam Clipperton giving Big Red Tequila a better passage, with a 2.5kg weight advantage, from the six launch, and will take $5.50 or better.
Also Miraval Rose has drawn from what should be a comfortable two gate in the Bletchingly where the Caulfield rail is out 10 metres. Resuming from a spell she came from eight, went back and was beaten under a length by Winnasedge at Caulfield (1100 metres) on July 11. She should have finished closer and has a return bout with Winnasedge (five barrier).
The 1200 metres on Saturday suits Miraval Rose: two over the track and distance provided a win and second.
