Jockey Michael Walker and Ginga Dude do Waikato proud. Photo / Dean Purcell
The New Zealand breeding industry enjoyed a great day at Caulfield on Saturday, highlighted by a clean sweep in the feature event, as well as wins by former South Aucklander Culminate and Waikato gelding Ginga Dude.
YOU BEAUT: New Zealand-breds 1-2-3 in the Caulfield Cup. All three were developed at
Windsor Park Stud in Cambridge.
PERPETUALLY UNDER-RATED: Ginga Dude. Looked and raced fresh in Australian debut, but still beat the second-level Aussie stayers out of sight.
OUT OF THE EMBERS: Michael Walker. Has had it tough, but showed what classy hands he's got getting Ginga Dude home. To cap off a great day he also won on Culminate.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I lost 2kg sweating on that" - Michael Rodd when told he wasn't going to be suspended for the interference he caused to Harris Tweed, Faint Perfume and Mourayan leaving the straight in the Caulfield Cup.
WOW: Varenna Miss in the last at Caulfield. Backed all around Australia and was so hopeless in the wet she nearly fell on the home bend, but somehow still managed to win in a dogfight. Don't take her on when it's dry.
EMERGING TOP TALENT: Hammer Down. Did what his name suggested at Rotorua and the others were breathless.
BEST PERFORMANCE: Twilight Savings. Beat a fierce Rotorua pattern when she got back, went wide and still won. She's good class and can only get better.
REMEMBERED WHO HE WAS: Tridane. From a million-to-one Hastings winner to tailing off again on Saturday.
NEEDS RAIN: Matost. Fought bravely, but a couple had more speed on a better track.
BACK THESE:
Elle Tresor: Covered a huge amount of extra ground and went down narrowly.
Te Toro Lass: Had to go against the pattern when very wide on the home turn and her effort was better than it reads on paper.
So Royal: Made ground nicely after getting back. Close to a good staying win.
Fazzle: Covered 25m further than the winner and was still coming on the line. Hard to beat next time.
Cassabella Lane: Making ground nicely at the end of the sprint and will be fitter for that first-up run.
Hula Belle: A tragedy beaten in the last. Forced over huge amount of ground and still brave on the line.
