You thought February was good? Well strap yourself in for March Madness!
The feature and time-honoured autumn events are here, and they are a must for all racing fans.
With the amount of prizemoney now associated with the rejuvenated carnivals, and the endless TV coverage on offer for our great industry, there has never been a better time to live and breathe all things racing.
Join us below as we preview the Top 5 races for March.
NEWMARKET HANDICAP - 1200m
Flemington - march 11th
There is no better sight in racing than seeing our best sprinters charge down the famous Flemington straight six. First run in 1874, The Newmarket Handicap is considered Australia’s premier sprinting race. While it has had challenges with the different initiatives and other pop-up races recently, it still reigns supreme for me.
After his stunning run in the Black Caviar Lightning, the Golden Eagle winner I Wish I Win sits at the top of the betting markets. The closing sectionals produced by the Peter Moody trained runner were first class, and he should be well placed under handicap conditions. This event could provide a career-changing moment.
The Everest Conqueror Giga Kick is waiting patiently to claim the title of Australia’s best sprinter. He loves the Flemington straight, and he looks untapped with ability. He has only had his colours lowered once, and he seems poised to strike here.
Despite tasting defeat last start, In Secret will have plenty of admirers. Her win down the Flemington straight on Derby Day was outrageous, and the drop back to 1200m looks advantageous.
Add the freakish speed machine Private Eye to the line-up for good measure, and you have a Newmarket for the ages!!!
coolmore classic - 1500m
rosehill - march 11th
One for the ladies! The Coolmore Classic was Australia’s first Group 1 for fillies and mares. It remained the only event with these conditions until the Myer Classic, Sangster Stakes, Tatts Tiara, and Queen Of The Turf Stakes were added.
This year’s edition is the most even in recent memory. Annavisto will come to Sydney up and about after her stunning win fresh at Flemington. She deserves her shot at this race and only needs to reproduce her last-start heroics to be a winning chance.
Zougotcha will have supporters after narrowly missing victory in The Group 1 Surround Stakes. Despite resuming off a setback and jumping from the carpark, she announced herself as a serious autumn contender.
The usual suspects, Fangirl and Hinged, will be there, and with their stunning runs behind Anamoe this campaign, only a fool would write them off.
the golden slipper - 1200m
Rosehill - march 18th
Since 1957 racing fans have been talking about the Golden Slipper. The richest two-year-old race in the world is the jewel in the crown of the Rosehill autumn carnival, and it attracts worldwide attention every year. It is a sought-after feature among jockeys, trainers, and owners, and it makes up one leg of the unofficial ‘Grand Slam’ of racing.
Boom filly Learning To Fly will start favourite after two stunning performances. She somehow remains undefeated after winning from an impossible position at her latest outing, and she scarily looks to have further improvement to come. Owners are now giggling at the original $900,000 purchase price.
The Godolphin army will be represented by Cylinder, who has returned to racing in fine style. He still looks green as grass. However, he is raw and oozes class. If he can strip fitter from his first-up performance, the big boy may prove hard to hold out.
Cafe Millenium and the Blue Diamond winner Little Brose will add heat to an already spicy affair!
the galaxy - 1100m
rosehill - march 18th
The 1100m scamper under handicap conditions has been synonymous with the Sydney autumn since 1972. It is New South Wales’s equivalent to the Oakleigh Plate. With the sprinting ranks currently going through a transitionary period, the 2023 edition of The Galaxy will answer many questions for punters moving forward.
Lost And Running will be the headline act despite having a disappointing spring. He never made the barriers in The Everest and subsequently produced a flat run in The Nature Strip stakes. He has an incredible turn of foot when he is at his best, and all punters and racing fans are hoping to see the big boy reach his full potential this preparation.
Mazu is the most improved horse in the country. He went from teasing to breathtaking in the matter of a campaign. His run in The Everest was a career peak, and if he returns just as furnished, he can have a breakthrough autumn preparation.
Oakleigh Plate champion Uncommon James will be competitive if he lines up here. He has a serious engine, and his near-undefeated career record speaks for itself. How he handles Rosehill may determine his fate.
australian cup - 2000m
flemington - march 25th
The Australian Cup is a spectacular event on the autumn racing calendar. The 2000m Group 1 weight-for-age event was first introduced in 1863 and conducted under handicap conditions before 1979.
The Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip looks to have a mortgage on the race after a brilliant return to racing in The Peter Young Stakes at Sandown. He savaged the line nicely, and the 2000m will be ideal for him to continue his love affair with Flemington. Under the weight-for-age conditions, he looks tough to beat!
The forever teasing I’m Thunderstruck will have supporters being a Group 1 winner at Flemington last spring. I am unsure he will head here, with the All-Star mile his reasonable goal, and I am not convinced 2000m is his best distance. He must be respected if he makes the final field.
Mounga has run well at Flemington, previously behind Incentivise. He has been out of the winner’s circle for a long time but will get the conditions to suit. Glory Daze could surprise and announce himself as the new kid on the block, while the three-year-old Elliptical will have the weight advantage, and he offers plenty of upsides.
If you have made any Saturday plans for the coming month, I would cancel them…
Welcome to March!
