Macca

Apart from more recent times where Black Caviar and now Winx have absolutely dominated, we've often had 1, 2 or even 3 standout performers at any given time. If you pick any decade for instance you'd come up with any number of horses that would stand out from the rest. At various times we've had Vain, Kingston Town, Makybe Diva, Better Loosen Up, Manikato, Northerly and the list goes on and on. I like it that the World Authority recognises our racing and our horses too ... it's a little surprising considering that we rarely go chasing glory overseas but I suppose that just confirms the strength of our racing here. And more & more overseas horses are being brought here as well ... not the absolute best (yet) but after analysing where and when the Group 1 racing occurs, our best chance of attracting the best is in February/March. If the Tancred, Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Cox Plate were all held over that period with an increase in prizemoney (from already healthy numbers) then it's feasible. For instance, the Dubai World Cup has identified late March as a window and that meeting does attract a lot of overseas representation. But I tend to think that things will largely remain the same ... however, the 'Everest' race does change the landscape. Interesting that the Pegasus World Cup held in January in the USA works off the same principle of selling 'slots' like the 'Everest'. Maybe that is the future? And that's a great video of Sea Biscuit - thanks for posting D77.

With Winx now occupying the top spot with regards to the best Racehorse Worldwide, it's worth noting the 3 main rivals that she has surpassed. 2 of her rivals ran in the 'Pegasus World Cup International Stakes' (1800m) held in January at Gulfstream Park (Florida) ... the race was worth $12Million ($16Million next year) and is regarded as the richest horse race held annually. Her other main rival ran in the recent G1 Dubai 'Turf' over 1800m. n.b. 'The Everest' is vying for the honour of the richest horserace and that race is going to be worth $13Million this year. It is the richest 'Turf' race worldwide. While I'm here, here's a link to the top 100 Group 1 races held worldwide (we fare very well on the list) Anyway, here's a look at Gun Runner, West Coast, Benbatl & Winx (today) And our own Winx today ...

Our 'Best Bet' strategy has taken a bit of a hammering of late ... we've dropped below a 50% win strike rate. Have we switched off for a quarter? ha ha 40: 19 - 8 - 1 If it's any consolation most I know have dipped out badly in last 3 or 4 weeks. A lot of the favoured horses have run a place instead of winning. JJ has gone a bit cold too.

Always nice to pick up a late winner D77 ... well done!

Didn't have the winner but I think I might have had the next 4 runners. Nothing ventured, nothing gained D77.

I wish I knew ... I'd be very rich if so Wadda 1600m seems to be her limit but with maturity the horse might get the 2000m. The jockey mentioned that Alizee needs a few runs to get going.

Alizee does it easily ... the 3yo filly beats all the mares. Might have a big big future with that turn of speed. As it stands the horse is tremendous at Group level.

Who Shot TheBarman wins the Sydney Cup! It ran a terrific race at its last start in the Tancred Stakes so the form was there. Almandin never threatened.

Such is the racing calendar (Worldwide) they're never likely to meet. Comparing times & track surfaces Winx would come out on top - would beat the other gun horse 'West Coast' as well. Anyway Wadda, as it stands right now, Winx will go to the No.1 position outright. An absolute Champion in every sense of the word.

What a horse! Cruised up and then went whoosho

Hiyaam looked home for a moment there ... ran a race record but the winner too good. Both horses were impressive. So Bowman stitches us up twice ... that was nice of him!

I've got it in for 2nd, 3rd or 4th. I've marked the 1, 12 & 15 on top.

I'm still going to have a First4 in the race having had a decent look at the field running last night.

Started off with a winner with 'Pure Elation' ... looks a real good horse too. Dan Zephyr has been scratched due to the state of the track at Caulfield.

The Zephyr at 7.50 for the place ... 'Handsome Thief' & 'El Sicario' scratched which means Milwaukee is now favourite. The race has got a First4 feel about it with a few of the lightweights now in the betting. Can Dan deliver a payday for us? ... here is the field again Australian Group & Listed Races

Here are the current 'Longines' World's Best Racehorse Rankings (up to April 8th) Plenty of Australian bred horses on the list and a number of familiar names from Hong Kong ... those who are interested may need to enlarge the page to read with more clarity. Levendi is the latest Australian horse to make the elite list. One would think that Winx will be the outright No.1 horse if she wins tomorrow.

A day late but here are my picks for the first round of the playoffs (winners in dark italics) I'm not sure any of us that have a go at the winners have ever got any more than 5 correct but it's hard to see many of the underdogs progressing past the first round ... Winnipeg vs Minnesota Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia Vegas vs LA Kings Tampa Bay vs New Jersey Boston vs Toronto Washington vs Columbus Nashville vs Colorado Anaheim vs San Jose As for which team can win the whole shebang, could it be the the Vegas Golden Knights? That would be something to see. Winnipeg are in hot form along with Anaheim. But it's playoff hockey where anything is possible. And how far can Washington advance?

Viridine's a very good choice Wadda ... I'm as confident as ever with the 3 picks. So much so that I just got on a 75-1! That seems overs for 3 quality thoroughbreds all with excellent current form. Here are the 3 Best Bets ... Randwick Race 5 No.1 Viridine $3.50 Randwick Race 6 No.2 Hiyaam $5.50 Randwick Race 8 No.1 Almandin $4.20

Haven't heard anything but they might be concerned about Winx running out the 2000m with the same superiority as a 7yo ... at the Mile she's got them covered but Humidor tested her at last year's Cox Plate. In the lead up to last year's Cox Plate Winx had 4 other runs (Warwick Stakes 1400m, Chelmsford Stakes 1600m, George Main Stakes 1600m & The Turnbull Stakes 2000m) Considering that they're talking retirement, that's a fair bit of racing. You would have to believe it would be a reduced program anyway. The Underwood Stakes over the 1800m might come into play (The Underwood is run 4 weeks before the Cox Plate and at 750k, it's a race well worth winning) But I'm taking a guess D77 - who knows?

In the Queen Elizabeth Stakes I reckon Ambitious might run a good race. Winx should win with Gailo, Humidor and the Clapper running on but the Japanese import could easily get into the finish. They are my top 5 D77 with Winx on top obviously. But it could be a really good race and I'm not sure Winx will have it all her way. The Coolmore Queen of the Turf (Race 9) is a tough race to find a clear winner ... a good betting race with about 8 horses having real claims to win the race. The dividends in the Trifecta & First 4 could be quite substantial.

Ha! Dan was only 2 lengths off 3rd last week and the horse that ran 3rd (Milwaukee) is a clear 2nd favourite for this upcoming race. The favourite is going to take some beating though (Handsome Thief) And I had Almandin earmarked as my best bet D77! However, there's a couple of others that I like at Randwick but I've settled on a standout in the Oaks ... Best Bet: Hiyaam Race 6 No.2 Randwick $5.50 A very impressive winner at it's last outing in the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and the horse is also very consistent (3rd in the VRC Oaks, 3rd in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes and a 4th in the Wakeful) Drawn the inside gate so should get a great spot in the running. Trained by Mick Price with Michael Dee on board again. Overall Best Bet Record 36: 19-7-1

It doesn't get any less painful on viewing the replay of the Derby Wadda. So close. Win, lose or otherwise I'll post up the youtube replays if not for just the recognition of the group winners. I'm still looking for Kementari & Brave Smash to come flashing home in the other two Group 1's but they're not to be seen!

Here's a replay of 3 of yesterday's Group 1 races (Australian Derby, Doncaster Hcp & T J Smith Stakes)

So what did you end up doing Wadda? By the way, they ran some slick times yesterday at Randwick - especially 'Trepeze Artist' (last 600 in 33.89) & Happy Clapper (01:33.17 for the 1600) But the other quick time was 'El Dorado Dreaming' ... it ran 01:22.10 for the 1400. The connections might have known that the horse had real speed but none of the experts knew (nor the punters!) I'm not sure a horse can fluke a time like that carrying 54.5 kgs as a 2yo. It won't be starting at a 100-1 in it's next outing.

600k for the connections would have been an unexpected surprise and for those few that backed it (probably the connections again!) ... another surprise. It's form wasn't woeful but even with the benefit of hindsight it was hard to see it winning. Oohood was another that got out too late. Still, 200k for 2nd is a nice consolation prize. A lot of shouda, couda, wouda's today. But that's racing.