Stars align for golden autumn with Queen Elizabeth set to be crowning moment

Winx’s era of dominance spanning the second half of the last decade will give way to racing’s most competitive autumn this century as the stars align for a golden generation of the turf.

The quality witnessed over the spring will only breed fresh excitement for 2022, where Verry Elleegant, Incentivise and Zaaki will finally clash, with the untapped talents of I’m Thunderstruck, Profondo and Anamoe also ready to emerge into the mix.

Verry Elleegant storms away from Incentivise in the Melbourne CupCredit:Pat Scala/Racing Photos

There is no established pecking order between the sensational six simply because they haven’t met. Even though they won 10 group 1 races in spring, only Verry Elleegant and Incentivise clashed on raceday with their score 1-all after the Turnbull Stakes and Melbourne Cup.

It leads to debate over who is the best horse in the country and gives racing the opportunity to be centre stage for the early part of next year.

There will be supporters for Zaaki, who has a style and presence that demands he will be in the discussions for Australia’s best horse after Saturday’s Mackinnon Stakes victory. But can he match horse of the year and Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant, and would the relentless force of Incentivise bring him undone?

It might take until the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on April 9 to get the answer because it could be the first time all of them will be on the same track in the same race, a mouth-watering contest that should be worth double the present $4 million purse.

Racing NSW hasn’t been scared to boost prizemoney. The Golden Slipper going to $5m this week was just the lates example.

It needs to recognise the opportunity and the position the Queen Elizabeth holds as the crowning moment of Australian racing, and take it into the realm of The Everest, Melbourne Cup and Golden Eagle.

The Golden Eagle winner I’m Thunderstruck has an x-factor and a turn of foot that will make him a weight-for-age gun, while Anamoe comes off a spring where he was pipped in the fastest-ever Golden Rose and the Cox Plate, where he should have arguably got the race on protest, and being the fastest Caulfield Guineas winner on record.

Profondo wins the Spring Champion Stakes.Credit:Getty

The Godolphin colt might not be the best three-year-old in the land with Spring Champion Stakes winner Profondo, a scary beast that should return in the autumn a more complete individual.

The great thing about the sensational six is that they are all in different stables and have a diversity of racing styles. It prompts debate and intrigue that can only be settled at Randwick in April.

They say in boxing styles makes fights and if that is so, the Queen Elizabeth would be worthy being of pay-for-view status, and a top ranking one at that. There are leaders and backmarkers within the group and more contenders outside it.

There is the potential for the return of two-time Queen Elizabeth winner Addyebb and other European talent, which could be lured away from Dubai by an increase in stakes, as well as a Japanese visitor or two.

The depth in Australian racing is at its best for decades with mares like Probabeel, Colette and Icebath also in discussion for the biggest races of the autumn, not to forget four-year-olds Mo’unga and Private Eye.

The wonderful part of the competition between NSW and Victoria means there will be the traditional Sydney pathway, including the Chipping Norton Stakes, Ranvet Stakes or the George Ryder Stakes to get the Queen Elizabeth, while in Melbourne, the stars’ pathway will include the Peter Young Stakes, All-Star Mile and Australian Cup.

The battle for the talent will be as interesting as the racing, as Chris Waller, Peter Moody, James Cummings, Mick Price, Annabel Neasham and Richard Litt plot the best path to the grand final at Randwick.

The spring has been the best racing in years, but it is only the entrée for the stars of the show taking top billing next March and April in a series of races which will hopefully live long in the memory.

Crystal clear and sweet-sounding public address

James McDonald with his Melbourne CupCredit:Joe Armao

Not only has the racing been outstanding this spring, but the Australian Turf Club has worked quietly behind the scenes to make the experience at the track even better.

The booming new public address system had a $1.5 million upgrade during COVID-19 as part of the development of the Winx Stand, which is set to be opened early in December with Villiers Stakes day the first time it will be used on raceday.

The crystal-clear sound was seen to best effect when Sweet Caroline echoed around Randwick after The Everest.

The Winx Stand is already heavily booked for Christmas functions away from racedays and will offer another level experience for the public at Randwick’s biggest meetings.

‘Lucky bugger’ McDonald gets a 10

James McDonald was incredible during the Flemington carnival, setting a record with 10 wins including four group 1 victories, but the Melbourne Cup remains the masterpiece of his career.

Verry Elleegant has been politely called quirky and has often brought herself undone with antics, particularly refusing to settle and throwing her head.

McDonald said he was “blowing her kisses” around Flemington on Tuesday as she gave him the sweetest of rides, which allowed for explosiveness rarely seen at the end of two miles.

It even surprised the man who rides her more than McDonald, trackwork rider Chris Harwood, who couldn’t believe his eyes and admitted he thought she was the Melbourne Cup winner a long way out.

“She has never been that quiet for me, maybe once coming off the track for a couple of strides,” Harwood said. “When she dropped her head for James I thought, ‘You lucky bugger’ because he was going to feel her best.”

Lees chasing hometown Hunter success

Newcastle trainer Kris Lees wants to go one better on Saturday in his hometown’s biggest race, The Hunter, after his runners have finished second the first two editions of the $1 million affair.

Lees set his sights on the day a couple of months ago and will three or four runners, led by recent impressive trialler Gem Song. “We have picked this race out for him because he is at his best early in his preparation,” Lees said.

“We have him a bit more forward than he was earlier in the year when he won the Cameron Handicap second-up, and he looks my best chance to win it. We would like to keep the trophy this time around.” Gem Song is a $17 chance for The Hunter with Lost And Running posted as the $2.70 favourite after his brave run in The Everest and being the Classique Legend Stakes runner-up.

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