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Flemington: A Recap of the Winners
Race 7 – The Elms Handicap LR 1400m
- Winner: Cafe Millenium
- Jockey: Celine Gaudray
- Behind the win: The partnership between Cafe Millenium and Celine Gaudray stood out. “I love riding this horse. He’s the best to ride; he does everything you ask.” The day unfolded perfectly, with the race shaping up to suit them.
- Was confidence high throughout? Gaudray noted an unexpectedly fast early tempo. She explained how she angled three-wide as the pace eased, giving the horse space to stretch his long stride and finish powerfully. The trainer team—Ben, Will, and JD Hayes—credited the ride and the horse’s toughness in a race that allowed their horse to dominate. JD Hayes spoke on the strong rapport with Gaudray and the support from Ron Finemore, who backs young riders and backed Cafe Millenium again today. The plan, they added, is to keep racing Cafe Millenium at Flemington where the track suits him, with potential future adjustments such as blinkers or winkers to unlock further improvement.
Race 6 – Be Captivated Trophy 2500m
- Winner: Berkeley Square
- Jockey: Luke Nolen
- Special significance: Nolen highlighted the occasion as meaningful, noting the chance to perform well on a horse with a strong connection to the team and trainer Dan O’Sullivan. With a modest tempo set, Berkeley Square settled back before weaving into the plan and finishing decisively.
- Track compatibility: Nolen confirmed that Berkeley Square enjoys big tracks and the run allowed him to relax and then unleash his big stride. The winning trainer, Dan O'Sullivan, praised Nolen’s ride, especially the patience to find a suitable moment and space to accelerate. He reflected on the horse’s consistent form and the Derby-year perspective of giving him opportunities to run well over longer distances, including a potential approach at the Roy Higgins meeting after a possible break.
- Future plans: O'Sullivan mentioned aiming for Adelaide Cup, with breeder David Peacock keen to see the horse vie for that mantlepiece. The plan also considers returning to key events like the Roy Higgins over time.
Race 5 – The Schweppes Plate BM90 1200m
- Winner: Ndola
- Jockey: Luke Currie
- Tough but earned win: The team credited Ndola’s freshness for the straight 1200m; the horse showed a strong finish after a patient ride. Ndola had been settled early while Rue De Royale showed early pace, and once Ndola found room, he surged through to claim the race.
- Training team: Ben, Will, and JD Hayes spoke, noting the decision to drop Ndola back from a 1400m preparation and give him a lighter immediate schedule as he sharpened up. They praised the ride by Currie, who waited for daylight before unleashing the horse’s speed. They also acknowledged the long-standing support from Devitt and Gordon’s and hinted Ndola could race straight again, given the gelding’s growing familiarity with the straight.
Race 4 – VOBIS Gold Prelude 3YO 1100m
- Winner: Perilous Fighter
- Jockey: Luke Cartwright
- Performance: The win showcased Perilous Fighter’s potential, especially given past inconsistency. Clayton Douglas conveyed confidence in the horse after a favorable setup and a good run with the apprentice claim. The prize money in VOBIS events adds real value for connections and owners.
- Partnerships: Douglas emphasized the unusual, fruitful collaboration with the Rosemont team and the faith Clayton placed in the horse from the weanling sale. The partnership reflects a broader story of growth and success, with Douglas noting the horse’s rising value and the trainer’s ongoing development.
Race 3 – Desirable Stakes 3YO LR F 1400m
- Winner: Sass Appeal
- Jockey: Damian Lane
- Performance and strategy: Sass Appeal began a touch awkward but quickly found rhythm and settled in front. Lane rode to regulate the early speed and then accelerated from the 600m mark, making it difficult for chasers to close. The plan is to target further opportunities at longer distances, with 1600m viewed as well within reach.
- Future direction: Trainer Danny O’Brien outlined a race plan toward the Kewney Stakes, staying in fillies’ grade for three weeks and then potentially stepping up to the Group 2 in the spring. The team hopes Sass Appeal can reach higher levels in the spring, supported by a carefully managed build-up.
Race 2 – BM78 2000m
- Winner: Tarvue
- Jockey: Luke Cartwright
- Sprint to the line: Cartwright expressed confidence in Tarvue’s ability, praising her big stride and turn of foot when cleanly run. He credited stable connections for keeping him on the mare and allowing her to stretch out in the latter stages. The trainer John Sadler noted Tarvue’s consistency across races and highlighted the importance of designating the right pace to maximize her finishing kick.
- Next steps: Sadler flagged potential targets such as the Torney Cup at Moonee Valley, aiming to add Listed Black Type credentials to Tarvue’s record. He suggested a measured schedule to keep her fresh for upcoming opportunities.
Race 1 – TAB Talindert Stakes 2YO LR 1100m
- Winner: Hard Kick
- Jockey: Damian Lane
- A bold win: Hard Kick showed his competitive instinct when challenged, fighting hard to maintain leadership after the other horses closed in. He’s proven to be a standout performer in jump-outs and held form over the 1100m journey, indicating potential for further improvement beyond today’s score.
- Preparations and future: The Hayes trio highlighted the horse’s Sydney Ready-To-Run education, noting a strong home program that prepared him for today. The plan remains flexible with a view to a few upcoming options, keeping the door open for further opportunities as his development continues. They were particularly impressed by the horse’s ability to control tempo and accelerate decisively, a feature they expect to carry forward into bigger stages.
Key takeaways for enthusiasts and newcomers
- The day underscored the value of rider-horse harmony and strategic pacing, which can shape outcomes even when the field seems evenly matched. The winning teams stressed careful ride selection and patience, especially on longer tracks where big strides can dominate late.
- In several cases, trainers highlighted ongoing plans to refine gear and training regimens to extract incremental gains, illustrating how small changes can yield meaningful performance boosts over time.
Discussion prompt
- With multiple horses showing rising form, which trainer’s approach do you find most compelling: those prioritising track compatibility and tempo control, or those focusing on gear adjustments and long-term development? Share your view in the comments and tell us which horse you’d place your bets on based on today’s performances.
