Horse racing: The top five moments of the Sydney autumn carnival
From champion mare Via Sistina to boom fillies Lady Shenandoah and Treasurethe Moment, Sydney's autumn carnival delivered more unforgettable highlights.
Saturday's Group 1 All Aged Stakes meeting at Royal Randwick brought another sensational carnival to a close so this week's Blackbook looks back at the five biggest moments on the track.
1 – VIA LA VIDA
Anytime a horse can emulate an achievement of former superstar mare Winx, it deserves significant recognition. Via Sistina did just that with an awesome autumn carnival that included three Group 1s, headlined by her all-important Queen Elizabeth Stakes triumph that was enhanced by a masterful James McDonald ride. It took her tally to seven Group 1s for the season, equalling the record of Chris Waller's greatest ever horse Winx. Via Sistina is a lock to win Australian Horse of the Year and she was the star of the autumn.
2 – BAKER GOODS
This was the autumn Bjorn Baker has been craving. The affable Warwick Farm conditioner has been one of Sydney's best for some time but solidified his standing among Australia's elite trainers with stellar carnival. Stefi Magnetica gave Baker his 'major' in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile before Arapaho produced a performance for the ages to win the Group 1 Sydney Cup. It could have been even better with Group 1 near misses of Overpass (TJ Smith Stakes) and Within The Law (Champagne Stakes).
3 – LAURIE LEAVES MARK
A year after he went within a whisker of claiming the Golden Slipper, Victorian trainer Matt Laurie returned to Sydney with a bang. While he only saddled up three starters in the autumn, he finished with three Group 1 winners. Treasurethe Moment did the Vinery Stud Stakes-Australian Oaks double while unbeaten colt Vinrock's ATC Sires' Produce Stakes win was industry defining. Vinrock, the first Australian two-year-old winner by I Am Invincible, was quickly snapped up by Yulong and is now one of the most valuable stallion prospects in the country.
4 – FILLIES FILL UP
It's hard to remember a more exciting crop of three-year-old fillies than what we witnessed this autumn. An embarrassment of riches stepped out in Sydney over the autumn with Lady Shenandoah, Treasurethe Moment, Aeliana and Autumn Glow all leaving a lasting impression. It was two Group 1s each for Treasurethe Moment and Lady Shenandoah while Aeliana put the boys with a dominant Australian Derby win. In one start, Autumn Glow lived up to her substantial boom. The Australian three-year-old of the year is destined to be a filly, the only question is, which one?
5 – NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
The Australian sprint ranks 'next gen' have arrived and all eyes now look to The Everest. Nathan Doyle's unbeaten boom colt Private Harry is already locked in for the world's richest race on turf after his impressive The Galaxy win. Brilliant TJ Smith Stakes winner Briasa is sure to join him as will Saturday's All Aged Stakes victor Jimmysstar. Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising may dominate Everest betting but the challenge Down Under may be greater than many think.
Special Mentions: Nathan Doyle, Ash Morgan, Hawkes Racing, Michael Freedman, Damian Lane, Tom Charlton.
Originally published as Mitch Cohen's Blackbook: The five stories that defined Sydney's autumn carnival
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