Octabello takes Cranbourne Cup
Lightly-raced 4-year-old Octabello (Pierro) has claimed the Listed TAB Cranbourne Cup after a brilliant ride from jockey Noel Callow.
The Mick Price-trained gelding pushed himself into the clear at the top of the straight and nailed Sully (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) right on the line for his first stakes success. It is his fourth win at just his 13th start.
The short-priced favourite Furrion (GB) (Camelot {GB}) finished third having failed to have quickened as expected when presented to challenge at the top of the straight. Last year's winner Folkswood (GB) (Exceed and Excel) finished seventh.
Octabello was a $190,000 buy at the 2016 Premier Sale for his trainer. He is out of Charlotte De Belle (Secret Savings {USA}), who is a full-sister to multiple Group 1 winner and Scenic Lodge stallion Dash for Cash.
Charlotte De Belle has also produced multiple winners Handsome Tycoon (Not A Single Doubt) and Municipality (Henny Hughes {USA}).
He is Pierro's third stakes-winner for the weekend.
Weight drop suits Watch
Night's Watch (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) remains on track for the G1 Caulfield Cup having finished sixth at weight-for-age level in Saturday's Caulfield S.
Managing owner Terry Henderson from OTI Racing said the considerable drop in weight under handicap conditions would be a huge advantage for the 5-year-old.
"It was a tough race, it was a hot pace and a lot of pressure. He did well," Henderson told Racing.com.
"The margins were relatively small for a horse which is going to drop back in handicap class. He drops 7.5kg going into next week."
Henderson confirmed that Gallic Chieftain (Fr) (Tamayuz {GB}) and Lord Fandango (Ger) (Lord of England {Ger}) would plot alternative paths towards the G1 Melbourne Cup and would contest either the G3 Geelong Cup or the G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup at their next starts.
"The Lexus is still there for them should they get that far," he said.
Redzel campaign set to go on
Two-time The Everest champion Redzel (Snitzel) will campaign on, with co-trainer Peter Snowden confirming the G1 Manikato S. and the G1 VRC Sprint were still firmly on the radar.
Redzel put on a sprinting exhibition at Randwick on Saturday, relishing the heavy track to lead from start to finish and claim a second successive win in the world's richest turf race.
Snowden said the 6-year-old has recovered well from the run and he was very keen to press on to further spring targets.
"He's pulled up very well again. He's just incredible. It was a pretty tough run yesterday on a testing track and he's nice and bright this morning," he told Sky Sports Radio.
"We'll stick to our plan and go to the Darley Classic but he is nominated for the Manikato and the way he has pulled up, I wouldn’t rule that out either."
Snowden also indicated that a shot at a third edition of The Everest was still a chance.
"It's possible. If you dare to think that far ahead," he said.
Snow ready for Cup
Co-trainer Andrew Forsman is confident Jon Snow (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) is spot on for his tilt at next week's G1 Caulfield Cup, having taken a different path to the race this year.
Jon Snow, the 2017 ATC Derby winner, prepared for last year's Caulfield Cup by contesting the Caulfield S. seven days' prior.
But while many of his rivals for next week's race were in action on Saturday, Jon Snow was back in his box having had his final lead-up run in last week's G1 Turnbull S.
“I’m pretty sure we pulled the right rein in running him at Flemington as opposed to the Caulfield Stakes yesterday, like we did last year,” Forsman said.
“The track got very firm yesterday which makes it a tough task to back up seven days later on a similar surface."
“There has been some rain forecast later in the week but you just never know what you will get. He goes best when there is some rain around so it would be nice if the forecasters were right."
Damian Lane will ride Jon Snow in the $5m race.
Too Darn good in Dewhurst
Too Darn Hot (Dubawi {Ire}) stamped his quality as the best 2-year-old colt in Europe with a two-and-three-quarter-length win in the G1 Dewhurst S. at Newmarket.
In a spectacular performance, Too Darn Hot, ridden by Frankie Dettori, overpowered his rivals, leaving G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. winner Advertise (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) in his wake over an impressive final furlong.
It was a first Dewhurst success for Dettori and winning trainer John Gosden.
"He got himself a little bit unbalanced coming down the hill, but once the turbo kicked in, I went from being a length behind a furlong out to pulling clear," said Dettori.
"I celebrated because he was going so fast and thought there was no way anyone could get near him. He's a great little horse, and I love him."
Gosden was rewarded for deciding to run the horse despite concerns over the going.
"I had misgivings about even running because it's firm and he wants good ground, but he showed his class up the hill."
"He showed zip there over seven (furlongs), but I think a mile to a mile and a quarter would be within his range."
Triple Crown for Almond Eye
Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) has become the first winner of the Japanese fillies' Triple Crown in six years with success in the G1 Shuka Sho at Kyoto on Sunday.
Ridden by Christophe Lemaire, Almond Eye came with a surging late run to win the final leg, having previously captured the Yushun Himba and Oka Sho earlier this year,
She becomes just the fifth filly to complete the Triple Crown and the first since Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in 2012.
