2017 Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling has retired. For a second time. He had returned to Ireland and was showing some promising signs of a return to racing but had an injury. He'll be going to stud; again. ...as will Yucatan


Keeping an eye overseas, there have been some important races this past weekend:


Friday 21st, August

Lonsdale Cup Stakes (G3) 3270m - https://youtu.be/tSc7EuTizMQ
Max Dynamite won this race in 2015, ahead of his 2nd place to Prince of Penzance. This renewal was run in around the same time, though markedly slower than Stradivarius managed the previous two years. It was a pretty tepid pace, perhaps due to Nayef Road rearing at the start and coming out of the gates sideways; he likely would have been leading otherwise. Enbihaar takes out the race with Stratum and Nayef Road filling the minors; Dashing Willoughby was a close fourth placing. Stratum seems to be getting the most buzz of those though, after making a bit of ground in the final scramble to the line. Dashing Willoughby has been a definite attendee for a while now (after being purchased by a NZer with the Cup as a target). Having finished ahead of him, and having a trainer already intending on bringing a runner to Australia (Willie Mullins with True Self), the talk is loud regarding Stratum. Apparently they've since received assurances from handicapper Greg Carpenter that his rating will now have increased enough to pretty much assure a start in the Melbourne and/or Caulfield Cups.


Saturday, 22nd August

Ebor Handicap (Hcp) 2800m - https://youtu.be/bliPPxoMtKQ
True Self didn't do so well in the Ebor Cup, though his connections are convinced it's a forgive-run after snoozing in the barriers. He missed the start badly and eventually finished 16th of the 21 starters. Pondus was another Cox Plate nominee contending and he did even worse, back in second last. At the pointy end was the favourite Fujaira Prince, whose owners have already said he's not of Melbourne Cup standard. Not sure what that says about Glencadam Glory and Verdana Blue, who were next across the line. The race time seems to think 'not much'; it was on Soft, but still one of the slowest runnings in the past 30-odd years.


Sunday, 23rd August

Prix Kergorlay (G2) 3000m - https://twitter.com/i/status/1297545194359926789
Call The Wind put up a very professional performance in his comfortable victory. Ashrun looked good at the death, while Windtoss snuck in for 3rd. Red Verdon didn't take the opportunity to continue his good form, being scratched at the barriers after refusing to load. Two other runners we may see down here participated: the Australian Bloodstock-owned Collide was a big early leader but didn't cause much of a stir in the chasing pack, who swallowed him up early in the straight; OTI's San Huberto has purchased a one-way ticket to Oz, but there wouldn't be much excitement following what he served up in his last place finish here...

Prix De Pomone (G2) 2500m - https://twitter.com/i/status/1297553633295441920
Ebaiyra lead from go to woah, with Spirit of Appin and Grand Glory rounding out the top 3.

Stanerra Stakes (G3) 2800m - https://twitter.com/i/status/1297609565895303170
Similar story for Passion, Traisha and Kastasa.


There's been some Cup-relevant action in Australia with some of the local contenders resuming this past weekend. Verry Elleegant impressed in her win in the 1400m Winx Stakes; she's now 3rd favourite @ $18, behind Russian Camelot @ $11 and Surprise Baby @ $9.

The weather at Moonee Valley wasn't all that impressive, with the latter part of last Saturday's program being cancelled. One of the abandoned races was being used as prep for many Cup aspirants, so it's been rescheduled to this weekend's Caulfield meeting. King of Leogrance (currently 4th favourite at $19) will be back in action here - among others (Young Rascal, Haky, Django Freeman, etc.); his last race was his second placing in the Andrew Ramsden. The winner of that race, Oceanex, will also be resuming on the same program, over a shorter trip of 1400m.


Entries for the Melbourne Cup close this Thursday.