Fiumicino proved once again to be one of the best mud runners around taking out the $2.5M 2009 BMW over 2400m at Rose Hill 4th April 2009. Fiumicino also won the 2007 AJC Derby under a heavy track. Hindsight is such a sweet, yet, annoying thing, when you think about it, the track was a Heavy 9 and Fiumicino was well overs at $30 and a proven runner in the heavy going. Given that however I guess we can all be excused as this was his first win since the AJC in 2007.
Theseo and Viewed filled the minor placings. Under anything other then heavy, Theseo would have been hard to stop, had the run of the race out in front just the conditions against him, Viewed pulled up sore at the end of the race. Outside of these two I think Master O’Reilly coming home for forth was a great run, sat well off the pace for the most part and was one of a few taking ground hitting the line. Otherwise, it was just good to see Newport NOT throw the jockey off.
Moatize gets Bart another runner in the Cup with a classic win in the Saab Quality. Winning Jockey Micahel Rodd said that you should never under estimate the Cups Kings, Bart Cummings and that Moatize will run out the two miles and only carrying 50kgs will be a massive chance to win.
Saab Quality
As for my chance Littorio, I was happy with his run, he was never really going to win and this was simply another hit out before the Cup. Interestingly in the race, Littorio gets 1 hit of the whip from Steven King at the 300m mark and that is all, whereas Newitt on Princess Coup was pounding the crap out of her and Littorio was still moving along well at the line and had a lot left in the tank. I was happy with the $16 on offer Saturday before the race and now will be taking the $31, I still think it is the best chance of the race. Barrier 17 will be no issue it will get back and wait for the straight and power home.
As for the Mackinnon, what a finish, Theseo by the closest of margins.
From, www.racingandsports/racing
Ice Chariot 5th– made some nice ground from the rear, his last 600 of 33.89 seconds is perfectly satisfactory for Tuesday.
Littorio 8th– Got back near last and on face value was average but his last 600 of 33.70 was good enough to suggest that the run in the Mackinnon is best forgotten. (ed – Simply a hit out as per trainer comments before the race in various press)
