The return of reigning BMW Caulfield Cup champion Southern Speed spearheads an Australia Day replete with on- and off-track highlights at Caulfield this Thursday.
Returning to the scene of her greatest victory, Southern Speed will tackle a mixture of fit sprinters and resuming stayers in the $100,000 John Dillon Stakes (1400m), one of four black-type races on a twilight card set to kick off at 3.25pm.
For the occasion, Southern Speed’s jockey, Craig Williams, will carry unique Australia Day colours, which will be worn by riders of the topweight in each race.
That includes Members Joy, the eponymously-named filly owned by the Melbourne Racing Club’s members and trained by Robert Smerdon, who will carry the no. 1 saddlecloth in the Listed $100,000 Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies).
Among Members Joy’s rivals is much-hyped Ellerton Zahra Racing filly Sweet Little Lies, an impressive winner at Caulfield on January 7 but yet to be nominated for the $1 million Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes on February 25.
In the boys’ equivalent, Andre Roo Hoo aims to strengthen breeder Tony Cavanagh’s chances of a second Blue Diamond victory, some 27 years after his first with Let’s Get Physical.
A win by Andre Roo Hoo in the Preview for colts and geldings would make Cavanagh’s day an extra special one, given his status as an official Australia Day ambassador.
The Previews are the first of three stages of the Patinack Farm Blue Diamond series, which also includes a pair of Preludes on February 11 and culminates in the Group 1 two year-olds’ feature on February 25. Any horse that wins all three races to which it qualifies in the series can claim a $1 million bonus for doing so (see appendices).
Rounding out the stakes-level racing on the day is the Listed $100,000 Sportingbet Zeditave Stakes, in which Group 1-winning Darley colt Benfica returns to the track after a seven-month hiatus.
For all the action on the turf on Thursday at Caulfield, just as much fun will be had off it, with Australia Day-themed activities the order of the day, led by a host of free family entertainment, plus food and beverage offerings that will have even the least patriotic folk standing hand on heart, tear in eye.
A trio of party pies are a steal at 99c, while those indulging in the national drink can enjoy 375ml cut-price cans of VB – the traditional Green or the lighter Gold – respectively from 3-5pm.
Moreover, one lucky racegoer will be leaving Caulfield with a limited edition VB Vending Machine (pictured in Appendix 3). Patrons must simply fill out an entry form with any VB purchase to participate, with a prize draw at 7.10pm to decide the providential punter.
For further information about the day, including the array of free family entertainment and food and beverage offering terms and conditions, visit http://www.melbourneracingclub.net.au/.
Gates open at 2pm on Thursday, with patrons free to collect complimentary Australian flag wavers upon arrival.