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Slipper winner is something special

Sydney's big raceday was rather wet, a heavy track made it less of a spectacle and harder to find a winner as everyone was concerned if the rail was off or whether there was a bias to backmarkers. But it didn't really matter as class prevailed in the two big races.

Sebring, one of the favourites, went into the race undefeated and came out with his record in tact. Settling slightly further back than expected in the field, he accelerated well when it really mattered and won narrowly from VRC Sires' Produce winner Von Costa de Hero who stormed down the outside. Portillo was the first filly home, finishing a gallant third. A reversal of second and third would have landed me a very substantial trifecta, but c'est la vie.

The best part about this colt is he is owned by a public syndicate who are rejecting multi-million dollar offers from the big studs. The joy of racing is what it's all about, not locking him in for a stud career at the first sign of losing form. Bravo to the owners!

The other big race of the day was the George Ryder Stakes where star 3yo Weekend Hussler had to overcome a heavy track for the first time. Sydney's star grey Racing To Win had the wet track and Rosehill form and was expected to take it to the southern wondercolt. But it wasn't to be, the Hussler sat close, pulled wide on the turn, and with Racing To Win stalking him closely, simply blew him away. What a horse! Six Group 1 wins in a season is remarkable, especially for a horse that has been racing less than a year. Only the mighty Kingston Town has done that before.

Look out for the replays on YouTube when someone posts them, these two winners are exceptional horses.

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