Chief Stipe

A Browne Quinella.

I see @Freda you like your horses on the mature side!

Races called off after jockeys fatigue concerns The field in race three rounds the first corner at Toowoomba Turf Club Clifford Park racecourse, Saturday, March 13, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer By Trenton Akers 06:55pm • 18 October 2021 3 Comments Races at Toowoomba on Saturday night were sensationally called off after a group of jockeys raised concerns about fatigue due to the races going too late into the night. The concerns were raised following a lengthy delay after a number of lights at the track malfunctioned, causing stewards to postpone the races until they were fixed. However, once the lights were repaired, a group of jockeys raised fatigue concerns with the remaining races to run later than had been originally scheduled. With another group of jockeys keen to race on despite the delay, News Corp understands heated scenes took place with a number of trainers having already transported their horses to the track. With two races having already run, race three was rescheduled to run at around 7:30pm but the group of jockeys concerned about riding late into the night opted to pull their services instead. Horses parade at Clifford Park. Picture: Kevin Farmer. “Stewards heard concerns from the majority of the riding delegation as they were of the opinion that the remaining events would proceed too late into the evening, and as a result, expressed concern for their safety and fatigue,” the stewards report read. “After offering solutions to ensure a timely completion of the meeting, the delegation of riders opted to withdraw their services, therefore leaving stewards without any option but to postpone the remaining events.” It’s understood a range of options were offered to the fractured riding group which could ensure their safety. Jockey Skye Bogenhuber was fined $1000 on the night, $500 of which was suspended for directing obscene and offensive language towards a steward. Racing Queensland has since announced the remaining five races will be run on Tuesday with the fields to stay the same.

Bossy’s tribute to Sir Dragonet Edward Sadler@edward_sadler 18 October, 2021 Glen Boss wins his fourth Cox Plate on Sir Dragonet (Image: Racing Photos) Glen Boss has paid tribute to Sir Dragonet and lamented his loss to the Australian racing and breeding industries after his shock death on Saturday. The Cox Plate champion, trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, sadly broke while galloping at The Valley and was subsequently euthanised. “Obviously, that was bad news for everyone involved, such a sad thing to happen to such a beautiful colt,” Boss said. “He was a magnificent colt. “People don’t understand that horse had a pedigree that we hadn’t seen in Australia ever, he had an amazing pedigree, so that’s a real loss for Australian racing, in the barn to be honest.” Boss partnered the son of Camelot in seven of his 10 starts in Australia, including wins in last year’s Cox Plate and the Tancred Stakes earlier this year, and described him as being “an absolute gentleman”. “He had a few quirks, they were all positive things, not negative, he was up and about, a busy type of colt,” he said. “He was a really good racehorse, that Cox Plate was his (10th) career start, I think. “Then he had a bit of an up and down start to his autumn campaign, but he got himself together and won a Tancred, which is one of our major mile and a half races in Australia.” Boss had been booked to ride Sir Dragonet in an attempt to defend his Cox Plate title before he suffered his fatal injury on Saturday. WATCH: A Racing.com feature on Sir Dragonet’s 2020 Cox Plate victory

Is Verry Elleegant flying under the radar? Tim Yeatman@TimYeatman 9:15am Verry Elleegant gallops with Damian Lane at Breakfast with the Best. Picture: Racing Photos With nine Group 1 wins, it’s unusual for a horse like Verry Elleegant to be flying under the radar leading into the Cox Plate. But with so much attention focused on Zaaki and Anamoe, the star mare has somewhat avoided the headlines. After impressing in a track gallop at Breakfast with the Best at The Valley on Tuesday morning, rider Damian Lane is confident Verry Elleegant will bounce back from a disappointing run in the Turnbull Stakes. “She’ll be right, she’s a champion, and she won’t stay down for too long,” Lane said. “She seems to have come through her Turnbull run in good order, happy with where she’s at ahead of Saturday.” Verry Elleegant at times appeared a tad keen during a piece of work with stablemate Djukon on Saturday, but after this morning’s solo gallop Lane is happy with where the horse is at. “She was very good Saturday, she worked with a mate, she got very keen,” he said. “Today was more of a maintenance gallop, but I thought she was in even better order today. “Certainly a thumbs up from this morning.” A win in Saturday’s Cox Plate would be Lane’s second, after saluting aboard Lys Gracieux in 2019. “That was a special day, I think I said at trackwork before that Saturday, the Cox Plate has a funny way of finding the best horse to win the race, hopefully that happens again this time around,” Lane said. Verry Elleegant is currently a $7 chance with Sportsbet for Lane & trainer Chris Waller in Saturday’s Cox Plate.

Zaaki perfectly suited by The Valley Andrew Eddy@fastisheddy 8:23am Zaaki and Mo'unga work at The Valley The Valley course can be the undoing of some visitors but it appears to be the opposite for Cox Plate favourite Zaaki after he unleashed another impressive piece of work at the Breakfast With The Best gallops on Tuesday morning. Todd Pollard, who was representing trainer Annabel Neasham, said compared to the Caulfield track, where Zaaki was surprisingly beaten at his last start, The Valley’s make-up suits the powerful galloper. “He seems to handle this track a lot better than Caulfield and many people say that too when you come from Sydney,” Pollard said. “Quite often they don’t handle Caulfield but when they come to Moonee Valley they handle it a lot better. In his two pierces of work he seems to get around the Valley perfectly.” Zaaki worked with stablemate Mo’unga on Tuesday as he did last Saturday morning at their first look at the track and Pollard said the gallops proven Zaaki is sharper than he was when he raced flat in the Might And Power Stakes. “He seems to be going a lot better than what was going into the last start in terms of his final piece of work on the Tuesday,” Pollard said. “Raphael, who rides him in his trackwork, he just gets on so well with him. He did exactly what we wanted this morning to keep Zaaki focused and on the job and probably kept Mo’unga up to the mark as well. “He’s (Zaaki) been perfect. He had a few easy days after the run. We just took him to the beach and he seems to be bouncing now, “He knows when it is race day. He’s pretty quite at home but it comes to days like this and he prances around and he’s on his toes and he seems right where we want him to be.” Pollard said the stable also rated Mo’unga chances on Saturday. “He’s going super for what he does. Zaaki usually has his measure as we saw today but look, the way Mo’unga worked, it was probably one of the better pieces of work you’d see from him. “He can be very casual, but the blinkers go on race day and they make a big difference. “It was a bit of pressure off our backs to see them both work well.”

Who starred at Breakfast with the Best? Warren Huntly@WarrenHuntly 11:46am Craig Williams rides at Breakfast with the Best on Tuesday morning. It was a privilege to be trackside for Breakfast with the Best at The Valley to see some elite horseflesh gear up for Cox Plate weekend. Here are some of the horses that caught my heading towards the Carnival. ZAAKI worked stylishly alongside his stablemate MO'UNGA and shaded him over the concluding stages. ZAAKI ran his last 400m in 24.45 and appears to have adapted to The Valley well after also working there last Saturday. MO'UNGA was not wearing his raceday blinkers and also appeared to work well. WATCH: Zaaki and Mo'unga work at The Valley ANAMOE stretched his legs at The Valley last Saturday and paired up with stablemate Best Of Days for a hit out at Breakfast with the Best. His final 400m of 26.15 was far from the morning's quickest, however he looked bright and strong and cruised around The Valley circuit comfortably. VERRY ELLEEGANT can get a touch keen in her races and her work but she finished off her solo gallop at Breakfast with the Best in impressive style to run her closing 400m in 24.99. She also ventured to The Valley last Saturday for a similarly sharp piece of work. WATCH: Verry Elleegant hit the track for her final Cox Plate hit out The leading Cox Plate contenders would have pleased their connections leading into Saturday, in trying to glean something from their final pieces of work I'm leaning towards ANAMOE ahead of VERRY ELLEEGANT and ZAAKI. Outside the Cox Plate, CERBERUS worked impressively over 1400m to run his last 400m in 25.11 and looked in outstanding order leading into Saturday's Vase, while STARRY LEGEND, MARINE ONE and FAKE LOVE worked sharply leading into the weekend recording some of the morning's fastest last 400m sectionals. Interestingly, BROOKLYN HUSTLE was not a final acceptor for Friday night's Manikato but her work late in the session with stablemate DIESEL 'N' DUST was one of the morning's most impressive gallops, running her final 400m in 24.18 and I'll be most interested to see where she appears next.

Smith 'upset' over Cox Plate exclusion Andrew Eddy@fastisheddy 9:53am Trainer Matthew Smith. Picture: Bradley Photographers An upset trainer Matthew Smith said he does not understand why his Japanese horse Keiai Nautique was eliminated from the Cox Plate field on Tuesday morning. The Warwick Farm trainer heard the news of his horse’s elimination just 30 minutes after the horse had trialed at Randwick and he said he was left stunning by the decision of the Moonee Valley Racing Club to have just 10 runners in their feature event. “I am upset because I don’t understand it,” Smith said on Tuesday morning. “It’s not even a full field. What’s the damage of him going around? He’s a good horse and he’s going well and he trialed super this morning (fourth) so I don’t see what the damage would be. “If it was a full field and we got tossed out, I would understand it. “I wouldn’t even consider putting in a horse in a race like that unless I thought he’d run well. You don’t want a horse in the race that runs out the back. “He’s going as well as Fierce Impact and he ran sixth (last year) and this horse would do at least something similar.” Smith said the horse’s exclusion meant he was unlikely to send the horse to The Valley this week to contest the group 2 Crystal Mile. “I don’t feel like running him there (The Valley) but we’ll definitely go to the Mackinnon and we’ll see how he runs there.” MVRC chairman Don Casboult announced the committee’s decision to exclude Keiai Nautique just after 9am and he explained to Racing.com: “We felt that his form was not good enough to participate in the field,” Casboult said. “He has not won for three years. He won a group 1 race as a three-year-old and I think he’s had 20 starts (since) and over those 20 starts, he’s been placed on one occasion.” Keiai Nautique (JPN) Trainer M.C.Smith Age 7YO Sex Horse Colour Bay Prize Money $2,634,283 Last 5 15-474 Career 27-3-2-2 POS Jockey Track Date DIST Race WGT MRG Odds 4 – 7 G.Boss RAND 2 OCT 2021 2000m HILL STKS 59kg 2.1L $6.50 7 – 12 C.Newitt FLEM 11 SEP 2021 1600m MAKYBE DIVA 59kg 4.1L $12 4 – 14 G.Boss RAND 21 AUG 2021 1400m WINX STKS 59kg 0.4L $41 15 – 16 Y..Fujioka CHUK 5 JAN 2021 1600m KYOTO KIMPAI 57kg 7.5L $18 13 – 17 A.Tsumura HSN. 22 NOV 2020 1600m MILE CHAMPIONSH 57kg 7L $158

Cox Plate Field. Ladbrokes Cox Plate Time TBC2040mGroup 1COX PLATE RACE DETAILS HORSE GEAR WGT RTG LAST 5 TOTE FIXED 1. Zaaki (GB) (6) T: A.S.Neasham J: J.B.McDonald 1# 59kg N/A 1-113 – – 2. Dalasan (3) T: L.Macdonald & A.Gluyas J: D.Moor 1# 59kg N/A 3-083 – – 3. Gold Trip (FR) (2) T: C.Maher & D.Eustace J: D.Oliver 59kg N/A 52-3- – – 4. Callsign Mav (NZ) (5) T: J.Bary J: L.Nolen 2# 59kg N/A 23-11 – – 5. Mo'unga (NZ) (4) T: A.S.Neasham J: H.Bowman 2# 57.5kg N/A 7-125 – – 6. Verry Elleegant (NZ) (9) T: C.J.Waller J: D.M.Lane 1$ 57kg N/A 2-214 – – 7. Probabeel (NZ) (7) T: J.Richards J: B.Prebble 3# 57kg N/A -1521 – – 8. State Of Rest (IRE) (8) T: J.P.O'Brien J: J.Allen 3# 56.5kg N/A -3-1- – – 9. Anamoe (10) T: J.A.Cummings J: C.Williams 1# 49.5kg N/A 1-121 – – 10. Captivant (1) T: P. & P.Snowden J: D.Yendall 1# 49.5kg N/A -3672 – – 9 McCafe Moonee Valley Gold Cup

You've never been banned!

Who's getting the kickbacks? Not many went around. None One from @Pitman

Are you here to contribute anything of interest? I gather not.

EVIDENCE: Following the running of Race 8 an Information was presented by Stipendiary Steward Mr S Renault alleging a breach of the Careless Driving Rule 869(3)(b). The Information stated, “N Rasmussen drove carelessly in the run home by allowing her horse to shift outwards causing interference to SELF ASSURED.” Mr Renault showed the home straight video and identified Ms Rasmussen leading the race at the 250-metre mark. He pointed to Ms Rasmussen activate the earplugs at which time the horse had shifted out approximately 1 1/2 cart widths. He said the Stewards’ concern was after this had happened Ms Rasmussen has failed to straighten her horse in the run to the line interfering with SELF ASSURED. Ms Rasmussen stated it was obvious that her horse has shifted wider as she crossed her reins to activate the earplugs. She said her horse is a difficult drive and has plenty of gear on to try and help it. She said once she had regathered her rein there was minimal movement. REASON FOR DECISION: The Adjudicator carefully considered all the evidence and replayed the video many times. It was agreed by all parties that as Ms Rasmussen crossed her reins to activate gear her horse has ducked out significantly, interfering with SELF ASSURED. This interference was enough to reverse the placings in the subsequent protest. Once Ms Rasmussen regained her rein the video shows SOUTH COAST ARDEN drifted up the track slightly but not to an extent that would have caused Mr Purdon(SELF ASSURED) any major interference in normal circumstances. Although this minor movement may have compounded Mr Purdon’s problem of navigating around Ms Rasmussen the damage had already taken place. This Adjudicator considers Ms Rasmussen was not to blame for SOUTH COAST ARDEN ducking out at the 250 metres and any movement after that fact was within a reasonable margin and not worthy of sanction under the Careless Driving Rule. CONCLUSIONS: The charge was dismissed.

EVIDENCE: Following the running of Race 8, Stipendiary Steward Mr S Renault presented an Information Instigating a Protest. The Informant Mr Mark Purdon (SELF ASSURED) was alleging interference by SOUTH COAST ARDEN in the home straight. The Judge’s official margin was a nose. Mr Renault played the home straight videos of the incident and identified both horses. The video showed at the top of the straight SOUTH COAST ARDEN leading the race and, as Ms Rasmussen activated gear, run up the track which allegedly interfered with SELF ASSURED. SUBMISSIONS: Mr Purdon said he felt when he had asked his horse to run and if he was able to run in a straight line, he would have won the race. He said because he had to check his horse at least twice to clear Ms Rasmussen’s wheel it stopped his momentum. Ms Rasmussen said if her horse had run straight she would have won this race easily. Ms Rasmussen admitted her horse had drifted up the track but alluded to her horse being awkward and that SELF ASSURED wears a blind on its near side. This she said would have restricted its vision and made it more difficult for Mr Purdon and made the incident look a lot worse. Mr Renault submitted the Stewards’ assessment was the shift by SOUTH COAST ARDEN has forced Mr Purdon to check at least two times. He said together with the small margin at the finish the Protest had strong merit. REASON FOR DECISION: The Adjudicator in assessing a Protest must be satisfied two criteria have been met. The first, was there interference? All parties agree there was. The second, did the interference have a bearing on the finishing order of the race? This Adjudicator asked Respondent Ms Rasmussen, with the advantage of viewing the films from all angles and speeds, if she had been driving SELF ASSURED, would the interference had been enough to warrant a change of placings. After a slight pause, she said it would. This honest and professional assessment by Ms Rasmussen endorsed the opinion of the incident by the Stewards, Mr Purdon and Adjudicator. Accordingly, the first two placings were reversed. CONCLUSIONS: The amended result of Race 8 is: 1st – 6 – SELF ASSURED 2nd – 3 – SOUTH COAST ARDEN 3rd – 5 – CLASSIE BRIGADE 4th – 4 – HENRY HUBERT 5th – 2 – U MAY COLLECT. Stakes and Dividends were ordered to be paid in accordance with the amended result.

NSWSaturday Racing Berry confident Entriviere can secure The Invitation Smart New Zealand mare Entriviere is the favourite for the inaugural The Invitation at Randwick. Picture: Trish Dunell By Ray Thomas 08:22pm • 18 October 2021 Comments Star jockey Tommy Berry believes he has landed on the right horses with Entriviere and Hilal to claim a multimillion-dollar feature race double at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The final field of 12 for the inaugural running of the $2 million The Invitation (1400m) for fillies and mares was announced by Racing NSW on Monday with Entriviere coming up a dominant $2.50 TAB Fixed Odds favourite. Hilal is the $4.50 favourite for the $1 million Bondi Stakes (1600m) behind the horse he beat last start in Coastwatch at $3.50. After narrowly missing out on the Kosciuszko/The Everest double, jockey Tommy Berry ha strong chances in The Invitation and Bondi Stakes. Picture: Getty Images Berry, who just missed riding a big-race brace at Randwick last Saturday when he won The Kosciuszko on Art Cadeau then rode Masked Crusader to a close second in The Everest, is the new rider of boom Kiwi mare Entriviere, replacing James McDonald who is in Melbourne to ride Zaaki in the Cox Plate. The Jamie Richards-trained Entriviere has been kept fresh for The Invitation since her unlucky third in the Golden Pendant behind Vangelic at Rosehill Gardens. Entriviere had to make a long, wide run from back in the field and nearly defied the pattern of the day to finish a close third, recording 32.5s for her final 600, the fastest closing sectional of the meeting. “I believe she is the best mare in the race,” said Berry on Sky Thoroughbred Central’s This Week, Next Week on Monday evening. “She was really good two starts back in the Sheraco Stakes at Kembla (Grange) then she had to go back from her wide alley in a moderately run race (at Rosehill). “But she sprinted home really well from the 600m to the 200m but then it was impossible for her to make up that ground and run any quicker, the times suggest that. Tommy Berry rides Hilal in the Bondi Stakes. Picture: Getty Images “I hope she can draw a better barrier and if there is any rain around, that will suit, too.” Racing NSW announced the final field for The Invitation which includes top class mares Icebath, Vangelic, Media Award, Sweet Deal, Madam Legend and Nudge, plus talented Queensland filly Startantes. It’s a measure of the quality of the race when proven top class mares Forbidden Lodge, Madam Rouge, Rocha Clock and Tricky Gal are $21 rank outsiders. The Team Hawkes-trained Hilal was twice Group 1 placed as a two-year-old as his value as a commercial stallion prospect soared when he won the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes, beating Coastwatch, last start. Berry said the Stan Fox Stakes is the right form race for the Bondi Stakes and he would not swap Hilal for any other three-year-old in the race. “Hilal is going to meeting the same sort of horses in the Bondi Stakes that he beat the other day,” Berry said. “Coastwatch seems to have the perfect run that day and my bloke went a bit keen and did a bit wrong but still won. “I feel Hilal has more improvement to come and will take beating, that is for sure.”

At least I haven't forgotten what my initial assessment was!

I doubt he is staying in the stables or outhouse at Te Akau!!! Hardly a "comeback" this time. If you had read the article you would understand that through an un-explicable quirk of the unfathomable logic behind the drawing of the Covid-19 battle lines his home farm in Pukekawa was included in the Auckland Region! Therefore he was unable to travel a few kilometres down the road to work!

Depends on the competence of the Trainer or Jockey you are listening to. If a horse performs below its ability or rating then there are reasons. So a good Trainer will attempt to find the reason (you call it an excuse).

Be interesting over the breakfast table at Te Akau Stud! Big Dave's bacon, eggs, sausages and OP's lettuce leaf!

Top jockey Opie Bosson will return to raceday riding next week Bosson nearing raceday return NZ Racing Desk 18 October 2021 Star jockey Opie Bosson is inching his way closer to a return to raceday riding. Bosson has effectively spent two months on the side-lines after his home south of Pukekawa was deemed as being in the Auckland region for COVID-19 lockdown purposes. The 41-year-old gained an exemption to relocate to Te Akau Stud in west Waikato three weeks ago. Despite being in a part of Waikato that remains under Alert Level 3, the move will enable the champion hoop to ride at Te Rapa and Cambridge meetings, with those tracks also operating at the same alert level. Bosson is not a natural lightweight and with the support of Te Akau principal David Ellis has been working hard to get back to racing trim. “It’s just been frustrating really, not knowing where we’re at,” Bosson said. “I’ve found it harder the last few weeks, where I’ve been losing weight. “David and I have been on a very strict diet and I've been training hard every day in the gym and going for runs all around the farm. I’m just keeping busy and eating properly and keeping the fitness up.” With 83 Group One victories to his name, Bosson is looking forward to getting back to the races and has earmarked Monday’s Labour Day racemeeting at Te Rapa for his return. He credits Karyn Fenton-Ellis for smoothing the way for his return, having assisted the top jockey with the relevant paperwork. “Karyn’s been amazing. We had to do everything properly to get myself based in the Waikato, applying through the appropriate government channels,” Bosson said. “I haven’t sat on too many horses in the past couple of months. I rode five at the jumpouts for Peter and Dawn Williams, but other than that I haven’t sat on a horse other than Gingernuts, who is used as a lead pony for the young ones here at Te Akau.” Bosson has been separated from his young family over the past few weeks, as well as his sheep and beef farm, but is making the most of his sacrifices by immersing himself in farm-life on the 4000 acres at Te Akau, which in addition to horses is home to a large sheep and cattle operation. “It’s my full time job. I’ve been grubbing thistles, spraying, driving a tractor, drenching – I’ve been doing all sorts,” Bosson said. “I learn heaps off David. If I need to ask him any questions about farming he’s willing to help. “It’s not the easiest and I miss my family and the farm. (My wife) Emily’s in charge of everything so she’s got quite the workload with her job (at Trackside) and looking after a two-year-old (son Max) and looking after the farm.” Bosson has keenly followed the fortunes of the broader Te Akau team, which continues to perform well on both sides of the Tasman, headed by quality mares Probabeel, Kahma Lass and Entriviere. “You know what Covid has done and you can't do anything about it, so I just cheer them on and it's good to see that they're getting the results,” Bosson said. “If the borders do open, and an opportunity came up, I’d love to do another stint in Aussie next year.” Meanwhile, Bosson is hopeful of a downgrade in alert levels locally to enable him to add to his elite level tally and nominates smart Savabeel colt Noverre as one to follow. “I'm looking forward to having a ride on him. It looks like he’s going well and he’ll be a nice 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) chance.”

Nominations - Tuesday 19 October 2021 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Time TBC2040mGroup 1COX PLATE RACE DETAILS Callsign Mav (NZ) T: J.Bary 2# 1 59kg N/A 23-11 – – Dalasan T: L.Macdonald & A.Gluyas 1# 2 59kg N/A 3-083 – – Elephant (NZ) T: Emma-Lee & David Browne 3# 3 59kg N/A -1218 – – Gold Trip (FR) T: C.Maher & D.Eustace 4 59kg N/A 52-3- – – Harbour Views (FR) T: M.J.Williams 1# 5 59kg N/A 0-134 – – Homesman (USA) T: Anthony & Sam Freedman 1# 6 59kg N/A 2-240 – – Incentivise T: P.G.Moody 7 59kg N/A 1-111 – – Irish Flame (NZ) T: M.B.Scott 2# 8 59kg N/A 3-300 – – Keiai Nautique (JPN) T: M.C.Smith 2# 9 59kg N/A 0-474 – – Superstorm T: D.T.O'Brien 1# 10 59kg N/A -4133 – – Zaaki (GB) T: A.S.Neasham 1# 11 59kg N/A 1-113 – – Mo'unga (NZ) T: A.S.Neasham 2# 12 57.5kg N/A 7-125 – – Colette T: J.A.Cummings 1# 13 57kg N/A 4-651 – – Probabeel (NZ) T: J.Richards 3# 14 57kg N/A -1521 – – Sierra Sue (NZ) T: T.Busuttin & N.Young 15 57kg N/A 11710 – – Verry Elleegant (NZ) T: C.J.Waller 16 57kg N/A 2-214 – – State Of Rest (IRE) T: J.P.O'Brien 3# 17 56.5kg N/A -3-1- – – Duais T: E.A.Cummings 1# 18 55.5kg N/A -3610 – – Hungry Heart T: C.J.Waller 3$ 19 55.5kg N/A 1-848 – – Anamoe T: J.A.Cummings 1# 20 49.5kg N/A 1-121 – – Artorius T: Anthony & Sam Freedman 2# 21 49.5kg N/A -2243 – – Captivant T: P. & P.Snowden 1# 22 49.5kg N/A -3672 – – Forgot You (NZ) T: T.Busuttin & N.Young 2# 23 49.5kg N/A -3116 – – Giannis T: C.J.Waller 4$ 24 49.5kg N/A 2-190 – – Lightsaber T: P.G.Moody 3# 25 49.5kg N/A -6414 – –

He's not racing Joe.

That is a bit of a daft statement and a cliched one! Obviously "on the day" they were better. However the question is did Zaaki run up to his rating? At 118 arguably not. I note that when questioned by the Stewards the Trainer said "After viewing the race she was of the view that the gelding raced keenly today and in her opinion may not have handled the Caulfield track".

Who's Rod? Perhaps @nod is right but you appear to have missed his classification of Zaaki as a "mudder". Seven of his nine wins have been on Good ground. So based on those stats I would disagree with @nod. Granted his best wins have been on a Good 4 not a Good 3.