Autumn Carnival Wrap

This year's Autumn Carnival has certainly been one to remember - six weeks of quality racing across Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick.

Spirit Ridge was the first of our runners to step out over the carnival, running a superb second in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes beaten on the line in a tough finish. He backed this up with another strong result in his first Group 1 test, finishing just 3 lengths fifth in the Tancred behind Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet. Not the result we were after in last weekend's Sydney Cup, however Spirit Ridge has pulled up in great shape and will continue on with this preparation, stepping out next in either the Wagga Cup (Friday May 7) or Gosford Cup (Saturday May 8).

Following a trip to Flemington for the Inglis Dash, Lord Olympus lined up in the Listed Darby Munro Stakes to kick off Slipper Day. Some strong competition, however Lord Olympus finished a gallant 5th behind subsequent Group 2 place getter Isotope. He will now head to Doomben on Saturday to contest the Listed Mick Dittman Plate.

Samadoubt did us proud when running 6th in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes beaten just 2.7 lengths. He then had a crack at the Doncaster Mile and was on track to run in the Queen Elizabeth before re-injuring his tendon.

Every Rose kicked off her campaign with a bang when winning the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes back in February and a subsequent 5th placing in the Group 1 Surround Stakes over a testing distance. Two below expectation runs in the Birthday Card and P.J. Bell, Every Rose has since been spelled to enjoy some time in the paddock.

Greysful Glamour headed home after her run in the All-Star Mile and showed her appreciation for the dry Sydney tracks with another stakes placing in the Emancipation Stakes. The slow track last Saturday just wasn't to her liking, finishing at the back of the field in the Coolmore Legacy. She has been entered for the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in May and will have a few more runs before selling up on the Gold Coast.

Harmony Rose showed her class this preparation, starting off with a BM72 win on the Kensington track before taking on the boys in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas with a 3rd placing. She then added another Group 1 placing to her resume when being beaten on the line in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes, followed by the ATC Oaks where she just didn't run out the trip. Harmony Rose has been spelled and will look toward the Golden Eagle as her Spring target.

We can't forget to mention Pure Fuego running in the Country Championships after qualifying at Tamworth back in March. He has taken his owners on an incredible journey to date and it was fantastic to see him grace the turf at Royal Randwick on one of the biggest days of the year in Sydney. A tough effort to finish mid-field, Pure Fuego has now headed out to the paddock for a well-deserved rest.

A quiet weekend for the team to end the carnival as we have no runners in Sydney, however it has been a whirlwind few weeks with some unforgettable results for our horses, trainers and owners - congratulations to everyone and thank you for all your support.