One Group 1 among the eleven stakes races on Saturday seems relatively sedate compared to four Group 1s and almost double the number of stakes races seven days previous; however, few would argue that the race of the day is not a stakes race.
The $5million All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley has attracted a star-studded line-up, with Grade 1 winning multi-millionaires making up the bulk of the starters.
The prizemoney distribution is interesting, and it's clear why connections begin campaigning early for a spot.
1st $2,250,00; 2nd $720,000; 3rd $360,000; 4th $210,000; 5th $150,000; 6th to 8th $120,000; 9th and 10th $100,000; 11th to 15th $50,000.
In contrast to the ten Group 1 winners entered for the All-Star Mile, Saturday's lone Group 1, the $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens has just one, the Richard and Michael Freedman-trained Forbidden Love. The daughter of All Too Hard earned that honour at her most recent start in the Surround Stakes at Randwick.
At least two more two-year-olds can ensure a start in the Golden Slipper in the Group III Reisling Stakes and Group III Pago Pago Stakes.
Godolphin can play a big part in both, with Arcaded in the Reisling and Ingratiating in the Pago Pago. We will rely on Arcaded to bounce back from a disappointing performance in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield.
The daughter of Street Boss (USA) looked to have found the worse going that day and weakened to beat just three of the 14 runners home.
Her previous form had been impeccable.
After making a brilliant introduction with a three and a quarter length romp over 1100m at Caulfield on January 1, Arcaded could not have been any more impressive over the same course and distance in the Group II Blue Diamond Prelude three weeks later.
With prizemoney of $148,500 (180,000 including bonuses), Arcaded has likely enough in the bank already to take her place in the Slipper. However, this will be a good guide to her chances in the big one.
The Godolphin homebred is the first foal of the stakes-placed Lonhro mare Gloriette.
Placed in the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate and Listed MVRC Valley Pearl, Gloriette is a half-sister to stakes-placed Grunderzeit (Street Cry).
Her dam Viennese entered the Darley universe after John Ferguson had the final say $1,400,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
The daughter of Redoute's Choice was the top-priced filly of the sale.
A year earlier, Viennese's three-year-older brother had won the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate. His name – Snitzel.
Viennese won $162,725 of her purchase price back on the track. More importantly, two of her three wins came in stakes races.
She defeated Wopitt and Hips Don't Lie in the Listed Quezeet Stakes at Caulfield after claiming the Group III Jansz Stakes at Morphettville.
Queensland prawn farmer Francois Naude bred Snitzel and Viennese out of his dual Listed stakes-winner Snippets' Lass (Snippets).
Snippets' Lass had six named foals, and all raced for five winners.
She died in 2007 shortly after foaling a Fastnet Rock colt.
Naude decided to race him. Named Hinchinbrook, he won the Group III AJC Skyline Stakes and Listed AJC Canonbury Stakes.
The son of Fastnet Rock became a highly successful stallion for Yarraman Park before his life was cut short after seven seasons at stud.
Snippet's Lass had three fillies, and all have produced stakes performers.
Viennese is still going strong. She has a yearling colt and a colt foal by Exosphere and was covered by Frosted (USA) last year.
After making an excellent start to her broodmare career with Arcaded, Gloriette has a colt foal by Epaulette and was bred back to the son of Commands again last spring.
