NOT JUST CAVIAR

Naturally enough, Black Caviar was the centre of global attention on Saturday and it was somewhat fitting that she became Bel Esprit’s 100^th individual winner for the season, helping maintain her sires’ lead at the head of the national chart (by winners).

But, as wonderful as she is (and isn’t she just!) she still only counts as one on the tally and Bel Esprit was responsible for four other winners on the weekend: promising 2YO, Iconic, the gutsy, Belfast Boy, the unbeaten Talbanga, and the now 3-time winner Summers Day.

Gordon Richards’ sprinter, Belfast Boy, had no luck in running in the Lawn Handicap (1200m) at Flemington, jumping awkwardly and copping a bump, but kept grinding away to score his seventh career victory and taking his stakes to $345,300. It was his third win at Flemington having won at headquarters on New Year’s Day.

Keep an eye out too for the very speedy, Talbanga, who is trained by Vincent Nolen: his win as favourite over 1000m at Bendigo had class written all over it and he is now unbeaten following on from his 4.3 length win at Wagga on Australia Day. Nolen shares ownership in the horse with breeder, Steve Blore.

Meanwhile, Summers Day returned to her best form for trainer Ricky Maund, coming from eighth on the turn to capture a commanding victory at Yarra Glen – he third overall and second time to the winners’ circle this campaign.