Aussies deny the British yet again

Amanda O'Brien of Bally Doyle has been a magnificent sport of in all the years on PF but she must have been a tad annoyed that she just failed to win a Group 1 for the first time in a while, with Ordinary World in the Selene Stakes at Woodbine. Amanda, (who is well loved on the game) has commented that she is feeling what she must do to win a Group 1. My answer; Run away from the superstable in FDL Lodge and his gigantic colt Heat Seeker, and you have got a greater chance of winning a Group 1.

Now lets get back to the Selene Stakes. There was a small but select field of 3 fillies contesting the race. There was Oprah from FDL Lodge, Ballata Selvaggia from Penfold Stud and of course Ordinary World. Oprah was the $1.35 favourite on her great form in winning her last two starts, and her fourth in the (G 1) Caulfield Guineas behind Kazzcay and Gournay at Caulfield three starts back. Second elect was Ordinary World at $2.40, who had great form with a close G 1 placing behind Reward in the Santa Anita Oaks two starts back. The outsider of the field was Ballata Selvaggia, who had regal breeding, being by the Europe champ Montjeu and the Cox Plate winner Sunline. The positions during the race was the finishing positions, and it was Oprah that led, with Ordinary World 5 lengths behind her with Ballata Selvaggia last. In the last 200m Ordinary World started to take serious ground off the FDL Lodge trained filly but couldn't overwhelm her, creating a popular win with several headlines in Australia.

It is the first win in America by an Australia since Phar Lap all those years before, and the first runner since the David Hayes trained Anamato ran third in the American Oaks behind Panty Raid and Valpenny in 2007. Amanda remained philosophical after the race and was asked by an Australian reporter by the name of the Joshua Kayll how she felt losing to an Aussie yet again and will she ever beat them again. "I have won a Melbourne Cup with Dancing Delaware before you know" she quipped, and that left Kayll without a decent comeback. Her comment about Ordinary World's run was "whilst I was disappointed to lose by such a short margin it has proven that she can run at the level and will be back for more soon". All of us hope she does come back and wins a well-deserved Group 1 for the trainer. Just don't invite the Aussies!