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A brief look at the Caulfield card on Saturday, the final day of the Caulfield Spring Carnival.
Miraval Rose prevails in Twilight Glow
A break is on the cards for Miraval Rose after her win in the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes (1400m), but trainer Grahame Begg is already looking to the autumn.
With all-important 'Black Type' attained in her win on Saturday, Begg will look to enhance the filly's future value as a broodmare early next year.
The autumn comes around quickly, and Begg said races like the Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield and the Kewney Stakes at Flemington could potentially be on the filly's radar.
And if the trainer wishes to travel, Miraval Rose could head north to Sydney for a shot at the Group 1 Surround Stakes.
"Black type for fillies and mares is so important," Begg said.
"And there are plenty of opportunities here in Melbourne in the autumn for a filly like her.
"You never know, she might get a mile yet, she might be a Kewney filly or something like that, but we'll work it out.
"We've got to look after her, make sure she comes through today well."
Afterthought win for Just Folk
The Group 3 Eclipse Stakes was not on the radar of trainer Gavin Bedggood who supplied the winner Just Folk and third-placed runner Keats in the 1800m contest.
Just Folk was backing up from the Listed Cranbourne Cup last Saturday while Keats miss a start in the Listed Kilmore Cup (1600m) last Sunday when the meeting was abandoned after three races due to concerns over the track.
The victory of Just Folk was a $120,000 bonus for Bedggood's afterthought as the gelding had pulled-up so well from his Cranbourne Cup placing.
"He had a really good blood on Wednesday and just did a little bit of work on Thursday morning," Bedggood said.
"With the rain predicted, and we're obviously coming into December now, the chances are going to become slim (of a wet track), so we sort of had to take the opportunity today and it paid off.
"He's been racing consistently all preparation, and he finally got his toe into the ground today properly.
"He won't keep running on firm ground, we'll just see how he comes through today, have a look at the forecast in the next seven to 14 days and see how it looks."
'ATM' wins Kevin Heffernan Stakes
Co-trainer Robbie Griffiths has described King Magnus as the stable's ATM after winning the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m).
"He is like an ATM," Griffiths said of King Magnus who he trains in partnership with Mathew de Kock.
"That's what we always say about Magnus, Magnus means money and he keeps delivering 'The King', a good day to do it, it's my anniversary today."
King Magnus had been set to run in last week's Cranbourne Cup, but a bruised heel suffered after a jump-out on the Monday prior scarpered those plans.
The gelding was then engaged to run in the Kilmore Cup last Sunday, only to see than meeting abandoned after three races with concerns over the track.
With rain continuing through the day, the track was downgraded to a Soft 7 after King Magnus scored.
"There's not many owners and trainers that cheer for winter conditions on the second day of summer, but it suited 'The King' and it suited us," Griffiths said.
The victory was the most important of jockey Thomas Stockdale's career after the rider graduated to senior ranks last month.
"I've managed to pull off a Stakes win in Adelaide but to do it in Melbourne is a whole other thrill," Stockdale said.
"To come out of my apprenticeship and to have things go the way they've gone and get the support from such good stables, to get on a horse like him and win a Group race three weeks out of my time is pretty special."
Ghaanati lands important victory
The win of Ghaanati in the Listed Doveton Stakes (1200m) was an important victory for the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained mare.
Not only did it complete a race-to-race Stakes race double for the stable – having scored earlier with Revolutionary Miss in the Group 3 Summoned Stakes (1600m) - it was an important win for Ghaanati's future as a broodmare.
"She's always been promising and being a half-sister to Pride Of Dubai we always thought she had the ability to do it," Peter Snowden said.
"But we've had a few issues with her along the way, mainly barrier issues and Julien Welsh had a big hand in that, getting her back right and thanks to him she's where she is now.
"She's always shown good class, always had this sort of a win in her and probably a little bit better again, but it's great to see her do it.
"She's very lightly raced, and you'd like to think there's more to come."
Quote of the day
"I was as surprised as you were" - co-trainer Matt Jenkins after $19 shot Blazing Rebel took out the Become An MRC Member Handicap.
