In my August 28 blog I posed a series of "what ifs" and they were all answered on Saturday. Let's go through them one by one. Tickets just plodded first up but the run was good enough to suggest sticking for a few runs. Starspangledbanner is a revelation and for those prepared to listen to Danny Nikolic after his previous win were rewarded with a $5.50 winner as he seemed quite confident 1200m would not be an issue. I should have joined him!Marchelle Belle did enough to suggest she cou

In my August 28 blog I posed a series of "what ifs" and they were all answered on Saturday. Let's go through them one by one. Tickets just plodded first up but the run was good enough to suggest sticking for a few runs. Starspangledbanner is a revelation and for those prepared to listen to Danny Nikolic after his previous win were rewarded with a $5.50 winner as he seemed quite confident 1200m would not be an issue. I should have joined him!

Marchelle Belle did enough to suggest she could win a mares event shortly or even in a slightly weaker open race where she would drop a few kilos. She fought hard in the straight however I cannot say the same for Tonic who had the softest run and, for mine, her Spring is over. Partiva tried hard and can also replicate my thoughts on Marchelle Belle: there could be a race for her soon.

Well, First Command is good. I learnt that by laying him on Betfair and then watching this lightly raced steed win with an air of authority I am still staggered about. He is definitely a Group player. It was suggested Mic Mac was going to get the cosy run and if he was any good should win. If you look at the sectionals it is obvious he worked early and weakened towards the end but when you might have expected him to capitulate halfway down the running he actually raised another effort. This is a seriously good horse. Miss Maren was disappointing but give her one more chance: mares have off days and maybe that's all it was.

What do you do with Whobegotyou? The day he gets a really solidly run race and the likes of Mic Mac are not in the race he will win easily based on his sectionals. You cannot sack him but there is that niggling doubt at this stage. By the same token the real fish on the plate the connection want is the Cox Plate and perhaps he just needed that run to top him off in readiness for a kill.

Up North Denman proved too good but the run of Trusting was excellent and there are no flies on her as far as ability is concerned. Voice Coach seemed to have every chance as Emperor "Napolean" Bonaparte had to give away a good start yet still won. At this stage the Metropolitan is looking a good race for the Emperor. My disappointment was Gold Trail to a certain extent as he was involved in a bit of a battle early and the 28 days break certainly added to his problems as far as my place bet was concerned when he ran out of puff. I will get the folding stuff I outlayed back as he is a bold front runner and can lead in most of the Group sprints at odds. It's just a matter of being patient.

Hay List killed Comic Hero so I was wrong there though Hay did get a soft lead and halfway up the running I was starting to think my small 30/1 saver on McLurch had a chance. I reserve my judgement on Hay List at 1400m.

As for the $2.94 Richmond for the first quarter let it be suffice to say I turned the radio off before the end of the quarter.