Melbourne and Sydney prepare for massive race day; all the odds, predictions, start times and results

If you subscribe to the theory of backing the first people you see on track, then trainer Natalie Young jumped into frame.

Young, decked out in royal blue, has been an inspiration in the racing ranks in recent years, maintaining a positive outlook and training group 1 winners while beating breast cancer.

Young and her co-trainer Trent Busuttin have 100-1 shot Motherduck coming up in race 3. Hmmmmm, I love omens, but not sure I can stretch it that far.

I actually like favourite Just A Journey in the third event.

Maybe punters should hold fire and look at the Young-Busuttin runner in race four called McGaw. He is a great chance in the Gothic Stakes.

The first jockey I laid eyes on was Jamie Mott. He rides roughie Land Legend in the Caulfield Cup. Has been running well, but has drawn the car park.

Tough day to believe in omens.

The third race is due at Caulfield 1.25pm.

Travolta has won the 2600m Delta Building Automation St Leger Stakes in a photo finish.

Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller was looking to the $500,000 Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington on November 1 with Panova after she swept down the outside to win the opener on Everest day at Randwick on Saturday, the Reginald Allen Quality (1400m).

Tommy Berry was aboard the daughter of Trapeze Artist, which beat Samarelle by a half-length in the group 3 for three-year-old fillies. Waller was eyeing the Carbine Club and Berry believed she would make a Queensland Derby prospect in time.

Waller later has three chances, Lady Shenandoah, Joliestar and Angel Capital, in the $20 million Everest.

“It’s a good start to the day for the stable, a lovely ride from Tommy from a wide draw and it just shows the track is perfect, you can win from anywhere, Waller said.

“Punters will be happy, everyone will be happy.”

A blanket finish in the Caulfield Classic is a bit of a head scratcher looking forward to the VRC Derby.

Blake Shinn nailed the victory on Autumn Mystery, but this group of three year olds did not throw their hands (or do we say hooves) up as a threat for the 2500m classic at Flemington in a fortnight.

The favourite Engine Of War was downright disappointing. Maybe the Nick Ryan-trained Miewa was unlucky, and worthy of thought going forward.

Still, Autumn Mystery winning was a victory for the little guy, or in this case, small-time trainer Rory Hunter.

For the uninitiated, the 2000m group 3 Caulfield Classic is usually a decent lead-up guide for the VRC Derby.

The day’s theme of a touch of blue wasn’t enough for racing royalty Kate Waterhouse. The content creator and fashion commentator immersed herself in a pale blue dress by Sydney designer Mariam Seddiq for The Everest. A cream Bulgari bag was on standby but Waterhouse was worried that it distracted from her cool colour blocking.

“I know there’s always a touch of blue, but I was like, I’m going to do the theme really big this year and go all out.”

When asked about racewear traditions, Waterhouse says that she enjoys the structure, but quickly remembered the piece of fabric masquerading as headwear on her ponytail.

“Well you also have to have fun,” she says.

As racegoers are set for their first flutter of the day, on-course bookies accept a changing tide.

Anthony Doughty has been an on-course bookie for 50 years, most of his clients are older and place their bets over the phone.

“Go back 40 years, the bookmakers had 95 per cent of the market. No casino. No poker machines. If you want a bet you have to have a bookie,” he said

But now, they have less than 1 per cent.

“It’s like the titanic, everyone is dress up, the food is alright, but as an on course bookie - I know what’s going to happen.”

He said the gambling market had changed, with the younger generation preferring tech.

“Today in broad terms the football has finished, the suns out. Those are the main two things for us,” he said.

“We have good horses - standard of horses this time is better, but that doesn’t mean a thing to a lot of the people.”

But he believed racing would always have on-course bookies.

“Competition is good for any industry,” he said.

Mary Mulcahy flies down from the Gold Coast to work with bookies every spring racing carnival.

“The suns out, the dollars are out,” she said.

“Caulfield is steeped in tradition, which is good. Still standing. It’s good to have a bit of a mix. There are other courses who people feel are their favourites.

“The Caulfield is steeped in history, it’s good it’s not overshadowed by what’s happening in Sydney today so hopefully we get a piece of the pie.“

She said they didn’t get 18-25 year olds, their clientele were older.

“I’m sure there’s an element of bookmakers - who put their hands in the air and say I can’t collect any more,” she said

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