Trainer has classic aspirations for Sheer Madness

Darryl Sherer - Saturday August 12

Sheer Madness went some way towards justifying a tall home reputation with victory in Saturday's Raymond Ali Handicap (1400m) at Flemington.

Advertisement
Sheer Madness winning the Raymond Ali Handicap. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Settled fifth before travelling three-deep as Mulk set a moderate pace through the early stages, Sheer Madness was brought out into the centre of the track by Ethan Brown in the home straight.

Quickening into the lead 175m out, Sheer Madness ($5.50 - $8.50) stayed on strongly to hold the late rally from Confluence ($5.50 - $4.60) and score by three-quarters of a length with Kedleston ($14) a nose away third.

Trainer John Salanitri thought enough of Sheer Madness to start him in the Group I Blue Diamond Stakes and stable manager Frank Salanitri said the gelding is still learning how to race.

"He did a good job to win that after racing three-deep without cover for a bit," Salanitri said. "It wasn't Ethan's fault, it was just the way the race panned out,

"It was actually the best place to be as he's a horse that needs to keep rolling and have room to build momentum,"

Sheer Madness is by Moshe, a brother to Black Caviar, yet Salanitri believes the gelding will be better over longer distances.

"He's always shown us ability but the penny hasn't dropped yet," Salanitri said.

"He's an exciting horse, we'll probably have a go at the Caulfield Guineas but ideally I think he's a Derby horse.

"We'll give him a little time off and then look at coming back for the Guineas Prelude."

It was the first Flemington win for three kilo claiming apprentice Brown.

"It's a great thrill to get my first Flemington winner and he's an exciting horse," Brown said.

"I think he's looking for a bit more ground and he's still very raw - he did a big job to win today."

Nistaan firmed from $5.50 to start the $4.60 favourite but never looked like winning, beating just one home.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Stakes Goals Ahead for Supido Mare
Astute trainer David Payne is no stranger to G1 success and has always held Supido mare Shohisha in high regard and she showed the potential of better things to come this spring when powering home to win the Benchmark 94 event over 1600m at Randwick on Saturday.
Pericles Turns Back the Clock
Six year-old Street Boss (USA) gelding Pericles won the Group II ATC Tramway Stakes (1400m) two years ago in 2023 when trained by James Cummings and he repeated the effort at Randwick on Saturday, but this time he is in the care of Bjorn Baker.
Lightning Strikes at The Valley
It didn't carry Black Type, but the $200,000 MVRC So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Moonee Valley was packed with intrigue and G1 winners with spring aspirations.
Sires With Winners - Saturday September 6
Here is the full list of 106 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Shamus Award - Quintessa Wins Proisir Plate
The early spring has tended to bring the very best out of Quintessa, and that trend continued at Ellerslie on Saturday with a spectacular last-to-first performance at $36 odds in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate.
Barnstorming Performance As Baraqiel Wins G1 Moir Stakes
Off the back of his impressive last start Listed Norman Carlyon Stakes victory at the same track, Snitzel gelding Baraqiel had everyone talking, and rightfully so, as he justified the faith of his trainers, charging late to win the $750,000 Group 1 MVRC Moir Stakes (1000m) in the Bennett Racing silks.
Alpha Sofie Wins Listed Atlantic Jewel
A decision to transfer talented Capitalist  filly Alpha Sofie from the Queensland stable of Jason Edwards to Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman in Victoria paid immediate dividends at Moonee Valley on Saturday when she charged home to win the $175,000 Listed MRC Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m).
Concorde Stakes Success For Headwall
With the first two across the line highlighting their claims for an Everest slot, Matthew Smith’s Headwall (Dream Ahead) came with a well-timed run in the $1m Group 3 ATC Concorde Stakes (1000m) to deny the unlucky Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel).
Front Runner Lindermann Wins Chelmsford Stakes
Capitalising on his outstanding second up form, Chris Waller’s Group 1-winning Lonhro gelding Lindermann held on to win the Group 2 ATC Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
G1 Haydock Sprint Cup Upset
Wathnan Racing were expecting to win the Group I Haydock Sprint Cup (6f) overnight with short priced race favourite Lazzat, but the best he could manage was fifth behind progressive three year-old colt Big Mojo.