Australian-bred horses dominated results of this year’s Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival at all levels and distances with the major achievement being Shocking’s win in the Melbourne Cup (3200m).

From October 10 (Caulfield Guineas day) through to November 14, a total of 50 stakes races were run at Caulfield, Moonee Valley and Flemington and, of those, Australian-bred horses won 44 including 12 of the 14 Group 1 races on offer.

In G1 races (Aus) represented 68% of horses competing and 86% of winners whilst NZ had 26% of runners and 14% of the winners.  There were G1 runners bred in Ire, GB, SAf and Jpn but none of them won a race.

Aushorse Chairman Antony Thompson applauded the efforts by Australian breeders winning 90% of the black type races on offer.  “The Spring Carnival is one of the most competitive racing events on the global calendar and to achieve this type of domination is an outstanding result.”

Thompson also made particular mention of the win by Street Cry entire Shocking in the $5.5 million G1 Emirates Melbourne Cup.  The Mark Kavanagh trained four-year-old (sold as a yearling for $45,000 and then later as a Magic Millions Ready to Run 2yo for $64,000) became the second consecutive Australian-bred winner of the gruelling 3200m race that now attracts interest and acclaim from all corners of the racing globe.

Twelve months ago, the Bart Cummings trained Viewed (Scenic) was able to overcome the foreign challenge.  “For Australian breeders to win against all comers two years in a row is a significant achievement and something we are very proud of.

“Australians are often looked upon as superior breeders of sprinters and our record on that front is outstanding,” Thompson continued.  “But that doesn’t mean we can’t breed outstanding horses capable of winning over longer distances.”

The 12 individual Group 1 winners during the latest carnival won at distances ranging from 1200m up to the Cup distance of 3200m.  In between, G1 races were won at 1600m, 2000m, 2400m and 2500m.