This was my answer at Caulfield on Saturday to what's wrong with Sydney racing.

Down south they concede the strength of our horses, jockeys and trainers but small fields litter Sydney Saturdays and the racecourse vibe lacks Melbourne enthusiasm.

By old standards Saturday's 22,106 for the Caulfield Guineas, with an outstanding support program on a brilliant day, wasn't sensational and Randwick drew a "great crowd" of 18,122, on the back, I submit, of the Melbourne meeting.

In most aspects the modern-day racegoer fancies the occasion more than the all-round strength of the racing which will be emphasised by the Caulfield Cup next Saturday doing much better due to the major attraction.

But it wasn't all guns and roses at Caulfield. The after-races concert for racegoers was cancelled when the bandstand collapsed, but there were no problems apart from the sound system.

The artists dropped the bit and went home.

Japanese raiders

With the exception of favourite Lucia Valentina the strength of the locals is suspect in Saturday's Caulfield Cup but what about the Japanese raiders Admire Rakti and Bande?

"Some of the media reports surrounding both horses show great ignorance to where each stands in terms of Japanese racing," Stephen Coleman, of Glen Iris, in Victoria, wrote in a letter to Winning Post.

"These two are not yet 'star stayers' as they have already been deferred to. In the context of Australian racing they may live up to the description but this isn't the case in their home country.

"Attention should be drawn to the official Japanese ratings released to July 11 which give both horses a mark of 111 with seven others in the four-year-old and over category ... there are 26 middle distance or staying horses in this category with higher ratings."

Timeform's Gary Crispe wasn't enthusiastic either about Big Memory, winner of Saturday's Herbert Power, and figures he will have to improve to be a force in the Caulfield Cup.

Snap happy

Racing Victoria stewards at Caulfield on Saturday appeared to have more cameras than Fort Knox.

In fact, the Victorian government is set to announced funding of nearly $300,000 for Hawk Eye, tagged "one of the biggest racing breakthroughs in recent years".

Apparently Hawk Eye is capable of capturing up to 12 camera angles in either standard or high definition and will "significantly facilitate the vital work of Victorian stewards," according to chief stipe Terry Bailey.

In some aspects stewards had a quiet day at Caulfield on Saturday but the Herbert Power required work.

After all a protest was lodged by connections of runner-up Signoff, beaten a long neck after striking some trouble on the turn but not enough according to the stipes with a bird's eye and every other view of the action.

However jockey Tom Berry was fined $1000 for hitting Big Memory 11 times in the forehand manner prior to the 100 metres, six more than permitted.

Maybe stewards were light with the fine because in assessing the penalty they conceded there was an element of use required because Berry's mount was difficult to handle coming around the home turn.

Rich upset

Circumstances played a role with the defeat of local idol, Rich Enuff by the outstanding Sydney colt, Shooting To Win, and also Hampton Court's triumph in the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick.

Fizzed up by the occasion and going too hard, Rich Enuff was valiant in defeat but Josh Parr (Hampton Court) took advantage of a two-horse war between First Seal (Jason Collett) and Sweynesse (Blake Shinn).

They cut loose early in the straight following a hectic tempo set for Panzer Division and not surprisingly wilted late.

Hampton Court is trained by Gai Waterhouse who was involved in a reversal of role in the Caulfield Guineas where her three-year-old Almalad went hard with Rich Enuff and finished eighth.

All a twitter

The enthusiastic tweets of Greg Carpenter, the Racing Victoria chief handicapper amongst other roles, from Caulfield on Saturday were appealing.

Prior to the Caulfield Stakes, Carpenter opined that Fawkner had never been better and was going to have a great season.

Earlier he had been enthusiastic about Earthquake in the Thoroughbred Stakes.

To open his chorus Carpenter sent out a picture of Francesca Cumani doing her rounds with the field for Channel Seven before the first race, emphasising his eye for a good type.

Horse to follow
Platelet did well when second to the brilliant Rubick in the Schillaci at Caulfield on Saturday because she wasn't as forward in condition as the three-year-old and should improve.

Disappointing
Lumosty, the $2.80 favourite, finished eighth in the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield on Saturday but there were excuses. Stewards reported she struck trouble at the start.