Yard to the Post @ The Championships Day Two
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 09 April 2016
Lean and tough gallopers took out the features on Sydney's testing Randwick track as The Championships came to an exciting close.
SOFIA ROSA, GALLANTE, AZKADELLIA and LUCIA VALENTINA were far from the biggest horses in the yard, but a strong constitution and fighting spirit were the perfect mix on the day. Both AZKADELLIA (Queen of the Turf) and LUCIA VALENTINA (Queen Elizabeth) sprinted across the soft turf as others floundered in their wake.
Most races had close finishes, Bowman lifting both MISSROCK (Percy Sykes Stakes) and JAPONISME (Arrowfield Sprint) to win by the narrowest if margins, while Damien Oliver produced DANISH TWIST late to grab the Provincial Championships Final on the line.
It was a breakthrough day for Oliver who also piloted AZKADELLIA and LUCIA VALENTINA, ending a drought of Group One wins in Sydney.
A full Yard to the Post review will be online Sunday at 9am.
Track Info
| Rail | +6 metres |
| Conditions | SOFT 6 to SOFT 5 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | NEAR RAILS early, FAIR later |
Race 1 TFE FERNHILL HANDICAP
Cummings youngster takes the prize
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prized Icon | Kris Lees | Hugh Bowman | 7 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Crown Him | Anthony Cummings | Jason Collett | 4 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Lasqueti Spirit | Lee & Cherie Curtis | Ms Winona Costin | 1 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
2yos stepping out to the mile under sunny skies. PRIZED ICON looked strong and relaxed. REINFORCED looked a little warm. CROWN HIM is a neater type.
In The Running
CROWN HIM jumped best before LASQUETI SPIRIT railed through to lead from PRIZED ICON who pressed on from the outside gate.
The Result
LASQUETI SPIRIT (3rd) was quickly shaken up on straightening as PRIZED ICON (1st) cruised up at the 300m to win running away from a wall of horses including CROWN HIM (2nd), BRING ME THE BLING (4th) and REINFORCED (5th).
The Interest
PRIZED ICON (nicknamed 'Adonis' in the stable) was the strongest out to the mile and a dominant winner in the end, breaking his run of placings and also his maiden status. CROWN HIM stuck on best of the others in behind, just in front of the tiring LASQUETI SPIRIT along the rail and BRING ME THE BLING. REINFORCED was ridden to have one run at them and worked home ok out wider. Follow PRIZED ICON. Forgive HUTCHO (laceration and poor post race recovery).
Race 2 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS SOUTH PACIFIC CLASSIC
Godolphin show a hand early on
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Handfast | Richard Litt | James McDonald | 1 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Santa Ana Lane | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Hugh Bowman | 9 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Serene Majesty | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
MAWAHIBB is muscular, can he stay 1,400m? KING’S TROOP is smaller, doesn't parade well. KIMBERLEY STAR and SUSPENSE looked well.
In The Running
KING'S TROOP jumped best from the outside to lead MAWAHIBB and KIMBERLEY STAR. TULSA missed the startto
The Result
SANTA ANA LANE (2nd) quickly pounced at the 300m, only for HANDFAST (1ast) to drive through best along the inside. They gapped the rest including SERENE MAJESTY (3rd), CRAIGLEE WANDOO (4th) and CHANDANA (5th) who were the best of the closers.
The Interest
HANDFAST showed fitness was on his side after two nice trials, showing good acceleration at the business end of the race, charging through nearer the rail. He may now start to realise his early potential after being forced to undergo surgery for a throat problem as a 2yo, with the Hawkesbury Guineas over 1,400m a likely target. SANTA ANA LANE charged out of the pack and may have just hit the front a little early. SERENE MAJESTY, CRAIGLEE WANDOO and CHANDANA all hit the line well. Follow HANDFAST. Forgive KIMBERLEY STAR (poor post race recovery).
Race 3 THE PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS FINAL
Oliver saves the twist 'til the end
steady tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danish Twist | Kris Lees | Damien Oliver | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Powerline | Kris Lees | Brett Prebble | 10 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | His Majesty | Kim Waugh | Blake Shinn | 18 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
DANISH TWIST and PARRAAY are similar toned, tough Randwick types. All provincial horses paraded in great shape.
In The Running
POWERLINE rolled forward at a STEADY TEMPO to hold out ZESTFUL. ELECTRIC POWER raced wide without cover on the pace. BETTER NOT BLUE raced keenly in the middle stages.
The Result
POWERLINE (2nd) gave a kick into the straight and looked home before DANISH TWIST (1st) made a winning lunge on the line. HIS MAJESTY (3rd) saved all the ground along the fence and finished close up.
The Interest
DANISH TWIST was one of many horses at their peak for this and her will to win got her there in the end, lunging on the line. Kris Lees had eight runners in the race and he ran the quinella with POWERLINE showing cheek to skip away in the straight. HIS MAJESTY was held up slightly until the 250m and charged home nearer the inside. HETTY HEIGHTS was the best of the closers, charging home once clear. DREAM LANE had every chance in behind the pace. No Follows as this was the target race for most of these and expect most to go out for a well earned break. Forgive BY GOLLY MOLLY (lame).
Race 4 IG MARKETS PERCY SYKES STAKES
This Miss is Group One Guineas bound
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missrock | Robbie Laing | Hugh Bowman | 6 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Prompt Response | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 8 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Spright | Garry Frazer | Tommy Berry | 1 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
SOVIET SECRET looked light and lean, may need a STRONG tempo. EMPHATICALLY is smaller and nuggety. NAJMAAT has size and scope.
In The Running
THYME FOR ROSES jumped best from the outside and crossed GENETEAU and PROMPT RESPONSE.
The Result
THYME FOR ROSES (5th) led until inside the 200m, then swamped by MISSROCK (1st) and PROMPT RESPONSE (2nd) who settled down for the fight. SPRIGHT (3rd) and SOVIET SECRET (4th) were also close up.
The Interest
MISSROCK showed what a big motor she has, using the entire straight to wind up after racing behind the speed. It was her first run since breaking her pelvis in the spring and will now be spelled, with jockey Hugh Bowman suggesting the Thousand Guineas may be a target race. PROMPT RESPONSE was given every chance along the inside, while SPRIGHT made up plenty of ground out wider. Forgive NAJMAAT (lame and poor post-race recovery).
Race 5 ARROWFIELD 3YO SPRINT
Waller's classy sprinter rises to the top
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japonisme | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 7 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Counterattack | Chris Waller | Craig Williams | 9 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Takedown | Darren Weir | Brett Prebble | 4 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
HELLBENT is compact, muscular, big turn of foot. Last 50m the query? JAPONISME looked well. GHISONI relaxed. BASSETT a little warm. No knock others.
In The Running
KINGLIKE drove through nearer the inside to lead TAKEDOWN. PETITS FILOUS raced wider in behind, outside of SPILL THE BEANS and JAPONISME.
The Result
JAPONISME (1st) moved up rounding the turn under a confident ride to hold off COUNTERATTACK (2nd) who made a late lunge on the line. They fought off KINGLIKE (3rd) and TAKEDOWN (4th), while GHISONI (5th) was coasting in behind and never got a crack.
The Interest
JAPONISME was ridden a treat by Hugh Bowman, and although changing strides just near the post, was able to hold off the challenge of COUNTERATTACK who dived late. He was the only Group 1 winner going into the race, and his class shone in the end. COUNTERATTACK and TAKEDOWN may have booked themselves a ticket to the Brisbane winter carnival if they pull up well. The untold story of the race however was GHISONI who just never got out, and we will never know if she would have finished over the top being beaten only 1.3L! PETITS FILOUS raced wide throughout and never looked to handle running right-handed. Forgive GHISONI.
Race 6 JAMES BOAG'S PREMIUM AUSTRALIAN OAKS
Kiwi raiders take the Oaks prize
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sofia Rosa | Stephen Marsh | Hugh Bowman | 12 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Ambience | John O'Shea | James McDonald | 3 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Believe | Anthony Cummings | Kerrin McEvoy | 11 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
SOFIA ROSA looked light, lean and keen a handful for Hugh Bowman in the yard. JAMEKA is big and strong, SINGLE GAZE small and tough. SOFIA ROSA on toes. Others ok. A great contest.
In The Running
SELF ESTEEM strode to the lead from VALLEY GIRL and BELIEVE, the leader striding out early, before easing the pace mid-race and there was very little pressure until the home turn. CAPELLA was slow and JAMEKA take to the back of the pack (she usually leads!). SOFIA ROSA worked around the pack with no cover. On the turn JAMEKA bumped HAPPY HANNAH which in turn knocked SINGLE GAZE and she fell, leaving Kathy O'Hara on the turf.
The Result
VALLEY GIRL (6th) moved up on the inside momentarily before BELIEVE (3rd) and AMBIENCE (2nd) fought past. They were all no match late for SOFIA ROSA as Bowman kept her straight in the closing stages. JAMEKA (4th) and CAPELLA (5th) ran on late.
The Interest
Perfectly placed on a testing Randwick track, SOFIA ROSA floated through the turf to win, the only risks were if Bowman could keep her straight and the looming threat of JAMEKA out wider. It was strange that the favourite was ridden quietly and in hindsight it could have cost her the race given the tempo was only steady - you could tell how slow they went by the bunched finish, there weren't many tired horses on the line. AMBIENCE returned to form after getting the lucky run on the inside and BELIEVE was brave in only her first campaign. Perhaps CAPELLA was the other good run in the race from way back. HAPPY HANNAH drifted in the market and doesn't look like a stayer. The news on Kathy is that she is in Hospital for monitoring and should hopefully be OK with some minor injuries. Follow SOFIA ROSA, JAMEKA and CAPELLA. Forgive SINGLE GAZE.
Race 7 SCHWEPPES SYDNEY CUP
Irish bred, raced in France and too strong in Sydney
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gallante | Robert Hickmott | Kerrin McEvoy | 11 | 51.5 | |
| 2 | Libran | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Grand Marshal | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 6 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
GALLANTE is a tough, lean Randwick type, similar to Sofia Rosa and Tavago. No knocks in the yard. GRAND MARSHAL looked relaxed and well. Waller’s other runners looked fine.
In The Running
GALLANTE went to the lead from LIKE A CAROUSEL and DEE I CEE worked up out wider (no cover) to get on-pace too. McEvoy on GALLANTE looked over his left shoulder on the turn as LIBRAN and WHO SHOT THEBARMAN made their runs with GRAND MARSHAL just behind them.
The Result
GALLANTE (1st) kept lifting to hold off the challenge of LIBRAN (2nd) and GRAND MARSHALL (3rd) by over a length. WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (4th) faded in the later stages.
The Interest
A very good job from the Williams team, who own so many Melbourne Cup contenders and scored themselves a Sydney Cup with this light weight wet tracker from France, who had already won a Group 1 (on heavy going) in Europe. He was yet another leaner tough type to skip through the Randwick turf best and hold off the bigger chasing horses. A change in conditions gave him the edge over LIBRAN, who had beaten him at Rosehill, a firmer track in Sydney's west. GRAND MARSHAL was good too and don't be too harsh on WHO SHOT THEBARMAN, who found carrying 57kg too testing late. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 8 THE COOLMORE LEGACY STAKES
No Winx to chase home this time!
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Azkadellia | Ciaron Maher | Damien Oliver | 9 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Heavens Above | Tim Martin | Tye Angland | 3 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Noble Protector | Robert Smerdon | Craig Williams | 2 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
AZKADELLIA looked fit on the back up, another athletic, tough type. MISS ROSE DE LAGO big strong, a risk on tough track? RISQUÉ and BADAWIYA both athletic. Randwick better for them too.
In The Running
VERGARA drove forward from BADAWIYA and AZKADELIA went straight to the back. VERGARA repeated the tactics of the Doncaster a week earlier and drove for home before the turn, getting most gallopers 'of the bit' chasing, apart from NOBLE PROTECTER, AZKADELIA and HEAVENS ABOVE.
The Result
Those three mares finished best, AZAKADELIA (1st) dashing up the inside for a big win, from HEAVENS ABOVE (2nd) and NOBLE PROTECTOR (3rd). LADY LE FAY made up good ground (4th).
The Interest
She looked great in the yard after the Doncaster a week earlier and AZKADELLIA proved her dominance in mares grade, making up for the Group 1 Myer Classic last Spring where she was very unlucky. Running 3rd to Winx was simply a superior form-line. Both HEAVENS ABOVE and NOBLE PROTECTOR picked up well in the conditions, while others struggled. MISS ROSE DE LAGO in particular never looked comfortable and is worth forgiving back to firmer ground. Follow AZKADELLIA. Forgive MISS ROSE DE LAGO.
Race 9 LONGINES QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES
'Lil' Lucia' skips straight past them!
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucia Valentina | Kris Lees | Damien Oliver | 12 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | The United States | Robert Hickmott | Kerrin McEvoy | 8 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Happy Clapper | Patrick Webster | Brenton Avdulla | 1 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
Little LUCIA VALENTINA looked well and suited here, no knocks in the yard for what looked like a great race. CRITERION hadn't lost any more condition, but remained leaner.
In The Running
Some pressure early, AWESOME ROCK pushing forward from LEEBAZ and IT'S SOMEWHAT. RISING ROMANCE got the box seat and HAURAKI was stuck out wide with no cover trailed by THE UNITED STATES. HAURAKI got some cover as MONGOLIAN KHAN made an early move out wider. LUCIA VALENTINA was slowish and went to the back, she was on heels in a difficult spot on the turn.
The Result
RISING ROMANCE (4th) and the Godolphin horses IT'S SOMEWHAT (6th) and HAURAKI (7th) loomed briefly, but they were swallowed up as LUCIA VALENTINA (1st) dashed straight past out wide for a big win. THE UNITED STATES (2nd) and HAPPY CLAPPER (3rd) also ran on solidly.
The Interest
Pound for pound she is now the best horse in the country! Smaller than Winx, but with just as much heart and determination LUCIA VALENTINA was far superior on the tough Randwick surface. Some pressure and jostling for position up near the pace helped her cause, but it did the same for THE UNITED STATES too, and she simply strode past the favourite under hardly any riding from Oliver. HAPPY CLAPPER put in an enormous run at Weight For Age proving his best distance is 2000m, or even further!? Conditions didn't seem to suit a few of the others, including HAURAKI and PREFERMENT. Follow LUCIA VALENTINA and HAPPY CLAPPER.
Race 10 SENSIS SAPPHIRE STAKES
Too tough for this bunch of mares
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Two Blue | Kristen Buchanan | Paul King | 11 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Secret Agenda | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Dwayne Dunn | 12 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Brook Road | Kris Lees | Chad Schofield | 3 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
SECRET AGENDA looked a little warm. CRADLE ME and I’VE GOT THE LOOKS paraded well. TWO BLUE looked fit.
In The Running
TWO BLUE jumped best and drove to the lead from OTTOMAN, VEZALAY and SECRET AGENDA.
The Result
TWO BLUE (1st) kept charging along and they couldn't catch her. SECRET AGENDA (2nd) fought on a couple of lengths behind and BROOK ROAD (3rd) edged past on the inside from VEZALAY (4th). CRADLE ME (5th) ran on OK and SULTRY FEELING (7th) veered right out to the outside.
The Interest
Too tough! Paul King took this race by the scruff of the neck and made it a testing race, taking the sprint out of many of the chasers behind. SECRET AGENDA was good this time with a jockey change, while CRADLE ME (track too stick? A heavy-set type) and SULTRY FEELING (was ridden to the extreme outside) both had some excuses, but it the daring ride from Bowman on SULTRY FEELING didn't look like it cost her a place. PEACE FORCE is another that will improve second-up after finishing back in the pack here. No Follows or Forgives.