Yard to the Post @ Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 28 May 2016
Drizzle at Royal Randwick left punters a little confused today until the times started flashing up on the board. There was no doubt we were dealing with a GOOD track, despite the continued downgrades and mud on Glyn Schofield's face after a close win on three-year-old RODRICO.
The Hawkes and Waterhouse stables both produced classy horses at an off-season meeting, ECUADOR leading all the way to win the feature McKell Cup before BULLRUSH was hugely impressive winning the last race when he looked in trouble a furlong from home.
ECUADOR started at the good odds of $10 thanks to the short-priced Melbourne raider RAW IMPULSE. Darren Weir hasn't won a race in Sydney and that continued after his muscular galloper lacked the stamina to chase them down over the final furlong.
Gai declared "bring on the Brisbane Cup" after her charger scored his second win in a row, a great day for the stable with filly THEMIS also winning in Race 3.
One of the closest finishes was a grand battle between the towering on-pace sprinters OXFORD POET and THAT'S A GOOD IDEA, who crossed the line together in rapid time.
And as for BULLRUSH, who knows how far the lightly-raced son of O'Reilly can go, but all the signs are good after five wins out of five.
A full review from the yard to the post will be on-line Sunday 9am.
Track Info
| Rail | +3 metres |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 to SOFT 5 |
| Weather | OVERCAST then FINE (showers) |
| Bias | FAIR, slightly OFF RAILS |
Race 1 RB ELECTRICAL & COMMUNICATIONS PLATE
The Cummings shine on this filly
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skylight Glow | Kris Lees | Glyn Schofield | 12 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Barbass | Cameron Crockett | Adam Hyeronimus | 6 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Acatour | Peter & Paul Snowden | Sam Clipperton | 10 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
2yos well behaved, FLOW looked relaxed/well, COGLIERE has scope to frame and could suit distance; ACATOUR, FANTASTIC MAN and SKYLIGHT GLOW nice. ACHI BABA very leggy!
In The Running
SKYLIGHT GLOW jumped well and took up the running and COGLIERE moved up out wider to take the lead mid-race after being stuck wide. ACATOUR took out very wide on his own into the turn. It was a 'stop-start' race and a FAIR tempo overall.
The Result
SKYLIGHT GLOW (1st) tracked up behind COGLIERE (5th), took the lead at the 200m and held them off. BARBASS (2nd) ran on well out of the pack and ACATOUR (3rd) was brave to the line. FLOW (4th) quickened OK, but his run evened out over the last 100m.
The Interest
Quite a few OK runs in a start-stop race, SKYLIGHT GLOW a very game filly that could head to Brisbane now. No knock on BARBASS and FLOW, but they had more in their favour than ACATOUR (wide) and ACHI BABA (slow start, ran on for 6th). Even COGLIERE was quite good after getting stuck wide. SO POYSED (10th) distressed after race and HITTITE (tightened, wound on off-fore fetlock) never really in it. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 2 TAB HIGHWAY PLATE
The Bolt from Canberra takes out the Highway
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wonderbolt | Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones | Koby Jennings | 2 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Star Shaft | Tim McIntosh | Greg Ryan | 3 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Beau Tirage | Keith Dryden | Matthew McGillivray | 1 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
WONDERBOLT looked strong classy and well, STAR SHAFT also a big nice type, BEAU TIRAGE looked fine. Looks a race between those three.
In The Running
RED FENDER sped to the lead from ALL ALERT with STAR SHAFT just behind them. BEAU TIRAGE was in the box seat. WONDERBOLT patiently ridden back in the pack. FLASH IN THE DARK was stuck wider.
The Result
STAR SHAFT (2nd) came out three wide and quickly strode to the lead, but WONDERBOLT (1st) followed him through and ran him down late.
The Interest
A race with three key chances and the Scone form-line held up. STAR SHAFT had beaten WONDERBOLT that day, but a weight turnaround and clearer run helped him turn the tables. Looking at the sectionals, they were all tiring over the last 200m and STAR SHAFT may have just hit the lead a touch early. The top three were very well suited by the Class 3 conditions and Set Weights. Follow WONDERBOLT and STAR SHAFT.
Race 3 CANDANA BATHROOMS HANDICAP
Gai's filly just too powerful
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Themis | Lee & Shannon Hope | Sam Clipperton | 9 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Dee Nine Elle | Tony Gollan | Tim Clark | 5 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Pioneering | Chris Waller | Koby Jennings | 3 | 62.5 |
In The Yard
Most looked well in the yard again, PIONEERING is athletic and suited to this track, DEE NINE ELLE well from Qld, BOLD BEGINNING had a great shine to coat,.
In The Running
THEMIS jumped well and DEE NINE ELLE moved up on her inside to take up the running. STILETTOED VIXEN worked up to 2nd. PACIFIC PEARL was wide in midfield.
The Result
THEMIS (1st) moved up and challenged DEE NINE ELLE (2nd) and got the better of her late. PIONEERING (3rd) chased home fairly a couple of lengths behind.
The Interest
The top two got clear and put margins on the rest, including a plain PIONEERING, who didn't hit the line hard late like most expected (THEMIS better last 200m). THEMIS came back from 2000m to 1400m and you while the praise was for a great training effort from Gai, you have to wonder why the muscular daughter of Not A SIngle Doubt was ever stretched up in distance. DEE NINE ELLE was solid. A strange run from DIXIE CHICK (didn't like track?). PACIFIC PEARL unfortunately bled and will be out for three months. Follow THEMIS.
Race 4 EVANS & PARTNERS HANDICAP
Waller gets the prize in a blanket finish
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodrico | Bjorn Baker | Glyn Schofield | 1 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Colonel Custer | Bjorn Baker | Adam Hyeronimus | 7 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Pursuit of Honour | Garry White | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
All looked ok in the yard, a nice 3yo race. Kiwis fine, STREET SMART had just touch of winter coat. DIVINE SANCTION and HIGH DREAMER are nice types, SPANISH STRIDE is very genuine.
In The Running
COLONEL CUSTER took up the running from the Kiwi SONOROUS and MAVEN WIZ. RODRICO was three pairs back on the inside. NOT A GYPSY was wide in midfield. The sections were steady early before COLONEL CUSTER got rolling from the 900m, setting a FAIR tempo overall.
The Result
COLONEL CUSTER (2nd) kept lifting to the line and RODRICO (1st) only just grabbed him, running on up the inside. PURSUIT OF HONOUR (3rd) ran on from the pack in a very bunched finish. 3.2 lengths between the top 11.
The Interest
Hard to know what to make of this race, the firm but slippery conditions and rolling tempo from the 900m brought the pack into a bunched finish on the post. COLONEL CUSTER was very solid running the same sectionals from the 400m to 200m and 200m to finish - very rare for a leader. RODRICO and PURSUIT OF HONOUR solid for Waller. NEW TIPPERARY cardiac arrhythmia. Forgive NEW TIPPERARY.
Race 5 WILSON ASSET MANAGEMENT HANDICAP
Big strong and hard to get past
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | That's a Good Idea | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tye Angland | 5 | 62.0 | |
| 2 | Oxford Poet | Kim Waugh | Jay Ford | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Inz'n'out | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Christian Reith | 1 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
THAT'S A GOOD IDEA looked big powerful and risk on track? INZ'N'OUT, PRINCEFAMOUS and VOILIER all very solid looking fine, I AM ZELADY looked well just a touch unsettled, OXFORD POET looked strong and 95% fit.
In The Running
OXFORD POET and THAT'S A GOOD IDEA took up the running and set a STRONG tempo. I AM ZELADY was a touch slow and got back. HURRARA wide with no cover.
The Result
THAT'S A GOOD IDEA (1st) and OXFORD POET (2nd) held off INZ'N'OUT (3rd) on the inside in a very close finish.
The Interest
They all had their chance to run down the powerhouse leaders, including INZ'N'OUT, who made ground up the inside before peaking on his run. THAT'S A GOOD IDEA relished rolling along in the right part of the Randwick track and he ran a rapid 1:03.02 for the 1100m. The fresh horses I AM ZELADY (5th), OXFORD POET and VOILIER (4th) are all worth following after nice returns. This wasn't an easy race to win first-up! Follow OXFORD POET.
Race 6 PROVIDENCE HANDICAP
Tired mares can't keep up with Waller's girl
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elle Lou | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 9 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Modha | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Minnesota | Gwenda Markwell | Taylor Marshall | 3 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
TROIS CHOIX looked toned likes the wet, but is it wet? BUTTERBOOM looked strong well. MINNESOTA neat and suited to the conditions, SANGIOVESE looked muscular and well, MODHA very fit.
In The Running
BONETE went hard in the lead from ATOM EVE with a gap back to BUTTERBOM and MINNESOTA. They rolled along at a STRONG tempo. ELLE LOU just behind them with SANGIOVESE on her outside stuck wide no cover.
The Result
ELLE LOU (1st) was much too strong late for MODHA (2nd) who sprinted though the pack from the back. MINNESOTA (3rd) fought hard up the inside from BUTTERBOOM (4th).
The Interest
It was an evenly match mares race on paper with Waller's ELLE LOU a mare that had raced in higher grade over 1400m+ at her best. Some late money came for her and she was simply too strong over the final 200m. MODHA is going well ridden quietly, but she was in the right spot here. MINNESOTA suited to conditions and TROIS CHOIX (6th) seemingly run off her legs. SANGIOVESE (vet: respiratory distress) could be worth forgiving. Follow ELLE LOU. Forgive SANGIOVESE.
Race 7 FUJITSU AIR CONDITIONING MCKELL CUP
All the way for the mighty Gai!
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecuador | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 15 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Iggi Pop | Peter Robl | Grant Buckley | 14 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Havana Cooler | James Cummings | Brenton Avdulla | 13 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
RAW IMPULSE shines, he's a strong type. ECUADOR and HAVANA COOLER looked very fit, IGGI POP is robust and suited to the distance, BEYOND THANKFUL looked tough and conditions suit. HAWKSPUR, GHOST PROTOCOL and MURPHY'S DELIGHT looked well.
In The Running
ECUADOR took up the running and IGGI POP worked up on his outside. There was no pressure early and the leader got rolling from the 800m. A STEADY tempo overall with RAW IMPULSE and HAVANA COOLER back in the field.
The Result
ECUADOR (1st) was too strong over the last 200m for IGGI POP (2nd) and HAVANA COOLER (3rd), who did make some late ground. RAW IMPULSE (4th) peaked on his run after sprinting into it on the turn.
The Interest
Darren Weir hasn't won in Sydney and that record holds after his odds-on pop RAW IMPULSE couldn't catch the bold Waterhouse front-runner ECUADOR. Hindsight is a beautiful thing in racing and (i) RAW IMPULSE's imposing frame, (ii) his rapid turn-of-foot over 2000m and (iii) his sire's record of breeding 1600m to 2000m gave us some clues the 2400m could be risk. His last 200m was about a length slower than ECUADORs. HAVANA COOLER and IGGI POP both very solid. All three place-getters could head to Queensland now. Follow ECUADOR, IGGI POP, HAVANA COOLER and RAW IMPULSE (back to 2000m).
Race 8 HARVEY NORMAN HANDICAP
An energy sapping middle-distance slog
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shalmaneser | Emma & Lucy Longmire | Sam Clipperton | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Olympic Academy | Kris Lees | Andrew Adkins | 10 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Sabkhat | John O'Shea | Tim Clark | 11 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
HIMALAYA DREAM looked well if you can trust him? SPY DECODER and KAYPERS looked solid/fine, DANCE OF HEROES looked well but track may not suit, HOLLYWOOD BOUND compact (distance?), SABKHAT is a leggy type.
In The Running
Koby Jennings took HIMALAYA DREAM to the lead and set a STRONG tempo from SABKAT and SPY DECODED, who raced keenly. EGYPTIAN RULER worked up wide into 3rd place.
The Result
SABKHAT (3rd) took over from the turn and got to the lead, but was caught late by SHALMANESER (1st) and OLYMPIC ACADEMY (2nd) from the back.
The Interest
Young Jennings rode Wonderbolt well earlier in the day, but he didn't impress here letting HIMALAYA DREAM roll along at ridiculous fractions until the turn. The effort of SABKHAT was huge and even though he has a high surge factor, getting so close to the finish was an impressive effort. SHALMANESER and OLYMPIC ACADEMY suited on the day. EGYPTIAN RULER (stuck wide) another one that wasn't. Forgive EGYPTIAN RULER and SABKHAT.
Race 9 ONE SOLUTIONS HANDICAP
This galloper is a star on the rise
strong tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bullrush | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Koby Jennings | 15 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Disgraceful | Dale Riley | Brenton Avdulla | 10 | 60.5 | |
| 3 | Invinzabeel | Mark Newnham | Glyn Schofield | 5 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
Many in good shape, BULLRUSH scopey and extra distance suits; CAPED CRUSADER, DISGRACEFUL, ZEDFAST, GOT UNDERS, INVINZABEEL, HE'S A GIVEN and FORGET MAYBE all looked well. WELL HARDLEY EVER up to 1400m?
In The Running
BULLRUSH moved up on the pace and ensured a STRONG tempo from CAPED CRUSADER on his inside and ROGUISH just behind. HE'S A GIVEN was stuck wide no cover.
The Result
BULLRUSH (1st) simply kept lifting when challenged to hold off a bunch, including ROGUISH (4th, lost 2nd on protest), DISGRACEFUL (2nd) and INVINZABEEL (3rd)
The Interest
This was a massive effort from the winner BULLRUSH! Up on a strong tempo and in big trouble 300m from home, he lifted like a horse that will be even better up in distance. An unbeaten horse in 5 starts that hasn't even stepped up to his ideal trip yet. That's exciting! Note that it was Koby again going too hard in the lead and luckily he had the horsepower to handle it. CAPED CRUSADER (11th) was on the receiving end of the 'Bulls' high pressure so don't be too harsh. ROGUISH (lost 2nd in protest) did well and just bumped the two Waller horses on his outside as he tired. Follow BULLRUSH and ROGUISH. Forgive HE'S A GIVEN.