Yard to the Post @ Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 11 June 2016
On a day when Godolphin's star runner Ghisoni had no luck in Queensland, the brave mare from Newcastle DANISH TWIST declared her Group One ambitions at Royal Randwick in the feature June Stakes over 1,100 metres.
A very genuine horse that continues to get better and better following on from her Provincial Championships win during the Autumn Carnival. The target now is the Group One Tatts Tiara at Eagle Farm, potentially against Ghisoni, over her favoured 1,400 metre distance.
In an earlier race we got to see a rare two mile contest and Chris Waller's OPINION was far too strong late despite his massive weight impost. Bjorn Baker's ZATOPAZ got the field rolling for home early to set up an exciting final 400 metres down the straight.
And DANISH TWIST's trainer Kris Lees (picture) produced another impressive winner in Race 2, RUSTIC MELODY storming home up the rails to win at big odds.
There were a few close finishes too, favourite EL NOVIO in Race 4 and SHADOW LORD in Race 9 both scoring by the narrowest of margins.
Check back here Sunday at 9am for a full review of the day.
Track Info
| Rail | +6 metres |
| Conditions | SOFT 7 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | NEAR RAILS early, FAIR later |
Race 1 FRESH FOR KIDS PLATE
No buck jumping this time!
strong tempo
Bias:
on-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conchita | Paul Perry | Thomas Huet | 10 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Star Crossed | Phillip Atkins | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 3 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Infra Dig | Darren Beadman | Brenton Avdulla | 14 | 54.0 |
In The Running
CONCHITA jumped best and STAR CROSSED was speedy too up on the inside. They took a clear lead. BLAZING STEEL was very wide with no cover and GIBRALTAR GIRL was also a touch wide. INFRA DIG got back to last. VIENNA WALTZ over-raced on the inside.
The Result
CONCHITA (1st) fought on best for a narrow win over STAR CROSSED (2nd) after they battled down the straight. INFRA DIG (3rd) made up good ground from last through the pack.
The Interest
Professional on-pacers coming off good trials got away with this one. CONCHITA had bucked jumped at her previous start at Wyong, perhaps the reason for the nice odds of $6 for a horse that won so easily on debut. There were some hard luck stories behind though; INFRA DIG too far back (although they did roll along), GIBRALTAR GIRL and BLAZING STEEL both wide (inside better early in day) and VIENNA WALTZ never settling after she didn't find the lead. Follow CONCHITA. Forgive INFRA DIG, GIBRALTAR GIRL, BLAZING STEEL and VIENNA WALTZ.
Race 2 ERIC KIME HANDICAP
Too much stamina from this big strong girl
strong tempo
Bias:
on-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rustic Melody | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Harlem Lady | Chris Waller | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 6 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Elle Lou | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 10 | 58.0 |
In The Running
OVAHEAD went hard in the lead and set a STRONG tempo from LOFIEL and the over-racing DISTRAUGHT back on the inside. RUSTIC MELODY jumped well and was restrained. ELLE LOU was urged into a spot. HARLEM LADY missed the start (2L) and got back.
The Result
RUSTIC MELODY (1st) drove up the inside for a clear win from HARLEM LADY (2nd) and ELLE LOU (3rd). ELECTRIC POWER (4th) made some ground from the back.
The Interest
They rolled along in this one and RUSTIC MELODY was able to sustain her run better than the others. A big strong staying type that has raced well over 2000m+, as soon as the leaders turned it into a testing affair, she was in the perfect spot. PIONEERING also had every chance too and was disappointing late. Her SURGE factor (last 200m) well down on what it was last prep. HARLEM LADY and ELLE LOU ran well, the latter perhaps a better effort second-up after racing closer to the speed. Don't be too harsh on DISTRAUGHT, not much went right here. Follow ELLE LOU.
Race 3 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
Making up for missing The Championships
fair tempo
Bias:
on-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Three Sheets | Jeremy Sylvester | Rory Hutchings | 3 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Raised a Legend | Mark Milton | Jake Pracey-Holmes | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Bowie's Babe | Leon Davies | Blaike McDougall | 9 | 53.0 |
In The Running
CLIVEDEN HOUSE showed plenty of speed from out wide from BOWIE'S BABE. PORTATORIO stuck wide in midfield. THREE SHEETS settled midfield with INVIENNA on his back. CHARGE OF LIGHT was slow and got back.
The Result
THREE SHEETS (1st) found clear room and ran on for a clear win from RAISED A LEGEND (2nd) who stuck on up the inside and BOWIE'S BABE (3rd)
The Interest
THREE SHEETS had finished 4th in The Country Championships wildcard and has now won $156,125 from 14 starts, much better than your average country galloper and he loved the wet conditions. Probably the other two best horses in field finished 6th in PORTATORIO (stuck out wide) and 8th in INVIENNA, who travelled sweetly and never warmed up over the final 200m. Greg Ryan was even questioned regarding his riding in the straight. Follow THREE SHEETS and INVIENNA (dry track). Forgive PORTATORIO.
Race 4 YOUR LOCAL GREENGROCER HANDICAP
Waller toughness gets the prize
strong tempo
Bias:
on-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Novio | Chris Waller | Rory Hutchings | 9 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Not a Gypsy | Peter & Paul Snowden | Jeff Penza | 1 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Storm System | Robbie Laing | James Innes Jnr | 3 | 59.5 |
In The Running
COLONEL CUSTER strode across to lead from CILLA and set a good honest tempo. SPANISH STRIDE got well back with PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE in last spot. STORM SYSTEM, EL NOVIO and NOT A GYPSY all had nice trails in midfield.
The Result
EL NOVIO (1st) got moving early and narrowly fought off NOT A GYPSY (2nd), who made his run up the inside, and STORM SYSTEM (3rd). SPANISH STRIDE (5th) and HURLSEY (4th) ground away from the back behind them. A massive gap of 7 lengths back to 7th.
The Interest
There were some tired horses at the end of 2000m and EL NOVIO had to sustain a long run. His testing 2200m effort at Warwick Farm start prior would have had him seasoned for this. Both NOT A GYPSY and STORM SYSTEM are bred to sprint (Not a Single Doubt and Snitzel), but they are two tough types too. Not too many excuses, HURSLEY with the best final 200m, but he often does that. COLONEL CUSTER drifted alarmingly in the market before running a distant 8th. Stable reps said the horse had pleased them since his last run, when he lost to Queensland Derby runner-up by a nose. He'll be spelled now. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 5 SYDNEY MARKETS FOUNDATION HANDICAP
Young Adkins gets the gun run
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yuma Desert | Peter & Paul Snowden | Andrew Adkins | 6 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Sampeah | John O'Shea | Jeff Penza | 9 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Dark Eyes | Matthew Dale | Thomas Huet | 11 | 56.0 |
In The Running
YUMA DESERT showed speed to lead at a FAIR tempo and wasn't pressured too much by BITBURG (touch keen under hold) on her outside. DARK EYES jumped well but got stuck out wide in midfield. UNTAMED DIAMOND wide too.
The Result
YUMA DESERT (1st) got clear of the other on-pacers and hung on from SAMPEAH (2nd), who stormed down the outside. DARK EYES (3rd) kept coming despite the wide run.
The Interest
There were lots of chances in this, but you knew YUMA DESERT was going to be right up in the firing line carrying 52.5kg. That perfect spot got her the prize over a very impressive SAMPEAH and brave DARK EYES. They were the best runs, but Godolphin and Waterhouse runners aren't holding their form lately so follow with caution. MODHA a filly with short sprint that was always urged along. Don't be too harsh on her too. Horses started to come out wide in this race as the track evened out late in the day (NEAR RAILS preferred earlier). Follow SAMPEAH. Forgive DARK EYES.
Race 6 TOYOTA MATERIAL HANDLING (AUSTRALIA) STAYERS CUP
Way too much class from the top-weight
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Opinion | Chris Waller | Rory Hutchings | 9 | 62.0 | |
| 2 | Murphy's Delight | Eric Musgrove | Brenton Avdulla | 7 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Zatopaz | Matthew Dale | Greg Ryan | 8 | 54.0 |
In The Running
TRADTRI rolled to the lead from ZATOPAZ and REFECTORY, who over-raced. TUNES was stuck wide and strode up with no cover. TREMEC (slow jump), MURPHY'S DELIGHT and OPINION got back. A FAIR tempo was set up. ZATOPAZ got rolling and took over early on the turn as OPINION tracked up at the back of the pack under a hold.
The Result
OPINION (1st) sprinted straight past them and was eased up to beat MURPHY'S DELIGHT (2nd), who ran on OK, and ZATOPAZ (3rd). HE'S DREAMIN (4th) had loomed before peaking on his run.
The Interest
If you had faith in this horse you were repaid with a big $11 price, almost unbelievable given he had raced well in Group 1 company and loved the two miles at Randwick. It's hard to follow a horse that ran 8th, 9th, 10th leading into this though! Poor TUNES had no hope out wide and the rest had their chance. The $201 shot VICTORIOUS beaten 63.2 lengths and a special mention to trainer Richard Laming from Clyde, who's tried on some European training techniques. REFECTORY first-up beaten 21.8 lengths in the 3200m Ramsden at Flemington and 42 lengths behind the winner here. Back to the drawing board! Forgive TUNES.
Race 7 COLIN GRAY HANDICAP
Koby gets away another one
slow tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tucanchoo | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Koby Jennings | 7 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Vassal | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Anthony's Best | Rebecca Brewer | Jeff Penza | 1 | 54.0 |
In The Running
Not much competition for the lead. TUCANCHOO took the lead from EGYPTIAN RULER and DEFROST MY HEART. VASSAL settled in midfield. Only a SLOW tempo set up.
The Result
DEFROST MY HEART sprinted up but couldn't sustain leaving TUCANCHOO (1st) to kick back on the inside and beat VASSAL (2nd) by a very narrow margin. ANTHONY'S BEST (3rd) stuck on up the inside. DURE (4th) made good ground from the back.
The Interest
After winning four races last Saturday, Koby Jennings got away with a very easy lead and TUCANCHOO did the rest. He's won two from two this prep and there's not much more you can do, but the form was weak out of his first-up win and this was a 'non race' so follow with caution. VASSAL and DURE two very good runs. Follow VASSAL and DURE.
Race 8 SYDNEY MARKETS LIMITED JUNE STAKES
This girl is a real racehorse!
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danish Twist | Kris Lees | Koby Jennings | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Mount Nebo | Allan Denham | Thomas Huet | 3 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Oxford Poet | Kim Waugh | Jay Ford | 8 | 56.0 |
In The Running
Some pressure here, OXFORD POET working to the lead in-front of FINE MIST (aggressively ridden), KURO and DECISION TIME out wide. DANISH TWIST, WOULDN'T IT BE NICE, BROOK ROAD and HIDDEN WARRIOR got well back.
The Result
DANISH TWIST (1st) got through the pack and surged clear from MOUNT NEBO (2nd), who out on up the inside and OXFORD POET (3rd).
The Interest
A real racehorse! DANISH TWIST was always going to be strongest over the last 200m stepping back in distance, the tough conditions and strong tempo helped her to score another impressive win. Off to Queensland now for the Group One Tatt's Tiara. MOUNT NEBO good in his ideal conditions and OXFORD POET brave again - he's flying this prep and can win an easier race over 1200m next start. PALAZZO PUBLICO (6th) good in conditions that didn't suit. BROOK ROAD (4th) OK, but better fresh. Follow DANISH TWIST, OXFORD POET and PALAZZO PUBLICO.
Race 9 GLENN WHEELER HANDICAP
Blinkers on and home by a nose!
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shadow Lord | Joseph Pride | Jay Ford | 17 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Burning Passion | Mark Newnham | Jeff Penza | 15 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Grunderzeit | James Cummings | Koby Jennings | 6 | 60.5 |
In The Running
SWEET KISS worked up out wider to lead from BURNING PASSION and SELECTIFY. GRUNDERZEIT took a trail behind them with ALL SUMMER LONG on his inside and SHADOW LORD in midfield. COSMOPOL was restrained well back.
The Result
A bunched finish, SHADOW LORD (1st) sneaking home from BURNING PASSION (2nd) and GRUNDERZEIT (3rd). ALL SUMMER LONG (4th) not far off.
The Interest
The Blinkers on second-up did it! Jo Pride found the right race for SHADOW LORD second-up and he did the job.. just! An evenly-matched field with good efforts from many others. GRUNDERZEIT seems to get beat over the last 50m every time and AVONACO (5th) was OK too. STAR SHAFT didn't get much room and might need a drier track. BURNING PASSION can go on with it now over 1400m. COSMOPOL never in the race out the back. No Follows or Forgives.