Yard to the Post @ Chelmsford Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 03 September 2016
Rainy skies cleared to a blustery day at Royal Randwick with the track starting on a Heavy 9 before being upgraded to a Heavy 8 after Race 3. The drying conditions meant the track was a little 'sticky' under foot with horses struggling to make long sustained runs from the back.
Australia's glamour mare WINX was an early scratching at 7am this morning, however racegoers saw a brilliant performance from HARTNELL who ran second to the glamour mare last start. He simply dominated his opposition in the Chelmsford Stakes, running clear under a hold with jockey James McDonald smiling from ear to ear.
Punters were happy too after a big plunge in the last 10 minutes brought him into a short-priced favourite ahead of the disappointing three-year-old PRIZED ICON.
Godolphin continued their winning run as HAURAKI pounced late fresh in Race 8 to get the better of LE ROMAIN and DIBAYANI near the line in what should prove a solid form race going forward into the spring. HAPPY CLAPPER finished off the race nicely in conditions that didn't suit and looks on target for the Epsom.
A good bunch of fillies lined up earlier in the Group 2 Furious Stakes, with the genuine FOXPLAY handling the conditions best and finishing over the top of BACARELLA, who gave big kick after leading up. Gai's well backed GLOBAL GLAMOUR didn't have much luck, racing wide throughout and sticking on for third.
In other races, BURNING PASSION was perfectly ridden by Kerrin McEvoy making use of the inside gate to lead all the way in Race 5, while the Team Hawkes trained SWEAR produced a big run first-up in Race 3 after his Hawkesbury win earlier in the year staking his Spring intentions.
A full review from the yard to the post is on-line now.
Track Info
| Rail | +6 metres |
| Conditions | HEAVY 9 to HEAVY 8 |
| Weather | FINE / WINDY |
| Bias | FAIR (lane just off rails preferred) |
Race 1 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP
All the signs were there
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Signposted | John Thompson | Blaike McDougall | 6 | 61.0 | |
| 2 | Dee I Cee | Ciaron Maher | Tim Clark | 1 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Oh So Splendido | Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley | Jason Collett | 5 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
OH SO SPLENDIDO a big, strong type. SIGNPOSTED relaxed. SO WILLIE fit and well.
In The Running
SIGNPOSTED jumped best to control the race from BOLORD with DEE I CEE on the rail.
The Result
SIGNPOSTED (1st) kicked at the top of the straight and gapped them quickly with DEE I CEE (2nd) rallying late along the inside and OH SO SPLENDIDO (3rd) working home out wider.
The Interest
SIGNPOSTED is racing in peak form and has been flying in the wet at Canterbury of late and brought the winning form to the testing Randwick track with ease. Blaike McDougall has formed a winning affiliation with him and made it four on the trot. DEE I CEE rallied late after looking a little one paced in the straight, while OH SO SPLENDIDO looked to peak on his run. Forgive SO WILLIE (lame)
Race 2 TAB SUPPORTS JOCKEYS TRUST HANDICAP
Avdulla digs deepest in the end
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dowdstown Charlie | Kim Waugh | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Dubaiinstyle | Kris Lees | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Thunder Down Under | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 10 | 60.5 |
In The Yard
DURE is a neater type. DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE holding condition well. No knock fav's.
In The Running
Deanne Panya took ZERO TO TEN to an early lead before over-racing and letting DUBAIINSTYLE take over with DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE pushing forward to take the sit..
The Result
DUBAIINSTYLE (2nd) was quietly ridden and gave a kick before THUNDER DOWN UNDER (3rd) loomed strongly before fading as DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE (1st) surged through in between at the 100m to win the fight.
The Interest
The urgings of Brenton Avdulla were on show for all to see over the concluding stages as he got the best out of DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE near the line. He finds his best on the Heavy tracks and his fitness showed surging late. DUBAIINSTYLE was up in weight and that was a telling factor at the end, however stuck on well from the lead. THUNDER DOWN UNDER peaked on his run at the 125m after making a sustained run from the back. ZERO TO TEN overraced during the middle stages. Forgive DURE (lame).
Race 3 DAILY TELEGRAPH MING DYNASTY QUALITY
Team Hawkes leave the expletives on the track
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swear | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 5 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | High Mist | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Skylight Glow | Kris Lees | Rory Hutchings | 3 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
TAJ MAHAL has come on in condition, getting a little warm. SWEAR and HIGH MIST relaxed.
In The Running
SKYLIGHT GLOW drove through to lead SWEAR who sat a lot closer today. TAJ MAHAL was restrained after jumping.
The Result
SWEAR (1st) joined in strongly at the 200m getting the better of SKYLIGHT GLOW (3rd) before HIGH MIST (2nd) finished strongly along the rail to split the pair. They put a gap back to the others.
The Interest
SWEAR has come on in leaps and bounds since his debut win at Hawkesbury in April, and Team Hawkes have another smart 3-Year-Old on their hands. Ridden a little more forward showed his adaptability and will continue to improve. HIGH MIST was the unlucky runner in the race becoming unbalanced at the 225m when going for a split before hitting the line well. TAJ MAHAL was ridden a negative race with Blake Shinn getting a long way back from the jump and never looking a winning factor. Follow SWEAR. Forgive HIGH MIST.
Race 4 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
A grande finish for a tough warrior
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Rouge | Terry Robinson | Tommy Berry | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Galaxy Warrior | Gayna Williams | Blaike McDougall | 8 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | New Divide | Tas Morton | James McDonald | 1 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
GALAXY WARRIOR alert. ASSURITY and EURELLA FLIGHT are neater types. NO WHEN TO HOLD EM paraded better and GRAND ROUGE looked relaxed.
In The Running
COMING IN HOT rolled forward from GALAXY WARRIOR who was urged along after a slowish jump. NEW DIVIDE and GRAND ROUGE took the sit in between. NO WHEN TO HOLD EM raced wide without cover and was keen in the run.
The Result
GALAXY WARRIOR (2nd) took over at the top of the straight, beating off COMING IN HOT (6th), only for GRAND ROUGE (1st) to show his customary fight to the line. NEW DIVIDE (3rd) battled away along the rail.
The Interest
GRANDE ROUGE has shown a liking for a sticky Randwick surface and he got those conditions, with the tough horse doing the rest in a slug to the line. He got the better of GALAXY WARRIOR who wouldn't lay down and they got away from NEW DIVIDE on the line. Follow GALAXY WARRIOR. Forgive NO WHEN TO HOLD EM.
Race 5 THE MOSTYN COPPER GROUP HANDICAP
McEvoy burns along the inside
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burning Passion | Mark Newnham | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Torgersen | Michael Jones | Rory Hutchings | 2 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Tsaritsa | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 6 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
ZIN ZAN EDDIE looked fit and tough. GOLD SYMPHONY is a strong type. BURNING PASSION looked relaxed. TSARITSA ready to go.
In The Running
BURNING PASSION drove through along the inside to hold out TESTASHADOW who worked across from the outside with ZIN ZAN EDDIE dropping out of the speed battle. TSARITSA strode up wider without cover.
The Result
BURNING PASSION (1st) railed well and gave a kick straightening before drawing clear from TORGERSEN (2nd) who picked up well late and TSARITSA (3rd) who had to make a sustained run.
The Interest
BURNING PASSION had been flying on the wet tracks of late and combined with the inside draw it was a winning recipe. Add to that he was the best backed, it was simply his day up in trip. TORGERSEN showed his customary surge late in the piece and can be followed over further. It was always going to be tough for TSARITSA fresh, however she may have had some of her zip taken out making a sustained run. Follow the first three. Forgive ZIN ZAN EDDIE (abrasion and poor post race recovery).
Race 6 FITZY & WIPPA'S FAST & FURIOUS STAKES
Hugh out-foxes them
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foxplay | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 6 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Bacarella | Gary Moore | Tim Clark | 9 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Global Glamour | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tommy Berry | 7 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
BACARELLA looked fitter than most. CHIPANDA and FOXPLAY looked relaxed. I AM A STAR not much to look at. Most other fillies looked well.
In The Running
BACARELLA drove through to hold RATHER SWEET wide without cover with OVERSTEP on the rail. CHIPANDA missed the start.
The Result
BACARELLA (2nd) gave a kick at the 300m and darted clear before FOXPLAY (1st) surged late over the concluding stages for a big win. GLOBAL GLAMOUR (3rd) stuck on gamely after the wide run.
The Interest
FOXPLAY is very genuine and was suited by the testing conditions. Hugh Bowman was patient in the run, pushing out at the top of the straight. BACARELLA is still improving after making all in front and was brave to the line. GLOBAL GLAMOUR was entitled to drop out after making a wide run and was coming again on the line to show that she has plenty of ticker at only start number two. Of those from the back, SMART AMELIA worked home ok. Follow the first three.
Race 7 TATTERSALLS CLUB CHELMSFORD STAKES
The boys in blue make a big statement
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hartnell | James Cummings | James McDonald | 2 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Grand Marshal | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 3 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Storm the Stars | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 1 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
Favourite HARTNELL relaxed and fit. STORM THE STARS flighty and coltish. PRIZED ICON relaxed.
In The Running
STORM THE STARS railed through to hold off PRIZED ICON who raced keenly on his outside. HARTNELL travelled strongly in behind.
The Result
HARTNELL (1st) quickly joined in rounding the turn easing wider and bursting clear at the 300m to go further and further in front for the biggest win of the day. A wall of horses hit the line together with GRAND MARSHAL (2nd) running on from last to grab STORM THE STARS (3rd) on the line ahead of PREFERMENT (4th) and WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (5th) who all finished strongly.
The Interest
HARTNELL looked the part and James McDonald had a long assertive glance over his shoulder knowing he could have won by 10 lengths if he wanted. The race was all over in a flash, and pundits were immediately thinking what could have been in Winx had started the race. In a one act affair, the stayers all seemed to work to the line well including Waller's trio of GRAND MARSHAL, WHO SHOT THEBARMAN and PREFERMENT who will all improve as the distances increase. Follow HARTNELL and the stayers over further. Forgive PRIZED ICON (raced keenly and displayed a poor post race recovery).
Race 8 TATTERSALLS CLUB TRAMWAY STAKES
James McDonald and Godolphin make it a winning double
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hauraki | John O'Shea | James McDonald | 7 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Le Romain | Kris Lees | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Dibayani | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Blake Shinn | 8 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
IT'S SOMEWHAT is a big strider, a little warm. HAURAKI lightly framed. HAPPY CLAPPER and COSMIC CUBE paraded well. DIBAYANI out early.
In The Running
SON' OF JOHN pressed on to lead DIBAYANI on his outside with COSMIC CUBE and IT'S SOMEWHAT in behind.
The Result
DIBAYANI (3rd) travelled up strongly at the 200m, as did LE ROMAIN (2nd) along the inside before HAURAKI (1st) finished powerfully over the top.
The Interest
Just the one quiet trial for HAURAKI was all that was needed as he made it a double for James McDonald and Godolphin dispelling his increasing non-winner tag. DIBAYANI has only won the two races and this was there for the taking, sticking on ok with LE ROMAIN who carried the big weight. IT'S SOMEWHAT seemed to peak on his run at the 100m, while HAPPY CLAPPER looked every bit a big spring player finishing off under a good hold out wider. Follow HAURAKI, LE ROMAIN, IT'S SOMEWHAT and HAPPY CLAPPER.
Race 9 JAMES BOAG'S PREMIUM CONCORDE STAKES
A Randwick specialist kicks clear
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Felines | Kris Lees | Jason Collett | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Federal | James Cummings | James McDonald | 12 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Craftiness | Joseph Pride | Blake Shinn | 5 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
JAPONISME ready to go. HIDDEN PEARL looked fit and speedy. FEDERAL relaxed.
In The Running
HIDDEN PEARL drove through along the inside to lead CRAFTINESS with FELINES and JAPONISME travelling in behind. HURRARA raced wide without cover.
The Result
FELINES (1st) quickly burst through at the 200m to withstand the chase of FEDERAL (2nd) who charged out wider. These two gapped CRAFTINESS (3rd) who stuck on ok.
The Interest
FELINES showed every bit of her great speed and sprint late at her favourite track. She enjoyed the tempo on up front however won with authority in the end. FEDERAL settled well back in the field and was one of the better run-on horses of the day and now looking to be trained more as a sprinter. CRAFTINESS to his credit didn't seem to shirk his task and stuck on to the line, while HURRARA exceeded all expectations and was brave. Bridget Grylls seemed to hesitate before letting HIDDEN PEARL go in the straight and by that time it was all over. The favourite JAPONISME seemed to have no excuses and just did not let down like we know he can. Follow FEDERAL.