Yard to the Post @ George Main Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 17 September 2016
Big bets flowed in ahead of the George Main Stakes today and all eyes were on Australia's new champion WINX, who started the race as a $1.04 favourite on the NSW tote.
That price looked like value though as Hugh Bowman strode up to HAURAKI at the top of the straight. The ability to sustain a run for 600 metres or further is what sets her apart from the rest and once again she proved too strong when it mattered.
Bring on the Melbourne spring and the Cox Plate!
The Caulfield Cup is also under threat from a Sydney-trained horse, HARTNELL once again beating his rivals by a huge margin in the 2,000 metre Hill Stakes. James McDonald clicked him up at the top of the straight and he sprinted right away from them, posting a final 600 metres that was only a couple of lengths slower than WINX.
In other races at Randwick, TAKEDOWN narrowly won the Group 2 Shorts and FOXPLAY booked herself a ticket to Melbourne with a big final surge to take out the Tea Rose Stakes.
Down in Melbourne, both HE'S OUR ROKKII and JAMEKA strode to big victories and stamped their form ahead of Group 1 targets this spring.
A full review from the yard to the post is on-line now.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | OFF RAILS |
Race 1 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanwritten | Matthew Dunn | Hugh Bowman | 7 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Leami Astray | Robert & Luke Price | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 4 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | You're Kidding Me | Gratz Vella | Tommy Berry | 11 | 55.0 |
Race 2 #THERACES HANDICAP
The Waterhouse clan take the lot
strong tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fabrizio | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 9 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Signposted | John Thompson | Blaike McDougall | 5 | 61.0 | |
| 3 | Steggler | Darren Weir | Craig Williams | 3 | 56.0 |
In The Running
SIGNPOSTED and FABRIZIO took up the running, FABRIZIO taking over and setting an honest STRONG tempo. OH SO SPLENDIDO and STEGGLER were a few lengths behind. MAGICUS was three wide no cover. RHODIN DRIVE missed the start and got back.
The Result
FABRIZIO (1st) ground them into the turf from the front and strode to a big win from SIGNPOSTED (2nd), who hung on a couple of lengths in-front of STEGGLER (3rd), OH SO SPLENDIDO (4th) and HIPPARCHUS (5th), who all crossed the line together.
The Interest
Gai trains, husband Robbie's a bookie and they took the prize-money and punting money in this race. The tough FABRIZIO was suited up to 1600m at his home track, the last time he was here was a brave effort up on a very STRONG tempo in the wet, but the market knew he was ready for a best ever performance. SIGNPOSTED very honest again and proved he's no one-trick mudlark. MAGICUS (8th, stuck wide), WAR JET (6th, stuck on the inside) and HIPPARCHUS (5th, ran on up inside) others to note. SHARDS was poor and pulled up coughing [vet]. Follow FABRIZIO.
Race 3 SCHWEPPES HERITAGE STAKES
Bowman's strength keeps this colt on track
strong tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guard of Honour | Kris Lees | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Flash Fibian | Paul Murray | Tye Angland | 12 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Hair Trigger | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 4 | 56.0 |
In The Running
TANGO RAIN took up the running at a STRONG tempo, striding out keenly from LEGERITY on his outside and GUARD OF HONOUR in the box seat. HAIR TRIGGER was wide no cover in midfield.
The Result
GUARD OF HONOUR (1st) switched off the leaders heels and fought on to just hold out FLASH FIBIAN (2nd), who swept from the back and HAIR TRIGGER (3rd).
The Interest
A STRONG tempo, OFF RAILS bias and a couple of bullish colts. GUARD OF HONOUR and HAIR TRIGGER (stuck wide) were both very good in a race that suited swoopers out wider, a set-up that flattered FLASH FIBIAN, ON THE SPOT and GENERALISSIMO. TANGO RAIN simply went too hard and was stuck on the inside. SPIRIT AND FIRE and JERICHO turned it up and may be due for a 'gear change' if they keep that up. A few vet reports, SPIRIT AND FIRE mouth wound [vet], LEGERITY galloped on [vet], TANGO RAIN poor recovery [vet]. Follow GUARD OF HONOUR, HAIR TRIGGER and TANGO RAIN. Forgive TANGO RAIN and HAIR TRIGGER.
Race 4 TAB TEA ROSE STAKES
Too much fight from the Fox
steady tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foxplay | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Skylight Glow | Kris Lees | Glyn Schofield | 9 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Quick Feet | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 5 | 56.0 |
In The Running
PLENTY TO LIKE took up the lead at a STEADY tempo from SKYLIGHT GLOW and BACARELLA in the box seat. QUICK FEET just behind them. GLOBAL GLAMOUR was slow to behind and moved up the inside (racing keenly).
The Result
FOXPLAY (1st) was crowded for room 'til she got clear at the 200m mark and surged home to just beat SKYLIGHT GLOW (2nd) and QUICK FEET (3rd). Only 2.1 lengths from 1st to 9th.
The Interest
Who knows how Waller gets his horses to race so genuinely! FOXPLAY attacks the line every singe start and she did the job here again, surging right to the finish when clear. Nothing between the entire field, but maybe some excuses for two of the other favoured runners GLOBAL GLAMOUR (stuck on inside, bias against) and AWOKE (tempo didn't suit, on heels late). BACARELLA was found to be lame in the near fore-leg [vet]. Follow FOXPLAY. Forgive GLOBAL GLAMOUR.
Race 5 ASCEND SALES TROPHIES HILL STAKES
Godolphin's best continues his winning run
steady tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hartnell | James Cummings | James McDonald | 5 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Who Shot Thebarman | Chris Waller | Christian Reith | 8 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Storm the Stars | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 7 | 59.0 |
In The Running
STORM THE STARS took up the running at a STEADY tempo from HARTNELL and PREFERMENT. The tempo upped from the 700m and PREFERMENT was soon under pressure.
The Result
HARTNELL (1st) cruised up and strode right away from WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (2nd) running on late up the inside and STORM THE STARS (3rd).
The Interest
Not much to say here apart from HARTNELL has never been going better and PREFERMENT may be at his worst. The winner has demolished the field twice in a row now and shapes as a perfect Caulfield Cup horse, as long as the track isn't too firm. WHO SHOT THEBARMAN going well and posted a strong final 200m. Follow HARTNELL.
Race 6 COLGATE OPTIC WHITE STAKES
Australia's champ gets the crowd on her feet
steady tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winx | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 6 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Hauraki | John O'Shea | James McDonald | 5 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | It's Somewhat | James Cummings | Tim Clark | 4 | 59.0 |
In The Running
GREAT ESTEEM took up the running at a STEADY tempo from IT'S SOMEWHAT and VANBRUGH. HAURAKI and WINX behind them.
The Result
HAURAKI (2nd) and WINX (1st) came to the outside and sprinted clear from the pack, WINX proving too strong late. IT'S SOMEWHAT (3rd) narrowly got the place over VANBRUGH (4th) on his inside.
The Interest
Only a track gallop for Australia's champ. WINX did what she needed and nothing more, coming from the back in a slowly run race and winning with ease on the line. HAURAKI going very well this prep and can win again soon. SPIRITJIM (5th) the other worth a mention winding up late in an unsuitable race. Follow WINX and HAURAKI.
Race 7 BOWERMANS OFFICE FURNITURE SHORTS
Theatre at Randwick after an exciting finish
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Takedown | Darren Weir | Tim Clark | 6 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Ball of Muscle | Joseph Pride | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Kaepernick | John O'Shea | Christian Reith | 2 | 55.0 |
In The Running
BALL OF MUSCLE took up the running and set a FAIR tempo from DOTHRAKI taking the trail and TAKEDOWN on his outside. KAEPERNICK was back in the field on the inside and ENGLISH wide with no cover. BOSS LANE over-raced at the back.
The Result
In a close finish, TAKEDOWN (1st) kept lifting out wider to catch BALL OF MUSCLE (2nd) and KAEPERNICK (3rd) stormed home up the inside. DOTHRAKI (4th) only a whisker away and ENGLISH (5th) 1.8 lengths from the winner.
The Interest
What's more interesting, the race analysis or trainer Gary Moore's antics to run onto the track and embrace his horse! He's no WINX, but this guy is the stable star. A towering sprinter, one of a good crop of 4yos and was only 0.3 lengths off Redzel first-up last prep, who's been in flying form this time in. BALL OF MUSCLE is back in shape, KAEPERNICK excellent (bias against), DOTHRAKI honest as always and ENGLISH didn't get the cover she needed. CLEARLY INNOCENT (6th) hit the line late and is ready for further now. BOSS LANE (8th) had missed a run and raced a touch 'fresh' so he could be worth forgiving too. JAPONISME not himself [vet: sore back]. Forgive ENGLISH and KAEPERNICK.
Race 8 BILL RITCHIE HANDICAP
A blanket finish ahead of the Epsom
steady tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sons of John | Jason Attard & Lucy Keegan-Attard | Blake Shinn | 4 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Torgersen | Michael Jones | Christian Reith | 7 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Federal | James Cummings | Craig Williams | 1 | 54.5 |
In The Running
In a tactical event, HANDFAST took up the running two wide with TESTASHADOW on his inside and ZIN ZAN EDDIE working up wider. SONS OF JOHN, FEDERAL (on rails) and TORGERSEN (three wide with cover) behind them. MIGHTY LUCKY was a touch slow and got back.
The Result
In a blanket finish, SONS OF JOHN (1st) fought on best from TORGERSEN (2nd) out wider and FEDERAL (3rd) nearer the inside. There was only 1.2 lengths from 1st to 7th.
The Interest
Follow the top seven!? On paper this was a very even race and all of those horses performed well, SONS OF JOHN (tough, found right spot, good ride), TORGERSEN (ready for a mile now), FEDERAL (stuck nearer inside, but tempo did suit), HANDFAST (4th, had his chance), LADY LE FAY (5th, hit the line), HAPPY CLAPPER (6th, hit the line) and MIGHTY LUCKY (7th, hit the line). It makes for an exciting Epsom in a couple of weeks. TSARITSA not herself this prep. Follow SONS OF JOHN, LADY LE FAY, TORGERSEN, HAPPY CLAPPER and MIGHTY LUCKY.
Race 9 SENSIS DASH
Carnage in the last!
strong tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denpurr | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 2 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Torpenhow | James Cummings | James McDonald | 11 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Man of Choice | Brad Widdup | Hugh Bowman | 9 | 61.5 |
In The Running
Three young jocks and not much sense. Panya fired up ZOUTENANT from the outside and he set a rapid STRONG tempo from Heywood on BURRADOO and Adkins on DAYSEE DOOM. SONIC SWISH wide chasing and WONDERBOLT even wider. DENPURR and TORPENHOW out the back.
The Result
DENPURR (1st) came to the outside and swept home with TORPENHOW (2nd). MAN OF CHOICE (3rd) strong to the line after getting badly blocked. A gap to 4th.
The Interest
How many hard luck stories can you have in one race!? The margins were good so hard to take too much away from DENPUUR and TORPENHOW, but we will given how it was run! Panya was suicidal in the lead so DAYSEE DOOM (5th), SONIC SWISH (4th) and WONDERBOLT (6th) were all very brave, especially DAYSEE DOOM down nearer the inside up on the pace. MAN OF CHOICE, BRIGADOON RISE (10th) and NO DOUBT (8th) were all badly held up. BURRADOO (12th) came back with a speedy cut [vet]. Forgive MAN OF CHOICE, DAYSEE DOOM, SONIC SWISH, WONDERBOLT, BRIGADOON RISE and NO DOUBT.