Yard to the Post @ Sydney Cup Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 22 April 2017
It may have been a re-run of the Sydney Cup after the misfortunes of a fortnight ago, however the first horse past the post was the same as POLARISATION turned trainer Charlie Appleby's fortunes around. Jockey Corey Brown certainly deserved the Group 1 success after the misfortune that came his way after riding his mount out in the original race. It was another gallant performance from one of Australia's most loved stayers WHO SHOT THEBARMAN as he tried hard with BIG DUKE as they slogged out a tight finish.
On a day where there were some great finishes, the judge could not split ROARING TO WIN and MOSS 'N' DALE in Race 9, giving Peter Gelagotis his first taste of success at Randwick. Earlier in the day two girls got the job done in tight finishes with GIBRALTAR GIRL taking our Race 2 and OKLAHOMA GIRL Race 3.
NIETA stamped herself as a sprinter with plenty of scope showing her class to take out Race 7 as she resumed in style. She is one of many on the day that will head to the Scone carnival in May.
Track Info
| Rail | +2 metres |
| Conditions | HEAVY 8 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 STRATUM STAR RETIRES TO WIDDEN HANDICAP
The Fed strikes again
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Mighty Fed | David Payne | Tim Clark | 6 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Debonairly | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Siam | James Cummings | Brenton Avdulla | 1 | 56.5 |
In The Running
DEBONAIRLY sped the gates to hold out DARHAD with SIAM taking the box seat inside of stablemate SILENCE
The Result
DEBONAIRLY (2nd) was let go at the 350m holding off all of those on pace runners including SIAM (3rd) only for THE MIGHTY FED (1st) to run on best down the outside coming from last in the small field
The Interest
THE MIGHTY FED has now put two wins together and learnt a lot in his initial campaign. He was strong through the line and big son of All Too Hard will now be rested and look out for him up to the mile in the spring. DEBONAIRLY could offer no excuses however lost no admirers as she tried hard and will now be targeted towards the Scone carnival. SIAM held ground late without ever really threatening. Follow THE MIGHTY FED.
Race 2 SCHWEPPERVESCENCE HANDICAP
Some Spanish fight for this girl
fair tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gibraltar Girl | Mark Newnham | Tye Angland | 6 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Tessera | Richard Litt | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 61.0 | |
| 3 | Calabasas | Kim Waugh | Blake Shinn | 3 | 56.5 |
In The Running
FRANCE rallied through to lead TWIST TOPS with CALABASAS and TESSERA in behind. I THOUGHT SO was severely taken out at the start and drifted back before starting a wide run from the 700m
The Result
CALABASAS (3rd) shrug off I THOUGHT SO (6th) before GIBRALTAR GIRL (1st) cruised up down the outside before peaking on her run while TESSERA (2nd) coming late along the inside in a great three-way go to the line
The Interest
A great driving finish with GIBRALTAR GIRL finding the most to win on the line. She didn't look at home in the Heavy conditions however fought on best late and will now be aimed at the Scone carnival. TESSERA returned in style off a long break and ran strongly under the 61kg. CALABASAS continues to race well and showed fight late. Follow the first three over the line. Forgive I THOUGHT SO (start costly) and KAWAIKINI (held up in straight).
Race 3 ATC HERITAGE CENTRE HANDICAP
Waller's girl on the road to QLD
slow tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma Girl | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 6 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Sizzling Bullet | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 2 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | The Pinnacle | Peter & Paul Snowden | Corey Brown | 5 | 56.0 |
In The Running
THE PINNACLE jumped best to lead SIZZLING BULLET who stayed on the outside of BLACK ON GOLD. OKLAHOMA GIRL was slowly away. Only a SLOW tempo set up.
The Result
THE PINNACLE (3rd) settled in for the fight with SIZZLING BULLET (2nd) before OKLAHOMA GIRL (1st) finished over the top of them.
The Interest
OKLAHOMA GIRL made it three from three at the mile and looks a real QLD winter horse for Chris Waller. She still has a few manners to learn out of the barriers and is strong late in her races and came from a very tricky position off a SLOW tempo here. Stablemate SIZZLING BULLET fought all the way to the line after dropping back in trip. THE PINNACLE ground home the final stages after staying close to the rail and didn't let BLACK ON GOLD through when he was travelling right in behind. Follow OKLAHOMA GIRL. Forgive BLACK ON GOLD.
Race 4 SCHWEPPES RANDWICK ROYALE HANDICAP
Another Waller imported stayer on the rise
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richard of Yorke | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Last Wish | Jarrod McLean | Blake Shinn | 8 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Paragon | Darryl Horner (Snr) | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 54.5 |
In The Running
SURVIVED crossed to lead PARAGON with RICHARD OF YORKE smothering up YOU'L DASH FOR CASH on the inside.
The Result
PARAGON (3rd) took over at the 300m before RICHARD OF YORKE (1st) kept coming out wider after getting rolling early and finished best. LAST WISH (2nd) got the bob in for the minor.
The Interest
They got rolling early and that suited RICHARD OF YORKE who came into the race with the best form ratings. He has been ridden more on-pace at his last couple and this looks to have been a positive move knowing he takes a lot of riding. He was simply too strong for LAST WISH and PARAGON who both fought on ok. Follow RICHARD OF YORKE out in trip over the winter.
Race 5 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Schedule | Mack Griffith | Kerrin McEvoy | 11 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Dyfield | Philip Courtney | Tim Clark | 8 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Not for Export | Dar Lunn | Christian Reith | 2 | 58.5 |
Race 6 ATC MEMBERSHIP HANDICAP
Smerdon Dreams of more Randwick winners
steady tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Dreamer | Patrick Payne | Kerrin McEvoy | 8 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Montauk | Graham Browney | Brenton Avdulla | 7 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Timeless Prince | Tony Newing | Ms Courtney Van Der Werf | 3 | 55.0 |
In The Running
MY PSYCHIATRIST wanted the lead as HIMALAYA DREAM took the sit with MONTAUK and TIMELESS PRINCE enjoying nice runs in behind.
The Result
GRAND DREAMER (1st) railed through rounding the turn and booted clear along the inside from the 350m to win easily. MONTAUK (2nd) kept chasing to the line with TIMELESS PRINCE (3rd) making steady ground out wider.
The Interest
GRAND DREAMER was the only horse in the race that was suited to peak at the mile, and most importantly the only runner that had the ability to quicken. This was evident as Kerrin McEvoy drove through along the inside quickly putting the race beyond doubt. MONTAUK showed he has appreciated the freshen-up, while TIMELESS PRINCE made steady ground in the straight. MY PSYCHIATRIST found it hard to kick clear on the turn and came again late. Follow GRAND DREAMER.
Race 7 RANVET HANDICAP
A big spring could in store for Thompsons flyer
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nieta | John Thompson | Blake Shinn | 6 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | I Am Zelady | Phillip Stokes | Tim Clark | 8 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Super Maxi | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 1 | 54.5 |
In The Running
HIGHLY GEARED jumped best from the outside to cross and lead SUPER MAXI who raced on the inside of NIETA.
The Result
NIETA (1st) hit the lead strongly at the 150m and was pushed out to hold off the challenge of I AM ZELADY (2nd) who ran on from the back. SUPER MAXI (3rd) stuck on along the rails just getting the bob over PAINTE (4th) who closed late.
The Interest
Early money in the week said NIETA was going to keep her unbeaten fresh record in tact and she did just that. The way in which she lifted late to hold off the challenge of I AM ZELADY showed us her class, and now it's off to Scone. PAINTE continues to show his consistency whenever he races, while SIR BACCHUS never really got a crack at them and wasn't extended late. Follow NIETA.
Race 8 SCHWEPPES SYDNEY CUP
Another week, another Sydney Cup for Brown and Appleby
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polarisation | Charlie Appleby | Corey Brown | 8 | 51.5 | |
| 2 | Who Shot Thebarman | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 15 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Big Duke | Kris Lees | Glen Boss | 2 | 52.0 |
In The Running
LASQUETI SPIRIT was let loose by Bobby El-Issa as she got out to her customary big lead. It was left to BOOM TIME to do the chasing with PENGLAI PAVILION on his outside.
The Result
POLARISATION (1st) took over on straightening with WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (2nd) on his outside, staging a great battle to the line. BIG DUKE (3rd) gave chase out of the pack and ran on strongly late. These three cleared out from the rest.
The Interest
What a finish! It has been an up and down month for Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby, however this was a well-deserved win with all of the controversy surrounding the original non-running of the race a fortnight ago. POLARISATION was first past the post on both occasions and proved the best stayer on the day. It was another grand Sydney Cup performance by WHO SHOT THEBARMAN who showed he has bounced back after unseating his rider last time. BIG DUKE showed the trip didn't pose a problem and has had a great preparation for Darren Weir. Follow POLARISATION and BIG DUKE into the spring. Forgive LIBRAN (lame)
Race 9 TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP
A Roaring finish still couldn't split them
strong tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moss 'n' Dale | Peter Gelagotis | Jack Martin | 11 | 61.0 | |
| 1 | Roaring to Win | Peter & Paul Snowden | Brenton Avdulla | 8 | 60.5 | |
| 3 | Supply And Demand | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Joshua Parr | 4 | 60.0 |
In The Running
LAZYAXL and MOSS 'N' DALE both jumped well and set the speed from DREAMFORCE a few lengths away doing the chasing. A STRONG tempo was set up.
The Result
MOSS 'N' DALE (1st) shrugged off DREAMFORCE (5th) at the 300m before holding off SUPPLY AND DEMAND (3rd) only for ROARING TO WIN (1st) to lunge on the line to split the honours.
The Interest
It was another great finish resulting in a dead-heat for the win. MOSS 'N' DALE was brave on speed while ROARING TO WIN ran on strongly from last. It was a significant first win at Randwick for trainer Peter Gelagotis as he mixed it with the might of Sydney trainers sharing the spoils with team Snowden. DREAMFORCE struggled in the going over the concluding stages, while SUPPLY AND DEMAND was asked to make a long run and wasn't far off them.
Race 10 #THERACES HANDICAP
Heavenly timing as Jay Ford gets the bob in late
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heavenly Anna | Kerry Parker | Jay Ford | 8 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Gretna | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 10 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Anisha | Mark Newnham | Joshua Parr | 7 | 60.0 |
In The Running
COUNTESS MARINOV sprung the gates and led GRETNA in the early stages with HEAVENLY ANNA racing wide throughout. Tommy Berry then allowed GRETNA to take over from the 800m.
The Result
GRETNA (2nd) looked in cruise control in the straight with a good gap only for HEAVENLY ANNA (1st) to chase hard out of the pack and get there in the final stride. These two cleared out from the fast-finishing ANISHA (3rd) who ran on from last.
The Interest
HEAVENLY ANNA appreciated the drop back to mares grade after racing in the Provincial Championships a fortnight ago. She was never too far away in the run and really got stuck into the Heavy conditions late. GRETNA led until the winning post and is another showing a liking for the sticky Randwick surface. ANISHA ran on well from the back grabbing a place. It was strange tactics from James Innes Jr to give up the lead on COUNTESS MARINOV mid race as she would have appeared to be better suited getting them rolling from the turn. Forgive REPUBLIQUE (lame).