Yard to the Post @ Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 03 February 2018
The steady stream of Group-level horses returning to the track continued at Rosehill Gardens today, Golden Slipper contenders, Golden Rose winners and another couple of potential Autumn Carnival stars all on show.
In the early two-year-old races Golden Slipper second favourite PERFORMER knuckled down to just beat the big-striding Snowden debutante STRATOSPHERE by a nose in the Group 3 Canonbury. It was a farcically run race though and even the third-placed EXCELTIC did enough after being held up, a race that didn’t give punters much of a Slipper guide.
The Widden Stakes for the fillies was a more honestly run affair, Waller backing up PERFORMER’s win with a strong finish from FIESTA to make it back it back-to-back Group 3s. ADAMINA another debutante impressing after leading them up.
And in the feature Group 2 Expressway Stakes for the older horses over 1,200 metres, TRAPEZE ARTIST got on-pace and drove hard to the line to show his Golden Rose win was no fluke. Favourite ADDICTIVE NATURE (3rd) held up just when he was about to unleash a powerful sprint.
Check back in for a full review of the day Monday 5pm.
photo: @atc_races
Track Info
| Rail | +3m |
| Conditions | SOFT 6 to SOFT 5 |
| Weather | FINE, some showers |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 YOUR LOCAL GREENGROCER HANDICAP
A Sebring filly that oozes class
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlayne | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 53.5 | |
| 2 | Problem Solver | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Tim Clark | 9 | 53.5 | |
| 3 | Sheikha | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Brenton Avdulla | 7 | 55.0 |
In The Running
WE HAVE LIFT OFF took up the running at a STEADY tempo, backing it off for one cheap 11.8 section mid-race. CHARLAYNE getting the box seat trail behind.
The Result
CHARLAYNE (1st) took the inside run 3W as the pack came wider. PROBLEM SOLVER (2nd 0.8L) stormed home from the back. SHEIKHA not far away (3rd 1.1L).
The Interest
She won a much easier race on debut, but did it with class at Canterbury, Waller's promising CHARLAYNE untouched again over 1,100 metres. She has the most beautiful conformation, bred from Sebring so likely to have some fight too. PROBLEM SOLVER was confidently backed and put in a bottler from the back after winning the rich Maiden at the Gold Coast fresh. He's simply a better horse this prep. Follow him too.
Race 2 TOYOTA MATERIAL HANDLING CANONBURY STAKES
Dramatic final strides to a farcical race
slow tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Performer | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Stratosphere | Peter & Paul Snowden | Glyn Schofield | 1 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Exceltic | Gary Portelli | Corey Brown | 2 | 54.5 |
In The Running
STRATOSPHERE took up the running at a SLOW tempo.
The Result
PERFORMER (1st) peeled out from behind leaders, sprinted up and fought on for a narrow win, beating STRATOSPHERE (2nd 0.1L), who drove hard to the line after being joined. EXCELTIC (3rd 2.6L) chased OK after getting held up slightly.
The Interest
What to make of this race, the sectionals were farcical so all we are measuring is how well these horses sprint home off a slow tempo. Each of the top three did enough, even EXCELTIC chasing home well after not the best of rides from C Brown (off heels at key moment) *(held up slightly). No knock PERFORMER clearly and STRATOSPHERE looks to have strength. We will know more next time!
Race 3 WIDDEN STAKES
Waller toughness in another youngster
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fiesta | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Adamina | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Jay Ford | 9 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | River Bird | Jason Coyle | Ms Jess Taylor | 3 | 54.5 |
In The Running
ADAMINA took up the running at a FAIR tempo, TELL NO TALES, DYNAMISANTE moving up on the outside, leaving SECRET LADY out four wide no cover.
The Result
FIESTA (1st) got into a bumping match before finding room and surging late to catch a very game ADAMINA (2nd 0.2L). RIVER BIRD (3rd 2.2L) made ground up the inside late.
The Interest
Waller gets them fit and hitting the line no matter how old they are, FIESTA resuming with a strong win. Other runs worth noting are BOLD ARIAL (4th 2.7L) *(held up 300m to 200m), INTO THE ABYSS (5th 2.8L) (took a wide course) and SECRET LADY (7th 4.1L) **(stuck very wide). This was the race the jockeys worked out the inside ground was fine, Miss Jess Taylor on RIVER BIRD $18 showing them that.
Race 4 SYDNEY MARKETS FOUNDATION HANDICAP
Layers get burnt taking on a winner
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cellarman | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 5 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | King Darci | Tim Martin | Ms Rachel King | 7 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Flow | James Cummings | Corey Brown | 2 | 57.0 |
In The Running
KING DARCI took up the running and controlled a STEADY tempo.
The Result
CELLARMAN (1st) snuck up the inside, came 2W and drove through to win. KING DARCI (2nd 0.8L) fighting to the line. FLOW (3rd 1L) did loom up to win, but didn't finish it off.
The Interest
Why oh why did this horse jump $6.5? On a SOFT 5 it looked a race between him and FLOW, Shinn getting a lovely run up the inside and sprinting through. Did some over aggressive layers think the SOFT track was against? (no evidence in form to prove that). FLOW only fair for a $2.9 fav' with every chance. SO WILLIE (8th 8.4L) one to keep watching if a wet track pops up, he wasn't asked again by Schofield.
Race 5 TAB HIGHWAY PLATE
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mate Story | Jean Dubois | Jean Van Overmeire | 14 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Acquittal | Danny Williams | Jay Ford | 3 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | It's a Lottery | John Bateman | Joshua Parr | 4 | 59.0 |
Race 6 FRESHMARK HANDICAP
Well bred and on the rise
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bye See | Brett Lazzarini | Ms Winona Costin | 7 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Travancore | Clare Cunningham | Jean Van Overmeire | 1 | 53.5 | |
| 3 | Ready for Success | Kathryn Durden | Adam Hyeronimus | 4 | 54.5 |
In The Running
SAMADOUBT rolled along in the lead with TAHSIN moving up on his outside. A FAIR tempo set up.
The Result
BYE SEE (1st) came wider, took over and fought on to win. TRAVANCORE (2nd 0.5L) weaved through from the back and READY FOR SUCCESS (3rd 0.7L) sustained a long run from the turn.
The Interest
BYE SEE is owned by the same connections that raced her brave mum CHANCE BYE and they are in for a good ride with this one too. She had failed fourth-up last prep when stepping up in grade at Hawkesbury, but that was on a firm track and today she improved again back to SOFT ground, hitting the lead early and holding them off. TRAVANCORE loved the return to SOFT too and just needs things to go his way after missing the start every time (did get a nice run today). READY FOR SUCCESS back with a bang, sustaining a very long run. INVINCIBLE GEORGE (9th 4.8L) was average and didn't seem to get the distance, SAMADOUBT (8th 4L) weak over the final 200m (end of prep, or didn't get trip? He has before). QUICK DEFENCE (10th 5.8L) in the stewards' report +(slow recovery).
Race 7 SYDNEY MARKETS LIMITED EXPRESSWAY STAKES
The Golden Rose winner shines again
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trapeze Artist | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Tim Clark | 6 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Showtime | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Addictive Nature | Paul Preusker | Jason Collett | 2 | 55.5 |
In The Running
MEMES took up the running with TRAPEZE ARTIST on her outside. An honest FAIR tempo (strong side) was set up.
The Result
TRAPEZE ARTIST (1st) drove to the lead and was too strong, SHOWTIME (2nd) ran on and ADDICTIVE NATURE (3rd) wasn't far off after getting held up, but he was safely held late.
The Interest
TRAPEZE ARTIST had the class and the strength to win this, getting on-pace and letting his speed do the talking. ADDICTIVE NATURE *(held up) just held up when he was ready to sprint. He would have been closer, but given he was safely held the last 50m the winner probably would have held him anyway. GLOBAL GLAMOUR (4th 1.9L) putting in a solid effort, the 3YOs just too classy over this distance. The saddle slipped on MEMES (6th 7.3L) (saddle slipped).
Race 8 FOODBANK HANDICAP
The strongest stayer and the smartest ride
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | High Opinion | Kris Lees | Tim Clark | 5 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Gamblestown | Joseph Pride | Jean Van Overmeire | 7 | 61.0 | |
| 3 | More Energy | Jason Coyle | Jason Collett | 11 | 58.5 |
In The Running
HUNTER JACK rolled to the lead and set a FAIR tempo, HIGH OPINION moving up on his outside and settling well. VAUCLUSE BAY expected to be near pace, but was dragged back to last after jumping with the pack.
The Result
HIGH OPINION moved up and sustained a very strong run to win clearly. GAMBLESTOWN (2nd 1.8L) out of the pack and made ground to run a clear 2nd from MORE ENERGY (3rd 4.1L) running on from the back.
The Interest
This race looked pretty thin on paper and the amount of horses struggling on the turn (tempo wasn't that hot!) showed you there were only a few in the race. HIGH OPINION took all luck out of the equation and went forward, he's a horse that can be out-sprinted on a firm Rosehill, the SOFT conditions suiting perfectly and he surged home hard in a very good final 200m section (12.09, better than MORE ENERGY from the back in 3rd 12.18). GAMBLESTOWN proved he can handle 2000m and is so close to a win. MORE ENERGY on the way up this prep and VAUCLUSE BAY (5th 6.1L) has only raced well on firm tracks with bias in his favour this prep. MORE MOET (12th 84.2L) wasn't himself +(tongue over bit).
Race 9 FRESH FOR KIDS HANDICAP
Punters care plenty about this brute
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Don't Give a Damn | Danny Williams | Kerrin McEvoy | 2 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Insensata | Jason Coyle | Jason Collett | 7 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Wild Heart | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 56.0 |
In The Running
DON'T GIVE A DAMN took up the running and rolled at a FAIR tempo, PIANISSIMO moving up on his outside.
The Result
DON'T GIVE A DAMN (1st) kept rolling strongly and fought them off, winning clearly from INSENSATA (2nd 1.8L), who run on up the inside, and WILD HEART (3rd 1.9L), who got a nice trail just off the leaders.
The Interest
The winner is a good horse, beating country types last prep, he's built like a Group-level contender and he took care of Saturday BM 83 grade well today. More to come. Swooping mare INSENSATA carried 58kg and did very well against the boys. KAONIC the other talking point, Schofield took off early on the turn and his run evened out, apparently looking a bit 'fat' in the yard. There was a mention in the vet report too +(lame).