Yard to the Post @ Randwick Guineas Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 10 March 2018
James Cummings could hardly contain his excitement as the new stable star KEMENTARI produced a dominant Group 1 win in the Randwick Guineas today.
His "heart was pumping" as they jumped from the barriers, the young grandson of the great Bart Cummings confident that nothing else could beat his stylish-looking son of Lonhro. Glyn Schofield guided KEMENTARI into the race with cover on the turn before unleashing a rapid finish to leave Group 1 winners TRAPEZE ARTIST and ACE HIGH in his wake.
It was the high point of the day following the concern earlier when Hugh Bowman fell off Golden Slipper contender PERFORMER in Race 4. A hospital trip for minor concussion was simply a precaution, a big relief after he fell right into the path of Gary Moore's galloper PAQUIRRI 150 metres from the line.
The track itself was a talking point too, most analysts expecting a soft and sticky surface, not the lightning rock hard track that was served up. Waller's three-year-old Guineas contender D'ARGENTO one of many that didn't have the turn-of-foot from back in the pack to catch the leaders as they rolled along.
Talented mare SUGAR BELLA didn't have the same problem, powering home to win the Wenona Girl Quality. ESITJAAB, REDZEL and HAPPY CLAPPER also popular winners.
A full review will be on-line Monday 5pm.
photo: @atc_races
Track Info
| Rail | +6m |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 (raced as firm track) |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR (on-pacers slightly favoured in terms of margin beaten) |
Race 1 CITY FORD ASPIRATION QUALITY
Collett steers a path better than King
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karavali | Kris Lees | Jason Collett | 1 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | The Pinnacle | Peter & Paul Snowden | Corey Brown | 7 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Nettoyer | Wendy Roche | Ms Rachel King | 9 | 55.5 |
In The Running
PIONEERING took up the lead and controlled a STEADY tempo, SHAGRA *(worked early) working up on her outside after getting stuck wide early. NETTOYER *(stuck wide) *(pushed wide turn) with no cover midfeld out 3W.
The Result
KARAVALI (1st) sprinted best from midfield, just grabbing THE PINNACLE (2nd 0.2L) on the line after she had hit the lead. NETTOYER *(stuck wide) *(pushed wide turn) (3rd 0.3L) ran on well out wide to beat home PIONEERING (4th 0.8L) for a place.
The Interest
Not much tempo and clearly the best run in the race was NETTOYER *(stuck wide) *(pushed wide turn). She loves the wet and will be very hard to beat over the Carnival in the right conditions. KARAVALI progressing well though and should enjoy a SOFT 2000m even more if the stable gets her fit this prep. THE PINNACLE very solid every start. A few worth following up in trip on soft include PERFECT RHYME *(held up slightly) (5th 1.3L), LA COURBETTE (6th 2.8L) and OKLAHOMA *(held up 200m) GIRL (7th 3.3L) all better suited to softer ground next time.
Race 2 TOKYO CITY KEIBA FIREBALL STAKES
Too much power from Pfieffer's filly again
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Am Excited | David Pfieffer | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Acqume | Toby & Trent Edmonds | Corey Brown | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Houtzen | Toby & Trent Edmonds | Glyn Schofield | 3 | 56.5 |
In The Running
HOUTZEN took up the running at a STRONG tempo with SHUDABEEN on her outside. DEBONAIRLY *(stuck wide) (not ridden out) covering ground on the pace, PERAST #(raced keenly) (pushed wide turn) restrained back after jumping well.
The Result
I AM EXCITED (1st) ran on best from midfield, edging past ACQUME (2nd 0.8L), who challenged strongly. A gap back to HOUTZEN (3rd 3.1L) just beating home ZA ZI BA (4th 3.2L), PERAST #(raced keenly) (pushed wide turn) (5th 3.5L) and ONE MORE HONEY (6th 3.6L).
The Interest
HOUTZEN just couldn't sustain her run today, I AM EXCITED and ACQUME both coming through the same Rosehill form-line, along with ZA ZI BA. JORDA ++(lame) (8th 5.8L) not at her best and PERAST #(raced keenly) (pushed wide turn) with excuses, he's a classy horse and likely to run well 2nd-up to 4th-up when allowed to roll along on the pace (keen-going type).
Race 3 THE DAILY TELEGRAPH REISLING STAKES
The Hawkes Slipper plans are still on track
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Estijaab | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Pure Elation | Peter & Paul Snowden | Joshua Parr | 1 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Sister Sledge | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Glyn Schofield | 7 | 55.5 |
In The Running
ESTIJAAB sped to the lead and controlled a FAIR tempo. SISTER SLEDGE #(bit green in straight) settled on her outside and OUTBACK BARBIE *(stuck wide) covered ground.
The Result
ESTIJAAB (1st) quickened with the pack and just held them off, PURE ELATION *(tightened) (2nd 0.4L) challenging up the inside, SISTER SLEDGE #(bit green in straight) right there and GONGS (4th 0.8L) chasing a touch wider.
The Interest
What do you make of this run from ESTIJAAB? The margin was only small, but she got the job done and showed fight. It was the first time she has been asked to accelerate into the straight so perhaps a learning experience for her (..or a flat run after a tough effort at Rosehill). PURE ELATION and SISTER SLEDGE both pretty good, the latter with upside given it was only her debut run. OUTBACK BARBIE (5th 2.5L) *(stuck wide) solid enough after covering ground.
Race 4 UNSW TODMAN STAKES
Jean Dubois keeps his boy firing straight
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aylmerton | Jean Dubois | Andrew Adkins | 1 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Ef Troop | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Corey Brown | 2 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Tchaikovsky | Jean Dubois | Blake Shinn | 13 | 55.5 |
In The Running
EF TROOP took up the running with LEGEND OF CONDOR on his outside and set up an honest FAIR tempo. PLAGUE STONE *(stuck wide) covered ground. Coming to the 150m, PERFORMER **(dumped jockey) veered out badly and threw Bowman off, checking EXCELTIC **(bad check 150m) and PAQUIRRI **(bad check 150m) (not ridden out) in the process.
The Result
ALYMERTON (1st) snuck up the inside to edge out EF TROOP (2nd 0.2L) in a close finish. TCHAIKOVSKY *(bit green in straight) (3rd 1.5L) not far off them.
The Interest
What to make of this race!? Firstly, EF TROOP and AYLMERTON have put 1.3L on the rest of them and run faster than ESTIJAAB so no knocks on them. Jean Dubois only has a few 2YOs so a great effort to get AYLMERTON into the Golden Slipper unbeaten. PERFORMER **(dumped jockey) would have gone pretty close and PLAGUE STONE *(stuck wide) had to cover extra ground. Interesting that PLAGUE STONE's Melbourne form lined up in the mix, probably a good sign for supporters of Blue Diamond winner Written By in the Golden Slipper. TCHAIKOVSKY showed improvement into this run and could have more up his sleeve too.
Race 5 HYLAND RACE COLOURS CHALLENGE STAKES
Big red breaks the track record
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redzel | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Jungle Edge | Mick Bell | Kevin Forrester | 8 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Super Too | Marc Conners | Blake Shinn | 6 | 56.5 |
In The Running
SUPER TOO sped along at a rapid STRONG tempo from JUNGLE EDGE *(held up slightly) and REDZEL a few lengths behind.
The Result
REDZEL (1st) tracked up and was too strong to the line, JUNGLE EDGE *(held up slightly) also fighting on and maybe should have been closer. SUPER TOO (3rd 2.8L) just hung on for a place from VIRIDINE (4th 2.9L).
The Interest
REDZEL simply too classy for these. Former foes ENGLISH and TERRAVISTA (very quiet ride!) not at their best it seems, while JUNGLE EDGE is clearly going well this Autumn. Bring on the TJ Smith and a potential battle with Ben Smith's In Her Time.
Race 6 BISLEY WORKWEAR CANTERBURY STAKES
No Winx this time for "The Clapper"!
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Happy Clapper | Patrick Webster | Blake Shinn | 1 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Global Glamour | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 8 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Invincible Gem | Kris Lees | Corey Brown | 6 | 57.0 |
In The Running
GLOBAL GLAMOUR rolled along at a STRONG tempo with SHOWTIME *(tightened) *(held up late) on her outside.
The Result
HAPPY CLAPPER (1st) got clear and was too strong late for GLOBAL GLAMOUR (2nd 1.3L), who had got a break on the pack. INVINCIBLE GEM *(bumped) +(sore behind) (3rd 2.8L) chasing honestly a bit wider.
The Interest
Once the track firmed up HAPPY CLAPPER's chances firmed up too. CLEARLY INNOCENT (6th 4.7L), FOXPLAY (8th 5.8L) and probably INVINCIBLE GEM (3rd 2.8L) would have gone a lot closer on SOFT ground, but class rose to the top in fair dry conditions. GLOBAL GLAMOUR once again put in a strong effort, she always gives her all! INVINCIBLE GEM and HAPPY CLAPPER setting up well for The Doncaster now.
Race 7 MOSTYN COPPER GROUP RANDWICK GUINEAS
Godolphin's new star colt gets his Group 1
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kementari | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 4 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Pierata | Gregory Hickman | Corey Brown | 1 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Trapeze Artist | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Tim Clark | 10 | 56.5 |
In The Running
CONDOR drove forward and set an honest clip early before evening it out (FAIR tempo overall). TRAPEZE ARTIST moved up on his outside, SIEGE OF QUEBEC joining in 3W and ACE HIGH *(wide turn) 4W on the turn. Early on, Glyn Schofield muscled his way to the 2W line on KEMENTARI, badly checking CAPITAL GAIN **(bad check) #(raced keenly early), which in-turn checked TANGLED *(on heels early). D'ARGENTO *(stuck wide) *(pushed wide turn) back in the pack.
The Result
KEMENTARI #(bit keen) (1st) tracked up 4W and was much too strong, breaking clear. PIERATA (2nd 1.5L) fought on from the pack, TRAPEZE ARTIST (3rd 1.8L) held onto a place and ACE HIGH (4th 2.3L) kept coming.
The Interest
James Cummings was buzzing after the race! KEMENTARI #(bit keen) is still untouched this prep and put another clear 1.5L margin on Group 1 winners here. His main threat D'ARGENTO *(stuck wide) *(pushed wide turn) (7th 3.4L) not getting the best luck today and worth another chance, but that's twice now he's been beaten by the star Godolphin colt. ACE HIGH warming up very nicely for the Rosehill Guineas and Derby (wants it dry). CAPITAL GAIN **(bad check) #(raced keenly early) should have gone closer at odds and is a knock-out in those races if the rain comes. Darren Weir hopeless in Sydney again with PEACEFUL STATE (13th 7.4L).
Race 8 SCHWEPPES WENONA GIRL QUALITY
Two big betting plunges hit the line together
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sugar Bella | Kris Lees | Jason Collett | 3 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Miss Que | Kris Lees | Corey Brown | 9 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Perizada | Ron Weston & John Nisbet | Christian Reith | 11 | 53.5 |
In The Running
RAVI took up the lead and set a FAIR tempo without much pressure, CONCHITA #(keen early) over-racing on her outside and GIBRALTAR GIRL in the box seat. PERIZADA #(bit keen) right there too with SLOW BURN *(stuck wide) on her outside. MISS QUE **(stuck very wide) out 4W back at the tail of the field.
The Result
SUGAR BELLA (1st) stormed down the outside to beat home a very game MISS QUE (2nd 0.1L) on the line, who ran on well too. PERIZADA (3rd 0.6L) and RAVI (4th 0.7L) fought on down nearer the inside.
The Interest
The money came for SUGAR BELLA ($2.7 into $2.3 fav') and MISS QUE ($16 into $10), both mares backed to the exclusion of all others in the lead-up to the race. They both produced huge efforts to beat home the very solid PERIZADA and RAVI, the winning runs proving that there wasn't much bias, if any, on the day. SLOW BURN *(stuck wide) (7th 3.2L) weakened and probably needed the run. SMART AMELIA (8th 3.9L) (wants wet) and IMPOSING LASS (11th 5.2L) did enough to follow over 1400m next time.
Race 9 RANDWICK CITY STAKES
This horse knows how to win!
steady tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emperor's Way | Peter & Paul Snowden | Andrew Adkins | 13 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Alward | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 10 | 53.5 | |
| 3 | Singing | Kris Lees | Glyn Schofield | 11 | 58.0 |
In The Running
SINGING controlled a STEADY tempo for most of the race with EMPEROR'S WAY on his outside until CARZOFF kicked up on the inside, ensuring a LONG SPRINT home. ALWARD *(stuck wide) moved up near the pace and covered ground.
The Result
EMPEROR'S WAY (1st) fought on best to beat a brave ALWARD *(stuck wide) (2nd 0.1L) and SINGING (3rd 1.1L). LIAPARI #(bit keen early) (4th 1.4L) running on well 'til he peaked late.
The Interest
Lots of OK runs in a race that looked close on paper. Many weren't sure what ALWARD *(stuck wide) would do second-up after such a good fresh run (should have won over 1500m, blocked badly), it turns out he held his good mark over 2000m and should have won this too. Expect a very strong run third-up now. EMPEROR'S WAY off ofr a spell now, he's so tough and loves to win, making it four back-to-back (BM 82 to Listed grade) with this narrow victory. LIAPARI, TALLY (5th 1.9L) and PATRICK ERIN (6th 2L) all solid. A strange ride on CARZOFF (7th 2.9L) from Jay Ford, why take off so early on a horse that has been peaking over 2000m? SMART AS YOU THINK (9th 3.8L) not as bad as you think at the back, she can improve on SOFT ground.