Race Day Review - George Main Stakes Day at Royal Randwick

Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 20 September 2014

Track Info

All The Race Finishes

Race 1 BACARDI UNTAMEABLE HANDICAP

Malice fires first for Godolphin

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Malice	John O'Shea	Kerrin McEvoy	1	54.5
2		Black Revolver	Chris Waller	James McDonald	7	54.0
3		Paederos	David Payne	Ms Winona Costin	5	57.5

Malice held off the favourite Black Revolver

In The Yard

PROJECTILE and BLACK REVOLVER were the best in the yard, DEVONSHIRE DUKE was a bit unsettled and DIVERTIRE looked plain compared to the rest. (note: all yard notes on Twitter @TheRaceGuide)

In The Running

PAEDEROS was best and took up the lead at an EVEN TEMPO. PROJECTILE rolled up outside the lead, while DIVERTIRE and BLACK REVOLVER got back. SUPREME WARRIOR was a bit slower than usual and got back to midfield.

The Result

MALICE (1st) peeled out from midfield and ran on best, from BLACK REVOLVER (2nd), who worked home solidly from the back. PAEDEROS (3rd) stuck on ok, while SUPREME WARRIOR (4th) was good to the like nearer the inside.

The Interest

The short-priced favourite BLACK REVOLVER was strong, but he might just need a Good Tempo to win, a lighter and athletic type. The bias that was to become apparent was against him though (on-pace and nearer rails), so it's probably worth forgiving him. MALICE was well placed in the race and bounced back to good form after a disappointing first-up run on a Heavy track. He cruised up at the 200m and was strong enough late. DEVONSHIRE DUKE was keen in the yard and tired over the last 150m (ran his race early?), while PAEDEROS had the bias in his favour, but was a bit unsettled mid-race. Even PROJECTILE seemed to pick up ok over the last 50m after he had paraded very nicely. He will enjoy striding out in the lead at his next assignment. Forgive BLACK REVOLVER.

Race 2 BILL RITCHIE HANDICAP

A massive comeback from 'Mana'

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Manawanui	Ron Leemon	Tye Angland	2	58.0
2		Rock Sturdy	Joseph Pride	Corey Brown	7	54.0
3		Tougher Than Ever	Chris Waller	Tim Clark	6	54.0

Manawanui outclassed Rock Sturdy over the last 200m

In The Yard

A group of big and strong colts and geldings. ROCK STURDY was the best in the yard, while RIVA DE LAGO was ok first-up. TOUGHER THAN EVER looked fit and AUSSIES LOVE SPORT didn't impress. MANAWANUI looked nice in the coat, although he didn't look 100% fit.

In The Running

RIVA DE LAGO was a bit slow to begin. The Waterhouse gallopers moved forward and set a rolling EVEN TEMPO. AUSSIES LOVE SPORT leading from PHEIDON

The Result

ROCK STURDY (2nd) got a nice trail behind MONTON (5th) and made a strong run, but MANAWANUI (1st) powered through an inside gap and got there. TOUGHER THAN EVER (3rd) ran on ok.

The Interest

An honest rolling tempo meant the cream rose to the top and what a story this is. MANAWANUI had trialled well and he found another big performance to win. A great comeback. ROCK STURDY's form returned to its very high level this campaign after a hiccup on the Heavy track two weeks ago. It was daylight to third, but don't be too harsh on RIVA DE LAGO, he wasn't knocked around. Follow MANAWANUI and ROCK STURDY.

Race 3 SCHWEPPES HERITAGE STAKES

A black flash lights up the track

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Kuro	John O'Shea	Blake Shinn	6	56.0
2		Echo Gal	Chris Waller	Tim Clark	3	54.0
3		Klammer	Glenn Richardson	Joshua Parr	2	56.0

Kuro sped home best in quick time

In The Yard

DELECTATION looked impressive, a strongly-built youngster. THIS IS AUSTRALIA also was hard to miss, a long, athletic and strong colt that danced around the yard. BUGATTY was a bit unsettled. KLAMMER and SHAUMARI looked ok.

In The Running

DELECTATION and THIS IS AUSTRALIA went back. KURO led from KLAMMER and ECHO GAL and set an EVEN TEMPO. KURO was a bit keen mid-race under restraint.

The Result

KURO (1st) kept going strongly, from ECHO GAL (2nd) who fought on and KLAMMER (3rd). DELECTATION (4th) made some ground down the outside.

The Interest

The on-pacers dominated and KURO is going well this preparation. He flattened out really genuinely in the run home, which is exactly what you want when the money is on! The time was also very impressive and he gets a big watch over this next few starts. A potential smart one that could easily get 1200m (raced greenly at last attempt). KLAMMER stuck on well first-up, but that is his racing style. He looks likes a horse that will pick up a few more places before he wins one - a compact and genuine type. DELECTATION ran as well as he could in the conditions and will be better suited to 1200m at Rosehill next start. THIS IS AUSTRALIA is an impressive type that looks like 1100m was too short for him. A colt that is still learning, but could be one for the future. SHAUMARI was disappointing. Follow KURO. Forgive DELECTATION.

Race 4 COOLMORE TEA ROSE STAKES

A new contender steps up

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		First Seal	John Thompson	Blake Shinn	1	56.0
2		Winx	Chris Waller	Jason Collett	2	56.0
3		Earthquake	John O'Shea	Kerrin McEvoy	3	56.0

First Seal outclassed two very good fillies

In The Yard

WINX, SULTRY FEELING, LADY SHARAPOVA and FIRST SEAL all looked nice in the yard. EARTHQUAKE was ok, but just doesn't have the muscle mass of some of the others. ALPHA MISS has less of a winter coat now. PEGGY JEAN was lighter and more athletic than the rest.

In The Running

EARTHQUAKE led from WINX, and the two favourites controlled a SLOW TEMPO. SULTRY FEELING got stuck three wide towards the back.

The Result

EARTHQUAKE (3rd) cruised into the straight and picked up well, but FIRST SEAL (1st) got the trail up and powered home best. WINX (2nd) kept on strongly right to the line.

The Interest

Three very smart fillies and FIRST SEAL is a spectacular type that can go on with it now. An impressive looking filly with great promise. EARTHQUAKE perhaps wasn't as good over the last 50m as you would hope. She had every chance and is clearly not as dominant as she was in her two-year old year. It was a strange ride by McEvoy, letting his mount drift wider into the lesser ground, which then took WINX (and most of the others) onto a wider course too. The run of WINX was good enough under the circumstances. ALPHA MISS took advantage to stay near the rails and get into fourth. Don't be too harsh on SULTRY FEELING (trapped wide) and PEGGY JEAN (tempo and bias against), both are good enough to bounce back. Follow FIRST SEAL and WINX.

Race 5 ASCEND SALES TROPHIES HILL STAKES

A walk in the park for another Waller runner

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Junoob	Chris Waller	Blake Shinn	4	59.0
2		Criterion	David & B Hayes & T Dabernig	Corey Brown	5	58.0
3		Bagman	Chris Waller	Brenton Avdulla	6	59.0

Junoob controlled the race and streaked away

In The Yard

JUNOOB and CRITERION looked the best in the yard. MORIARTY was a bit plain, but looking better than last time. LA AMISTAD was still not 100% fit.

In The Running

HONORIUS led initially, but JUNOOB moved on to take it up. CRITERION had no cover outside the lead. A VERY SLOW tempo was set up.

The Result

JUNOOB (1st) ramped it up early and kept going, from CRITERION (2nd) who chased well. BAGMAN (3rd) produced a good final 200m.

The Interest

It was a bit of a farcically run race, but arguably the best two got the first two spots. The ride on JUNOOB was very good, a horse that needs some 'stoking up' and Blake Shinn made sure he got the Waller galloper rolling early. MORIARTY was just plain, he isn't the most dynamic of horses and probably wasn't suited by the tempo. LA AMISTAD needs to get fitter and it's a bit of a worry how she has been parading. Two runs in two weeks will hopefully help her to make progress. BAGMAN chased very gamely late, but he may have been flattered as one of the only horses in the race that performs over a sprint distance (which is what this race was!). Follow JUNOOB and CRITERION.

Race 6 GEORGE MAIN STAKES

The Doncaster Quinella steps up again

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Sacred Falls	Chris Waller	Zac Purton	1	59.0
2		Royal Descent	Chris Waller	Glyn Schofield	2	57.0
3		Laser Hawk	Joseph Pride	Tye Angland	9	59.0

Sacred Falls sprinted too well for Royal Descent

In The Yard

HAWKSPUR, TERONADO and PANZER DIVISION were the best in the yard. LUCIA VALENTINA and RISING ROMANCE looked well, but more like staying types rather than milers.

In The Running

LASER HAWK rolled to the lead and set a SLOW TEMPO. PANZER DIVISION sat outside the lead and ROYAL DESCENT took the box seat. GYPSY DIAMOND and LUCIA VALENTINA got out the back.

The Result

SACRED FALLS (1st) searched for a run and burst through. ROYAL DESCENT (2nd) kept on solidly and LASER HAWK (3rd) maintained his run after controlling the speed.

The Interest

SACRED FALLS was the Waller horse set for the race and he delivered, a strong win. He hadn't looked like he had that acceleration in recent runs and he could have even gone to a new level. ROYAL DESCENT didn't impress in the yard and drifted in the market. There may be more to come from her. LUCIA VALENTINA ran on gamely given she had the bias and tempo against, and TOYDINI also wouldn't have enjoyed the conditions of the race. LASER HAWK, wow! Is he back, or was it the tempo? Either way a race soon over 2000m could give him the perfect platform to make a comeback. TERONADO was galloped on so has to be forgiven. Follow SACRED FALLS. Forgive LUCIA VALENTINA, TOYDINI and TERONADO.

Race 7 WILLIAM SHAW KNITWEAR HANDICAP

The Lane is a better route this time

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Boss Lane	Ron Quinton	Sam Clipperton	14	57.5
2		Brook Road	Kris Lees	Brenton Avdulla	1	54.0
3		Atmospherical	Robert Smerdon	Tim Clark	3	57.0

Boss Lane outsprinted an impressive Brook Road

In The Yard

BOSS LANE, ATMOSPHERICAL, IVORY COGNAC and BROOK ROAD all looked very well. MAYSOON looked fine. EQUATOR had some condition and FLIGHT ACADEMY didn't impress, a much smaller type without much strength.

In The Running

MAYSOON went up to take the lead, from BOSS LANE in second. IDEAL POSITION moved up three wide. A SLOW TEMPO was set.

The Result

BOSS LANE (1st) kicked to the lead and kept going best, from BROOK ROAD (2nd) who worked home very well. ATMOSPHERICAL (3rd) and MAYSOON (4th) stuck on solidly.

The Interest

BOSS LANE is a much better horse at Randwick, a neat, agile and compact sprinter, similar to a MOUNT NEBO type. The run of the race was BROOK ROAD though, a beautiful mare with big upside. She has always looked like further would suit and these sprint-distance performances are just a signal of what's to come. MAYSOON and ATMOSPHERICAL were good, just not as good as the other two. DUKE ALBERT was the other that made ground with his big weight. FLIGHT ACADEMY looked very poor in the yard, a 'pit pony' in comparison to the others. Follow BROOK ROAD.

Race 8 BOWERMANS OFFICE FURNITURE SHORTS

Too big, too fast, too strong

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Terravista	Joseph Pride	Corey Brown	4	56.5
2		I'm All the Talk	Gary Portelli	Brenton Avdulla	1	56.0
3		Famous Seamus	Noel Mayfield-Smith	Tim Clark	11	58.0

Terravista powered away from them

In The Yard

I'M ALL THE TALK, VILLA VERDE and WHITTINGTON paraded the best. SAFEGUARD had some condition, not 100% fit. FAMOUS SEAMUS, SESSIONS and TERRAVISTA were all ok. WOULDN'T IT BE NICE and I'VE GOT THE LOOKS lacked the power of the others.

In The Running

I'M ALL THE TALK sped forward and took the lead, setting an EVEN TEMPO. SAFEGUARD moved up to second and DIDNTCOSTALOT and WHITTINGTON were just behind. TERRAVISTA came three wide on the turn to give himself room to sprint, pushing VILLA VERDE wide.

The Result

TERRAVISTA (1st) exploded straight past them. I'M ALL THE TALK (2nd) stuck on well and FAMOUS SEAMUS (3rd) stormed down the outside.

The Interest

A tale of two classy sprinters that know how to win, and one that doesn't. SESSIONS is just not a horse to put the hard earned on and might need to lose some of his prized possessions soon. FAMOUS SEAMUS and TERRAVISTA are much better betting prospects. TERRAVISTA was very impressive and can go on with it now, while FAMOUS SEAMUS put in an enormous run down the outside (against the bias). VILLA VERDE never got settled in the run and can be forgiven, while WHITTINGTON and I'VE GOT THE LOOKS got tightened for room at certain stages, but they wouldn't have got much closer that fourth. Follow FAMOUS SEAMUS and TERRAVISTA.