Race Day Review - Epsom Day at Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 04 October 2014
Royal Randwick came alive as a big card of racing and beautiful sunshine brought a big crowd of over 20,000 to the track. The performances lived up to the occasion with Chris Waller once again taking the spoils. The Kiwi magician trained four winners and took the quinella in the Group One Epsom (1600m) and Metropolitan (2400m). Junoob's effort to keep fighting on in the Metropolitan and hold off Opinion was the perfect crescendo to a great day of track-side theatre (photo above).
Credit also has to go to former Patinack trainer John Thompson, who came to the track with a team of just two. Hooked paraded in great fashion before being the unluckiest of runners in the Epsom and First Seal showed her superior class in the Flight Stakes. She is a strong and beautifully-proportioned filly and her effort to sprint clear of a good Group One field was breathtaking. She simply could be anything.
The two-year olds had kicked off the day and Gai Waterhouse produced the impressive colt Vancouver who showed his "Pierro-like qualities" to fight on and beat the well-backed Sooboog. Waterhouse declared that the Golden Slipper is already in his sights.
A race-by-race analysis of the day is provided from the mounting yard to the finish. The complete guide from your team at the track.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE (sunny and warm) |
| Bias | NO BIAS |
All The Race Finishes
Race 1 KEENELAND GIMCRACK STAKES
Godolphin too good for Gai
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calaverite | John O'Shea | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Igraine | John O'Shea | Glyn Schofield | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Speak Fondly | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tye Angland | 3 | 56.0 |
Calaverite and Igraine beat off the Waterhouse challengers
In The Yard
PREVAIL looked the most powerful in the yard, a nice filly. SPEAK FONDLY also looked very strong and well. FLAUNTING was in nice shape, a more athletic type. BAR STORIES had some condition, while IGRAINE was a bit keen and unsettled.
In The Running
ROSIE QUADRILLE led and set an EVEN TEMPO, from THEMIS to her outside and IGRAINE on the rails inside. SPEAK FONDLY was slow to begin and pushed forward, before being taken wide on the turn. BAR STORIES was slow and went to the back. PREVAIL was in the back half with CALAVERITE.
The Result
CALAVERITE (1st) peeled out from a nice trail to win, from IGRAINE (2nd), who kept on well. SPEAK FONDLY (3rd) had sprinted to the lead and just tired late.
The Interest
You had to be impressed with the run of SPEAK FONDLY, who did very well after nothing going right. IGRAINE did a very good job to fight on up the inside and given she was unsettled in the yard, could be the more talented of the two stable-mates. CALAVERITE was very professional and took advantage of a nice trail. Still to be proven if the strong PREVAIL can turn her power into a racetrack performance, she quickened nicely but the finish wasn't there. FLAUNTING just got boxed in at a critical moment, forgive her. Follow SPEAK FONDLY and IGRAINE. Forgive FLAUNTING.
Race 2 NSW THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS' PLATE
Gai hits back with raw power
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vancouver | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tye Angland | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Sooboog | Darren Weir | James McDonald | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Wolf Cry | Stuart Webb | Christian Reith | 3 | 56.0 |
Vancouver was much too strong late
In The Yard
The favourites looked the best. SOOBOOG was impressive and strong, while VANCOUVER has huge depth in his fore-quarter. BRAZEN is a more long and athletic type and he also paraded in good shape.
In The Running
VANCOUVER moved to the lead from SOOBOOG on its outside, they set an EVEN TEMPO. STIMAC was slow and went back, while BRAZEN was trapped wide with no cover just behind the pace.
The Result
SOOBOOG (2nd) moved up early in the straight, but VANCOUVER (1st) kept lifting and was much too strong late. WOLF CRY (3rd) worked home well.
The Interest
The winner was impressive, very impressive. He had the power in his fore-quarter of an older horse and he will be hard to beat in whatever he lines up in. Waterhouse stated that he had the "qualities of Pierro" before the race and you can see why. The form from the race should hold up, so you can follow the impressive looking SOOBOOG too. STIMAC did a good job after missing the start. He had nowhere near the power of the first two in the yard and will be better over 1200m. BRAZEN also can improve up in distance. Follow VANCOUVER, SOOBOOG and STIMAC.
Race 3 TAB BETTING SEASON DULCIFY QUALITY
Moreira drives a big truck home
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hampton Court | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Joao Moreira | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Duccio | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Bachman | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Corey Brown | 5 | 59.0 |
The solidly built Hampton Court was too good
In The Yard
BACHMAN was perhaps the best in the yard, stronger than most. HAMPTON COURT is very thick-set and heavy. DUCCIO and LADY MACAN are more athletic types, while THUNDER LADY is a well-balanced filly. SCRATCH ME LUCKY was a bit hot and sweated up.
In The Running
DUCCIO rolled to the lead leaving HAMPTON COURT to take a sit, setting an EVEN TEMPO. DEADSET pressed forward to sit outside the lead after being wide early.
The Result
HAMPTON COURT(1st) had to come across the heels of DUCCIO (2nd) who had skipped away in the straight and they cleared out from BACHMAN (3rd) who ran on.
The Interest
HAMPTON COURT was weighted to win and everything was made to order with his stable-mate giving him a nice trail. He will line up in the Spring Champion in a week's time, which is a big jump from racing with 54kg in this race. BACHMAN did a good enough job after coming wide with no cover on the turn. The two fillies LADY MACAN and THUNDER LADY ran on quite well and they have their fair share of staying talent - possible Oaks contenders. SCRATCH ME LUCKY was a bit hot, but he seems to have lost his will to win this preparation. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 4 SYDNEY CITY TOYOTA ROMAN CONSUL STAKES
A genuine 'turn-of-foot' puts the race away
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazen Beau | Chris Waller | Joao Moreira | 3 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Nostradamus | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | James McDonald | 4 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Delectation | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 5 | 56.5 |
Brazen Beau sprinted quickly to win
In The Yard
Very nice colts and geldings in the yard. TIME FOR WAR was ready to race, looking strong and well. BRAZEN BEAU and DELECTATION also looked powerful. HALLOWED CROWN and NOSTRADAMUS were in good shape, slightly more athletic types than the others.
In The Running
TIME FOR WAR rolled to the front and set a START-STOP TEMPO. Going keenly early on, before easing up mid-race. It was only for a furlong through as DELECTATION couldn't be held at the back and quickly moved up put more pressure on at the home turn.
The Result
DELECTATION (3rd) took over into the straight and just tired late as BRAZEN BEAU (1st) sprinted best. NOSTRADAMUS (2nd) ran on solidly.
The Interest
Is HALLOWED CROWN a good track 1200m horse? He looked well, but isn't as powerful as some of these. Waller's runners were both impressive, BRAZEN BEAU the more professional on this occasion, but don't dismiss DELECTATION in the Coolmore. He is a very impressive looking animal. NOSTRADAMUS was ok, while TIME FOR WAR was just a bit too keen. Follow BRAZEN BEAU and DELECTATION.
Race 5 APN OUTDOOR CRAVEN PLATE
A tough grinder just gets there
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moriarty | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Rising Romance | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | James McDonald | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Vilanova | Simon Ryan | Joao Moreira | 5 | 58.0 |
Moriarty sustained a good run to win
In The Yard
MORIARTY, CANNY BALLAD, VILANOVA and RISING ROMANCE all looked ok in the yard. SLOW PACE was not 100% fit. DANCHAI looked a level below the rest.
In The Running
RISING ROMANCE moved to the lead and set a steady tempo until Waller's DANCHAI took over midrace. CANNY BALLAD also moved up putting a bit more pressure in the race. A STOP-START TEMPO was set up overall.
The Result
RISING ROMANCE (2nd) moved up and took over early in the straight, but MORIARTY (1st) ran on and did too well late. VILANOVA (3rd) made ground after a chequered passage.
The Interest
SLOW PACE just wasn't fit yet so give him another chance, while VILANOVA didn't get the clearest of runs. MORIARTY and RISING ROMANCE are both solid Group 2 or Group 3 Weight For Age performers at this distance, but RISING ROMANCE has more scope to improve up to 2400m. Forgive SLOW PACE and VILANOVA.
Race 6 BLOODSTOCK.COM.AU PREMIERE STAKES
The classiest sprinter takes the prize
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Famous Seamus | Noel Mayfield-Smith | Tim Clark | 8 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Charlie Boy | Ciaron Maher | Joshua Parr | 2 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Wouldnt It Be Nice | Paul Perry | Sam Clipperton | 3 | 58.5 |
Famous Seamus sustained his run to win
In The Yard
FAMOUS SEAMUS was a standout, looking strong and well. WOULDNT IT BE NICE and I'VE GOT THE LOOKS were also in good shape, but had less power. CHARLIE BOY is a compact and strong type. He was just a little unsettled. SINCERO looked ok first-up, while SCORPIO QUEEN lacked the power of the sprinters.
In The Running
CHARLIE BOY led out from SINCERO at a SLOW TEMPO with FAMOUS SEAMUS pushing forward three wide with no cover.
The Result
In a compact finish, FAMOUS SEAMUS (1st) gave chase and maintained its solid run to the line to grind down CHARLIE BOY (2nd), who kicked at the top of the straight. WOULDNT IT BE NICE (3rd) ran on solidly. GENERALIFE never got room to move and I'VE GOT THE LOOKS was also stuck on the inside.
The Interest
FAMOUS SEAMUS has the will to win and has come back well. GENERALIFE trialled well into this and was quite unlucky not to be in the finish (although FAMOUS SEAMOUS was unlucky to be wide too). The big Godolphin galloper will be even better suited to Rosehill over 1400m. I'VE GOT THE LOOKS didn't have much room, but the other two might have still have had her covered with even luck. It was a worrying run from SINCERO as he dropped back after racing on a slow pace. He isn't the type to 'sit and sprint' over 1200m, but neither is SCORPIO QUEEN and she did much better. Follow FAMOUS SEAMUS and GENERALIFE.
Race 7 THE STAR EPSOM
Looking for winners? Waller is your man
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | He's Your Man | Chris Waller | Joao Moreira | 10 | 52.5 | |
| 2 | Royal Descent | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 11 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Hooked | Robert Smerdon | Sam Clipperton | 14 | 52.0 |
He's Your Man ran on to beat Royal Descent in a photo
In The Yard
Nice gallopers in the yard, most looked well. HOOKED once again was presented in great shape by John Thompson. STAR ROLLING's coat looked a bit dull. LUCKY CHAPPY looked in good shape, but was smaller than the rest. JETSET LAD was unsettled and WOODBINE appeared a bit hot, sweating up.
In The Running
STAR ROLLING and JETSET LAD were a bit slow out. SPY DECODER went back racing keenly. PHEIDON rolled to the lead and set a GOOD TEMPO. WOODBINE pushed on-pace and NINTH LEGION took the box seat. HOOKED was wide with no cover.
The Result
HOOKED (3rd) moved up and took over in the straight and kept kicking, but HE'S YOUR MAN (1st) and ROYAL DESCENT (2nd) were too strong late. NINTH LEGION (4th) fought on up the inside. BOBAN was tightened for room, but could of finished better.
The Interest
Waller is a master if winning these and he had two classy milers and one good handicapper that just was placed to perfection. HE'S YOUR MAN produced a great finish, but the run of the race was clearly HOOKED. He paraded so well and it was a bigger effort than Scissor Kick in the Golden Rose. ROYAL DESCENT was ridden perfectly by Bowman and she was so unlucky to come second in a big Randwick mile once again. BOBAN attracts bad luck and he might improve back under the close watch of Waller in Sydney. He doesn't have the turn-of-foot often talked about and needs room to warm up. Follow HOOKED.
Race 8 COOLMORE FLIGHT STAKES
A classic type shows her class
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First Seal | John Thompson | Blake Shinn | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Winx | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 8 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Thinking of You | Darren Weir | Joshua Parr | 3 | 56.0 |
First Seal was dominant and won easily
In The Yard
FIRST SEAL looked the best in the yard, a classic type. Most others looked well, but DYNAMIC ROCK was a level below. PRESS REPORT was a little unsettled.
In The Running
ECHO GAL led out at a SLOW TEMPO, from PRESS REPORT, DYNAMIC ROCK and FIRST SEAL taking a trail.
The Result
FIRST SEAL (1st) peeled around the leaders around the turn and displayed a dazzling turn of foot to leave the chasers in her wake. WINX (2nd) tried hard to the line and THINKING OF YOU (3rd) kept on ok.
The Interest
FIRST SEAL is superior dry track galloper and she could go on to be a serious horse, if not one of our best. Don't be too hard on WINX, if there was rain around and a better tempo she would be able to show her finishing strength. THINKING OF YOU ran well enough after over-racing, something you cannot afford to do against horses of this class. She clearly has talent. The sprinter PRESS REPORT may have been favoured by the slow pace up-front and fought on ok. Follow FIRST SEAL.
Race 9 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS METROPOLITAN
Stamina, strength and pure will to win
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Opinion | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 14 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Araldo | Michael Moroney | Jeff Lloyd | 16 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Kingdoms | Michael Hickmott | Larry Cassidy | 5 | 55.5 |
Junoob just kept giving and held on
In The Yard
JUNOOB, SPILLWAY, OPINION, BRIGANTIN, ARALDO, KINGDOMS and WISH COME TRUE all looked well in the yard. OUR VOODOO PRINCE wasn't 100%. LA AMISTAD was still not quite there. KHALID was unsettled.
In The Running
TRAVOLTA moved to the front and set a testing GOOD TEMPO. SPILLWAY and DEANE MARTIN moved up with no cover early on, using some petrol. IGGI POP and JUNOOB got a nice trail just behind the pace, while OPINION was very well ridden to slide up the rails into a good spot.
The Result
JUNOOB (1st) strode to the lead on the turn and just kept lifting right to the line. OPINION (2nd) stayed on strongly once he was in the clear with ARALOD (3rd).
The Interest
OPINION and ARALDO ran on strongly, but you can't take anything away from the very impressive winner JUNOOB. He has more finishing strength than just about any other horse going around and can be a contender in the Caulfield Cup if he goes that way. The risk at Caulfield is his lack of a 'turn-of-foot', you can see him struggling to make progress around that tight turn. OPINION and ARALOD were both very well ridden and strong to the line. The gap was huge to fourth so the form will hold up. SPILLWAY just used up too much gas early for a horse that might only just get 2400m. If you look at where DEANE MARTIN finished you can see how well SPILLWAY did to keep on midfield. Follow JUNOOB. Forgive SPILLWAY.