Yard to the Post - Spring Champion Stakes Day at Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 11 October 2014
The big screens don't capture the emotion of horse-racings athletes in the same way other sports do. With starting gates far away from the spectator's eye and so much action occurring in a short space of time, critical moments can go past without noticing. The beautiful rhythm of a horse-race viewed from afar disguises the pressure each jockey and horse is under.
Blake Shinn succumbed to that pressure with a 'moment of madness' that ruined the chances of the two well-fancied gallopers in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes. The Arrowfield team's decision to set a fast speed on Panzer Division was the first tactical blunder of the event, but it was Blake Shinn's early move on Sweynesse that left punters gasping. He wagered a war with First Seal from before the home turn that ultimately left both gallopers paddling to the line. Gai Waterhouse's warrior Hampton Court took advantage and produced a strong final surge to win in track record time.
In other races on the day, punters scored a big win over the bookies as the well-backed Neena Rock won the Angst Stakes over 1600m. And Gai Waterhouse's Order of the Sun returned to form with a dominant victory early in the day over 2000m. A race that held the track record until the Spring Champion madness two hours later.
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 | +3m ENTIRE CIRCUIT |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 (fast times run) |
| Weather | FINE (sunny and warm for some horses) |
| Bias | ON-PACE* |
All The Race Finishes
Race 1 TAB BETTING SEASON PLATE
The right spot at the right time
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pierrette | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Ms Winona Costin | 6 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Sebring Sun | Darren Weir | Brenton Avdulla | 12 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Flamboyant Lass | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 9 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
FEAST FOR EYES and FLAMBOYANT LASS paraded well. AUSTRIAN had some condition, BROOKLYN was a bit hot as the sun belted down on the yard and IDEAL EXPRESS was also feeling the heat. (note: yard notes available pre-race @TheRaceGuide on Twitter)
In The Running
FEAST FOR EYES and SEBRING SUN were slow to begin. PIERRIETTE got to the lead and set an EVEN TEMPO, from FLAMBOYANT LASS. BROOKLYN and IDEAL EXPRESS were wide on the pace.
The Result
PIERRETTE (1st) maintained it's speed to win, from SEBRING SUN (2nd) who ran on nicely. FLAMBOYANT LASS (3rd) stuck on ok to get the other place.
The Interest
A bit of a lottery and they all crossed the line in a bunch. PIERRETTE was well ridden to get the prize and the on-pace bias made a big difference. The run of the race probably was SEBRING SUN, who missed the start and made good ground down the outside. That doesn't mean he is the best horse though. MINE TWO did a good enough job in limited room nearer inside, while BROOKLYN (stuck very wide and hung on the turn) and IDEAL EXPRESS (stuck wide and stuck on) both performed admirably given how hot they were in the yard. The other good run came from FEAST FOR EYES, making up good ground down the straight. AUSTRIAN carried some condition and will be better for the run. Follow SEBRING SUN. Forgive BROOKLYN, IDEAL EXPRESS, MINE TWO and FEAST FOR EYES.
Race 2 #MOETMOMENT HANDICAP
Too big, too strong and much too fast
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Order of the Sun | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Thomas Huet | 8 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Grand Marshal | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 5 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Best Case | Anthony Cummings | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
FOREIGN PRINCE, GRAND MARSHAL and ORDER OF THE SUN all looked well. BEST CASE looked ok, but he isn't the most impressive type. ZA MAGIC didn't look up to this level and BEYOND THANKFUL was a bit hot in the warm weather.
In The Running
ORDER OF THE SUN rolled along boldly at an honest EVEN TEMPO. GRAND MARSHAL took the trail in second, with a gap back to FOREIGN PRINCE and BEYOND THANKFUL.
The Result
ORDER OF THE SUN (1st) kept rolling and simply outclassed his rivals in track record time. GRAND MARSHAL (2nd) stuck on gamely, while BEST CASE (3rd) fought on ok.
The Interest
ORDER OF THE SUN simply dominated the race with a classy front-running performance. It was a great effort second-up over 2000m, but he is a horse that needs a dry track and an uncontested lead to show his best. He might be back in seven days time over 2400m and Gai Waterhouse will be praying the sun stays out. GRAND MARSHAL did well and given the time was fast (a track record until the fiercely contested Spring Champion later in the day), the form should hold up. He can win again over 2200m+ next time out. BEST CASE is a genuine chaser, but not the most reliable bet for a win. KOURKAM showed his nice acceleration again before tiring late. That quality will see him win another race soon. Follow ORDER OF THE SUN (on dry tracks) and GRAND MARSHALL (over further).
Race 3 CELLARBRATIONS HANDICAP
A sweet finish for Kathy
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slightly Sweet | Jason Coyle | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Wine Tales | Chris Waller | Tim Clark | 4 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Careless | Mark Newnham | Ms Winona Costin | 6 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
SUPER WILLIE impressed in the yard, a big and bold galloper with a lovely shine on his coat. HERO I AM, SUN FORCE and VOLLEY OF FIRE also looked well. WINE TALES is a nice type, but was maybe only 95% fit. CARELESS carried some condition.
In The Running
SUPER WILLIE sped the gates and led at an EVEN TEMPO from CARELESS, SUN FORCE and SLIGHTLY SWEET. GOOD PROJECT got trapped three wide with no cover. ZEDFAST took off early around the outside.
The Result
SLIGHTLY SWEET (1st) quickened nicely to win, from WINE TALES (2nd), who finished hard down the outside. CARELESS (3rd) kept on ok.
The Interest
SLIGHTLY SWEET enjoyed the gun run in behind the speed, which was the place to be given the on-pace track bias. She took the gap nicely and looks a talented little filly that will prefer further. WINE TALES flashed late and was the eye catching run of the race, but there were a few others that performed too. SUN FORCE never got much room behind the speed and will also improve up in distance, while HERO I AM made some ground from well back. GOOD PROJECT was stuck wide so could be forgiven and VOLLEY OF FIRE raced like he didn't want to be there, lugging around the turn and never trying in the straight. ZEDFAST also did a good enough job after starting his run much too early. A pretty even bunch on the day! Follow SLIGHTLY SWEET and WINE TALES. Forgive SUN FORCE.
Race 4 ADINA APARTMENT HOTELS HANDICAP
The revolver fires late again
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pythagorean | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 11 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Black Revolver | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 4 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Paederos | David Payne | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 5 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
OUR BOY NICHOLAS, GOLDEN ARO and SHOUT TO THE TOP all looked well. PYTHAGOREAN and BLACK REVOLVER looked ok. GHOST PROTOCOL wasn't 100% fit yet.
In The Running
PAEDEROS moved to the front, with PYTHAGOREAN on its outside. They found a nice EVEN TEMPO. SHOUT TO THE TOP got the box seat and GOLDEN ARO was stuck wide with no cover.
The Result
PYTHAGOREAN (1st) and PAEDEROS (3rd) kept rolling along nicely, with PYTHAGOREAN too strong late. BLACK REVOLVER (2nd) and LANDLOCKED (4th) made good ground.
The Interest
The track was favouring leaders and the two on-pacers found a nice rhythm. Forgive LANDLOCKED, BLACK REVOLVER and GOLDEN ARO (stuck wide) who all did about as much as they could. BLACK REVOLVER just needs a race with a good tempo (and no on-pace bias!) if Waller can keep the light athletic galloper happy until then. It is great to see LANDLOCKED racing well for Joe Cleary out of Queanbeyan and given his run was similar to BLACK REVOLVER, he looks ready to win again soon. GHOST PROTOCOL didn't impress in the mounting yard and can improve with more fitness and over a longer distance. SHOUT TO THE TOP disappointed. Forgive LANDLOCKED, BLACK REVOLVER and GOLDEN ARO.
Race 5 MYER SPRING FASHION HANDICAP
Direct from Hong Kong to the winner's stall
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aomen | Jeremy Sylvester | Blake Shinn | 2 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Monton | Ron Quinton | Taylor Marshall | 7 | 61.0 | |
| 3 | Charlie Boy | Ciaron Maher | Joshua Parr | 10 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
WHITTINGTON stood out in the yard with a nice shine to his coat. SYSMO also looked well, but lacked power of some of the sprinters. ALPHA BEAT looked fit and ready, a leaner athletic type. MONTON was the most powerful in the field.
In The Running
AOMEN rolled to the lead and set an EVEN TEMPO, from CHARLIE BOY, WHITTINGTON and MONTON. RIVA DE LAGO was slow and got back.
The Result
AOMEN (1st) kept rolling and held off a challenge from MONTON (2nd). CHARLIE BOY kept on for (3rd) and SYSMO (4th) made ground.
The Interest
The track was playing in favour of leaders, but AOMEN is a classy horse that came with strong credentials from Hong Kong. If Anthony Cummings can keep him sound (has had injury problems) he is sure to win another race in Australia. SYSMO is the follow horse out of the race though, a genuine staying type that can progress to a better level over a longer distance. WHITINGTON perhaps didn't quite get the 1400m and RIVA DE LAGO paraded like he still had something up his sleeve for later in the preparation. MONTON produced a strong effort, returning to his usual consistent form after a poor run the start prior. CHARLIE BOY had every chance. Follow SYSMO.
Race 6 MOET & CHANDON SPRING CHAMPION STAKES
Blake Shinn's moment of madness
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hampton Court | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Joshua Parr | 7 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | First Seal | John Thompson | Jason Collett | 4 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Sweynesse | John O'Shea | Blake Shinn | 3 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
SWEYNESSE, PANZER DIVISION and FIRST SEAL were the standouts. PANZER DIVISION and FIRST SEAL were more powerful. LIE DIRECT didn't impress. VALENTIA looked well, but seemed more like a strong short-course type.
In The Running
PANZER DIVISION set a FAST TEMPO and ensured a true staying test. VALENTIA worked to sit outside the leader, with PRESS REPORT and FIRST SEAL taking the sit just behind the pace.
The Result
SWEYNESSE (3rd) took off very early (600m out) and hit the front early in the straight, with FIRST SEAL (2nd) joining in the fight and sticking on well. They set it up for HAMPTON COURT (1st), who came with a late charge to win.
The Interest
The jockeys of SWEYNESSE and FIRST SEAL only had eyes for each other as HAMPTON COURT bided his time at the back. Blake Shinn's early move on SWEYNESSE after Tye Angland had set such a testing tempo on PANZER DIVISION was a moment of madness and it cost the two favoured chances the race. HAMPTON COURT finished well, but the final 600m sectional of over 37 seconds (very slow) and the visibly weakening stride of SWEYNESSE and FIRST SEAL over the final furlong showed that he simply took advantage of a beautiful spot in the run. Tye Angland was diplomatic after the race when stating that he though his riding instructions were off the mark (they clearly were), while John O'Shea was very disappointed in the ride Blake Shinn produced. SWEYNESSE may head for the Derby now to capture that valuable Group One win. Forgive SWEYNESSE and FIRST SEAL.
Race 7 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS ANGST STAKES
A rock solid bet hits the bookies hard
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neena Rock | John Sargent | Tye Angland | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Estonian Princess | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Brenton Avdulla | 11 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Danesiri | John Thompson | Taylor Marshall | 2 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
CHINTZ and FOREVER CRAZY paraded well. SOAPY STAR was is good enough shape and NEENA rock was ok too. GYPSY DIAMOND and INTIMATE MOMENT are nice types that looked fair without being at their best.
In The Running
ESTONIAN PRINCESS led out at an EVEN TEMPO, with CHINTZ working forward to sit outside the lead. BOUZY ROUGE and SOAPY STAR settled behind the leaders.
The Result
NEENA ROCK (1st) maintained a good run and accelerated away from the field with ESTONIAN PRINCESS (2nd). DANESIRI (3rd) weaved through and finished well.
The Interest
NEENA ROCK and ESTONIAN PRINCESS left the others in their wake clearing out from the field suggesting the form should hold up. ESTONIAN PRINCESS got to the front without spending too much energy so the win of NEENA ROCK was the better performance. She was very well backed all week so the bookies are sure to have taken a big hit. The very genuine DANESIRI and BOUZY ROUGE produced their usual honest performances. FOREVER CRAZY and SAIGON TEA both seem in good shape and have the talent to claim one of the mares races over the Spring Carnival. GYPSY DIAMOND and INTIMATE MOMENT just aren't quite at their best at the moment. CHINTZ was disappointing, she may be better suited to a Dead or Slow track. Follow NEENA ROCK and SAIGON TEA.
Race 8 XIRRUS SPRINT
The 'Boss' just loves headquarters
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boss Lane | Ron Quinton | Taylor Marshall | 6 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Telepathic | Chris Waller | Sam Clipperton | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Atmospherical | Robert Smerdon | Tim Clark | 3 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
TELEPATHIC looked the best, fit and on her toes in the yard. BOSS LANE, DUKE ALBERT, ATMOSPHERICAL and LAW all looked well. MAXIMILIAN was in good shape, but he did get very hot in the last five minutes before moving onto the track. DRAGO and DREAM FOLK are nice athletic types that lacked the power of the other gallopers.
In The Running
ATMOSPHERICAL took the lead and set a controlled SLOW TEMPO, from BOSS LANE outside her. MAXIMILIAN and LAW were just behind. DUKE ALBERT was stuck wide in midfield.
The Result
BOSS LANE (1st) moved up and sped away. TELEPATHIC (2nd) made good ground and ATMOSPHERICAL (3rd) stuck on ok.
The Interest
It was deja vu for backers of BOSS LANE as he found the right position and kicked away to hold off a talented mare late. Last time it was BROOK ROAD and this time TELEPATHIC couldn't quite make up the ground after the leaders dominated. TELEPATHIC is a nice type and she trialled exceptionally well before delivering a strong finish in this race. BOSS LANE is going well, a 'solid no-frills' sprinter that can maintain his pace around the Randwick home turn and 'rise'. DUKE ALBERT once again finished strongly and is racing in good heart. MAXIMILIAN was quite hot in the yard so you could forgive him. LAW isn't a reliable galloper, he could easily show up next time, while ATMOSPHERICAL isn't at her best at the moment. Follow TELEPATHIC. Forgive MAXIMILIAN.