Yard to the Post | Randwick Guineas Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 09 March 2019
It's not often to see a track record broken in the pouring rain.
Blake Shinn took the ride on TRAPEZE ARTIST and had the Group One Canterbury Stakes panning out just as he wanted before the turn, rolling along in the lead to give nothing else a chance on the rock-hard Randwick surface, lacking irrigation after the un-fulfilled threat of rain most of the week. SHOALS (2nd) and PIERATA (5th) are classy Group 1 horses that couldn't match the winner with the extra fitness on his side, posting a rapid 1 minute 14.19 seconds for the 1,300 metres.
Following the race Shinn spoke about Tye Angland, who suffered a terrible injury a couple of months ago and is now unable to ride. TRAPEZE ARTIST will in many ways always be his horse.
And of course, the booming finish of THE AUTUMN SUN is the moment that will capture headlines, winning the Group One Randwick Guineas in the last stride after being nine to ten lengths off the lead entering the straight. Supporters of FUNDAMENTALIST (2nd) were in the collect queue and the $1.80 fav' traded at $6 during the run.
In other races, the late-surging filly TENLEY and dynamic YES YES YES won the two-year-old races and now head to the Golden Slipper in-form, Godolphin’s grey filly yet to be beaten and showing real strength in her races.
A full review will be on-line Monday 5pm.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 (firm track) |
| Weather | OVERCAST, SHOWERS |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 WENONA GIRL QUALITY
Tommy and Toby a perfect match
fair tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winter Bride | Toby & Trent Edmonds | Tommy Berry | 5 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Spright | Garry Frazer | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Resin | James Cummings | James McDonald | 9 | 55.0 |
In The Running
SWEET SCANDAL worked forward after jumping midfield and couldn't cross, leading 3W NC with ZA ZI BA (rails) and IN GOOD TIME (2W) inside her. The tempo was FAIR (on the strong side).
The Result
WINTER BRIDE (1st) ran on best from midfield. SPRIGHT (2nd 0.2L) ran on well too and RESIN (3rd 0.3L) was just edged out after hitting the lead. SWEET SCANDAL (4th 1.5L) not too far away.
The Interest
Not much between the mares as you might expect, good runs from all the top four, WINTER BRIDE a real 'winner' that found a way to get the job done again first-up. RESIN promising first-up too given she relishes a softer track and does progress 2nd-up. STAR REFLECTION (5th 1.7L) and LA BELLA DIOSA (6th 1.9L) hitting the line quite well late too. Don't be too harsh on SEDANZER (8th 6.7L), who found the 1200m much too sharp and pulled up with a slow recovery.
Race 2 TOKYO CITY KEIBA FIREBALL STAKES
Swoopers dominate this red hot sprint
strong tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prophet's Thumb | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Jason Collett | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Trope | Julius Sandhu | Tommy Berry | 11 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Jonker | Tony Gollan | James McDonald | 1 | 58.0 |
In The Running
GOD OF THUNDER came across from out wide and set a STRONG tempo with JONKER moving up just behind him after jumping midfield. SANDBAR (3W NC) and SANTOS (4W NC) the wide horses near the pace. BALLER stuck in behind the pack until the 100m.
The Result
PROPHET'S THUMB (1st) weaved up the inside and ran on best, beating home a swooping TROPE (2nd 0.4L), who stormed home from the back. JONKER (3rd 1.4L) and HUMMA HUMMA (4th 1.6L) well ahead of the unlucky BALLER (5th 4.1L).
The Interest
Some hot pace in this race, which made it hard for the wide runners with big weights, some excuses for SANDBAR (10th 6.4L) and SANTOS (11th 6.7L) out the back. BALLER probably should have been in the finish given he was held up badly 'til the 100m and had beaten PROPHET'S THUMB last start. No knock on the winner though, who charged up inside them, and of course TROPE very impressive too at only his 2nd start.
Race 3 ASTUS REISLING STAKES
Godolphin still going ten to their one
fair tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tenley | James Cummings | James McDonald | 5 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Exhilarates | James Cummings | Kerrin McEvoy | 2 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Vincere Volare | Tony Gollan | Tim Clark | 9 | 55.5 |
In The Running
BELITSA took up the running from VINCERE VOLARE at a FAIR tempo (not too much pressure). ANAHEED stuck 3W NC midfield. First starter WAYUPINTHESKY a touch keen in the pack.
The Result
TENLEY (1st) ran over the top of them late, surging clear to beat EXHILARATES (2nd 1.5L) and VINCERE VOLARE (3rd 2L). ANAHEED (4th 2.2L) not too far away.
The Interest
TENLEY is an exciting filly that does her best work late. She'll go on to the Golden Slipper now (another blue jacket!) and just needs to be within a few lengths of them on the turn to be very hard to beat, arguably the Sires and Champagne more her go given the final surge she has. EXHILARATES (improvement to come) and ANAHEED (stuck wide) not out of Slipper calculations yet either.
Race 4 UNSW TODMAN STAKES
Waller positive about this promising 2YO
fair tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yes Yes Yes | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 11 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Bellevue Hill | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 9 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Dubious | Ciaron Maher | Sam Clipperton | 5 | 55.5 |
In The Running
BELLEVUE HILL took the lead with BIVOUAC on his outside and STRASBOURG stuck 3W NC in midfield. A FAIR tempo set up.
The Result
YES YES YES (1st) sprinted from the back to win, just getting past BELLEVUE HILL (2nd 0.5L) with DUBIOUS (3rd 1.3L) fighting on hard and BIVOUAC (4th 1.8L) not far away.
The Interest
YES YES YES is a dynamic type that has now won three in a row. The best part of his race seems to be the "Power Zone" between the 600m to the 200m, doing enough to get the win, but perhaps some questions in a testing STRONG 1200m Golden Slipper (quiet ride helps). BELLEVUE HILL good at only his second start and DUBIOUS (super tough) still in the Slipper mix too. BIVOUAC probably prefers a wet track. As for TIME TO REIGN, it was always going to be interesting to see how we went on the inside of horses for the first time and he was very plain (6th 4.8L) after seeming to settle OK. The last 100m was worrying first time to 1200m once he was in the clear.
Race 5 HYLAND RACE COLOURS CHALLENGE STAKES
Too much muscle from this old boy
fair tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball of Muscle | Joseph Pride | Glyn Schofield | 1 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Redzel | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 5 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Viridine | James Cummings | James McDonald | 6 | 58.5 |
In The Running
BALL OF MUSCLE took up the running and JUNGLE EDGE was urged forward to be on his outside, not too much pressure put on and a FAIR tempo set up. ESTIJABB worked clear 3W on the turn, pushing REDZEL 4W as they both loomed at the 350m.
The Result
BALL OF MUSCLE (1st) kicked and held on from REDZEL (2nd 0.1L) running on. VIRIDINE (3rd 0.3L) closed off well late.
The Interest
Three big strong sprinters fought this out, REDZEL perhaps losing the race when JUNGLE EDGE took his spot outside the leader. 8YO BALL OF MUSCLE (in career best form!) loves 1000m and VIRIDINE has come back well as a gelding (TJ Smith contender?). The filly ESTIJAAB (5th 2L) just found them too tough for now and JUNGLE EDGE (6th 6L) pulled up 2/5 lame.
Race 6 CANTERBURY LEAGUE CLUB STAKES
Shinn doesn't have to do cartwheels on this sprinter
fair tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trapeze Artist | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Blake Shinn | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Shoals | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Tim Clark | 5 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Prompt Response | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 57.0 |
In The Running
TRAPEZE ARTIST took his time to roll forward, then was allowed to stride mid-race, setting a FAIR tempo overall (pretty close to STEADY tempo: LONG SPRINT),
The Result
TRAPEZE ARTIST (1st) got a break on the turn and held on from SHOALS (2nd 1.5L) chasing well. PROMPT RESPONSE (3rd 2.3L) and COOL PASSION (4th 2.5L) held their ground.
The Interest
TRAPEZE ARTIST was revved up for this and ridden very well to win. Blake Shinn gracefully moving the focus to Tye Angland in a post-race interview, Angland riding this horse for almost all of it's career before his awful accident.. No love lost for SHOALS and PIERATA (5th 2.7L), the latter getting well back on the turn. KEMENTARI a touch keen and very poor, returning to scale with a poor recovery after finishing last (7th 3.1L), he's a horse that isn't finding the line lately.
Race 7 MOSTYN COPPER RANDWICK GUINEAS
A Melbourne filly almost downs the Sun
strong tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Autumn Sun | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Fundamentalist | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Sam Clipperton | 5 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Nakeeta Jane | Mark Newnham | Joshua Parr | 9 | 54.5 |
In The Running
No early pace until MISS FABULASS was let loose 1100m from home, stormed 6L clear and made it a STRONG tempo. VEGADAZE and FUNDAMENTALIST in the next group and a few lengths back to NAKEETA JANE. PURPLE SECTOR was badly checked at the 1000m when NAKEETA JANE moved in and shifted ARAMAYO in on him.
The Result
THE AUTUMN SUN (1st) surged hard late from way back to grab FUNDAMENTALIST (2nd 0.2L) on the line, who had hit the lead 350m out. NAKEETA JANE (3rd 1.2L) very solid chasing from midfield.
The Interest
No doubt the best three 3YOs in the race fought out the finish and a potential future champ was the one that got the prize. An incredible finish from THE AUTUMN SUN after getting way back. FUNDAMENTALIST ever so brave near the hot speed, but it does look like THE AUTUMN SUN and MADISON COUNTY (4th 2.7L) got into a very awkward spot given the sectionals (tempo only FAIR to STEADY where they were!).
Race 8 TEED UP GOLF TOURS ASPIRATION QUALITY
The class mare pounces on the win
steady tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nettoyer | Wendy Roche | Blake Shinn | 1 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Luvaluva | John Sargent | Jay Ford | 8 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Luskintyre Lass | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tommy Berry | 4 | 57.5 |
In The Running
EUGENE’S PICK took up the running with LUSKINTYRE LASS on her outside and LUVALUVA out three wide no cover. Only a STEADY tempo set up.
The Result
NETTOYER (1st) got clear and powered straight past them late, beating home LUVALUVA (2nd 1.5L), LUSKINTYRE LASS (3rd 1.7L) and EUGENE'S PICK (4th 1.9L).
The Interest
This was a dominant win, NETTOYER a mare that had always been looking for the right race (raced in much higher grade early on), and this race suited perfectly. The STEADY tempo couldn't stop her and she charged clear late. Of the "also-rans", LUVALUVA was solid given the wide run, but the steady speed didn't make it too testing. They finished in a clump so be careful of the form outside the winner, perhaps horses like EUGENE'S PICK and OCEANEX (9th 3.4L) dropping back in grade next time could be worth following. ALL TOO SOON (7th 3.1L) kept on just behind them and needs a SOFT track or 2000m to show her best.
Race 9 THE LUXURY NETWORK RANDWICK CITY STAKES
All the way for this tough girl
slow tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hiyaam | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Tim Clark | 3 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Shraaoh | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 11 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Emperor's Way | Peter & Paul Snowden | Glyn Schofield | 1 | 53.5 |
In The Running
HIYAAM took up the running at a SLOW tempo, kicking from the 800m and still quickening right to the 200m. CASTERTON 3W NC near the pace.
The Result
HIYAAM (1st) kept lifting when challenged, holding off a big run from SHRAAOH (2nd 0.2L) from the back and EMPEROR’S WAY (3rd 0.3L), who loomed up strongly from the box seat.
The Interest
HIYAAM is a tough mare, out-sprinted in many of her recent races, she took this by the scruff of the neck and Tim Clark got going nice and early. SHRAAOH very impressive onto a GOOD track second-up, reeling off a 10.93 sectional from the 400m to the 200m. No love lost for BIG DUKE (6th 4.2L) after getting a long way back on an unsuitable firm track. CASTERTON (11th 9.7L) was wide and pulled up 1/5 lame. Waller has a real task to try and get both CASTERTON and ONE FOOT IN HEAVEN to hit the line on dry tracks in Australia, it seems like it's wet only for them.