Yard to the Post | Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 18 January 2020
Fit horses that were ridden well performed at Rosehill Gardens today, even a few that had failed on wet tracks before.
In the feature 1,100 metre sprint (Race 7) EMBRACER gave a big kick and just hung on to win from INVICTUS SALUTE closing in late, Tim Clark timing the ride to perfection in the lead.
EMBRACER had been a poor 8th the last time he was on HEAVY, but that didn’t seem to matter much today. The past form of ENFLEURAGE (Race 5), INANUP (Race 6), BIRTH OF VENUS (Race 8) and BANDERSNATCH (Race 9) suggested the mud might be a struggle before they all scored their maiden HEAVY track victories.
One of the most impressive wins of the day came early on the card when CELLSABEEL demolished a good field of two-year-olds to win Race 1, firming in the markets of the upcoming Autumn feature races.
The stayers BIRTH OF VENUS and MAGIC OVER THE BAY also put a margin on the chasing pack over 2,000 metres in Race 8, KILLER INSTINCT only managing a 5.8L 3rd after getting every chance.
A full review of the day is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | HEAVY 8 |
| Weather | SHOWERS |
| Bias | Slight preference NEAR RAILS |
Race 1 IRON JACK HANDICAP
A big margin from a progressive filly
strong tempo
Bias:
rails-6w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cellsabeel | Ciaron Maher | Tommy Berry | 7 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | In Flanders | James Cummings | Jason Collett | 10 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Beyliks | James Cummings | James McDonald | 4 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
Most looking well in the yard. BEYLICKS a nice type and relaxed, while CELLSABEEL is quite athletic and ready to go. RETURN WITH HONOUR a more muscular type and could be a risk in the wet.
In The Running
RETURN WITH HONOUR got to the lead and rolled at a STRONG tempo with BEYLIKS moving up on his outside. CELLSABEEL was back on the inside picking off runs through the pack. JESTA DIVA jumped OK but couldn't muster and drifted back under pressure, shuffling PRINCESS ZEDDY all the way to the back.
The Result
CELLSABEEL (1st) moved up and broke clear for a big win. BEYLIKS (3rd 6.2L) evened out on his run to be caught by IN FLANDERS (3rd 6L) late with a gap to DESERT FLAME (4th 10L).
The Interest
She was impressive on debut, impressive in the trials and even more impressive on race day, CELLSABEEL handling the wet with ease for a big win. BEYLIKS and IN FLANDERS not bad and you never know how the form will translate back to firmer tracks. Forgive PRINCESS ZEDDY who was never in the race shuffled back.
Race 2 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roseirro | Terry Robinson | Brock Ryan | 4 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Absolute Trust | Tim McIntosh | Christian Reith | 9 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Sawtell | Brett Dodson | Tim Clark | 6 | 56.5 |
Race 3 LOU COX HANDICAP
Matty Smith's mare gives them a lashing
steady tempo
Bias:
rails-6w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lashes | Matthew Smith | Jason Collett | 4 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Echo Gem | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 2 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Switched | Brad Widdup | Christian Reith | 5 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
WORLDY PLEASURE a touch anxious and her coat wasn't as impressive as the others, perhaps over the top already this prep third-up? ELYSIA visibly lesser than the others, a light skinny type parading poorly. No knocks on the favourites.
In The Running
ECHO GEM led from SWITCHED and LASHES moving into the box seat. WORLDY PLEASURE keen out 3W NC.
The Result
LASHES (1st) stayed to the inside and was too strong late for ECHO GEM (2nd 2L) and SWITCHED (3rd 2.2L) fighting on together.
The Interest
LASHES was dominant first-up and she repeated the dose here, a sprinting mare that has matured this campaign to be a better horse. The ability to settle in the pack now lets her conserve energy in the run and we can follow her up in grade now.
Race 4 NSW BOOKMAKER CO-OPERATIVE HANDICAP
A first-up shock from a tough mudder
steady tempo
Bias:
rails-6w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No Escape | Terry Croft | James Innes Jnr | 2 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Julian Rock | Tara & Philippe Vigouroux | Chris Williams | 1 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Stella Sea Sun | Kris Lees | James McDonald | 7 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
STELLA SEA SUN looked well, fit and ready to go. JULIAN ROCK in good shape too, ROYAL TUDOR fine and NO ESCAPE pretty fit first-up. MANHATTAN MIST a big strong type.
In The Running
MANHATTAN MIST led from NO ESCAPE on his outside and JULIAN ROCK in the box seat. STELLA SEA SUN couldn't muster early and ended up out the back, which wasn't ideal given it was only a STEADY tempo up front.
The Result
In a close finish, NO ESCAPE (1st) fought on from JULIAN ROCK (2nd 0.2L) and STELLA SEA SUN (3rd 1L).
The Interest
He had similar form ratings to STELLA SEA SUN last prep in the wet and he turned up fit and ready to go today, NO ESCAPE causing the upset. Very honest runs from JULIAN ROCK (wanted more tempo?) and STELLA SEA SUN (long way back, no trail into the race). There wasn't much between the top six with JEN RULES (6th 1.8L) not far behind.
Race 5 JACK ASHMAN HANDICAP
Wet track breeding gets this girl home
fair tempo
Bias:
rails-6w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enfleurage | James Cummings | Tim Clark | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Big Parade | Joseph Pride | Jason Collett | 4 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Aim for Perfection | Mark Newnham | Tommy Berry | 2 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
BIG PARADE OK in the yard, but no a standout. The mares AIM FOR PERFECTION, UNGUARDED, BELITSA and ENFLEURAGE all looking well, ENFEURAGE a more compact type stepping up in distance. FASANO fit and ready to go first-up. IN LIGHTEN ME a solidly-built type that has failed on the wet before.
In The Running
ENFLEURAGE took up the running at a FAIR tempo from BIG PARADE, both giving a big kick in the straight. IN LIGHTEN ME stuck wide midfield.
The Result
ENFLEURAGE (1st) just too good for BIG PARADE (2nd 1.3L) with AIM FOR PERFECTION (3rd 3.8L) running on up the inside a few lengths back.
The Interest
ENFLEURAGE came from similar form-lines to the other mares in this race AIM FOR PERFECTION and UNGUARDED, but she had more upside and relished the wet 1300m here. James Cummings noting that "her mother was a mudder" after the race, the dam being the G1 Heavy track winner Neroli. BIG PARADE very honest and no love lost for him. Forgive IN LIGHTEN ME (7th 15.4L) back into an easier grade on dry.
Race 6 MARK MERLINO HANDICAP
The perfect parade overcomes a poor wet record
fair tempo
Bias:
rails-6w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inanup | Bjorn Baker | Brock Ryan | 1 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Tony's Reward | Bjorn Baker | Hugh Bowman | 12 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Dio D'oro | Gary Portelli | Tom Marquand | 5 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
INANUP paraded very nicely, a horse that has failed in the wet before, but he looked fit and well here. DRACHENFELS a touch better in the coat, still not looking 100% fit as yet. TONY’S REWARD, HE'S A HOTSHOT and MAGNAROCK also paraded well. DIO D'ORO fit, but a touch fizzy in the yard.
In The Running
HIGH COST led from HE'S A HOTSHOT and MANANGATANG out 3W NC on the pace. INANUP tracking up near the pace on the inside and TONY'S REWARD got back from the bad barrier.
The Result
INANUP (1st) moved into the race strongly and was too strong for TONY'S REWARD (2nd 1L) running on well and DIO D’ORO (3rd 2L) surging up the inside after getting on heels 300m out.
The Interest
INANUP won a strong form race last start and went on with it here on the HEAVY despite failing on a similar surface before. TONY'S REWARD very honest and running on out wide, something not many gallopers did on the day. DIO D'ORO just got held up a touch, which didn't help given he's a one-paced horse that needs to maintain his run. And we've given him some chances before, but DRACHENFELS (8th 4.4L) was warming up when blocked the final 100m and could have got into the top four.
Race 7 BILL WATERHOUSE HANDICAP
Tim Clark controls, kicks and wins
steady tempo
Bias:
rails-6w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Embracer | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 6 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Invictus Salute | Mark Newnham | Robbie Dolan | 7 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | River Bird | Jason Coyle | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 10 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
All looked fine in the yard, the first-up horses CONNEMARA, LABURNUM, TONSOR and RIVER BIRD all just about there (95%) fit, RIVER BIRD just a touch warm/keen.
In The Running
EMBRACER got the lead, took control and set some STEADY mid-sections (11.98 seconds from 800m to 600m) before sprinting into the straight (11.26 seconds 400m to 200m).
The Result
EMBRACER (1st) just held on from INVICTUS SALUTE (2nd 0.5L) running on from midfield and RIVER BIRD (3rd 1.5L) running on from the back.
The Interest
A perfect ride from Tim Clark on EMBRACER, who had failed on the HEAVY before, but saved just enough energy to the 600m to give a winning kick. RIVER BIRD the best of the first-up horses, so honest in the wet. INVICTUS SALUTE consistent as always and may even be a touch better second-up off a freshen.
Race 8 BOOKMAKER RECOGNITION RACEDAY TROPHY
Waller stamina and strength wins again
fair tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
rails-6w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birth Of Venus | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Magic Over the Bay | Clare Cunningham | Jason Collett | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Killer Instinct | John O'Shea | Tom Marquand | 13 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
No knocks in the yard, the middle-distance gallopers parading quite well. BIRTH OF VENUS a solid staying type, MAGIC OVER THE BAY strong/robust and KILLER INSTINCT parading well too. WORD FOR WORD nice in the coat and fit, a more athletic type yet to be proven at 2000m.
In The Running
DYLAN'S ROMANCE led from MERCURIAL LAD with MR DEPENDABLE trailing up behind them and BIRTH OF VENUS midfield. A FAIR tempo set up and the pressure went on early setting up a LONG SPRINT home.
The Result
BIRTH OF VENUS (1st) moved up and surged clear late from MAGIC OVER THE BAY (2nd 1.3L) weaving through the pack and running on late. A big gap back to KILLER INSTINCT (3rd 5.8L) running on past a tiring WORD FOR WORD (4th 6.4L) late.
The Interest
She has shown real strength in most of her races, but had failed on the wet before, BIRTH OF VENUS turning that around today with a very strong staying win. She's quite a nice type that can soak up pressure and surge late suggesting big upside to 2400m and beyond. MAGIC OVER THE BAY flying and put a margin on 3rd, unlucky to run into a good one here after plenty of money came for him. KILLER INSTINCT perhaps not quite as effective on the HEAVY and WORD FOR WORD didn't stay the 2000m today.
Race 9 ROSEHILL BOWLING CLUB HANDICAP
The fit horse goes hard and gets the win
strong tempo
Bias:
rails-6w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bandersnatch | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Costello | David Payne | Jason Collett | 1 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Condor | Paul Perry | Ms Samantha Clenton | 3 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
BANDERSNATCH fit, but a touch fizzy in the yard. WELSH LEGEND OK and perhaps 90% fit. The best in the parade were CONDOR and MUSWELLBROOK. COSTELLO not bad first-up, a horse that doesn't carry too much condition.
In The Running
BANDERSNATCH rolled in the lead at a STRONG tempo with CONDOR on his outside COSTELLO tracking up on the inside just behind them.
The Result
BANDSERSNATCH (1st) got clear and tired late, just hanging on from COSTELLO (2nd 0.2L) closing late. CONDOR (3rd 2.5L) well ahead of the rest.
The Interest
The fit horse won this, just! COSTELLO has obviously come back well and could be a horse to follow second-up and third-up. WELSH LEGEND (5th 9.1L) very poor and clearly not ready for such a testing assignment.