Yard to the Post | Carrington Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 25 January 2020
Five of the nine favourites on the card saluted today at Royal Randwick, making it a good result for punters before the bookies got one back in the last.
The TAB Highway for country gallopers was split into two and the most popular gallopers won both, MR WONG riding a hot speed and fighting on best before HELLENISM impressed in the yard and on the track, swooping home late to win. Both have big upside into the upcoming Country Championships, HELLENISM a more professional type that will relish the 1,400 metres of the final if he makes it that far.
Later in the day CRADLE MOUNTAIN bounced back to form to win the feature Listed Carrington Stakes and the heavily-backed PANDEMIC sliced through the pack to win first-up over 1,100 metres.
And after getting on the wrong side of the ledger early, bookies fortunes turned when the Melbourne raider I AM VINNIE ran on hard to win the last race over 1,400 metres at the massive odds of $51.
A full review of the day is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 PFD FOOD SERVICES HANDICAP
Team Snowden builds momentum towards the Slipper
fair tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rulership | Peter & Paul Snowden | Nash Rawiller | 8 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Mission River | Alicia MacPherson | Robbie Dolan | 7 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Ticket To Ride | Michael Freedman | Brenton Avdulla | 9 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
Most of the young horses handling the heat well, a touch warm, but none reacting poorly. TIGHT ROPES neat, strong and well. MOUNT FUJI a touch warm, but good definition and some strength. No real knocks, ABSOLUTELY FOXY maybe a touch light in comparison to the rest.
In The Running
RULERSHIP took up the running at a FAIR tempo from ROSE SAUVAGE working up out 3W NC. SEA BOSS wide, not striding out and eased down early. TIGHT ROPES held up early in the straight.
The Result
RULERSHIP (1st) kept going for a strong win, holding a clear margin over MISSION RIVER (2nd 2.3L) and TICKET TO RIDE (3rd 2.5L) running on solidly.
The Interest
This was a dominant display and the way RULERSHIP held a margin over 2nd and 3rd horses over the closing stages suggests he is one to follow into the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper. MISSION RIVER, TICKET TO RIDE and TIGHT TOPES (held up early straight, off heels 200m) (6th 4.4L) the other runs to note. MOUNT FUJI tailed off and had a poor recovery.
Race 2 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
Brute strength wins down the Randwick straight
strong tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mr Wong | Stephen Jones | Tom Marquand | 12 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Eurosay | Todd Smart | Nash Rawiller | 10 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Don't Cry Mama | Brenden Mackay | Chris Whiteley | 7 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
The fresh horses both looked well first-up here, MR WONG big, strong and well, while VELVET AEROPLANE trotted around with a nice shine to his coat after two trials.
In The Running
EXPELLABLE led from BELLSZOV BOURKE at a STRONG tempo giving a nice trail to MR WONG just behind. EUROSAY back to 6th 3W NC. MR WONG awkward around the turn, but not as bad as usual.
The Result
MR WONG (1st) was much too strong to the line. EUROSAY (2nd 2.5L) ran on well from the back and DON’T CRY MAMA (3rd 4.8L) ran on into a place.
The Interest
As soon as MR WONG got into a nice trailing position and didn't completely lose the plot around the turn (he can hang right out) this was game over. A big, strong and classy horse that was simply too good for these. EUROSAY ran well too and perhaps EXPELLABLE (6th 5.9L) went a touch too fast in the lead.
Race 3 SKY RACING ACTIVE HIGHWAY HANDICAP
Two classy country gallopers break clear
strong tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hellenism | Aiden St Vincent | Tim Clark | 11 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Conspirator | Clint Lundholm | Nash Rawiller | 1 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | All About Me | Todd Smart | Brock Ryan | 9 | 53.0 |
In The Yard
The top three horses in the parade stood out in the yard, especially HELLENISM with a rich coat, nice stride and athleticism, CONSPIRATOR a nice strong sprinting frame and INDICATORS ON looking very well too.
In The Running
BLITZAR led from MR ALOYSIUS and GOLDEN AVENGER out 3W NC. CONSPIRATOR in the box seat behind the leader and HELLENISM back e with cover.
The Result
HELLENISM (1st) ran on hard down the outside and ran down a brave CONSPIRATOR (2nd 0.2L), who slipped up the inside and fought hard. A gap back to ALL ABOUT ME (3rd 3L) running on.
The Interest
They dominated the parade and the race, HELLENISM and CONSPIRATOR both far too good for these. Perhaps a touch more upside to HELLENISM, a horse with the conformation of a 1400m to 1600m type. Definitely one to follow into the Country Championships now.
Race 4 $2M INGLIS MILLENNIUM IN 14 DAYS HANDICAP
A testing gallop sets it up for a tough grey
strong tempo
Bias:
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fun Fact | Bjorn Baker | Joshua Parr | 1 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Mushaireb | Michael Freedman | Nash Rawiller | 8 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | White Boots | Kim Waugh | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
MUSHAIREB a touch keen, but much better than usual. All others well apart from DEVLANN, who looked hot in the warm conditions.
In The Running
MUSHAIREB rolled along at a STRONG tempo with FUN FACT a couple of lengths off getting a nice trail. A gap back to WHITE BOOTS and MATOWI.
The Result
FUN FACT (1st) moved up and was too strong from MUSHAIREB fighting on (2nd 3L). A gap back to WHITE BOOTS (3rd 5.3L).
The Interest
They really rolled in this and it sorted out the men from the boys, FUN FACT hard fit and still racing well after a tough Queensland campaign. No love lost for MUSHAIREB and if he adopts those tactics over 2000m on a dry track again soon you'd think he would be winning. The MATOWI (4th 7.4L) and DABIYR (5th 7.9L) form-line simply didn't stack up.
Race 5 THE COOPERS HOTEL NEWTOWN HANDICAP
A talented import makes a strong Aussie debut
steady tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mugatoo | Kris Lees | Robbie Dolan | 9 | 52.0 | |
| 2 | Man of Peace | Matthew Dale | Ms Cejay Graham | 6 | 52.0 | |
| 3 | Our Candidate | Kris Lees | Brock Ryan | 7 | 61.5 |
In The Yard
MAN OF PEACE hard fit, strong and looking well in the yard. VALENTINO ROSSA looked fitter second-up. MUGATOO a bigger galloper carrying a touch of condition first-up in Australia. TORYJOY and ALL TOO SOON OK, but they tend to prefer softer tracks than this one.
In The Running
MAN OF PEACE jumped to the lead and got control of a tempo that was on the STEADY side. MUGATOO slowish to begin and travelling strongly at the back.
The Result
MUGATOO (1st) sprinted well first-up to just grab a brave MAN OF PEACE (2nd 0.2L), who kicked on well. OUR CANDIDATE (3rd 2.7L) ran on well from the back late.
The Interest
He's big, he's got some upside and he did the job here, MUGATOO a nice import that will win plenty more races in Australia. MAN OF PEACE flying and enjoying leading on a firm track. The stayer OUR CANDIDATE back for a good prep too and don't be too harsh on ALL TOO SOON (5th 3L), she is going well and wants a track with more give in it.
Race 6 CITY TATTS BUSHFIRE APPEAL HANDICAP
Two strong jockeys get one over the apprentice
steady tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | To Your Health | Anthony Cummings | Tom Marquand | 5 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Missybeel | Bjorn Baker | Nash Rawiller | 7 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Pumpkin Pie | Michael Freedman | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
HELGA clearly the best in the yard, a strong muscular type that probably doesn't want much further than 1600m. No knock MISSYBEEL. PUMPKIN PIE on her toes as usual and TO YOUR HEALTH was very warm.
In The Running
MISSYBEEL got control of a STEADY tempo and kicked hard into the turn with HELGA on her outside. TO YOUR HEALTH got he nice trail and made an early move, tightening HELGA 250m out.
The Result
TO YOUR HEALTH (1st) chased hard to run down MISSYBEEL (2nd 0.1L) by a narrow margin. PUMPKIN PIE (3rd 0.5L) ran on from midfield to beat home SELES (4th 1.8L) and HELGA (5th 2L).
The Interest
A strong ride from Marquand on TO YOUR HEALTH and Rawiller on MISSYBEEL made young Chris Williams look pretty average on the fav' HELGA here. She lost some momentum and wasn't strong enough to fight back. TO YOUR HEALTH a lovely type with upside if she parades better next time. PUMPKIN PIE doing what she does and running a place.
Race 7 IRON JACK SUPPORTS BUSHFIRE APPEAL CARRINGTON STAKES
Clare and Jason take control in the last
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cradle Mountain | Clare Cunningham | Jason Collett | 12 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Cellarman | Chris Waller | Joshua Parr | 2 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Gaulois | James Cummings | Tommy Berry | 9 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
SOUTHERN LAD a smaller type getting a little bit warm, but that is his normal parade. CELLARMAN the only one worth noting from the yard, relaxed with a nice coat. Most others a touch warm and fine. CRADLE MOUNTAIN looking well second-up too.
In The Running
CRADLE MOUNTAIN got control in the lead and rolled at a STRONG tempo with ALBUMIN on his outside, PASSAGE OF TIME trailing 2W and EVER LOYAL stuck 3W NC. SOUTHERN LAD midfield 2W with CELLARMAN just behind him on the rails and GAOLOIS near the back.
The Result
CRADLE MOUNTAIN (1st) kept lifting to beat home CELLARMAN (2nd 1.3L) chasing up the inside and GAOLOIS (3rd 1.4L) sprinting home out wider. SOUTHERN LAD (4th 1.5L) not far off too.
The Interest
CRADLE MOUNTAIN is a free-striding galloper that bounced off a poor first-up run with a big performance here, rolling along and out-classing the rest. GAOLOIS just exposed a touch too early and will be better third-up. The others had their chance.
Race 8 MARK ALATI BOOKMAKERS HANDICAP
A slice of luck gets a popular sprinter home
strong tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pandemic | James Cummings | Tommy Berry | 1 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Rare Episode | Brad Widdup | Billy Owen | 8 | 61.5 | |
| 3 | True Detective | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 12 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
PANDEMIC and SIR ELTON both looked well in the yard first-up. RARE EPISODE still shining in the coat and looking very healthy. SPIRITUAL PURSUIT buzzed up again.
In The Running
ALL CYLINDERS rolled at a STRONG tempo from RARE EPISODE with SIR ELTON behind them and SPIRITUAL PURSUIT out 3W NC on the pace. PANDEMIC slow to begin and back along the inside. TRUE DETECTIVE held up midfield early in the straight.
The Result
PANDEMIC (1st) ran on best up the inside to catch RARE EPISODE (2nd 0.5L) and ALL CYLINDERS (4th 1.2L). TRUE DETECTIVE (3rd 0.7L) closing off well late too once clear. with SIR ELTON (5th 1.6L) not far away.
The Interest
He was a well-supported fav' and got the win, but PANDEMIC did get the dream run through up the inside from the back, a touch of luck favourite-backers don't always enjoy. TRUE DETECTIVE has come back very well and could have gone close with clear running. SIR ELTON (near hot tempo) and SAFADO (7th 2.3L) did enough fresh.
Race 9 EDNEY RYAN GROUP HANDICAP
fair tempo
: long sprint
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Am Vinnie | David & Coral Feek | Jake Noonan | 6 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Laure Me In | David Pfieffer | Jason Collett | 2 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Poetic Charmer | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tommy Berry | 5 | 58.5 |
