Race Day Review - McKell Cup Day at Royal Randwick

Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 24 May 2014

Track Info

All The Race Finishes

Race 1 TAB EARLY QUADDIE PLATE

A punter's best friend, the favourite wins the first

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Almalad	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Ms Winona Costin	6	56.0
2		Sports Edition	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Blake Shinn	5	56.0
3		Ravenwitch	Peter & Paul Snowden	Tim Clark	3	54.0

Almalad headed up a Gai Waterhouse trifecta

In The Yard

A well-behaved group of two year olds before the first. NEXT LEVEL, ALMALAD and RAVENWITCH all relaxed in the yard. CHOSEN PRAYER was a little unsettled and PRINCESS COMMAND was a bit warm and sweating up.

In The Running

NEXT LEVEL was a little keen and worked across steadily to sit outside the leader SPORTS EDITION, who rolled along freely setting an EVEN TEMPO. CHOSEN PRAYER over-raced early at the back, while MUMBAI ROCK was the unlucky runner stuck wide with no cover in midfield. The short priced favourite, ALMALAD, had a nice trail behind the leaders and edged wider into the better ground around the home turn.

The Result

ALMALAD (1st) cruised up to the leaders and kicked right away in the straight, from SPORTS EDITION (2nd), who maintained his speed to the line. RAVENWITCH (3rd) was very genuine and kept on for a place, while CHOSEN PRAYER (4th) and MCHAWI (5th) both ran on quite well.

The Interest

The winner showed both speed and strength in an impressive display. It's not clear if he has great acceleration yet, it was simply a case of being too good for them this time. SPORTS EDITION performed strongly also and held off the rest of the pack comfortably. The run of CHOSEN PRAYER was probably the next best performance, a surprise for the market given she started at 30/1. She had a lot to give at the home turn and had to switch paths a couple of times before finishing off in the worst ground towards the inside. NEXT LEVEL was a bit keen in the run and possibly could be forgiven for tiring. He might also be suited to a shorter distance. MORE THAN FRANK was disappointing after racing closer to the inside, and while the strong bias (outside preferred) would of had an impact, it doesn't give an excuse for a 13 length margin. He will now be gelded and spelled. Follow ALMALAD and SPORTS EDITION. Forgive CHOSEN PRAYER.

Race 2 SPORTSYEAR HANDICAP

Off The Rails enjoys the expanses of the big Randwick track

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Off the Rails	Bjorn Baker	Christian Reith	3	55.0
2		Elusive Runner	John Sargent	Jason Collett	16	55.0
3		Marvelous Ceramibo	Bjorn Baker	Jeff Lloyd	1	54.0

The Bjorn Baker galloper sustained a good run to win

In The Yard

CASINO DANCER didn't parade well, looking a bit flat in the yard. ROCKABILL had some condition and EAGLE SHAMAN was visibly smaller than most. ELROI, TAKEWING, OFF THE RAILS, FEDERICA and MARVELOUS CERAMIBO paraded best. It was noted that FEDERICA is a nice looking type that usually presents well.

In The Running

ELUSIVE RUNNER, ELROI and EAGLE SHAMAN all lacked early speed and drifted back to the back of the field. ROCKABILL went to lead and set up an EVEN TEMPO, from MAN OF COLOURS who worked up to 2nd. FEDERICA was stuck wide with no cover midfield and OFF THE RAILS got into a good position just behind the leading pack. Both of the leaders made an early run for home 600m out from the finish to get most of the field chasing.

The Result

OFF THE RAILS (1st) was taken wider at the top of the straight and fought right to the line, from ELUSIVE RUNNER (2nd) who mad a long and sustained run from the back of the field. Both MARVELOUS CERAMIBO (3rd) and UNIQUE (4th) boxed on solidly from their on-pace positions.

The Interest

The quality of this race could be a little questionable and there wasn't the standout performance you may have hoped for in an event full of three year olds on the way up. You can't take too much away from the first two over the line though, with OFF THE RAILS seeming like a nice type of three year old and ELUSIVE RUNNER able to maintain a very strong run from an almost impossible position (although bias probably helped). CASINO DANCER paraded like a tired horse, but she is as tough as nails and finished solidly in the worst ground towards the inside. ELROI looked to be tracking into the race reasonably well before the home turn, but he didn't find much down the home straight. The 2000m in this class may have been too much for the powerful gelding at this stage and he now heads back to NZ. Follow OFF THE RAILS and ELUSIVE RUNNER.

Race 3 GIRVAN WAUGH HANDICAP

A professional Waller galloper takes the prize

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Abbasso	Chris Waller	Jason Collett	1	54.0
2		Oxford Poet	Kim Waugh	Taylor Marshall	11	56.0
3		Sabino Speed	Amanda Turner	Jay Ford	12	54.5

Abbasso arrived just in time to win (widest runner)

In The Yard

KATIE'S COVE, ROCKFORD and SABINO SPEED looked in good shape in the yard. EQUATOR was heavy and carrying condition again after his freshen up. LOFTY AMBITION looked in decent shape, but seemed to lack the power of some of the others. LONGMA was a bit unsettled. .

In The Running

OXFORD POET moved to the front from SABINO SPEED. They managed to back off the speed early in the race, before making an early sprint for home, setting up a STOP-START TEMPO. ROCKFORD over-raced slightly at times and MISS TENPINS was stuck wide with no cover in midfield. LOFTY AMBITION (who can race on-pace) was a bit slow to begin and ended up at the back of the field. The short-priced favourite, KATIE'S COVE over-raced in a tight spot for much of the race.

The Result

ABBASSO (1st) enjoyed good cover closer to the inside when the early run for home started, before edging out wider and powering late. OXFORD POET (2nd) and SABINO SPEED (3rd) kept on well after controlling the mid-race sections. LONGMA (4th) finished off well closer to the inside after getting outsprinted slightly on the home turn. The short-priced favourite, KATIE'S COVE (8th), pushed into the clear at the top of the straight and just couldn't raise an effort.

The Interest

While she over-raced during the running, the favourite KATIE'S COVE was still very disappointing. Her previous performances had shown that she had her tricks and was still learning what the game was all about. An impressive galloper that will no doubt reach a good level with more racetrack experience. The first three horses all had good runs which helped them to perform. As soon as the powerful types OXFORD POET and SABINO SPEED conserved energy mid-race they were always going to be hard to catch. ABBASSO did a good job to get the win, but he was aided by a perfect trailing position. The run of the race probably came from LONGMA, who was outsprinted again before finishing off impressively closer to the inside. LOFTY AMBITION hung slightly again and did a good enough job to suggest he can compete well over a longer distance in the near future. Follow LONGMA and LOFTY AMBITION (over further).

Race 4 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP

A tricky race throws up a $23,000 first four

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Breakfast in Bed	John Sargent	Christian Reith	2	55.0
2		Beckon	Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman	Joshua Parr	5	55.5
3		Tralfaz	Gary Portelli	Damien Thornton	3	56.0

Breakfast in Bed enjoyed a peach of a run

In The Yard

INSIDE JOB, TRALFAZ, LIVING ON A PRAYER and CORRYVRECKAN were the best in yard. ZIN ZAN EDDIE looked ok after his long break with just a bit of condition. SWOONING looked fit enough, it was noted that he was a neat type with less power than most in the field. BREAKFAST IN BED was lean and fit, but a bit keen and unsettled.

In The Running

BECKON rolled to the front and wasn't challenged, this meant he could control the race and set up a SLOW TEMPO. INSIDE JOB got to a position outside the leader and TRALFAZ, SWOONING and BREAKFAST IN BED were just behind the leading pair. ZIN ZAN EDDIE was stuck wide with no cover midfield and CORRYVRECKAN missed the start (3L) and ended up at the back of the pack. LIVING ON A PRAYER clipped a heel half-way through the race and nearly fell.

The Result

BREAKFAST IN BED (1st) and TRALFAZ (3rd) steered a course closer to the inside as the pack drifted wider into the straight, the mare finished best to get the prize. BECKON (2nd) fought on after controlling the race.

The Interest

A race that was heavily impacted by the slow tempo. Very difficult to determine the best runs in the race, but there are clearly some excuses for ZIN ZAN EDDIE, CORRYVRECKAN and YOU'LL NEVER. SPECIFIC CHOICE wasn't suited by the conditions of the race also and will be better over slightly further. He also didn't get much attention from the jockey in the straight, with just one light tap with the whip delivered at the 100m. INSIDE JOB looked disappointing, but he isn't the most dynamic sprinter and would have preferred a better tempo. It seemed as though TRALFAZ didn't quite finish the race off and could be better suited at 1000m - 1100m in the future. The import, SWOONING, was genuine enough in the run home and it would have been a concern for connections to see how much speed was lacking. Forgive ZIN ZAN EDDIE, CORRYVRECKAN, SPECIFIC CHOICE (over further) and YOU'LL NEVER (over further).

Race 5 AT SEA HANDICAP

A speedy 'sway back' flashes past her rivals

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Avoid Lightning	Les Bridge	Tim Clark	4	58.0
2		Recoinage	Joseph Pride	James McDonald	2	54.0
3		Hurrara	Garry Frazer	Ms Claire Nutman	9	57.0

Avoid Lightning was simply too good

In The Yard

ALCARAZ looked burly and carried condition in the yard and SEE THE WORLD was not 100% fit. ARINOSA, AVOID LIGHTNING, HURRARA and RECOINAGE all paraded well.

In The Running

TEXAN LAD sped to the lead clearly and set up a GOOD TEMPO, from HURRARA and RECOINAGE a few lengths behind. AVOID LIGHTNING got a nice trail in 4th. ALCARAZ raced ungenerously at the back of the field.

The Result

AVOID LIGHTNING (1st) produced good speed at the finish and won easily. RECOINAGE (2nd) boxed on solidly, while HURRARA (3rd) had TEXAN LAD (4th) fought out the remaining place. There was a big margin to the rest of the field indicating the four mentioned were clearly a level above on the day.

The Interest

An honest tempo helping to bring the class to the top and the first two mares are both nice types that are in form. The winner was more suited to the distance today and is racing at a career best level, while RECOINAGE will perform well over slightly longer in the future. SEE THE WORLD didn't parade as well as he has recently and might have some improvement if they continue with his preparation. ALCARAZ seems a very raw racehorse that has a lot more learning to do. The stewards have asked for a Vet's report on the horse and a number of trials before he will be allowed to race again. Follow AVOID LIGHTNING.

Race 6 W J MCKELL CUP

Makybe Diva's little sis' shows some serious stamina

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		La Amistad	Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes	James McDonald	11	54.0
2		Destiny's Kiss	Joseph Pride	Joshua Parr	1	57.0
3		Secessio	Bob Challis	Christian Reith	12	54.5

La Amistad loomed up and powered away for an easy win

In The Yard

MADAM NASH, ORDER OF THE SUN, SOMMERNACHTSTRAUM and LA AMISTAD all looked good in the yard, but there was no knock on most, apart from perhaps ALZORA, who didn’t present as well as her previous Sydney start. The thick-set PERMIT looked fitter this time.

In The Running

MADAM NASH worked up to the front and set up a FAST TEMPO, from ORDER OF THE SUN. The two of them cleared out to be many lengths ahead of the pack mid-race, which was headed up by ALZORA. SECESSIO was slowly away and went back. PERMIT was stuck three wide with no cover for the early stages, before working forward to face the breeze two wide in fourth Both ALZORA and ZABEELIONAIRE were left in front 450m from home after the leaders stopped quickly.

The Result

LA AMISTAD (1st), DESTINY'S KISS (2nd) and SECESSIO (3rd) all tracked into the race strongly as others tired and they broke away from the field in the straight. The favourite LA AMISTAD finished best of the three in an impressive staying performance.

The Interest

LA AMISTAD is a tough staying mare that seems to be really coming into her own over the longer distances after the Hawkes camp have been patient in getting her to this level. Based on her type, breeding and form to date, even longer will hold no fears and she goes for a spell now with Spring glory her next target. The small and genuine runners SECESSIO, DESTINY'S KISS and WAZN all had their chance given the fast tempo and finished of bravely. PERMIT looked to be a bit exposed in the run and he could be forgiven for his performance. It is hard to comment on ORDER OF THE SUN. Clearly he had to follow a runaway leader the whole race, but it was also a big jump to take on older horses at this level and a 24 length margin is a big one to excuse. Follow LA AMISTAD.

Race 7 JAMES BOAG'S PREMIUM HANDICAP

The young Jason Collett shows some smarts

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Sense And Reason	Robert & Luke Price	Jason Collett	5	54.0
2		Amazon	Les Bridge	Tim Clark	9	55.5
3		Charzed	Jason Deamer	Jay Ford	15	54.5

Sense and Reason ran on with Amazon and just prevailed

In The Yard

A nice group of fillies and mares presented for the race with WALK WITH ATTITUDE looking in much better shape, with a nice shine to her coat. MAMWAAZEL and SENSE AND REASON both were fit and well for Chris Waller, and ORIENTAL LADY seemed ok first-up. The only negative was perhaps for CENTREPET, who looked more like a 1000m - 1200m horse in comparison to the field.

In The Running

I'M IN THE MONEY showed good early speed to come across to the lead and set an EVEN TEMPO. OASIS ROSE raced more forward than usual and got to second in the run, while ZUCCHERINA was stuck three wide with no cover on the pace. AMAZON was slower away than usual and settled in the back half of the field

The Result

SENSE AND REASON (1st) pulled out to the centre of the track and swept home to just beat AMAZON (2nd), who ran on well, but wanted to lay in under pressure. CHARZED (3rd) put in a tough performance to keep on and claim a place and I'M IN THE MONEY (4th) was only just beaten into fourth late after attempting to lead all the way.

The Interest

A nice win from an athletic and lean filly that will probably run well over a slightly longer distance. She is racing in good heart, and so is AMAZON, who could of gone very close to winning if she hadn't of done a couple of small things wrong. MAMWAAZEL was perhaps the victim of a patchy racing surface and didn't sprint as well as usual. She kept on late under only gentle urgings from her rider. I'M IN THE MONEY was very brave in defeat after leading from barrier 14. Follow AMAZON, SENSE AND REASON, MAMWAAZEL and I'M IN THE MONEY.

Race 8 HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP

An elegant stallion just loses out to a Waller warrior

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Eigelstein	Chris Waller	Jim Cassidy	11	59.0
2		Excess Knowledge	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Blake Shinn	14	58.0
3		Generalife	John O'Shea	James McDonald	10	55.0

Eigelstein stayed on best over the closing stages

In The Yard

EXCESS KNOWLEDGE looked stunning in the yard and is sure to make a nice middle-distance horse. ABSALON was fit enough first-up, while EIGELSTEIN looked to have trimmed up well after his first-up run.

In The Running

LOOT'N'RUN rolled to the lead and the Waterhouse galloper EXCESS KNOWLEDGE joined him, setting up an EVEN TEMPO. GENERALIFE was keen slotting in for a position just behind the leaders when there was limited room early in the race. ABSALON was trapped three wide near the pace.

The Result

EIGELSTEIN (1st) built up to the line and finished over the top of the battle between EXCESS KNOWLEDGE (2nd), GENERALIFE (3rd) and LOOT'N'RUN (4th). TAXMEIFYOUCAN put in a spurt closer to this inside and seemed to struggle in the chopped up ground over the last 50m.

The Interest

After a promising first-up run, the Waller runner EIGELSTEIN proved he has come back well this campaign. He finished best when it mattered most and has a habit of making a late surge in these type of races. EXCESS KNOWLEDGE and GENERALIFE both used some energy in the run pushing forward and their runs were both full of merit also. The import EXCESS KNOWLEDGE is an elegant and efficient looking middle-distance type that is sure to enjoy longer distances, and GENERALIFE usually prefers a dry racing surface and did well to compete on the chopped up track late in the day. LOOT'N'RUN is a professional racer these days that corners very well. He almost stole a march on them and if Jason Warren can find a suitable race on a tight track he is sure to close to winning again soon. TAXMEIFYOUCAN made his run towards the inside of the track and could be forgiven. The time for the race was a bit slow but given track conditions it has hard to assess if that is an indicator of a poor form race. Follow EXCESS KNOWLEDGE, EIGELSTEIN and GENERALIFE. Forgive TAXMEIFYOUCAN.