Yard to the Post @ Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 18 July 2015
It was a cold overcast day at Rosehill Gardens, the track rated a testing HEAVY 9.
Jockey Premiership contenders McDonald, Bowman and Shinn all visited the winner's stall, keeping the race for the jockey's premiership as tight as ever with only three 'Metro' race meetings left.
The feature Listed Winter Stakes provided a thrilling finish, Waller's consistent wet-tracker RUGGED CROSS driving through to defeat TWO BLUE on the line after many thought WOULDN'T IT BE NICE had the race all in his keeping at the furlong mark. It's not the first time this preparation Perry's galloper has loomed, but lacked the heart to finish off.
The most impressive win of the day came from SHIRAZ, who toyed with his rivals to win easily. It's 'black-type' racing for McEvoy's talented sprinter from now on, a galloper that has the scope to succeed up to a mile and maybe even beyond.
In earlier races, the genuine filly BERRY DELICIOUS continued on her winning ways coming from last to score, while JAPONISME saluted for the Inghams in the two-year-old event.
Read below for the full yard to the post review.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | HEAVY 9 |
| Weather | OVERCAST |
| Bias | NO BIAS |
Race 1 COHORT GLOBAL HANDICAP
This Waller stayer made it three on the trot
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soviet Courage | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 5 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Space | Michael Moroney | Sam Clipperton | 2 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Der Meister | Paul Perry | Thomas Huet | 4 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
The four runners all looked well. A tactical affair ahead.
In The Running
SPACE set a Steady Tempo from CABALISTIC, SOVIET COURAGE and DER MEISTER with runners staying on these positions until the turn.
The Result
SOVIET COURAGE (1st) quickened off the Steady Tempo to get the better of SPACE (2nd). DER MEISTER (3rd) ground away in behind while CABALISTIC (4th) loomed briefly at the top of the straight and weakened to the line.
The Interest
Giving weight away, SOVIET COURAGE was simply too good for the small field making it a hat-trick of wins. Now edging up in the ratings, Waller will look to place him strategically in the coming weeks. SPACE (outsider of the four) stuck on well after leading, while DER MEISTER showed he is a grinding type as he couldn't quicken when required. No follows or forgives.
Race 2 LADBROKES.COM.AU HANDICAP
Classy Godolphin filly puts it together
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alegria | Darren Beadman | James McDonald | 2 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Elle Lou | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 6 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Duccio | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Thomas Huet | 7 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
DUCCIO and FRANCESCO looked big and strong. ALEGRIA was very relaxed. ELUSIVE CATCH has a nice balanced frame. No knock others.
In The Running
ELLE LOU set a Steady Tempo from DUCCIO with ALEGRIA and FRANCESCO in behind. FIFTY EIGHT FACETS and STEAMIN' were slow to begin.
The Result
ALEGRIA (1st) took advantage of an inside run as ELLE LOU (2nd) edged off the rail turning. These two staged a two horse war to the line from DUCCIO (3rd) which stuck on ok.
The Interest
James McDonald reclaimed the premiership lead as he shook up ALEGRIA to get the better of ELLE LOU which drifted off the rails at the top of the straight. Being handier to speed made the difference in the end and the classy Godolphin filly continues to improve. DUCCIO stuck on well and can always be backed on a wet track while stablemate FRANCESCO didn't get through the heavy conditions and displayed a poor post-race recovery and mildrespiratory distress. Follow ALEGRIA.
Race 3 BOB INGHAM HANDICAP
The Ingham's have a nice type on their hands
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japonisme | Chris Waller | Rory Hutchings | 6 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | King's Troop | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Brenton Avdulla | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Tatoosh | Will Clarken & Niki O'Shea | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
ZOUTENANT a little on toes. KING’S TROOP is a smaller, compact type. VOILIER is carrying some condition. No knock others.
In The Running
KING’S TROOP railed up to lead CARRIAGES (urged forward) at a FAIR TEMPO. JAPONISME and ZOUTENANT took the sit in behind.
The Result
Fitness and race experience told as JAPONISME used the rail to make it two wins in a row. It was a solid debut effort from KING’S TROOP and the colt is sure to improve from that with confidence from the stable. The first two home were dominant from the home turn and will pay to follow. TATOOSH worked home nicely and a rise in distance may suit. CARRIAGES weakened from on pace to tail off the field. Follow JAPONISME and KING’S TROOP.
Race 4 ALPHA FLIGHT SERVICES HANDICAP
This girl is flying
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berry Delicious | Jason Coyle | Ms Winona Costin | 4 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Sense And Reason | Robert & Luke Price | Glyn Schofield | 1 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Breakfast in Bed | John Sargent | Blake Shinn | 6 | 60.0 |
In The Yard
BERRY DELICIOUS is maintaining fitness. COMMANDING WIT and TRANSFERS have good muscle. SENSE AND REASON nice and toned.
In The Running
BREAKFAST IN BED went straight to the lead and set a STEADY TEMPO from TRANSFERS with COMMANDING WIT and SENSE AND REASON enjoying a nice drop on the leaders.
The Result
BERRY DELICIOUS (1st) showed the best turn-of-foot and came up the inside to hold off SENSE AND REASON (2nd) which also did the same. These two spaced BREAKFAST IN BED (3rd) which held on after leading.
The Interest
Winona Costin bided her time at the back and saved ground as she kept to the inside and let the horse do the rest making it three on the trot. SENSE AND REASON enjoyed being a little closer in running and had every chance, pushing the winner to the line - she simply couldn't sustain her run like the winner. BREAKFAST IN BED wasn't disgraced carrying the top weight and boxed on OK. COMMANDING WIT enjoyed a nice sit however couldn't quicken in the straight, while AMAZON chased hard to the line out wider. No follows or forgives.
Race 5 PRIMO SMALLGOODS HANDICAP
There are better races in store for this classy gelding
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shiraz | Kim Waugh | Hugh Bowman | 9 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Countryman | Michael Kent | James McDonald | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Casual Choice | Joseph Pride | Thomas Huet | 1 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
SHIRAZ was toned and relaxed. CASUAL CHOICE and COUNTRYMAN looked strong. MOUNT NEBO is more compact.
In The Running
COUNTRYMAN jumped nicely and ran to the lead setting a Fair Tempo from SHIRAZ which pressed forward after being caught wide from an outside gate.
The Result
SHIRAZ (1st) blew away his rivals from the top of the straight under a confident ride beating home COUNTRYMAN (2nd) which stuck on with CASUAL CHOICE (3rd) trying hard out wider.
The Interest
It was effortless for the favourite SHIRAZ who raced handier to the speed from the awkward gate. The victory never looked in doubt as Bowman sat confidently and had the leader COUNTRYMAN beaten a long way out. The gelding is now unbeaten this preparation and still on the up. CASUAL CHOICE held his position 3rd all the way up the straight. Follow SHIRAZ.
Race 6 HUNGRY JACKS HANDICAP
Weight didn't stop this in-form gelding
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forget | Kim Waugh | Blake Shinn | 9 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Dragon Flyer | John Thompson | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Radical Impact | Nick Mitchell | Thomas Huet | 6 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
DRAGON FLYER is still getting fitter. DANCE OF HEROES looked toned and solid. RADICAL IMPACT is a leggy type.
In The Running
FOOTY FAN used natural gate speed to lead FORT SUMTER at a Fair Tempo. POLTAVA and RADICAL IMPACT settled in behind. SCRATCH ME LUCKY missed the start (4L).
The Result
FORGET powered up the middle and showed a good turn-of-foot to beat DRAGON FLYER who held off RADICAL IMPACT in a tight go for the minors. SCRATCH ME LUCKY finished well out wide.
The Interest
FORGET had the form on the board, racing well through the winter months, and proved the 60.5kg was no problem as he extended well for an easy win. RADICAL IMPACT brushed with the winner around 200m from home, with jockey Thomas Huet lodging a protest that was quickly dismissed. DRAGON FLYER also raced tightly over the concluding stages and added another place finish to his tally. SCRATCH ME LUCKY ran on very well after missing the start a long way. DANCE OF HEROES failed to handle the Heavy conditions. Forgive SCRATCH ME LUCKY.
Race 7 SYDNEY MARKETS LIMITED WINTER STAKES
Another tough Waller gelding gets the job done
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rugged Cross | Darren Weir | Brenton Avdulla | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Two Blue | Kristen Buchanan | Paul King | 7 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Wouldnt It Be Nice | Paul Perry | Thomas Huet | 9 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
TWO BLUE strong-set. LIBERTY'S CHOICE showing solid muscle. SPURTONIC to benefit from the run. RUGGED CROSS a neat type.
In The Running
TWO BLUE strode to the front to lead HAUSSMANN at a Fair Tempo. LIBERTY'S CHOICE enjoyed a nice run in behind with NOELA'S CHOICE.
The Result
WOULDN'T IT BE NICE (3rd) loomed up strongly only to be denied by the two on his inside with RUGGED CROSS (1st) driving through late to defeat TWO BLUE (2nd) in the last stride.
The Interest
RUGGED CROSS is one of Waller's tougher campaigners, and his will to win saw him home over the concluding stages lifting late on the line. TWO BLUE looked strong in the yard, and ran accordingly fighting on from the lead. WOULDN'T IT BE NICE seemed to peak on his run after looking the winner out wider. SEE THE WORLD, CANNY BALLARD and NOELA'S CHOICE were all hampered rounding the home turn while HAUSSMANN did not seem to handle the Heavy conditions. No follows or forgives.
Race 8 FORUM GROUP HANDICAP
The money was spot on giving Waller four winners
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marenostro | Gayna Williams | James McDonald | 10 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Richard the First | Max Crockett | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Scottish Border | Garry Frazer | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
GRANDE PUNTO powerful. MARENOSTRO neat and balanced. RICHARD THE FIRST an athletic type. Others ok.
In The Running
GRANDE PUNTO set a Fair Tempo from MARENOSTRO with PUNCH YOUR WEIGHT and RICHARD THEFIRST in behind.
The Result
MARENOSTRO (1st) raced away at the top of the straight for an easy victory with RICHARD THE FIRST (2nd) chasing hard as he always does. They put a large gap on SCOTTISH BORDER (3rd).
The Interest
James McDonald gave Chris Waller winner number four for the day as he guided the best horse in the race to an easy victory. Although he had no cover, MARENOSTRO ranged up on straightening and he was simply too strong for these. RICHARD THE FIRST chased hard and is very genuine, now just needs to find his right race. GRANDE PUNTO weakened after leading and was disappointing. Follow MARENOSTRO.