Yard to the Post @ Spring Champion Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 10 October 2015
Chris Waller took advantage of a below-par Spring Champion Stakes to score a valuable Group One win with his Encosta De Lago three-year-old VANBRUGH.
Despite a drift in the market, the favourite strode clear late to beat MAN OF CHOICE and the big-striding I'M BELUCCI, who really charged to the line late. The mediocre time and clumped finish suggest this might not be the form-line for the Derby though.
One race later an unlikely mare lit up the track, CASINO DANCER dominating the Group 3 Angst Stakes by a big margin, just missing Ike's Dreams Royal Randwick 1,600 metre record in the process. The super-genuine five-year-old has already had 49 starts in her career, one of the iron horses of Sydney racing.
In other races, MUSIC MAGNATE continued on his upward spiral and DREAM CHOICE scored a much needed win for Gary Moore.
A full review, from the yard to the post, is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | +6 metres |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR / slightly OFF RAILS |
Race 1 ANTLER LUGGAGE KIRKHAM PLATE
A speedy Spaniard dashes clear
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conchita | Paul Perry | Thomas Huet | 3 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Zafina | Matthew Dale | Ms Winona Costin | 1 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Star Turn | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 2 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
2 year olds in the yard in warm temperatures. MILBO is a stronger type. STAR TURN was fit and bouncing. STAROVSKI is a more muscular type. Others all OK. No knock on the short-priced favourite STAR TURN, who looked big, strong and ready to go.
In The Running
STAROVSKI jumped brilliantly, and then sat outside CONCHITA who kicked up along the inside and set a FAIR tempo. CHAIN SHOT was caught a little wide on the turn. STRAVALI (especially) and MUM’S THE WORD lacked early speed.
The Result
CONCHITA (1st) maintained its speed to draw clear from ZAFINA (2nd) who ran on along the inside. STAR TURN (3rd) got going late. CONCHITA kicked in the straight and STAROVSKI railed and chased gamely.
The Interest
CONCHITA kicked away with the race, while race favourite STAR TURN was always searching for room. ZAFINA kept on along the rail with early indications the track was quite FAIR. STAR TURN still has a bit to learn and was a little reluctant to push into the clear, Tommy Berry reported after the race he was struck across the nose by Corey Brown's whip at the 100m. Follow CONCHITA and STAR TURN.
Race 2 BOWERMANS OFFICE FURNITURE HANDICAP
Big talent from a horse on the rise
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cana | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 6 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Denpurr | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tye Angland | 7 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Cylinder Beach | Desleigh Forster | Regan Bayliss | 5 | 61.0 |
In The Yard
TOUGH and GENUINE, SEEKING ASYLUM back from racing against older horses. A very good-looking field of runners overall, BACHELOR HEIR, FAST CANDY and CANA all looked well.
In The Running
BACHELOR HEIR went through to lead from CANA, who crossed to sit outside the leader. SEEKING ASYLUM and FAST CANDY were just behind them. A FAIR tempo was set up.
The Result
A few horses challenged at the top of the straight, but CANA (1st) held them off in a strong run to the line. DENPURR (2nd) made ground down the outside and CYLINDER BEACH (3rd) ran on along the rails.
The Interest
Not a lot between these, it was good to see a classy looking type progress and score another win (2 from 2 now). CANA can go on from this to better grades with more improvement. CYLINDER BEACH was the other run of note up the inside, a horse that will get better into his preparation over further. Lots of other OK runs in the race, with DENPURR not having best of luck out wider (some interference too). FAST CANDY might need to step back to 1200m. MONTAUK didn't find much room, but probably wouldn't have matched the winner. TREMEZZINA had a small wound to the outside of the off-fore fetlock when coming back to the stables. Follow CYLINDER BEACH, CANA and DENPURR.
Race 3 TFE HOTELS HANDICAP
A dream win for Moore
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dream Choice | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Regan Bayliss | 7 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Better Not Blue | Michelle Ritchie | Ms Jess Taylor | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Press Report | Kris Lees | Jason Collett | 4 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
BETTER NOT BLUE is talented, but a bit keen in the yard. Will he settle in the run? DREAM CHOICE is a genuine on-pace 1200m horse. KASIANO LAD looked well, a touch keen and not the most powerful. BETTER NOT BLUE very feisty.
In The Running
DREAM CHOICE jumped best then handed up to KASIANO LAD who rolled along at a FAIR tempo. PRESS REPORT and DUPE ‘EM enjoyed a nice trail in behind. LAST TRY WINS was restrained.
The Result
DREAM CHOICE (1st) took over at the 300m and showed his power on the line. BETTER NOT BLUE (2nd) took a while to wind up and hit the line from DUPE ‘EM (3rd).
The Interest
DREAM CHOICE simply had too much speed and power, streaking away to win comfortably. His additional muscle was evident in the yard and he dealt with KASIANO LAD (slightly lame after race) quickly. BETTER NOT BLUE can be a handful at times, but settled better this time and ran on well. DUPE ‘EM enjoyed a nice run and had no excuses. PRESS REPORT is just finding it hard to get into the finish, a mare that is just a bit 'plain'. Follow DREAM CHOICE and BETTER NOT BLUE.
Race 4 CELLARBRATIONS OCTOBER HANDICAP
New handicap rules music to Bjorn's ears
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Music Magnate | Bjorn Baker | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | San Diego | John O'Shea | Sam Clipperton | 5 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Cosmic Cube | Chris Waller | Corey Brown | 3 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
COSMIC CUBE, COUNTRYMAN, HEART TESTA (most power) and MUSIC MAGNATE were the best in the yard DESTINY'S KISS and WOULDN'T IT BE NICE are smaller/leaner types.
In The Running
COUNTRYMAN led easily at only a STEADY tempo from HEART TESTA who took the sit. MUSIC MAGNATE and WOULDN’T IT BE NICE enjoyed soft runs in behind.
The Result
MUSIC MAGNATE (1st) was poised and out the race away quickly, while SAN DIEGO (2nd) and COSMIC CUBE (3rd) both ran on well off an unfavourable tempo.
The Interest
MUSIC MAGNATE is a classy type on the improve, and was always well in at the weights. The runs of both place getters SAN DIEGO and COSMIC CUBE were eye-catching making ground off the Steady tempo and can be followed. HEART TESTA quickened momentarily in the straight, however didn't finish the race off after having every chance. Follow the first three.
Race 5 MYER SPRING FASHION HANDICAP
Tough as Oak from start to finish
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Herne's Oak | Bjorn Baker | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Scherzoso | Aaron Purcell | Tommy Berry | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Farolitos | James Cummings | Sam Clipperton | 4 | 60.0 |
In The Yard
Most horses looked well. MR ONE ELEVEN has more power than most, and is a bigger horse. FAROLITOS and HERNE'S OAK are both tough on-pacers, hard to run down. No knock on the bottom three, they all looked well.
In The Running
FAROLITOS led at a STEADY tempo from HERNE'S OAK who sat on his outside. HERNE'S OAK started to put the pressure on at the turn.
The Result
HERNE'S OAK (1st) fought on to win from SCHERZOSO (2nd) who stormed home late. There was a big gap back to FAROLITOS (3rd).
The Interest
The top two are both very good horses that can be followed in the future. HERNE'S OAK has a potent mix of early speed and a strong finishing surge, while SCHERZOSO keeps improving. Follow HERNE'S OAK and SCHERZOSO.
Race 6 MOËT & CHANDON SPRING CHAMPION STAKES
Big, bold and trained by the best
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanbrugh | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 6 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | I'm Belucci | Desleigh Forster | Tim Clark | 9 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Man of Choice | Brad Widdup | Sam Clipperton | 1 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
VANBRUGH owning the yard early, all looked well. The Queenslander I'M BELUCCI is a nice scopey type. TOO GOOD TO REFUSE looked strong, athletic and well. Distance the only risk. FLYING ACHILLES looked a touch hot in the yard, but is a strong type.
In The Running
JADEER led MAN OF CHOICE and FLYING ACHILLES. TATOOSH strode up and sat outside the lead mid-race. FLYING ACHILLES over-raced during the run. A FAIR tempo was set up, DEVIL HAWK making an early move at the 600m to make sure it was a testing run home.
The Result
VANBRUGH (1st) came to the outside and sustained a strong run to beat I’M BELUCCI (2nd), who ran on late. MAN OF CHOICE (3rd) made ground up the inside. TOO GOOD TO REFUSE (5th) quickened to hit the lead but couldn't stay the distance. HIERARCHAL (4th) stayed on down the outside.
The Interest
There was a risk of a STEADY tempo here, but some mid-race pressure from TATOOSH and an interesting early move by DEVIL HAWK (stable-mate of the winner) ensured a good rolling speed, setting it up nicely for the classy VANBRUGH to wind up late. He's a talented type, but it was far from a classic renewal of the Group One feature - this might not be the form-line for the Derby if any carry on that way. I’M BELUCCI and HIERARCHAL can progress over the longer trips, while TOO GOOD TO REFUSE didn't stay the 2000m (loomed up to win). FLYING ACHILLES is a nice type with a lot to learn still. No follows or forgives.
Race 7 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS ANGST STAKES
A long time between drinks
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Casino Dancer | Mike Van Gestel | Ms Winona Costin | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Wine Tales | Chris Waller | Robbie Fradd | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Zarzali | James Cummings | Tim Clark | 14 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
VERGARA, BALLET SUITE, BERRY DELICIOUS and WINE TALES all looked well the in the yard, along with the very pretty PEEPING, who is a risk at 1600m.
In The Running
ROYAL ADVENTURE was joined by QUEEN OF THE LOCHS out in front, striding along at a STRONG tempo. CANDELARA and VERGARA settled in behind the speed. WINE TALES missed the start. 2 races wise throughout.
The Result
CASINO DANCER (1st) eased off the rail before hitting the front at the 200m and broke clear. WINE TALES (2nd) and ZARZALI (3rd) ran on well, however could not make ground on the winner. ORION LOVE (4th) stayed on nearer the inside after getting tightened.
The Interest
Wow! 49 starts later, veteran trainer Van Gestel decided to out the blinkers on Sydney's iron horse CASINO DANCER and boy did it work! WINE TALES ran on again, she had every chance off the STRONG tempo. Staying types ORION LOVE and ZARZALI enjoyed the stamina-sucking test that was set up by the leaders. Don't be too harsh on VERGARA, who stuck on solidly from on-pace. The favourite PEEPING had every chance and peaked late - she didn't stay the 1600m. BALLET SUITE had a poor post-race recovery after a very poor run. Follow CASINO DANCER and VERGARA. Forgive DIVERTIRE.
Race 8 LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevagotavote | Jason Deamer | Ms Samantha Clenton | 5 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Frespanol | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Koby Jennings | 2 | 63.5 | |
| 3 | Good Project | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 1 | 61.0 |
In The Yard
Jockey onto ORATOR early, in a real mood. PLANET PURPLE is a much leaner staying type, lacks power. GOOD PROJECT was ready to go, strong and classy. SABKHAT is a big-striding on-pacer, but does he have the speed on this firm track?