Race Day Review - Saturday Racing at Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 05 July 2014
Darley showed off an improving galloper and Jo Pride unveiled a powerful sprinter, but the show was stolen by Blake Shinn and Wendy Walter as they combined to win on I've Got The Looks (pictured above).
A patient ride from the star jockey paid off as the flashy sprinting mare finished too powerfully for her rivals first-up to win. Things hadn't looked so good at the top of the straight, with the Walter trained horse crowded for room in between Kristy Lee and Fine Bubbles. The gap came late and Shinn didn't need a second invitation as he pushed her through. He commented after the race that the win "was meant to be".
A tasteful tribute took place for Guy Walter later in the day, remembering his greatest moments, including the champion Tie The Knot.
The main events were won by Generalife, who stepped up to a new level, and Casual Choice, a sprinter that looks to have a good career ahead with Joe Pride. While the track was dry and it looked to be fair, there were a few tricks for punters as some on-pace runners underperformed.
A race-by-race analysis of the day is provided from the mounting yard to the finish. The complete guide from your team at the track.
Track Info
| Rail | +3m ENTIRE CIRCUIT |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | NONE (slight preferance for OFF PACE runners) |
All The Race Finishes
Race 1 TAB EARLY QUADDIE HANDICAP
Pure power from a promising youngster
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delectation | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Wine Tales | Chris Waller | Tim Clark | 2 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Inkling | Peter & Paul Snowden | Joshua Parr | 3 | 57.0 |
Delectation finished strongly to win
In The Yard
All horses looked well. DELECTATION, INKLING and WINE TALES were clearly the most powerful. SWAYZEE was leaner and more athletic type. POP A BOTTLE was on his toes first-up.
In The Running
SHEER STYLE jumped best to lead and controlled an EVEN tempo. INKLING moved up to second and over-raced slightly when he was restrained. WINE TALES went back and DELECTATION was restrained to last, over-racing again. As they turned DELECTATION was pushed wider and tracked up with no cover.
The Result
INKLING (3rd) put pressure on SHEER STYLE (5th) and took the lead at the top of the straight, but DELECTATION (1st) finished too powerfully down the outside. WINE TALES (2nd) ran on solidly after getting a nice split at the top of the straight.
The Interest
DELECTATION is simply an impressive horse. It was a classy win and he looks a good one to follow. WINE TALES also seems a nice type and she perhaps has scope in her frame to get further. INKLING clearly has talent and is still learning what racing is all about. He might have been better suited being allowed to run freely, but the stable will be trying to teach him better racing manners. The top three are all nice horses, especially the winner. Follow DELECTATION, INKLING and WINE TALES.
Race 2 DRUMMOND GOLF HANDICAP
A Melbourne visitor enjoys the big Rosehill circuit
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Space | Michael Moroney | Jeff Lloyd | 4 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Sense of Occasion | Kris Lees | Blake Shinn | 8 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Saghann | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 9 | 57.0 |
Space stayed on too well
In The Yard
TOHUNGA, SENSE OF OCCASION, SAGHANN, and FELIX BAY all looked well in the yard. SPACE had more power in his frame than most, quite a solid type. CARRY ON SINGING look a bit hot, as were a few others, including STRIKE ME LUCKY and FELIX BAY.
In The Running
TOHUNGA came across to lead and set up an EVEN TEMPO that gradually increased. SENSE OF OCCASION worked up to get a nice trail 2nd, with FELIX BAY in the box seat. SAGHANN and STRIKE ME LUCKY got right back, as did PLATINUM JACK, who was slow to jump. STRIKE ME LUCKY settled inside horses on the rails and didn't look comfortable early in the race. TOHUNGA started to push on for home from the 700m mark and got most of the field chasing.
The Result
SENSE OF OCCASION (2nd) took the lead at the top of the straight and fought on bravely, but SPACE (1st) stayed on too well late to take the prize. SAGHANN (3rd) ran on again to take a place.
The Interest
TOHUNGA's early move set it up for the solid rolling type SPACE to take the prize. The winner is a robust stayer, with more power than the younger horse and he seemed to enjoys the big Rosehill circuit. The horse with the most scope does look like SENSE OF OCCASION though. His effort was a good performance for a three year old with a big weight, despite losing out late. TOHUNGA might suit a wet track slightly better. SAGHANN is pretty lean and might be a good horse to take back to a tighter track like Warwick Farm. Follow SENSE OF OCCASION.
Race 3 HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP
Josh Parr masters a tricky horse
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wonderbolt | Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones | Joshua Parr | 6 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Encostanati | Bjorn Baker | Jason Collett | 2 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | El Sasso | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tim Clark | 9 | 58.5 |
Wonderbolt flashed home for a good win
In The Yard
ENCOSTANATI, HOT HIT and CHOICE SNITZEL paraded best. WONDERBOLT is a nice type, but was already keen. MR ENTERTAINER was nice and calm.
In The Running
ZABA ZABA DOO missed the start slightly and went back. There was an early speed battle and HOT HIT pushed on to lead, setting a GOOD TEMPO, from CHOICE SNITZEL in second and ENCOSTANATI box seated. WONDERBOLT settled better than he usually does off the rolling tempo.
The Result
ENCOSTANATI (2nd) loomed up and hit the lead, but WONDERBOLT (1st) peeled out widest and ran on strongly. EL SASSO (3rd) was solid running on from the back and HOT HIT (4th) kept on ok.
The Interest
The pieces of the puzzle fell into place for the winner WONDERBOLT. He can improve, but still has a lot to learn and races won't always work out as well as this one. He should be followed with caution in the future. Not much else to report apart from FOREIGN PRINCE's run, which was good enough first-up for a horse that likes to get out and lead. ENCOSTANATI and EL SASSO put in solid runs. CHOICE SNITZEL was given a very tough run first up, but did drop out to last. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 4 THERACES.COM.AU HANDICAP
Patience and class from Walter and Shinn
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I've Got the Looks | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 8 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Kristy Lee | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Fine Bubbles | Kris Lees | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 54.0 |
I've Got the Looks sprinted best to win
In The Yard
KRISTY LEE, LADY OF HARRODS and I’VE GOT THE LOOKS paraded best in the yard. NIOBE was a little keen and unsettled.
In The Running
BREAKFAST IN BED was a bit slow and got back. WATT LUCK led LADY OF HARRODS no pressure was applied, setting up a SLOW TEMPO. LADY OF HARRODS was a bit keen in the run and I’VE GOT THE LOOKS was restrained to last.
The Result
I’VE GOT THE LOOKS (1st) sprinted through a tight gap and finished too well for KRISTY LEE (2nd), who also ran on well. FINE BUBBLES (3rd) ran on behind the first two and just caught LADY OF HARRODS (4th) who had hit the front early in the straight.
The Interest
A great result for Wendy Walter on the stable's last day. I’VE GOT THE LOOKS was ready to go in the yard and produced a great win. She has clearly come back well, and KRISTY LEE remains in form, with both of the sprinting from the back off an unsuitable slow tempo. BREAKFAST IN BED didn't look as well in the yard this time and drifted in the market. She was crowded for room at a critical moment, but may be coming to the end of her prep. Winona Costin probably rode LADY OF HARRODS a bit 'pretty', she was travelling well early in the straight and wasn't asked for the full effort until the 300m. Follow KRISTY LEE and I’VE GOT THE LOOKS.
Race 5 TAB QUADDIE HANDICAP
South American stamina proves too strong
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sabor a Triunfo | Darren Weir | Joshua Parr | 9 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Black Jag | Chris Waller | Serg Lisnyy | 7 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Dream Folk | Gregory Hickman | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 8 | 54.0 |
Sabor A Triunfo stayed on best to just win
In The Yard
SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD, BLACK JAG and DREAM FOLK paraded best. RUGGED CROSS was smaller than the rest, not an obvious staying type. SABOR A TRIUNFO paraded nicely, she was taller and more athletic than the others.
In The Running
BLACK JAG moved to the lead and rolled along, setting an EVEN TEMPO. KEEP COOL moved up to second and DARCI BE GOOD got the box seat. SABOR A TRIUNFO and DREAM FOLK were restrained at the back.
The Result
SABOR A TRIUNFO (1st) stoked up and finished too well down the outside and just beat BLACK JAG (2nd), who kicked well in the straight. DREAM FOLK (3rd) worked through gaps and finished off ok late.
The Interest
It seems SABOR A TRIUNFO has the most scope in this race and she could improve over further distance. BLACK JAG was as solid as a rock and DREAM FOLK did ok, but had every chance. SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD was disappointing and may need a wet track to perform at his best. The experiment to try RUGGED CROSS over a longer trip wasn't a success. KEEP COOL and TRANSONIC were both very honest. Follow SABOR A TRIUNFO and BLACK JAG.
Race 6 CIVIC STAKES
The big 'General' reaches a new level
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Generalife | John O'Shea | Sam Clipperton | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Bennetta | Grahame Begg | Jeff Lloyd | 7 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | He's Your Man | Chris Waller | Tim Clark | 9 | 54.0 |
Generalife produced a career best performance to win
In The Yard
TOUGHER THAN EVER and HE’S YOUR MAN paraded best. HE’S YOUR MAN looked a nice type with sculpted muscle, but perhaps lacked the pure strength and speed of others. CAPITAL COMMANDER paraded poorly, looking hot and unsettled. All others looked well.
In The Running
HIDDEN KISSES was restrained and went back. CAPITAL COMMANDER rolled forward from TROMSO in second. OAKFIELD COMMANDS and TOUGHER THAN EVER settled just off the pace, which was an EVEN TEMPO. TOUGHER THAN EVER loomed at the top of the straight, but it was clear he didn't have his mind on the job.
The Result
GENERALIFE (1st) peeled out wider and exploded to win well, from BENNETTA (2nd) who kept on solidly. HE’S YOUR MAN (3rd) finished off down the outside late.
The Interest
It turns out GENERALIFE is clearly better on top of the ground. The win was a step up from his last start win on a slow track, which had some wondering if he was a 'dry tracker' after all. BENNETTA did what she usually does and HE’S YOUR MAN has come back well, judging by both the money in the ring and the run. THE PEAK was blocked when he started to track up with the placegetters, so should be forgiven. Follow GENERALIFE and HE’S YOUR MAN. Forgive THE PEAK.
Race 7 DE BORTOLI WINES HANDICAP
Jo Pride finds another good sprinter
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Casual Choice | Joseph Pride | Jason Collett | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Cradle Me | David Pfieffer | Tim Clark | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Earnest Ernest | Joseph Pride | Ms Winona Costin | 8 | 54.0 |
Casual Choice just beat the in-form Cradle Me
In The Yard
BIG BONANZA didn't look 100% fit, a bigger horse that carries some muscle bulk. STRATURBO was a level below the rest, a smaller type. There were no knock on favourites, including CRADLE ME who looked well. It was noted that both CASUAL CHOICE and ERNEST EARNEST were big and powerful types, with more muscle. CASUAL CHOICE was keen and on his toes.
In The Running
ZARATONE led and controlled a SLOW TEMPO, with HURRARA travelling easily on his outside. BIG BONANZA wasn't quick from the gates and got stuck wide in third. CRADLE ME jumped well to box seat and CASUAL CHOICE settled behind the mare.
The Result
CASUAL CHOICE (1st) stormed up the inside to win, from CRADLE ME (2nd) who had loomed to hit the front and kept fighting on. They both cleared out from EARNEST ERNEST (3rd) who ran on ok.
The Interest
The top three just had too much power over the last 300m after the field packed at the turn. CASUAL CHOICE was bubbling in the yard and ready to win, while CRADLE ME produced another good effort. There was a big gap to third, filled by ERNEST EARNEST, one of Sydney's perennial place-getters. Before the race, Bjorn Baker reported that ZARATONE was injured after his last race, and added to that, it wasn't an easy day to lead and win. He could be forgiven, but as an eight year old there probably aren't many chances left. Follow CRADLE ME and CASUAL CHOICE.
Race 8 SYDNEY SPRING CARNIVAL ON SALE NOW HANDICAP
A patient preperation pays off
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | You'll Never | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 7 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Ideal Position | Jeff Brasch | Ms Winona Costin | 5 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Reigning | Eric Musgrove | Jason Collett | 8 | 56.5 |
You'll Never sustained a good run to win again
In The Yard
LONGSHOREMAN looked very well and there were no knocks most others. YOU'LL NEVER was in solid shape again, while REUNITE perhaps carried some condition still. MULTILATERAL appears to have come back in fine fashion, but lacked some of the power of others in the yard for 1500m.
In The Running
LONGSHOREMAN jumped quickly, but WILD AND PROUD and IMPERIL pushed on hard early to take the lead. A START-STOP TEMPO resulted when the horses slowed down slightly mid-race. YOU’LL NEVER pulled to the outside when the pace slowed mid-race.
The Result
YOU’LL NEVER (1st) sustained a good run to win, from IDEAL POSITION (2nd) who fought on bravely. REIGNING (3rd), REUNITE (4th) and MULTILATERAL (5th) all worked home well.
The Interest
The on-pacers really suffered in this one after working early, with all of them tiring late, including two of the horses in the market IMPERIL and LONGSHOREMAN. YOU’LL NEVER has had a very patient preparation culminating in two wins back-to-back at this better distance range for him. He even looks like a mile may be possible on type. MULTILATERAL can be followed soon. He is looking very well in the yard and wasn't asked to do much. REIGNING was solid to the line under riding. Follow YOU’LL NEVER and MULTILATERAL. Forgive IMPERIL and LONGSHOREMAN.