Yard to the Post | Randwick Guineas Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 04 March 2023
A day of classic racing at Royal Randwick and there was drama in almost every finish.
From the heavyweights going head-to-head in the two-year-old races, to the enigmatic Group One sprinter ARTORIUS breaking his two-year drought and a protest in the last, today had it all.
In the feature Group One Randwick Guineas Michael Freedman’s gelding COMMUNIST ($16) was too tough for the favoured colts ZOU TIGER ($4.2) and AFT CABIN ($2.6 fav), who both disappointed and didn’t seem to run out the testing mile.
Melbourne-raider PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE got her nose down to beat the veteran EDUARDO in the Group Two Challenge Stakes over 1,000 metres. And it was the Group One Canterbury Stakes that saw ARTORIUS burst through the pack late to run down star Kiwi mare IMPERATRIZ in the final strides.
A full review by Mike Wood is provided below. Mounting yard quotes from Sky Racing’s Corey Brown and Chantelle Buckley.
Track Info
| Rail | +6 metres |
| Conditions | SOFT 6 to SOFT 5 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | NEAR RAILS (inside lanes), slightly near pace |
Race 1 MIDWAY HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
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| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luvoir | Jason Attard & Lucy Keegan-Attard | Zac Lloyd | 11 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Navajo Peak | David Payne | Tim Clark | 2 | 61.0 | |
| 3 | Carolina Fire | Lee & Cherie Curtis | Reece Jones | 5 | 52.5 |
In The Yard
No yard comments of note.
In The Running
CAROLINA FIRE jumped to a clear lead with LUVOIR (touch keen) moving up on her outside and taking the lead mid-race, stretching the field out. HERB near pace and keen early. SONGBIRD SERENADE out 3W NC.
The Result
LUVOIR (1st) kept going and held on from NAVAJO PEAK (2nd) chasing well with the big weigh and CAROLINA FIRE (3rd) not far off.
The Interest
LUVOIR is a talented horse with more than a few quirks which new trainers Jason Attard and Lucy Keegan-Attard have been trying to iron out this preparation. He had dropped down in grade in recent starts and showed better form at Rosehill Gardens last time out when 2nd. Apprentice Zac LLoyd let the horse flow once he started to play tricks and go keenly mid-race, the low weight of 54.5kg and fitness seventh-up helping to get him across the line. To be fair to him he has usually shown some fight late even when out of form. NAVAJO PEAK has come back well and did a good job chasing the speed with 62kg on his back second-up. HERB ran an OK race too given he was keen early and MIYOSHI ran on nicely from the back. The inside lanes seemed to be favoured on the day and near pace helped.
Race 2 UNSW TODMAN STAKES
fair tempo
Bias:
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| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cylinder | James Cummings | James McDonald | 5 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Red Resistance | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Brett Prebble | 3 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Militarize | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 1 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
No knocks on the colts in the yard. CYLINDER "a lot more settled", RED RESISTANCE "stunning" and the big boy CAFE MILLENIUM "a lot more switched on".
In The Running
RED RESISTANCE took up the running from CYLINDER on his outside. CAFE MILLENIUM looking keen and raw at the back.
The Result
CYLINDER (1st) knuckled down and fought past a very game RED RESISTANCE (2nd) with a big gap to the rest.
The Interest
RED RESISTANCE was unbeaten coming into this race and CYLINDER probably should have been unbeaten, making this an exciting match-up between two leading contenders for the G1 Golden Slipper. They all looked sharp in the yard and the race didn't disappoint. James McDonald moved CYLINDER into a comfortable rhythm outside the leader and he kept in touch with RED RESISTANCE before fighting on best over the final 200 metres to win by 0.7 lengths. The time and sectionals once again suggesting the best colts have the edge on the fillies ahead of the Slipper.
Race 3 YARRAMAN PARK REISLING STAKES
strong tempo
Bias:
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| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Learning To Fly | Annabel Neasham | Chad Schofield | 2 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Facile | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Tim Clark | 4 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Cigar Flick | Chris Waller | Nash Rawiller | 6 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
No knocks in the yard. LEARNING TO FLY a "real perfect 2YO" and FACILE had "come through the run beautifully".
In The Running
FACILE pushed on to try and lead early, but Chad Schofield kicked up on the inside to make sure favourite LEARNING TO FLY took up the running. A STRONG tempo was set up.
The Result
LEARNING TO FLY (1st) and FACILE (2nd) settled down to a two-horse which lasted the length of the Randwick straight. A big gap to CIGAR FLICK (3rd) and an even bigger gap to MATHKHOORA (4th) who was well beaten and eased down.
The Interest
The excitement before the Golden Slipper continued to build with yet another grandstand finish between two talented 2YOs. FACILE had the bias against last time she met LEARNING TO FLY in the Inglis Millenium and she pushed the Golden Slipper favourite all the way here. The time was slower than the colts, but they may have gone a touch too quick over the first 400m. Surprising the market kept first starter MATHKHOORA ($5) so tight in this grade on debut.
Race 4 TAB RANDWICK CITY STAKES
steady tempo
Bias:
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| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir Lucan | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Nash Rawiller | 3 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Bullfinch | Reece Goodwin | Craig Williams | 6 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Bonny Ezra | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 9 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
SACRAMENTO a bit "warm in places" and SIR LUCAN looked fit enough first-up.
In The Running
SIR LUCAN took up the running with stablemate SACRAMENTO lacking the early speed to get on-pace this time (6th 2W WC). BULLFINCH moved up outside the leader. Only a STEADY tempo set up so the leaders were suited.
The Result
SIR LUCAN (1st) kicked on best to beat BULLFINCH (2nd) with BONNY EZRA (3rd) quickening from the pack to run into a place and SACRAMENTO (4th) building into the race late.
The Interest
There was an avalanche of money for SIR LUCAN in the final few seconds before jump and Nash Rawiller made sure the plunge hit the mark. He's a talented stayer that failed in the Melbourne Cup, but a recent gelding and some Waterhouse Bott training polish has got him back on track. BONNY EZRA and SACRAMENTO (needed to lead or more tempo) both decent runs too. SACRAMENTO looking like a real grinding type this prep that probably needs further to find his preferred controlling position on-pace.
Race 5 TOKYO CITY KEIBA FIREBALL STAKES
strong tempo
Bias:
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| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dashing Legend | Joseph Pride | Brenton Avdulla | 12 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Kote | Blake Ryan | Craig Williams | 9 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Economics | Annabel Neasham | James McDonald | 11 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
Some improved behaviour in the yard from KOTE (Norton bit on) and ECONOMICS. The filly DASHING LEGEND a nice type that was a bit unsettled as she was first-up.
In The Running
As expected the speed was hot and ECONOMICS (3W NC) couldn't cross to lead. DASHING LEGEND (6th 3W WC) got the nice trail flowing behind the favourite.
The Result
DASHING LEGEND (1st) moved up and broke clear for a big win over the chasing pack, KOTE (2nd) running on late to grab a brave ECONOMICS (3rd) late.
The Interest
DASHING LEGEND a lovely type of filly with scope, strength and athleticism. She beat Insurrection (has a win over ECONOMICS) last campaign and was impressive first-up so it's no surprise she ran well, but the big winning margin suggests she's a horse on the rise. Stretching to 1200m in better grade should be no issues on type and pedigree if she settles down a touch (both in yard and in race). KOTE much better ridden quietly off the testing tempo. ECONOMICS left hanging out wide and beat the other on-pacers by a margin.
Race 6 HYLAND RACE COLOURS CHALLENGE STAKES
fair tempo
Bias:
rails-6w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Passive Aggressive | Grahame Begg | Jordan Childs | 9 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Eduardo | Joseph Pride | Nash Rawiller | 8 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Giga Kick | Clayton Douglas | Craig Williams | 4 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
EDUARDO looking "as good as ever" and REMARQUE "parading beautifully". GIGA KICK a stronger type this campaign, but "starting to get a bit hot".
In The Running
EDUARDO took up the running easily from PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE. GIGA KICK slowish to begin and squeezed out as PAULELE jumped to his right, leaving him out the back. No pressure was put on and EDUARDO controlled a FAIR to STEADY tempo.
The Result
PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE (1st) and EDUARDO (2nd) kicked on strongly and crossed the line together. GIGA KICK (3rd) produced stunning sectionals to run home from the back.
The Interest
Two fast on-pace 1000m sprinters at opposite ends of their career controlled this race. PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE is a promising 4YO daughter of Fastnet Rock that handled the step up in grade and fought hard to scrape home. The veteran EDUARDO was good again, but the 9YO had his chance and the races don't get easier for him from here. GIGA KICK the run of the race lighting up the turf with a 10.39 from the 400m to the 200m after getting shoved into a hopeless spot out the back early.
Race 7 FURPHY CANTERBURY STAKES
fair tempo
Bias:
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| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Artorius | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Zac Purton | 8 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Imperatriz | Mark Walker | James McDonald | 7 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Electric Girl | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Zac Lloyd | 1 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
The favourite IMPERATRIZ looked "sensational", while the first-up ARTORIUS had "dapples" and "looks ready". KIRWAN'S LANE "probably not ready".
In The Running
ELECTRIC GIRL got an easy lead after LOMBARDO was a touch slow to jump. IMPERATRIZ moved up outside the leader. ARTORIUS jumped nearer the back and was urged to hold a spot midfield (7th 2W WC).
The Result
ARTORIUS (1st) weaved through late and surged hard to grab IMPERATRIZ (2nd) in the final strides. ELECTRIC GIRL (3rd) and GOLDEN MILE (4th) not far away.
The Interest
ARTORIUS is one of the quirkiest horses in training An awkward ride that can be slow to begin and lose momentum around the turn, one thing he has always possessed is a relentless finishing surge that often sees him flashing through the field late for a place. That wasn't the case today though as Zac Purton pieced together the perfect race and ARTORIUS' V8 engine kicked into gear right when it was needed. Was IMPERATRIZ idling in the lead? Hard to say, but she did cruise up like a good thing 300m from home and was far from disgraced.
Race 8 THE AGENCY RANDWICK GUINEAS
fair tempo
Bias:
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| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communist | Michael Freedman | Zac Purton | 7 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Lindermann | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 12 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Zou Tiger | John O'Shea | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
No yard comments of note.
In The Running
HOLLYWOOD HERO went through to lead from LINDERMANN working up on his outside. COMMUNIST settled nicely midfield (5th 2W WC). AFT CABIN taken back this time (8th 2W WC). Tom Sherry made a play for the lead on MATCHA LATTE early and he started to race keenly once the leader got up inside him. WILLIAMSBURG also keen midfield after Ryan Maloney urged him to hold a spot in the 2W line.
The Result
COMMUNIST (1st) moved up smoothly, hit the lead at the 200m and went clear from LINDERMANN (2nd) fighting on well. ZOU TIGER (3rd) and AFT CABIN (4th) crossed the line together.
The Interest
In a year without any standout colts the uncomplicated gelding COMMUNIST was left as the strongest contender once the testing Randwick mile started to hurt 200m from home. LINDERMANN very good on-pace after working early. ZOU TIGER and AFT CABIN were there to win and just didn't have the fuel in the tank late, which was similar for MATCHA LATTE and WILLIAMSBURG, but the early hustling by their jockeys didn't help.
Race 9 MOSTYNCOPPER ASPIRATION QUALITY
fair tempo
Bias:
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| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thalassophile | Chris Waller | Craig Williams | 5 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Pink Ivory | John Sargent | Tom Sherry | 4 | 53.5 | |
| 3 | Cliff's Art | Matthew Smith | Reece Jones | 1 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
No obvious knocks in the yard. PINK IVORY "still a bit off in the coat".
In The Running
BANANA QUEEN crossed to lead from RUBY TUESDAY. CLIFF'S ART in the box seat, THALASSOPHILE near pace (5th 2W WC) and PINK IVORY midfield (7th rails WC).
The Result
THALASSOPHILE (1st) knuckled down to win in a close finish from PINK IVORY (2nd) driving hard late. CLIFF'S ART (3rd) and ROOTS (4th) just behind them.
The Interest
There were a few that looked the winner at different stages of the Randwick straight and the fittest horse got the prize in the end. THALASSOPHILE made it back-to-back wins seventh-up into the campaign for Chris Waller, dropping down from the 2000m with success. The classy PINK IVORY back in great order after a mixed prep last time in. CLIFF'S ART and ROOTS very honest too second-up, perhaps just lacking the fitness of the winner late. BANANA QUEEN maxed out late over this distance in black-type company and pulled up with a poor recovery. The Gerald Ryan stable suggested she would head out for a spell now.
Race 10 RANVET WENONA GIRL QUALITY
fair tempo
Bias:
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| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jal Lei | John O'Shea | Reece Jones | 3 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Tycoon Evie | Peter & Paul Snowden | Zac Purton | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Jump The Broom | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Zac Lloyd | 13 | 53.0 |
In The Yard
Most mares fine in one of the hardest races of the day. SKY COMMAND "glowing in the coat" and "looks really fit".
In The Running
JUMP THE BROOM was too fast for SKY COMMAND early and took up the running.
The Result
JUMP THE BROOM kicked and veered out late under riding as TYCOON EVIE started to drive at her late, causing significant interference. JAL LEI ran on well out wide.
The Interest
Not a high quality G3 mares sprint and JAL LEI ended up getting the prize first-up after the protest. TYCOON EVIE is a tough chaser that was unlucky not to get the prize herself, the protest rule meaning that she couldn't leapfrog JAL LEI in the placings. JUMP THE BROOM very good again and simply seemed to overreact to riding, shifting in under the left whip and then shifting out abruptly late once Zac Lloyd switched his whip to the right hand. SKY COMMAND wasn't hard to soften up over 1200m first-up, a distance that is right at her outer limit.