Yard to the Post | City Tattersalls Club Cup Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 02 September 2023
Two of the best three-year-old fillies in the country clashed in the Group 2 Furious Stakes over 1,200 metres and Zac Lloyd delivered the perfect ride on TIZ INVINCIBLE to beat the fast-finishing KIMOCHI. The connections of KIMOCHI have had to watch their horse charge home from impossible positions twice this campaign and they will be looking for revenge in the 1,400 metre Tea Rose Stakes in two weeks' time.
From horses of the future to champions of the recent past. The Group 3 Concorde Stakes brought together nine-year-old NATURE STRIP and ten-year-old EDUARDO for one last tilt at Spring riches. Unfortunately, they were no match for the younger REMARQUE with NATURE STRIP a distance six lengths from the winner. Chris Waller was quick to confirm NATURE STRIP's retirement after the race and an announcement is expected from Jo Pride on the future of EDUARDO in the coming days.
A fresh southerly and a 'sticky' Randwick track made it hard for horses to swoop from the back. There were some impressive winners to follow into the spring and a few forgive runs that could sneak up at odds next time.
A full review from Adrian Sciglitano (yard) and Mike Wood is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | +4 metres |
| Conditions | SOFT 5 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | ON-PACE, lanes nearer rails preferred |
Race 1 MIDWAY HANDICAP
strong tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Strait Acer | Edward Cummings | Jason Collett | 2 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Slickman | Robert & Luke Price | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 10 | 52.0 | |
| 3 | Stars And Bars | Jason Attard & Lucy Keegan-Attard | Ms Rachel King | 4 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
No significant knocks in the yard, PANDANO seemed to have a touch of fitness to come.
In The Running
A bit more pressure early than expected with EYQUE pushing up. SEBRENCO strode across to the lead and went too quickly under apprentice Amy McLucas. STRAIT ACER was coiled up in midfield and Jason Collett was able to sneak up along the inside on the turn.
The Result
STAIT ACER hit the lead 200m and went clear for a big 3.3L win.
The Interest
STRAIT ACER simply had too much class for a group of midweek and midway types. The step back from 1500m to 1400m seemed to be a positive given he's a horse with a nice turn-of-foot. Race sectionals suggest they were all tired over the final 200m after SEBRENCO had rolled them along.
Race 2 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wizard Of Oz | Danny Williams | Jason Collett | 8 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Iron Will | Tash Burleigh | Billy Owen | 21 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | I Like Big Putts | David J Smith | Clayton Gallagher | 12 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
CENTRE BOUNCE and SUNGBLUE looked to have improved into the campaign. ATMOSPHERIC ROCK with no knocks first-up. IRON WILL buzzy in the yard as usual. SMOKESHOW didn't seem to be quite fit yet second-up.
In The Running
IRON WILL pounced on the lead early with Jason Collett putting WIZARD OF OZ into the ideal spot behind the leader. SUPIDO BEAUTY got over into a nice near pace position from a wide barrier, but he was keen in the run.
The Result
WIZARD OF OZ chased down IRON WILL with 1L back to the chasing pack.
The Interest
A great ride on the winner. ATMOSPHERIC ROCK very good from a long way back running on into 4th. CENTRE BOUNCE was a touch outsprinted and stuck on OK. MANZONI inconclusive in traffic on the inside.
Race 3 LOCKTON HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waverider Buoy | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 8 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Mabel | Tracey Bartley | Kerrin McEvoy | 2 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Our Bellagio Miss | Robert & Luke Price | Nick Heywood | 5 | 60.0 |
In The Yard
RUBINOCCHI at full fitness fourth-up and looking well, improving into prep. OJAI, MABEL and RAINBIEL with perhaps a touch of fitness improvement to come. AVEBURY quite warm in the yard.
In The Running
RUBINOCCHI led from OUR BELLAGIO MISS. WAVERIDER BUOY in the 2W line midfield (7th 2W WC) with DANCING ALONE on the inside (6th rails WC).
The Result
A very close finish. WAVERIDER BUOY ran on best under the urgings of James McDonald to narrowly beat MABEL and OUR BELLAGIO MISS.
The Interest
The leaders stayed nearer the inside enabling James McDonald to get WAVERIDER BUOY in a nice lane and fire home best for a narrow win. The favourite DANCING ALONE held up until 50m from home and she looked very unlucky. OJAI ran into some trouble too.
Race 4 IKON SERVICES HANDICAP
steady tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Just Fine | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Ms Rachel King | 14 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Tazaral | Peter & Paul Snowden | Chad Schofield | 13 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Logan Street Lion | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 4 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
TAZARAL looking well still and JUST FINE forward for the Waterhouse Bott stable first-up. TORRENS, AL AABIR, MR WATERVILLE, SPECIAL SWEY and PERVADE all looked to have some improvement to come.
In The Running
MACH SCHNELL and JUST FINE did a bit of work early to get the on-pace positions then took control of a STEADY tempo down the back into the wind. A nice ride from Chad Schofield to get TAZARAL into a 2W spot midfield from the wide barrier.
The Result
A huge kick from JUST FINE to put 2.6L on the in form TAZARAL, who just edged out LOGAN STREET LION.
The Interest
An impressive debut performance from JUST FINE who always showed a decent sprint overseas. GAN TEORAINN (held up 'til 200m) one of the better runs from the pack along with AL AABIR warming up late. PERFECT THOUGHT slow to recover and plain to the line back in the pack.
Race 5 SYDNEY CITY LEXUS CTC CUP
strong tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Athabascan | John O'Shea | Tom Sherry | 13 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Serpentine | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Ben Melham | 12 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Verona | Ciaron Maher | Tyler Schiller | 10 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
ATHABASCAN improving into his prep. SERPENTINE and CHALK STREAM with perhaps some improvement to come first-up.
In The Running
SOUTHERN FRANCE went to the lead and rolled at a STRONG tempo. CHALK STREAM keen at the back and moved up 3W NC mid-race. ATHABASCAN into a nice midfield spot, moving up strongly as the leaders tired on the turn. SERPENTINE held up in the pack turning and VERONA out the back.
The Result
ATHABASCAN put a margin (2.4L) on SERPENTINE. VERONA in 3rd with 3.1L back to RAGING BULL in 4th (6.9L from winner).
The Interest
The classier stayers rose to the top with the testing tempo and ATHABASCAN got a set up he relished for his first Australian win. The step to 2400m with an honest tempo was key. SERPENTINE and VERONA both very good too with a gap to the rest.
Race 6 DARLEY FURIOUS STAKES
steady tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tiz Invincible | Ciaron Maher | James McDonald | 6 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Kimochi | Gary Portelli | Jason Collett | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Mumbai Muse | Michael Freedman | Brett Prebble | 1 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
KIMOCHI and MUMBAI MUSE both strong and well, improving into the prep and likely to enjoy the dry ground based on type. A few improving into the campaign. FIRE LANE maybe half a run short.
In The Running
Two of the Waterhouse Bott horses AUTUMN BALLET and AMAZONIAN LASS missed the start leaving PLATINUM JUBILEE and CIGAR FLICK to control a STEADY tempo. There was a lack of pressure from the 600m to the 400m and they quickened noticeably into the straight. TIZ INVINCIBLE behind them in the 2W line with KIMOCHI getting tightened in between runners on her back.
The Result
TIZ INVINCIBLE got a nice trail through and fought on strongly while KIMOCHI came to the outside and charged late.
The Interest
Two very good fillies and two very good runs, Zac Lloyd getting a better path on TIZ INVINCIBLE as KIMOCHI once again found herself in a tight spot mid-race. SUMMER LOVING and AUTUMN BALLET stuck on like 1400m should suit next start.
Race 7 SOUTHERN CROSS GROUP CONCORDE STAKES
fair tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Remarque | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tyler Schiller | 10 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | In Secret | James Cummings | Zac Lloyd | 5 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Bella Nipotina | Ciaron Maher | Ben Melham | 3 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
The old boys NATURE STRIP and EDUARDO looked close to full fitness first-up. BELLA NIPOTINA (a touch anxious), IN SECRET and REMARQUE (getting warm behind the gates as he got reshod) with a touch of improvement to come, but not too bad for the 1000m fresh.
In The Running
EDUARDO got to the front and surprisingly SHELBY SIXTYSIX pushed up on-pace, leaving REMARQUE out 3W NC and NATURE STRIP even wider 4W NC.
The Result
REMARQUE moved up and kept going in a three-way finish from the game mares IN SECRET and BELLA NIPOTINA. A big gap back to EDUARDO who was tiring and Nash Rawiller went easy on him late.
The Interest
REMARQUE too good down in the weights against the mares in a driving finish. The old boys NATURE STRIP and EDUARDO clearly not up to their best, both pulled up sound in the Stewards' Report and were retired after the race.
Race 8 DAILY PRESS CHELMSFORD STAKES
fair tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
on-pace
,
4w-6w in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Navajo Peak | David Payne | Chad Schofield | 8 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Major Beel | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Joshua Parr | 10 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Think It Over | Kerry Parker | Nash Rawiller | 4 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
A few improving into their preps including THINK IT OVER, MO'UNGA and MONTEFILIA. MANZOICE seemed to have some improvement to come.
In The Running
LINDERMANN ended up leading despite the riding announcement to suggest he wanted cover, Dylan Gibbons unable to hold him when he tried to bring Chris Waller's entire back to a steady gallop. They strung out mid-race giving NAVAJO PEAK (urged to get on-pace) and MAJOR BEEL nice trails in 3rd and 4th. THINK IT OVER was 3W NC for the first half of the race before slotting in and MONTEFILIA was slow to begin and settled on the inside (8th rails WC).
The Result
NAVAJO PEAK kept fighting hard under vigorous riding. MAJOR BEEL just got the better of THINK IT OVER, who had looked like he might run them down with 300m to go.
The Interest
NAVAJO PEAK is a tough 2000m type that got into the ideal spot to show his strengths. THINK IT OVER ran well too after being wide early. Nash probably should have pushed into a near pace position, but he lost the initiative early and Chad Schofield took advantage. The run of MONTEFILIA was OK from a trickly spot, MANZOICE wound up nicely late and MO'UNGA is looking very one-paced this campaign.
Race 9 AMD MEDICAL TRAMWAY STAKES
steady tempo
Bias:
on-pace
,
4w-6w in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pericles | James Cummings | Zac Lloyd | 7 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Skyman | Chris Waller | Brett Prebble | 12 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Hope In Your Heart | Kerry Parker | Tyler Schiller | 8 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
GOING GLOBAL more settled than expected in the yard. FIREBURN, ZEYREK and HOPE IN YOUR HEART with perhaps a touch of improvement to come.
In The Running
Zac Lloyd took control on PERICLES and led at a STEADY tempo from the $101 shot SKYMAN on his outside. Favourite OLENTIA out 3W NC in 5th with HOPE IN YOUR HEART back on the inside after getting squeezed at the jump.
The Result
PERICLES and Zac Lloyd clearly too good with 1L back to the rest.
The Interest
A very nice ride on PERICLES to get the win. Strong returns from HOPE IN YOUR HEART, ZEYREK, MY OBERON, FIREBURN, GOING GLOBAL (not much room) and COMMUNIST (on heels late). A few to follow from this race.
Race 10 WORLD GYM CASTLEREAGH HANDICAP
strong tempo
Bias:
on-pace
,
4w-6w in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garza Blanca | Ciaron Maher | James McDonald | 10 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Pereille | James Cummings | Nash Rawiller | 9 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Stromboli | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Zac Lloyd | 4 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
TIME TO BOOGIE and GARZA BLANCA both looking very well. SALTCOATS (angular Kiwi that seems to love wet tracks) just a touch fresh and OUR LAST CASH was getting warm in the yard. The stayer MARSABIT not fit yet.
In The Running
FOR VALOUR made an impact on this race before weakening late. Firstly Amy McLucas allowed him to veer out after 200m of the race, causing some interference to JULIAN ROCK and STROMBOLI in behind. He then kicked up the inside of TIME TO BOOGIE and got that horse racing keenly as Rachel King tried to decide whether to push on to lead or not (she eventually did mid-race). GARZA BLANCA back in 8th 2W WC. A STRONG to FAIR tempo set up.
The Result
A close four-way finish with GARZA BLANCA just getting there in time by a small margin.
The Interest
Nice runs from the top five. TIME TO BOOGIE and STROMBOLI did have some on-pace favours, but the interference and pressure coming from Amy McLucas on FOR VALOUR probably evened that out. SALTCOATS warmed up well late and hit the line in 5th. He is one to follow on wet ground over 1400m or further next start.