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Yard to the Post | Championships Day One
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 04 April 2020
The theatre of Championship racing went ahead without an audience today, some of the world’s best gallopers clapped back into the winner’s stall by just a handful of stable staff and media.
That may have tempered the post-race celebrations, but the on-track action was as exciting as ever. An early morning downpour and strong headwind created testing conditions and the thoroughbreds were pushed to their limits across the ten-race card.
In the Group One TJ Smith over 1,200 metres, NATURE STRIP’s electric speed broke the hearts of those chasing from the back. The hulking Chris Waller-trained sprinter was kept relaxed by jockey James MacDonald for the first part of the race as he pushed up to lead. He tired late, but none of the chasers had the energy to catch him.
In the other Group Ones, KING’S LEGACY won the Sires’ and QUICK THINKER stayed on best for a narrow win in the Derby. It was the final feature that provided the most exciting finish though, NETTOYER swooping down the outside to win the Doncaster Mile at big odds. Post-race tears from jockey James Innes Jnr and excitement from trainer Wendy Roche after they both won their first Group Ones warmed the hearts of punters stuck at home around the country.
A full review will be on-line Monday 5pm.