Race Day Review - Rosehill Guineas Day at Rosehill Gardens

Published: 28 Mar 2014

Rail: +2m entire circuit
Conditions: HEAVY 9 upgraded to SLOW 7
Weather: OVERCAST
Bias: No bias

The second day of the Rosehill carnival included two of the underrated gems, the George Ryder stakes and Rosehill Guineas. These races have a history of being exhilarating each year, with quality horses lining up and close finishes. One of these traditions was broken in 2014 though as Criterion dominated a classy field of three year olds in the Guineas, and by doing so stamped himself as favourite for the Derby in two weeks’ time.

The George Ryder was won by the Irish galloper Gordon Lord Byron. Any horse that can come within 2 lengths of victory in the Hong Kong mile is a worthy contender and this six-year old gelding proved he is up to our best gallopers with an exciting late burst to win. The Championships awaits.

Perhaps the most magical moment came early in the day. A 2400m handicap with just five runners typically doesn’t provide much excitement, but the crowd all cheered as Tommy Berry steered The Offer home after returning from Singapore for the days rides. He will head back tomorrow to be by his twin brother’s side as he battles ill health.

Race 1 AMBASSADOR TRAVEL N E MANION CUP (3YO&UP) - 2400m

"All heart from both horse and jockey"

THE OFFER
OPINION (3.3 lengths)
TREMEC (3.5 lengths)

The Offer made a sustained sprint for home

In the yard (@theraceguide)

THE OFFER was the standout, looking very relaxed and a nice glow to the coat. There was no knock on OPINION and DESERT JEUNEY. On type, the latter did not stand out as a 2400m stayer, but he did behave better in the yard this week. As was the case last week GONODOKORO was very unsettled in a short visit to the yard, before being taken onto the track early.

In the running

Jimmy Cassidy took OPINION to the lead and dominated a VERY SLOW TEMPO, with TREMEC to his outside. Both DESERT JEUNEY and OPINION relaxed well behind the leaders.

The result

The pace increased from the 700m and THE OFFER (1st) made a sustained sprint for home. OPINION (2nd) and TREMEC (3rd) just couldn’t sprint with the winner.

The interest

DESERT JEUNEY had his first look at a wet track but may not be a 2400m horse and THE OFFER proved himself as a stayer with real strength and stamina. Tommy Berry and THE OFFER made a good combination, an agressive riding style and a very tough horse.

Follow THE OFFER
Forgive OPINION

Race 2 BOWERMANS OFFICE FURNITURE PAGO PAGO STAKES (2YO C&G SET WEIGHTS) - 1200m

“Talented colt continues upward spiral”

TIME FOR WAR
KUMAON (0.2 lengths)
KLAMMER (2.0 lengths)

Time For War was just too strong from start to finish

In the yard (@theraceguide)

A good looking bunch of two year olds that handled the occasion well. MR CHA CHA looked to have good strength as he paraded in relaxed fashion, and KURO looked very healthy in the coat. Most looked in good shape though, with TIME FOR WAR the only horse looking a bit unsettled in the yard.

In the running

TIME FOR WAR led and KUMAON missed the start.

The result

He shifted out significantly but kept kicking, TIME FOR WAR (1st) just too strong after being well backed. KUMAON (2nd - 0.2 lengths) ran on well nearest the inside (but still 5 horses off the rails) and KLAMMER (3rd - 2.0 lengths).

The interest

He still does things wrong but TIME FOR WAR is a talent that won this race despite making some mistakes. KUMAON showed class and the margin to third suggests they could be clearly the best two horses. WILDERNESS looks a bit green still and is still learning.

Follow TIME FOR WAR and KUMAON
Forgive WILDERNESS

Race 3 HYLAND RACE COLOURS BIRTHDAY CARD STAKES (3YO&UP F&M) - 1200m 1.30 PM

"Better luck this time for this flashy mare"

AVOID LIGHTENING
PLUCKY BELLE (0.1 lengths)
AEROBATICS (1.1 lengths)

Avoid Lightening just held off the classy Plucky Belle late

In the yard (@theraceguide)

AVOID LIGHTNING and PLUCKY BELLE were the picks of the yard, with good shine in coat. AVOID LIGHTNING had the edge fitness wise over PLUCKY BELLE, who no doubt will have improvement to come. SINGLE STYLE sweated up in the yard quite badly.

In the running

A GOOD TEMPO was set by the MELIORA rolling in front, with SHAHAD getting a nice trail behind. PLUCKY BELLE and AEROBATICS were back in field.

The result

AVOID LIGHTNING (1st) came down the outside to sustain a run to the line, with PLUCKY BELLE (2nd - 0.1 lengths) storming home after being held up. AEROBATICS (3rd lengths - 1.1 lengths) put in a sprint, but was just even to the line for the last 100m.

The interest

PLUCKY BELLE was a bit unlucky and performed well. RECOINAGE looked a bit flat in the yard and could be near end of preparation (or need good step up in distance). A good rolling tempo and a decent margin to the first two meant that the form out of the race should be ok.

Follow PLUCKY BELLE
Forgive SINGLE STYLE

Race 4 IRT MAGIC NIGHT STAKES (2YO F SET WEIGHTS) - 1200m

“A magic finish from the Melbourne maid"

BRING ME THE MAID
PEGGY JEAN (0.3 lengths)
SULTRY FEELING (1.3 lengths)

Peggy Jean couldn't peg back Bring Me The Maid

In the yard (@theraceguide)

Big field of fillies with PEGGY JEAN, LADY SHARAPOVA, WEDDING and MISS INTERIORS all looking well. BRING ME THE MAID and UNKNOWN DESTINY looked lighter and smaller than most others in the field.

In the running

PEGGY JEAN was slightly slow away. DONELLE moved to lead and controlled an EVEN tempo.

The result

BRING ME THE MAID (1st) sustained a strong run down the outside, while PEGGY JEAN stayed to the inside and ran on well (2nd - 0.3 lengths). SULTRY FEELING (3rd - 1.3 lengths) maintained her run to the line and grabbed a place.

The interest

PEGGY JEAN looks a classy type that performed well. BRING ME THE MAID layed in noticeably final 100m and will be improved from her first Sydney run

Follow PEGGY JEAN and BRING ME THE MAID
Forgive CLIFTON RED

Race 5 RANDWICK EQUINE CENTRE DARBY MUNRO STAKES (3YO) - 1200m

“Stepping out in style this preparation"

SIDESTEP
BOUND FOR EARTH (0.1 lengths)
NORTHERN GLORY (0.9 lengths)

Sidestep made a long sprint and just got there

In the yard (@theraceguide)

While SIDESTEP looked well in the yard, he hasn’t developed a lot of muscle mass as a three year old. The fillies BOUND FOR EARTH, NORTHERN GLORY, SWEET KISS and COSMIC ENDEVOUR all were well presented. FLIGHT ACADEMY was unsettled after entering the yard late (replated pre-race).

In the running

A SLOW TEMPO was set by COSMIC ENDEVOUR with BOSS LANE settling on-pace. SIDESTEP and NORTHERN GLORY found their feet back in the field.

The result

SIDESTEP (1st) got going early and maintained his run to the line, while BOUND FOR EARTH (2nd - 0.1 lengths) was very solid making a run closer to the rails. NORTHERN GLORY (0.9 lengths) found some trouble in the home straight and may have gone close with clear running.

The interest

FLIGHT ACADEMY wasn’t herself today, having to be replated in the pre-parade. SIDESTEP just could go on with it now, looks like he is adaptable and more genuine this time in. Apparently he had lost some confidence after getting into some tight spots in his earlier campaigns.. The tempo wasn’t strong so the effort of the first three was good.

Follow SIDESTEP
Forgive NORTHERN GLORY and FLIGHT ACADEMY

Race 6 BLOODSTOCK.COM.AU GALAXY – 1100m

“The Tiger and Nash roar to the front"

TIGER TEES
ANATINA (0.1 lengths)
VILLA VERDE (1.1 lengths)

Tiger Tees held off the late challenge from Anatina

In the yard (@theraceguide)

WHITTINGTON was one of the standouts, Gai Waterhouse had him looking in great shape with good shine in the coat and on his toes. There were no real negatives in the yard, ANATINA was clearly the smaller horse in the field being a three year old filly. KENCELLA was a bit unsettled and IRISH FLING seemed to carry a bit of condition.

In the run

KENCELLA found the lead setting a GOOD TEMPO and RAIN AFFAIR came up and joined in after being slowly away. TIGER TEES and ANATINA got nice trails behind the two leaders, while BEL SPRINTER was out the back after missing the start.

The result

TIGER TEES (1st) kicked to the front after a nice trail behind the leaders. ANATINA (2nd - 0.1 lengths) put in a rapid sprint finish to go close and VILLA VERDE (3rd - 1.1 lengths) ran on well again from the back.

The interest

TIGER TEES showed plenty of heart, ANATINA really measured up against the big boys and looks to have a bright future and VILLA VERDE was the only backmarker to sustain a threatening run. RAIN AFFAIR seems to have his mind elsewhere these days after uncharacteristically missing the start and FAMOUS SEAMUS may be better up to 1200m after a slightly chequered passage.

Follow ANATINA and VILLA VERDE
Forgive FAMOUS SEAMUS

Race 7 GEORGE RYDER STAKES (3YO&UP) - 1500m

“No luck needed for the classy Irish"

GORDON LORD BYRON
SPEEDINESS (0.2 lengths)
EL ROCA (1.0 lengths)

Gordon Lord Byron slips up the inside to hit the lead late

In the yard (@theraceguide)

BOBAN, SACRED FALLS and EL ROCA all presented well in nice cool conditions. SPEEDINESS, TERRAVISTA and TRES BLUE were all a little unsettled, with TERRAVISTA potentially the worst of the three. STREAMA has looked better in previous preparations, her coat still being slightly dull.

In the run

EL ROCA rolled to the lead and set a GOOD TEMPO, EUROZONE drove forward and TOYDINI and BOBAN got right back

The result

GORDON LORD BYRON (1st) put in a late burst up the inside to take the spoils from a brave SPEEDINESS (2nd – 0.2 lengths), who had hit the lead at the 150m. EL ROCA (3rd - 1.0 lengths) fought on well after leading the field.

The interest

Well, it often seems to happen, a horse that most Aussie punters aren’t exposed to wins at great odds (none better than My Kingdom of Fife who won at 100/1 first-up in Australia). GORDON LORD BYRON is the real deal. BOBAN, once again didn’t behave himself but finished best of the wide runners and EL ROCA showed that the three year old form stacks up ok against the older horses after working early. EUROZONE unfortunately pulled up lame and TRES BLUE made an inglorious start to his Australian career after lacking the speed to compete.

Follow GORDON LORD BYRON and EL ROCA
Forgive BOBAN

Race 8 TAB.COM.AU ROSEHILL GUINEAS (3YO SET WEIGHTS) - 2000m

“Criterion dominates a quality Group One field"

CRITERION
THUNDER FANTASY (3.5 lengths)
TERONADO (5.0 lengths)

Criterion in a class of his own

In the yard (@theraceguide)

A very nice bunch of three year olds, with SHAMUS AWARD, PUCCINI and SAVVY NATURE all looking well. THUNDER FANTASY and TERONADO were both sweating up slightly, while CRITERION put on a kicking display, but looked calm otherwise.

In the run

SHAMUS AWARD went hard early and PUCCINI took over mid-race to set a GOOD TEMPO. CRITERION was worse than midfield on the rails.

The result

CRITERION (1st) travelled very well in the run and powered through inside runs to clear out. THUNDER FANTASY (2nd - 3.5 lengths) was brave running on down the outisde and TERONADO (3rd - 5.0 lengths) was fair to the line.

The interest

SHAMUS AWARD and PUCCINI both ruined their chances after taking turns to push hard in the lead, using up a lot of petrol, with the saddle slipping on PUCCINI. Overall, the best performed hoses were those with a few runs under their belt after taking part in the Melbourne Autumn carnival races. On that score SAVVY NATURE did well. HOOKED took off early out extremely wide. CRITERON is clearly an under-rated galloper, however his run reminds you a lot of OPINION’s win a few starts back, where he relaxed well off a good rolling tempo. We won’t have to wait too long to find out how good he is with the Derby just two weeks away.

Follow THUNDER FANTASY and CRITERION
Forgive HOOKED and PUCCINI

Race 9 PERCY SYKES TRIBUTE STAKES (3YO&UP F&M) - 1900m

“A mare in form powers home to win"

INTIMATE MOMENT
ANY DAY WILL DO (0.8 lengths)
EPINGLE (1.1 lengths)

Intimate Moment hit the line hard to win

In the yard (@theraceguide)

A nice bunch of mares in the last. SCORPIO QUEEN, which had been well backed earlier in the week, drifted on track and was unsettled in the yard. EXPRESS POWER looked like more of a sprinter against a group of stayers. LUCKY LAGO also looked like more of a sprinting type and QUAYSIDE lacked muscle definition in comparison to some of the older mares.

In the run

ANY DAY WILL DO rolled to the lead and dominated a EVEN TEMPO. SCORPIO QUEEN settled in second and INTIMATE MOMENT was near the tail of the field.

The result

INTIMATE MOMENT stormed home up the inside for a much deserved win, with ANY DAY WILL DO fighting on well. EPINGLE utilised her fitness and stamina to come home home well.

The interest

INTIMATE MOMENT is on an upward spiral and deserved the victory here. ANY DAY WILL DO was the best of the on-pacers and LUCKY LAGO fought on well after being wide early in the run and taking on this distance for the first time. EPINGLE was taken very wide in the straight.

Follow ANY DAY WILL DO and EPINGLE