The Sunday Collect

Published: 04 Jan 2015

'I wanna be like Blake' - A stable rep mirrors leading jockey Blake Shinn as he prepares to ride Vashka

Sweaty. A word that summed up the day out at Rosehill yesterday. It wasn't just the game punters on the lawns in the midday sun that fit this description, but also the nervous bookmakers that lined up on a day that was destined to be a tough one. 

And it was.

Thee odds-on favourites (two ridden by Shinn) and three other 'shorties' put the 2015 accounts firmly in the red for the bag-men. The only respite was the McEvoy-trained Shiraz, who managed to topple odds-on pop Harrier Jet in Race Three. 

Wayward Jocks

You can't be sure if the jockeys were listening to 'track expert' Michael Fraser on Sky radio or if it was their own wayward track-walking, but the crazy tactics in Race One left the race on a plate for Waterhouse's speed-ball Giulietta.

Look out for the ponies that visited the outside fence, they will do a lot better next time. 

Lieder, Hardline and Stimac all have more talent than their midfield finishes suggest. If they could talk jockeys McDonald, Browne and Schofield would get an earful. It was a lot of hard work for no result.

Shortest way home - Giulietta speeds home on the inside while Stimac (purple in background) goes 'via the cape'

Little Let Downs

It was no fluke that the two short-priced favourites that got rolled were both smaller horses. When the track is dry at 'Rosey', the bigger gallopers let rip down the flat and fast track.

Harrier Jet and It's a Silvertail simply didn't have the engine when it mattered.

Just a little guy - It's A Silvertail lacked the engine to win at short odds

Good Kid

Brodie Loy was handed a couple of plumb rides by Bjorn Baker and he didn't let the Kiwi trainer down. Burbero never went around a runner and he followed instructions perfectly on Miss Tenpins, the tough mare almost stealing the prize. They both got second, but the young hoop came out looking like a winner.

All good - Brodie Loy after he won on Burbero in December

Chubby Bro

Choice Bro is one of those gallopers that digs in for the fight. After parading with a few extra pounds, he took the lead and seemed to be cruising at the top of the straight, before his condition gave out in the end. He still managed to lift over the last 50 metres though and hold on for a place.

No match for Centre Pivot on the day, he can show up in another race soon.

Knocking up - Choice Bro (rails black hat) gets passed by Centre Pivot (red)

For the full Analyst review of the day, from the 'Yard to the Post', click here