The Sunday Collect
Published: 11 Jan 2015
Flamboyant winner - Racing's first lady, Gai Waterhouse, unveiled a speedy filly at Randwick
The Flemington card had more sparkle than Royal Randwick on a day that was dominated by the Gold Coast Magic Millions meeting. There was no better finish anywhere on the east coast than The Quarterback's flashing run in Flemington's feature Listed sprint, the Kensington Stakes, and it was special to see old Jacquinot Bay reach the peaks of his early days with the late Guy Walter.
All Sydney's racing headquarters got was Benchmark races and handicaps, but there just might be a few diamonds in the rough. Waller mare She's Clean was easy on the eye winning Race 1, while youngster Flamboyant Lass had a bit of 'X-factor' streaking away with Race 2.
Show-off
He wears pink, is built like a truck and sprints with arrogance, The Quarterback is one serious show-off. As soon as he got into sixth gear a couple of furlongs from home the Kensington Stakes was as good as over.
Think hard before backing against him, this boy is good.
Strutting his stuff - The Quarterback trots to the barrier during the Flemington Spring Carnival
Diamond in the Rough
You've got to take notice when a well-backed Waterhouse youngster wins like Flamboyant Lass did at Randwick. The Waterhouse stable knew she was good and the result was a massive win on a lightening quick track.
The ponies behind her were no slouches. Expect a big Autumn.
Spaced the field - Flamboyant Lass wins Race 2 at Royal Randwick easily in fast time
Off the Rails
Randwick had the usual off the rails bias to contend with yesterday, something that young apprentice Serg Lisnny must have missed the memo on as he drove Sasenkile into the quicksand in Race 8.
It was nothing compared to the chaos of the Gold Coast Millions though. Big fields, tight turns and blanket finishes left most social media traffic talking about Zara Phillips' dress and not the on-track action.
A few select remarks from social media are shown below.
"Terrible track to host a good day of Saturday racing #digitup" @mscweeney_tony
"..racing for obscene money in huge fields on a dog track. Nothing 4 punters." @maccapunt
"Magic Millions form has been rubbish since Testa Rossa" @hoodooguru81
Gosford's Big Day
The card at Gosford was a million miles better than the Royal Randwick fare, so why wasn't it the main weekend meeting?
Some Racing NSW folk think that the Gosford course is not up to Saturday standard, which is why it's stuck in limbo on a Friday. As a tight and tricky track like the Gold Coast, maybe the officials have got this one right.
Happy days - Midsummer Sun's owners didn't care what day of the week it was as they celebrated back-to-back wins in the Gosford Gold Cup
Gang Tackled
The unluckiest runner at Headquarters was no doubt Holy Delusions. If you backed her, the sight of the monstrous Miss Ready blocking the only exit over the last furlong was enough to make you feel ill.
Il Mio Destino had a target on her back, but the only sprinter with enough class to run her down was kept firmly in a 'zip-fastener' right to the line.
Stuck in the ruck - Holy Delusions (No. 1 in Green) never saw daylight
End of an Innings
A change of career for two of Racing's favourite characters. Race-caller Matty Hill called his last race for Sky today, a Benchmark 60 in Coffs Harbour of all places!
Joining him on the road to pastures new is veteran jockey Chris Munce, who is leaving the riding ranks to try his hand at training.
For the full Analyst's review of Royal Randwick, click here