Race Day Review - The Championships Day Two at Royal Randwick

Published: 20 Apr 2014

A race by race analysis of the day is provided below. The complete guide from your team at the track.

Rail: +6M (entire circuit)
Conditions: SLOW 7 (Slow 6 at 1.00 pm & Dead 5 at 2.43 pm)
Weather: FINE (sunny and fine conditions, a light breeze helping in home straight)
Bias: NO BIAS

Race 1 ADINA APARTMENT HOTELS FERNHILL HANDICAP (2YO) - 1600m

Oliver has an armchair ride as the filly beats up on the boys

VEUVELICIOUS (Brent Stanley)
CARELESS (Peter Snowden) - 3.3 lengths
GOULDIAN (Peter Snowden) - 4.8 lengths

The filly was just too strong, even with the top weight

In the yard (@TheRaceGuide)

VEUVELICIOUS, CYCLONE, CARELESS and STANDOUBT all paraded well before the first race. KHRYSLER clearly was a horse still learning, appearing 'green' as he paraded, while FIRST DRAFT carried a little bit of condition and wasn't 100% fit.

In the running

ALIYDA initially led from CYCLONE, who had worked across from a wider barrier, while the favourite VEUVELICIOUS got a nice run in third place on the rails. KHRYSLER over-raced and was stuck wide in the initial stages before jockey Josh Parr allowed him to stride forward and join the lead mid-race. The tempo was quite mixed, starting even/good, before slowing mid-race, and then the leaders made a long run home from the 800m. Overall, a GOOD TEMPO was set up.

The result

VEUVELICIOUS (1st) pushed CYCLONE out on the home turn and cleared out for a decisive win. CARELESS (2nd) chased quite genuinely in second, only laying in slightly, and GOULDIAN kept on solidly in third.

The interest

VEUVELICIOUS enjoyed a good run, but was still a level above these horses. The only challenger that had a reasonable excuse was KHRYSLER. The good tempo and clear margins suggest that it should be a race in which the form holds true from in the future.

Follow VEUVELICIOUS
Forgive KHRYSLER (maybe after a break and some trials that show he is less green)

Race 2 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS SOUTH PACIFIC CLASSIC (3YO) - 1400m

The beautiful kiwi gelding rails like a greyhound to win

BEAUTY'S BEAST (NZ) (David Greene)
WOODBINE (Gai Waterhouse) - 2.0 lengths
ENGAGEMENT (Peter Snowden) - 4.0 lengths

Beauty's Beast kicked strongly in the straight

In the yard (@TheRaceGuide)

BEAUTY'S BEAST paraded very well, looking to have handled the trip from New Zealand. BOSS LANE and LONGMA also looked good in the yard. FAST'N'ROCKING and PAPILLON ROUGE both carried condition and weren't 100% fit, while WOODBINE also carried some condition, but has presented the same in the mounting yard on most occasions.

In the running

BEAUTY'S BEAST got to his favoured rails position, and took control, setting EVEN TEMPO. ENGAGEMENT got to a nice position in 2nd and WOODBINE travelled in the box seat, 3rd on the rails. LONGMA over-raced slightly back in the field.

The result

BEAUTY'S BEAST (1st) kicked well after the turn, maintaining a strong run to the line for a good win. WOODBINE (2nd) chased after looking for room momentarily at the top of the straight, and ENGAGEMENT (3rd) kept on fairly.

The interest

BEAUTY'S BEAST pulled up well after a convincing win. He seems to be a horse that excels when in a railing position, look out for how he maps in his next race. WOODBINE will cause punters some grief as he gets to the better levels, he seems to need a good rolling tempo to perform at his best given that it takes a while for him to pick up in the straight. PAPILLON ROUGE could show some improvement in future runs based on how she looked in the yard. SPY DECODER ran on fairly, but his last 100m was always going to be his strongest given the way he races.

Forgive PAPPILON ROUGE

Race 3 GIRVAN WAUGH ROYAL RANDWICK STAKES (2YO F) - 1200m

A burst of natural speed burns the Royal Randwick turf

ELOPING (Peter Morgan & Craig Widdison)
YGRITTE (Gerald Ryan) - 0.8 lengths
SHAUMARI (Peter Snowden) - 1.3 lengths

Eloping held off all challenges to run out the 1200m too well

In the yard (@TheRaceGuide)

ELOPING looked very fit and well, a lighter and athletic type. AMICUS had a little condition, but paraded well with good power in her frame. SHAUMARI looked fit and it was noted she was a nice type, just a touch shorter than most. CLIFTON RED did not impress in the yard, looking somewhat flat, along with QUEEN OF KARIBA, who was dull in the coat and looked a level below most others. OAKLEIGH GIRL looked a touch flat/off after a tough run in the slipper first-up.

In the running

ELOPING had too much natural pace and sped to the front. OAKLEIGH GIRL took the trail behind and SULTRY FEELING ran along without cover in third. The leader came back underneath the jockey when asked and an EVEN TEMPO was set up.

The result

ELOPING (1st) maintained her run to the line and won well, from YGRITTE (2nd) who finished off after having lost some ground cornering slightly. SHAUMARI (3rd) made a sustained run down the outside right to the line. OAKLEIGH GIRL loomed at the top of the straight, before her run ended indicating that perhaps she wasn't 100%.

The interest

The top three runners were perhaps the most impressive performances in the race, especially considering they were doing best over the last 50m. ELOPING will be able to lead most fields with her natural speed, she just may need to strengthen up slightly to be competitive in here three-year old year. OAKLEIGH GIRL was not at her best and should be forgiven the second-up failure.

Follow ELOPING, YGRITTE and SHAUMARI
Forgive OAKLEIGH GIRL

Race 4 ARROWFIELD ROYAL SOVEREIGN STAKES (3YO SET WEIGHTS) - 1200m

Sidestep flashes in the final bound to steal the sovereign

SIDESTEP (Peter Snowden)
BOUNDING (Ken Kelso) - 0.2 lengths
IN CAHOOTS (Phillip Atkins) - 2.7 lengths

Bounding looked like she was home, until Sidestep arrived late

In the yard (@TheRaceGuide)

BOUNDING, DOTHRAKI and TURQUOISE KING all looked well in the yard. IN CAHOOTS was noted to be a bit compact and less athletic than many of his competitors, while THUMP looked like she may have started to lighten off a bit. SAFEGUARD didn't parade well.

In the running

BOUNDING took up the lead and set up an EVEN TEMPO, from DOTHRAKI in second and THUMP moved up three wide with no cover in third. SIDESTEP settled back in the field on the rails and travelled well. CHAUTAUQUA was in between horses and a little unsettled during the run.

The result

SIDESTEP (1st) pushed into room at the top of the straight and produced a stunning finish to just beat the gallant kiwi filly BOUNDING (2nd). IN CAHOOTS (3rd) delivered another genuine run to the line.

The interest

Suspect the quality of the top two is quite good and they may be future top level performers to watch out for. THUMP was brave after travelling three wide throughout the run, and while she was unlucky, the way she paraded indicated she may be losing her zip and coming to the end of her campaign. CHAUTAUQUA and HAVANA finished off fairly.

Follow SIDESTEP and BOUNDING
Forgive CHAUTAUQUA

Race 5 CELLARBRATIONS QUEEN OF THE TURF STAKES (3YO&UP F&M) - 1600m

Pure strength and will from horse and jockey prevails

DIAMOND DRILLE (Gai Waterhouse)
GYPSY DIAMOND (John O'Shea) - 0.2 lengths
RED TRACER (Chris Waller) - 0.7 lengths

Diamond Drille fought on tenaciously right to the line

In the yard (@TheRaceGuide)

RED TRACER, CATKINS, VIADANA and GYPSY DIAMOND all paraded in good fashion. RECITE was clearly a smaller filly and looked a class below, while SOLICIT looked flat with clear evidence of the scaring from ringworm. STREAMA, BONARIA and DIAMOND DRILLE didn't look as impressive as the four mares mentioned.

In the running

SOLICIT pushed to the lead and set a GOOD TEMPO, rolling along freely from RECITE and CATKINS. GYPSY DIAMOND missed the start again and was hunted up on the rails to pass a couple in the early stages.

The result

DIAMOND DRILLE (1st) produced a strong final surge down the outside, beating GYPSY DIAMOND (2nd) who had made her run up the inside on the rails. RED TRACER (3rd) was close behind after making her run just to the inside of the winner.

The interest

DIAMOND DRILLE is a tough type of mare who loves the Randwick circuit. She is clearly a level above the expectations of punters pre-race, after winning at 40/1, however it is probably better to remain cautious when she steps out next time. A good honest tempo and her home track were definitely ingredients that helped her succeed (she is quoted on the Royal Randwick page as a very good example of the type of horse that enjoys this track). GYPSY DIAMOND is doing herself no favours by missing the start. RED TRACER and CATKINS seemed to find a tough 1600m at Randwick too far. They are both sprinting types who prefer shorter trips.

Forgive SOLICIT (clearly not 100%), RED TRACER and CATKINS (at shorter distances)

Race 6 SEVEN NEWS AUSTRALIAN OAKS (3YO F SET WEIGHTS) - 2400m

The three class fillies fight out the 2400m classic

RISING ROMANCE (NZ) (Donna Logan)
ZANBAGH (Guy Walter) - 1.0 lengths
LUCIA VALENTINA (NZ) (Kris Lees) - 1.2 lengths

Rising Romance took advantage of the perfect run to win the race at the home turn

In the yard (@TheRaceGuide)

ZANBAGH, SUAVITO, FOREVER LOVED and MISSVONN all paraded well. INTERSPERSED looked very lean and quite flat in the yard. CASINO DANCER and BLUE EYES were unsettled.

In the running

The three Gai Waterhouse horses AMANPOUR, ROLE MODEL and FOREVER LOVED took control of the race and set an EVEN TEMPO. RISING ROMANCE had a beautiful trail on the rails just off the pace, while LUCIA VALENTINA had no early pace and settled back at last.

The result

RISING ROMANCE (1st) took advantage of a perfect run in transit and moved into the race quickly when needed. ZANBAGH (2nd) kept on strongly to the line and LUCIA VALENTINA (3rd) ran on from last place.

The interest

It seems the best three fillies ran the top three, after taking the best form into the race and performing very well on the day. ZANBAGH had to make a run wider with no cover, and also looked flat-footed when the top speed was reached by others at the top of the straight. LUCIA VALENTINA ran home solidly from last after looping the field. Out of the top three, a bold view may be that ZANBAGH is the most impressive type that will be able to compete at a higher grade when the tempo is faster.

Follow ZANBAGH

Race 7 SCHWEPPES SYDNEY CUP (3YO&UP) - 3200m

Pure stamina and athleticism over the marathon journey

THE OFFER (IRE) (Gai Waterhouse)
OPINION (IRE) (Chris Waller) - 3.8 lengths
SERTORIUS (Jamie Edwards & Bruce Elkington) - 5.3 lengths

The Offer has given Tommy Berry a beautiful ride through the most difficult of times

In the yard (@TheRaceGuide)

THE OFFER, WHO SHOT THEBARMAN and HIPPOPUS all paraded well. THE OFFER in particular remained in great shape, a credit to Gai Wayerhouse. GONDOKORO and LIKE A CAROUSEL were unsettled again. It was noted that SERTORIUS wasn't a clear 3200m type.

In the run

ANGOLA strode out to the lead, while some other horses took time to find a spot. TREMEC had to work early to get to the second outside the leader, while VOLEUSE DE COEURS was stuck three wide with no cover in midfield. Overall, an EVEN TEMPO was set up.

The result

THE OFFER (1st) travelled beautifully through the field coming to the home turn and found clear running in the home straight. OPINION (2nd) was also expertly guided to fight on well, while SERTORIUS (3rd) never stopped trying right to the line.

The interest

THE OFFER is a classy stayer that proved he was a level above these. His supreme athleticism will always see him perform over the longer journeys, or on the heavy tracks he seems to skip through. The Melbourne Cup is a much sterner test, but a preparation headed in that direction is deserved after taking all before him in Sydney this Autumn. VOLEUSE DE COEURS and TREMEC had quite tough runs in transit, and perhaps could be forgiven for the efforts. TUPAC AMARU was tough to the line and shows such immense heart in his races. It would be great to see him come back as a more developed type next preparation and go to the next level.

Follow THE OFFER

Race 8 LONGINES QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES (3YO&UP) - 2000m

The mighty colt raises an effort to claim Sydney's new iconic race

IT'S A DUNDEEL (NZ) (Murray Baker)
SACRED FALLS (NZ) (Chris Waller) - 0.8 lengths
CARLTON HOUSE (USA) (Gai Waterhouse) - 3.8 lengths

The 'Real Deel' let down powerfully in the Randwick straight to win Australia's new premier Weight for Age race

In the yard (@TheRaceGuide)

CARLTON HOUSE and BOBAN paraded in fantastic fashion in the yard, both with great strength and muscle definition. IT'S A DUNDEEL looked well, however he was clearly more unsettled than usual given his pre-race trip in the stall (he sustained a slight graze). GREEN MOON carried condition and wasn't 100% fit.

In the run

CARLTON HOUSE was taken to the front and steadily built up in the run to set a GOOD TEMPO that strung the field out and had many chasing before the home turn. MY KINGDOM OF FIFE was ridden more forward in second outside the leader and IT'S A DUNDEEL made beautiful use of his barrier to get a nice trail in third on the rails with SILENT ACHIEVER following him.

The result

IT'S A DUNDEEL (1st) was beautifully held together until the final furlong, when he let down to put the issue beyond doubt. SACRED FALLS (2nd) stayed on very strongly to the line, while CARLTON HOUSE (3rd) was gallant in defeat as the first two cleared away from him late.

The interest

Randwick is one of the more challenging tracks, with the famous rise straight after the home turn taking the energy at of most competitors who are struggling at that point. The ability for James McDonald to get IT'S A DUNDEEL into a rhythm that could be sustained right into the home straight was vital given the challenge that CARLTON HOUSE had set the field with the good tempo. SACRED FALLS also travelled nicely into the race and produced a strong finish that for a fleeting moment made him look a winning chance. SILENT ACHIEVER hadn't looked quite as sharp in the yard as previous runs and was honest in fourth, while ROYAL DESCENT was probably one of the unluckier runners. The way the race was run had her in a difficult spot chasing around the pack on the home turn. BOBAN unfortunately bled and will incur a 3-month ban.

Follow IT'S A DUNDEEL, SACRED FALLS and CARLTON HOUSE
Forgive SILENT ACHIEVER and ROYAL DESCENT (this was the highest class of race after all)

Race 9 DRUMMOND GOLF SAPPHIRE STAKES (3YO&UP F&M) - 1200m

A powerful filly and a classy ride prove a potent combination

COSMIC ENDEAVOUR (Gai Waterhouse)
AVOID LIGHTNING (Les Bridge) - 2.0 lengths
BELLE DE COEUR (Luke Price) - 2.5 lengths

Tommy controlled the race perfectly and kicked away

In the yard (@TheRaceGuide)

The best in the yard were DYSTOPIA, AVOID LIGHTNING, FULL OF SPIRIT, LILLIBURLERO, PERON, COSMIC ENDEAVOUR and BELLE DE COEUR. SIMPLY BRILLIANT didn't look at the same level as the others.

In the run

COSMIC ENDEAVOUR took control of the race and set a SLOW TEMPO. AEROBATICS settled in an unusual spot for her with no cover outside the leader. PERON had a tough run very wide throughout.

The result

COSMIC ENDEAVOUR kicked well at the top of the straight, while AVOID LIGHTNING ran on well late. BELLE DE COEUR kept on nicely to the line after getting a good run in transit.

The interest

COSMIC ENDEAVOUR is a powerful filly and the race was set up perfectly for her to show a speedy finish down the straight. LILLIBURLERO was ridden further back than usual and hit the line well and PERON didn't have much luck in transit. PLUCKY BELLE was second up after a good run first up in which she had fitness to come, so perhaps was feeling the effects of that effort. AVOID LIGHTNING is racing at her absolute best, after parading in fantastic fashion in the yard. The risk is that there may not be much improvement to come.

Forgive LILLIBURLERO and PERON