Race Day Review - Saturday Racing at Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 12 July 2014
One of the fairest tracks during the winter months should of set the platform for a day of fair and honest racing, but jockey tactics and fluctuating tempos played their part in a few hard luck stories.
The weather was perfect and the crowd reasonable enough to bring some atmosphere to the finish of the main races of the day, especially Race 5, the "Shoot Out Handicap", which provided an exciting finish. The sparks flew early when three gallopers fired all their ammunition before the first turn. Collar, Keep Cool and the well-backed favourite Laidback Larry all worked hard in the first half of the race setting it up for the efficient type I'm Imposing (above in yellow powering through middle of pack) to stay on best over the closing stages.
Other races also had fluctuating tempos, but none more-so than Race 4 in which the well-backed Specific Choice sprinted best off a muddling pace. The inquiries into that event resulted in a stewards report that was a page long.
A race-by-race analysis of the day is provided from the mounting yard to the finish. The complete guide from your team at the track.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | NONE |
All The Race Finishes
Race 1 TAB EARLY QUADDIE HANDICAP
A test and a project get top marks
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Testashadow | Gary Portelli | Mr Lester Grace | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Good Project | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 10 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Statton | Shawn Mathrick | Blake Shinn | 1 | 58.0 |
Testashadow just wore down Good Project late
In The Yard
Nice two year olds. GOOD PROJECT paraded best from URATTA BELLE, BLADEMEISTER and ANOTHER AL. STATTON and TESTASHADOW were in good shape, but first starters REAPER and RUSSET didn't impress.
In The Running
GLOBAL DOMINATION went to the lead and was restrained slightly for the early sections, before pushing on from the 800m, setting a STOP-START TEMPO in which a good time was run. GOOD PROJECT jumped well and sat outside the lead. STATTON got the box seat with ANOTHER AL on his outside. TESTASHADOW got a nice run up the inside to 5th after a slowish start.
The Result
TESTASHADOW (1st) tracked up and finished best to just beat GOOD PROJECT (2nd), who hit the lead at the top of the straight. They put a clear margin on STATTON (3rd), who stuck on ok.
The Interest
The Warwick Farm GOOD PROJECT form line held up well, with all three place getters performing. BLADEMEISTER once again got out of his ground and finished off and can be backed once he learns to track into races better. GLOBAL DOMINATION was asked to make a long run for home and he looked like a strong type in the yard that could progress ANOTHER AL was well backed but disappointed. He was up in weight from his previous run and just found the competition too tough. Follow GOOD PROJECT.
Race 2 SPORTSYEAR HANDICAP
Tricky tactics undo the Sydney-siders
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weinholt | David Brideoake & Matt Jenkins | Blake Shinn | 4 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Dowdstown Charlie | Kim Waugh | Jeff Lloyd | 8 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Mamwaazel | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Rory Hutchings | 6 | 59.0 |
Peter Moody's Weinholt ran home best
In The Yard
MAMWAAZEL and WEINHOLT were the standouts. No knock on BLACK REVOLVER. PARRAAY was in good shape, but didn't have the power of the others. DOUBLE EAGLE was also in pretty good shape after racing at a marathon distance at his previous start.
In The Running
MAMWAAZEL jumped to the lead and controlled tempo, until DOUBLE EAGLE took over at the 600m to increase the pace slightly, setting up a STOP-START TEMPO overall. BLACK REVOLVER and PARRAAY sat just behind the leaders.
The Result
WEINHOLT (1st) wound up well and finished best, while DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE (2nd) also produced a strong last 200m. MAMWAAZEL (3rd) stuck on well and kept lifting to the line.
The Interest
An odd race and it seems one that was set up for MAMWAAZEL if she was ridden with a bit more urgency. She was held up until well past the Randwick rise and kept kicking once asked. WEINHOLT showed class and produced a nice finish. He coasted when in the lead for a very soft win. DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE defied his dry track stats with a solid finish, but they didn't come home very quickly (last 600m 0.4 seconds slower than the two year olds after similar early sections). BLACK REVOLVER was the unlucky horse in the race, blocked for runs up the inside. PARRAAY just didn't have the power to sprint with this class, while CUSHY NUMBER was well backed and disappointed. Follow WEINHOLT. Forgive BLACK REVOLVER.
Race 3 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP
A canny ride gets the favourite beat
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tarangower | Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | Sam Clipperton | 3 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Pajaro | Peter & Paul Snowden | Joshua Parr | 7 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | The Alfonso | Chris Waller | Rory Hutchings | 9 | 60.5 |
Tarangower controlled the race and held them off
In The Yard
THE ALFONSO looked well, but had the power of a shorter-course type. PAJARO, TARANGOWER and MISS HUSSON also looked good. OCCASION looked uncomfortable in the yard. CASINO DANCER and KING’S OFFICER were poor.
In The Running
TARANGOWER found a nice rhythm in the lead and controlled a SLOW TEMPO with PAJARO moving forward to join mid-race. CASINO DANCER and ENORMOUS HONOUR enjoyed nice runs in behind the leaders and THE ALFONSO went back. TARANGOWER started to roll for home at the turn.
The Result
TARANGOWER (1st) maintained its gallop right to the line holding off PAJARO (2nd) who chased genuinely. THE ALFONSO (3rd) produced a good finishing sprint.
The Interest
TARANGOWER got conditions to suit but showed he can stay 2000m. Perhaps run of PAJARO was better than it looked as he enjoys a more genuine tempo given he is a tough/smaller type. THE ALFONSO ran on at a rapid rate using his superior power. Queenslander MISS HUSSON paraded well, but just lacked the sprint to got with them over the last 300m. ENORMOUS HONOUR is another that prefers a more genuinely run race. Follow THE ALFONSO (back to 1600m - 1800m preferably). Forgive PAJARO.
Race 4 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
Sprinting power proves too strong
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Specific Choice | Cody Morgan | Tye Angland | 2 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Saigon Tea | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 5 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Done Nothin' Wrong | Matthew Williams | Yusuke Ichikawa | 3 | 59.5 |
Specific Choice powered home best
In The Yard
DONE NOTHIN’WRONG, SAIGON TEA and PLANETARIUM paraded best. No knock on REIGNING and SPECIFIC CHOICE. KING UTAH looked poor in comparison to the others.
In The Running
JARILEE moved forward and controlled a SLOW TEMPO up-front, while REIGNING searched forward to sit outside the lead mid-race. DONE NOTHIN’ WRONG didn't push on to lead, taking the box seat position just inside MISS ZENELLA.
The Result
A Waller trifecta with SPECIFIC CHOICE (1st) producing a great sprint to the line down the outside. SAIGON TEA (2nd) ran on late once she found clear room and DONE NOTHIN’ WRONG (3rd) stayed on one-paced nearer the inside.
The Interest
The stewards report gets a page devoted purely to this race and why not. Four Waller stable runners and big betting moves on the winner make it an interesting race to analyse. DONE NOTHIN' WRONG (market drifter) is a strong, genuine and one-paced galloper. Taking the box seat off a muddling tempo limited his chances and the jockey (Ichikawa) has been suspended for wayward riding in the straight. The New Zealand apprentice Hutchings on REIGNING (market drifter) did show some initiative to go forward mid-race as the tempo slowed, but the horse only received gentle urgings when challenged by outsider KING UTAH on the turn. Being a dour type he just plugged home happily, ready for another day. SPECIFIC CHOICE (very well backed) is an impressive looking galloper that was suited by the tactics of others, ensuring he could use his superior sprinting power. He wasn't asked for any reserves of stamina at his first try at 2000m. SAIGON TEA (favourite) took a creative route up the inside and unsurprisingly got blocked for a run. She finished off well once in the clear. Forgive DONE NOTHIN' WRONG and SAIGON TEA.
Race 5 SHOOT OUT HANDICAP
A freshen up does the trick
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I'm Imposing | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 4 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Single | Craig Carmody | Ms Winona Costin | 6 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Disciple | Sean Casey | Jason Collett | 5 | 54.0 |
I'm Imposing enjoyed a few weeks off and won well
In The Yard
SINGLE looked the best, from LAIDBACK LARRY, who was fit enough first-up, and BAGMAN. KEEP COOL looked ok and I’M IMPOSING had held his fitness after a freshen-up, with just a bit of a winter coat forming.
In The Running
I’M IMPOSING was slowish at the start and went back with BAGMAN. COLLAR was keen and rolled along at a FAST TEMPO, which made it tough for KEEP COOL in 2nd and LAIDBACK LARRY, who had to work up into a trail.
The Result
The leaders tired and I’M IMPOSING (1st) stayed on very strongly through the pack. SINGLE (2nd) ran on down the outside with DISCIPLE (3rd) and BAGMAN (4th).
The Interest
They simply went too hard in this up front, making it a tough job for favourite LAIDBACK LARRY first-up. I’M IMPOSING is best fresh and showed that today, while BAGMAN, SINGLE and DISCIPLE were all honest. EIGELSTEIN doesn't stay a strong mile. Forgive KEEP COOL and LAIDBACK LARRY.
Race 6 SYDNEY SPRING CARNIVAL ON SALE NOW MILE
Angland pilots a winning surge
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forever Crazy | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 9 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Tarloshan | Graeme Boyd | Jason Collett | 4 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Express Power | Kris Lees | Yusuke Ichikawa | 11 | 59.5 |
Forever Crazy made a long sprint for home
In The Yard
ACAPELA, TARLOSHAN and SWEET TALKIN WOMAN were the best in the yard and no knock on FOREVER CRAZY. MISS VENUS still carried condition.
In The Running
TARLOSHAN got away well and ran along at a SLOW TEMPO, with ADORABEEL sitting outside in 2nd. FIRST CLASS TICKET and EXPRESS POWER enjoyed a nice run in behind the leaders.
The Result
TARLOSHAN (2nd) held together into the straight and responded when asked. However FOREVER CRAZY (1st) was stoked up early and sustained a better sprint in the straight. EXPRESS POWER (3rd) kept on in a bunched finish.
The Interest
The ride on the favourite TARLOSHAN was probably a bit too patient, waiting until deep into the straight before being asked for the maximum effort, while at the same time FOREVER CRAZY was winding up and finishing over the top. The slow pace of the race resulted in a poor time and a bunched finish, indicators that the form of the race may be suspect. The top two are quite smart though and ACAPELA will be better suited on a wet track and genuine tempo. SCARLETINI paraded well and is warming into the campaign now. Follow FOREVER CRAZY, TARLOSHAN and SCARLETINI. Forgive ACAPELA.
Race 7 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS HANDICAP
The rails is the quickest way home
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burbero | Bjorn Baker | Blake Shinn | 8 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Society Man | Daniel Bowman | Jason Collett | 7 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | No Bad Blood | Kim Waugh | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 55.0 |
The solidly built Burbero was too strong late
In The Yard
BURBERO, SNITSKY, WOULDNT IT BE NICE, FIREBALL and TRALFAZ were all well in the yard. WHISPEROSSA was only ok first-up, showing a winter coat. SOCIETY MAN had some condition.
In The Running
WHISPEROSSA was slowish and went back. SNITSKY pushed on to lead and set an honest EVEN TEMPO, from NO BAD BLOOD in 2nd. AGHAMORE box seated in 3rd, while SOCIETY MAN was stuck wide near the pace. TRALFAZ had a nice run midfield. BURBERO and WOULDNT IT BE NICE also had nice runs.
The Result
BURBERO (1st) stayed to the inside and powered home best to just beat a brave SOCIETY MAN (2nd) by a nose. NO BAD BLOOD (3rd) had taken the lead early in the straight and seemed to waver around in the run home.
The Interest
SOCIETY MAN did a great job to stick on and was well backed on the ring. He had some improvement in the yard too, so looks a horse to follow. BURBERO showed he is a very solid galloper getting a deserved Saturday win, while WOULDNT IT BE NICE just got a bit too at out of his ground. SNITSKY seems to be better now after parading well and could win one on a wet track over the winter. Follow SOCIETY MAN and SNITSKY (on a wet track).
Race 8 THERACES.COM.AU HANDICAP
A shot fired from Melbourne hits it's target
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rifleman | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Blake Shinn | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Nuclear Class | Tas Morton | Ms Gabrielle Coleman | 5 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Miss Alibi | John McNair | Jeff Lloyd | 1 | 54.0 |
Rifleman sprinted best over the last 100m
In The Yard
KANJISTAR, RIFLEMAN, MAGICAL LADY and BECKON were the best in the yard. There were a few smaller and less powerful types outside of that group.
In The Running
MISS ALIBI and NUCLEAR CLASS jumped the best and sped along in the lead at an EVEN TEMPO. KANJISTAR was stuck out three wide on the pace, while HOLDER SUNSET was restrained behind the leaders in the three wide line.
The Result
NUCLEAR CLASS (2nd) kept kicking, along with MISS ALIBI (3rd). RIFLEMAN (1st) threaded though the pack and was too fast late. KANJISTAR (4th) had loomed at the top of the straight before the wide run took its tole.
The Interest
RIFLEMAN reeled off quick sectionals to outclass the other sprinters here, but the form of this race may be questionable. The two little fillies that settled on the pace (MISS ALIBI and NUCLEAR CLASS) are nippy types that didn't impress in the yard and almost stole the race. KANJISTAR can be forgiven after racing wide and the ride on HOLDER SUNSET was poor, so she could bounce back also. Follow RIFLEMAN. Forgive KANJISTAR and HOLDER SUNSET.