Yard to the Post @ Championships Day One
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 02 April 2016
Sun shone and the bookies were on the back foot, it was a perfect day for racing at Royal Randwick for the opening of The Championships.
While the wins of YANKEE ROSE, TAVAGO and CHAUTAUQUA were amazing to watch, it was about the champion mare WINX, who stamped herself as the best horse in Australia after a devastating Doncaster win.
All you could do was marvel as she strode clear of a quality field of milers. It was a performance that is sure to add her to the record books and set up a procession in the Queen Elizabeth next week... if she is fit and well! We'll all wait with anticipation until Tuesday morning when acceptances are announced.
A full yard to the post review of the day is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | SOFT 6 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | OFF RAILS |
Race 1 WIDDEN KINDERGARTEN STAKES
Gai and Godolphin share the spoils
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Astern | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 10 | 56.5 | |
| 1 | El Divino | Darren Weir | Blake Shinn | 5 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Geneteau | Bjorn Baker | Damian Lane | 2 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
Nothing in the yard to indicate ASTERN, LIONHEARTED, EL DIVINO, MOOSHAKISSA and ALLITERATE are not 100%, they all looked great. HOSTWIN LEGEND only light and lean.
In The Running
GENETEAU jumped and went to the lead from HOSTWIN LEGEND on the outside. EL DIVINO strode up three wide (no cover) and ASTERN even wider again (no cover) after an awkward jump.
The Result
EL DIVINO (1st) and ASTERN (1st) drove to the lead together and fought right down the straight, ending in a dead-heat. GENETEAU (3rd) fought on a few lengths behind and ALLITERATE (4th) made some ground up the inside.
The Interest
All about the boom half-brother to Winx and Godolphin's classy ASTERN, they streaked clear of the field! ASTERN was the better run on the day after an awkward jump and racing out very wide, but it was only EL DIVINO's second start, a colt with serious potential. The bias was clearly evident as jockeys came very wide in the straight, which made the run of ALLITERATE slightly better than it looked. The 'Wellington Boot' winner is a really game filly that will win more races . Follow ASTERN, EL DIVINO and ALLITERATE (in easier grade).
Race 2 CARBINE CLUB STAKES
Kiwi-bred toughness comes to the fore
steady tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | He's Our Rokkii | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Dwayne Dunn | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Odyssey Moon | Robert Smerdon | Blake Shinn | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Queen of Wands | Clarry Conners | Zac Purton | 8 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
Tricky race. most looking OK. QUEEN OF WANDS is muscular, small and compact type, can she stay 1600m? HIERARCHAL is a robust staying type that may need further than this.
In The Running
ODYSSEY MOON took up the running from MOHER with MONTAUK (over-raced) and TATOOSH just behind them. HE’S OUR ROKKII strode up three wide (no cover) in midfield. DATA POINT and QUEEN OF WANDS got back. After some steady early sections ODYSSEY MOON got rolling for home into the turn.
The Result
ODYSSEY MOON (2nd) fought on gamely in the lead, but was no match for HE’S OUR ROKKII (1st), who surged to the lead out wider. QUEEN OF WANDS (3rd) chased gamely from the back, getting the better of DATA POINT (4th) and a pack just behind.
The Interest
The Melbourne form dominated a weak edition of the Carbine Club, although New Zealand bred HE’S OUR ROKKII a promising 3yo that could get more ground. ODYSSEY MOON was good after having his chance and QUEEN OF WANDS was game as always. Perhaps MONTAUK is the forgive run, over-racing and stuck in the 'bog' on the inside, the worst place to be on the day. TATOOSH was very poor and may have not handled the seven day back-up from a testing run last week. Follow HE’S OUR ROKKII. Forgive MONTAUK.
Race 3 SCHWEPPES CHAIRMAN'S HANDICAP
Sydney Cup next for this strong Waller stayer
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Libran | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Alegria | Darren Beadman | Sam Clipperton | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Cafe Society | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Zac Purton | 6 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
DEE I CEE and HIGH OPINION are tough, dour types. AUVRAY and DESTINY’S KISS smaller, also tough. LIBRAN long leggy athletic and well in the yard. ALEGRIA tall, strong and scopey too.
In The Running
CAFE SOCIETY took up the running from DEE I CEE and SUPERCOACH, who usually leads these races but was a bit slow to jump. Favourite LIBRAN was behind them in 4th. CAFE SOCIETY really got rolling from the 800m and set up a 3L break by the turn.
The Result
CAFE SOCIETY (3rd) came to the centre of the track and stuck on boldly, only to be run down by ALEGRIA (2nd), who stayed on well. LIBRAN (1st) just arrived on the post in a stirring three-way finish. There was a big gap 6L to AUVRAY (4th).
The Interest
The margins give you a clear indication that these three are decent stayers. LIBRAN had to carry the big weight and mare ALEGRIA wasn't particularly well weighted against the boys either, so maybe their runs edged out the opportunistic CAFE SOCIETY, who almost pinched it on the turn! LIBRAN heads to the Sydney Cup next week in fine fettle. Another Waller Group 1 winner to come? Follow LIBRAN and ALEGRIA.
Race 4 THE COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS FINAL
Clearly the best horse from the country
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clearly Innocent | Kris Lees | Tommy Berry | 2 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Pera Pera | Mack Griffith | Hugh Bowman | 12 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Ever So Natural | Tim McIntosh | Damien Oliver | 16 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
No surprises, country horses handling the heat, LOFTY’S MENU, PERA PERA, CHRYSOLAUS, EVER SO NATURAL, BANK ON HENRY and MITCHELL ROAD all looked very well. CLEARLY INNOCENT is a long leggy type, inside not ideal and bar plates on!
In The Running
ULTIMATE DREAMER took up the running from MITCHELL ROAD. PERA PERA strode up wider (no cover) with PROFILER just in behind the leaders. CLEARLY INNOCENT was back near the tail on the inside in a tricky spot until Berry found wide open spaces nearer the rail 200m from home.
The Result
PERA PERA (2nd) moved up and fought on, but was no match for CLEARLY INNOCENT (1st), who produced an powerful finishing surge and cleared out late. EVER SO NATURAL (3rd) and ANOTHER VALLEY (4th) both ran home well.
The Interest
Wow! Didn't we all feel confused after this race! After 24 hours of drama following CLEARLY INNOCENT injuring himself, major concerns about him finding any space in the straight from that barrier and a big market drift, all that mattered was CLEARLY INNOCENT is by far the champion country galloper this year! Tommy Berry made a decisive move and found the space the big-striding son of NOT A SINGLE DOUBT needs right when it mattered. The last 100m was extraordinary! As was Bowman's ride on PERA PERA, literally lifting the big horse over the line for 2nd as he tired. Follow CLEARLY INNOCENT.
Race 5 DILMAH TEA P J BELL STAKES
Too much power from this stylish sprinter
steady tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tempt Me Not | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 16 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Pearls | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 3 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Egyptian Symbol | Bjorn Baker | Brenton Avdulla | 10 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
Most fillies presented well. Can SECRET AGENDA get the 1,200 metres? PERIGNON, SUPER CASH, DENPURR all looked OK in a field of mares that paraded in good fashion.
In The Running
ALART showed some speed to lead TEMPT ME NOT, who jumped well from the outside. TYPECAST was just behind them. PERALS in midfield and EGYPTIAN SYMBOL went out the back with PERIGNON and SECRET AGENDA, who was ridden much more quietly than usual. SUPER CASH had to make her run out wide with no cover from the turn.
The Result
TEMPT ME NOT (1st) sprinted from on the pace to a clear lead and hung on late from PEARLS (2nd), who charged home at the end. EGYPTIAN SYMBOL (3rd) also ran on through the pack.
The Interest
A nice on-pace run and low weight gave TEMPT ME NOT the opportunity to show her rapid sprint. She needs conditions to suit to show her best weapon, but when she does, boy is it good. The race was over in a flash! PEARLS relished the wet ground and ran on well. Very good runs from EGYPTIAN SYMBOL and SUPER CASH (5th) too, who would have been hard to beat if the winner didn't get such an easy time up-front. As for SECRET AGENDA, it was an odd ride from Newitt and she ended up in the worst ground on the inside. Back to 1100m for her will see a big turnaround. Follow PEARLS, EGYPTIAN SYMBOL and SUPER CASH. Forgive SECRET AGENDA.
Race 6 INGLIS SIRES'
A budding star shows her fight
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yankee Rose | David Vandyke | Zac Purton | 8 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Telperion | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 4 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Faraway Town | Matthew Smith | Jay Ford | 5 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
Most 2yo coats looked well in the yard. TELPERION is a strong type. CHIMBORAA a little on his toes. YANKEE ROSE is a neater filly. Others well behaved.
In The Running
GOOD STANDING jumped well, but allowed SPARKLES and DETECTIVE to take up the running. ZAMZAM was wider with no cover and GOOD STANDING ended up even wider (no cover), giving a nice trail to YANKEE ROSE and TELPERION behind him. CHIMBORAA was pushed wide on the turn.
The Result
YANKEE ROSE (1st) loomed up and surged clear from them. TELPERION (2nd) ran on 2.5 length behind and FARAWAY TOWN (3rd) made late ground to grab a place by a narrow margin.
The Interest
She is a little ripper this filly, so tough, reliable and now a Group 1 winner. Both YANKEE ROSE and TELPERION had produced very good Golden Slipper runs a couple of weeks ago and they dominated, with David Vandyke's warrior relishing the tough Randwick conditions more than the big Godolphin colt. Vandyke's first Group 1 winner too! FARAWAY TOWN showed stamina along with RIVO BOY to stick on. You can forgive OMEI SWORD, the big leggy filly was never comfortable back on the inside in conditions that didn't suit. Follow YANKEE ROSE and TELPERION. Forgive OMEI SWORD.
Race 7 BMW AUSTRALIAN DERBY
New Zealand wins the Derby again!
steady tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tavago | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Tommy Berry | 1 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Jameka | Ciaron Maher | Damien Oliver | 12 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Tally | James Cummings | James McDonald | 9 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
TARZINO and the filly JAMEKA looked very well, TALLY only a touch hot. Kiwis OK, TAVAGO an athletic type and WHAT'S THE STORY neat and robust. No big knocks.
In The Running
OH SO SPLENDIDO took up the running from JAMEKA with TAVAGO and TARZINO (over-raced slightly) behind them. TALLY strode up wider (no cover), flushing out TARZINO who started his run on the turn.
The Result
TARZINO (4th) wobbled as he came wider and soon struggled as TAVAGO (1st) and JAMEKA (2nd) picked up better from the 400m, the Kiwi clearing out late for a hug win. TALLY (3rd) ran on well, clearly in-front of TARZINO.
The Interest
Another big Derby win to the Kiwis! One-time NZ Derby favourite TAVAGO put in a below par performance in his lead-up run before having no luck in the NZ Derby itself, storming home for 6th after bad checks at the start and 1800m. Some money came on the day and he was far too good in a sprint down the Randwick straight! While there was some money for the winner, it wasn't a fraction of what TARZINO had on him, jumping as the $1.65 favourite. A couple of excuses but he was a few lengths behind and finished in-front of the same horse than ran 2nd to him in the Victoria Derby - ETYMOLOGY. Follow TAVAGO, TARZINO and TALLY. Forgive TARZINO?
Race 8 DARLEY T J SMITH STAKES
The big grey goes 'boom' again!
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chautauqua | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 11 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Fell Swoop | Matthew Dale | Zac Purton | 10 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | English | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Blake Shinn | 14 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
CHAUTAUQUA looked relaxed and well. EXOSPHERE relaxed. TERRAVISTA ready to roll. ENGLISH paraded much better than usual.
In The Running
OUR BOY MALACHI and FELL SWOOP went to the lead and ran along at a decent clip leaving CHAUTAUQUA urged along at the back. EXOSPHERE was in the pack.
The Result
CHAUTAUQUA (1st) came to the outside a long way off them and produced a devastating final 300m to beat the brave FELL SWOOP (2nd). ENGLISH (3rd) ran on too from the back.
The Interest
What a finish from the big grey to take out the TJ Smith for the second year in a row. The highest rated sprinter in the land had the up-and-comer EXOSPHERE to deal with here, but there was never a challenge from the boom 3yo colt. He struggled late and finished up 11th, taking his record to 10 starts, 5 wins and 0 placings - an unreliable betting prospect. He was reported to be sore and lame after the race, a suspicious punter wouldn't be surprised that happened to an expensive colt.. Big runs from FELL SWOOP and ENGLISH, who could even be better on dry ground. Follow CHAUTAUQUA and ENGLISH.
Race 9 THE STAR DONCASTER MILE
Finally crowned the Champion Mare
strong tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winx | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 11 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Happy Clapper | Patrick Webster | Brenton Avdulla | 8 | 50.5 | |
| 3 | Azkadellia | Ciaron Maher | Glen Boss | 12 | 50.0 |
In The Yard
Packed yard, WINX looked fit and well, only AOMEN looked very hot. VOLKSTOK’N’BARRELL looked very well from NZ.
In The Running
VERGARA was aggressively ridden to lead from TURN ME LOOSE and ECUADOR out wider. WINX was taken out the back with AZKADELLIA and HAPPY CLAPPER.
The Result
WINX (1st) ran on best, surging clear from the chasing HAPPY CLAPPER (2nd) and AZKADELLIA (3rd), who made up lots of ground from the back. There was a gap back to the rest.
The Interest
What a sight, three horses slicing through the pack at the finish, two up-and-comers on 50kg and the Champion Mare on 56.5kg. She once again produced a finishing surge that no horse in Australia can come close to. To put in perspective, HAPPY CLAPPER's strength is hitting the line like a train and even he was dealt with easily! HAPPY CLAPPER and AZKADELLIA tried hard in very brave performances. It was a footy field back to 4th! VERGARA (4th) had made it a very testing mile ran in quick time. There is talk of the Cummings trained mare backing up in the Queen of the Turf, but the more interesting story is what WINX does next. Will she contest the $4 million Queen Elizabeth? It has to be 50/50 after such an enormous effort today. Follow WINX, HAPPY CLAPPER and AZKADELLIA.
Race 10 TAB ADRIAN KNOX STAKES
Forgiving this filly pays big dividends
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diamond Made | Bruce Cross | Glyn Schofield | 10 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Alaskan Rose | Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson | Dwayne Dunn | 14 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Zasorceress | Darren Weir | Zac Purton | 2 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
SHOTGUN ROULETTE and BULLA BABY looked a little hot. ALASKAN ROSE relaxed, coat shining. ALITTLE LOOSE is a smaller type, quite lean too.
In The Running
ZASORCERESS took up the running from AURORA’S STAR and BULLA BABY with SACRED EYE just behind them. DIAMOND MADE and ALASKAN ROSE were back.
The Result
ZASORCERESS (3rd) strode a couple lengths early in the straight, but couldn't hold off the finishing surge of DIAMOND MADE (1st) and ALASKAN ROSE (2nd) down the outside. SACRED EYE (4th) fought on OK.
The Interest
A weak edition of the Adrian Knox, don't expect any of these to trouble the better fillies in the Oaks. It was a case of forgiving DIAMOND MADE one bad run at Kembla Grange, she had hit the line hard at Hawkesbury at the start prior (where she beat a couple of 10/1 shots in this race) and returned to that form with a quieter ride (she led at Kembla). Massive odds of 100/1 were the reward for the very few that stuck with her. ALASKAN ROSE ran on in a race that really was there for the taking. They only ran a slow time. No Follows or Forgives.