Yard to the Post @ All Aged Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 16 April 2016
Gai Waterhouse and James Cummings scored big Group One wins on the last day of the Autumn Carnival in Sydney.
It was a lucky strike for young James, Sires' Produce winner Yankee Rose was expected to easily win the Group One Champagne Stakes, posted at $1.50 in early markets when she was nominated on Monday. At that stage the Cummings-trained colt PRIZED ICON wasn't even in the field!
Drama followed in the next few days with an injury to Yankee Rose ruling her out and Cummings snuck his valuable son of More Than Ready in at the last minute. A strong effort to keep lifting in a testing mile showed that he was worthy of his place in the field.
Later in the All Aged Stakes, Gai finally enjoyed some Carnival glory after yet another stable runner, SPEAK FONDLY, had missed a place earlier in the day. ENGLISH showed her rapid sprint to dash home out wide, leaving BLACK HEART BART and KERMADEC chasing in vain.
In other races, we got to see promising types win the two 2,000 metre events on the card. The Hayes trained HE'S OUR ROKKII was too good for popular favourite OLD NORTH in the Frank Packer Plate and GUARDINI showed locals his international class winning the Japan Racing Association Plate easily.
And in the closest race of the day, the Group Three Hall Mark Stakes was won by MUSIC MAGNATE (picture), who kicked off a campaign that could include the Group One Stradbroke in Queensland. He scraped home from a wall of horses including roughie KNOYDART from the Godolphin stable.
A full review from the yard to the post is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | +9 metres |
| Conditions | SOFT 5 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
Tammy Boyd seeks Randwick destiny
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unknown Destiny | Stephen Jones | Kerrin McEvoy | 7 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Nights On Fire | Norm Gardner | Ms Kayla Nisbet | 9 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Strangerinparadise | Terry J Fahey | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
MURRANJI a stronger type. TOUCH SENSITIVE and UNKNOWN DESTINY lighter frames. CIRCLE GAME fit and ready, should push forward.
In The Running
ACCESSORY DIVA jumped well from the outside to cross TOUCH SENSITIVE. NIGHTS ON FIRE continued to press forward on a wide run. There was a good amount of pressure in the race, setting up an honest tempo.
The Result
NIGHTS ON FIRE (2nd) took over at the 200m with UNKNOWN DESTINY (1st) finishing the better in the end. STRANGERINPARADISE (3rd) picked up well when clear running on to place.
The Interest
A patient ride by Kerrin McEvoy on UNKNOWN DESTINY was the key as he let him stride up straightening and was too good on the day, strongest to the line over a tiring NIGHTS ON FIRE ran a courageous race being wide without cover throughout. STRANGERINPARADISE did his best work late and worked home well once clear. Easing favourite CIRCLE GAME enjoyed a lovely trail and was kept in a pocket in the early part of the straight, while DASHIE DE LUXE made up many lengths after being last on the turn and ran on strongly. Follow the first five over the line. Forgive DYLAN'S DYNASTY (not much luck), ONEMOREGYPSY (4 wide throughout) and TOUCH SENSITIVE (abrasion to the off-hind bumper).
Race 2 E-GROUP SECURITY SPRINT
Jo Pride 's Nadeem mare is just a winner
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ammirata | Joseph Pride | Sam Clipperton | 1 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Alart | Jan Bowen | Dwayne Dunn | 3 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Santa Ana Lane | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Hugh Bowman | 10 | 60.5 |
In The Yard
Most well in the yard. LUCKY CAN BE on her toes, suits Randwick. AMMIRATA a touch keen but fit. ALART not 100% fit still.
In The Running
MOHAVE jumped best before KLAMMER strode up inside to the lead. RYKER had also jumped well before being eased out of the speed battle, as did SANTA ANA LANE.
The Result
SANTA ANA LANE (3rd) strode to the lead before AMMIRATA (1st) eased over heels and finished powerfully down the middle ahead of ALART (2nd) who picked up well along the rail.
The Interest
AMMIRATA had work to do in the straight and she let rip with a powerful finish at the end, winning while fresh. ALART is getting fitter and that run should top her off nicely for the coming weeks. SANTA ANA LANE may have found the step back in trip a little sharp on the quick back-up, however had every chance and may have peaked on his run. ROCK FORTHE LADIES, PRESS REPORT (laid out) and LADY JIVAGO all found themselves nearer the outside rail and ran on strongly. LUCKY CAN BE travelled into the race well before having to be eased down near the 200m. Follow AMMIRATA and ALART (getting fitter). Forgive LUCKY CAN BE (lame) and those pushed wide ROCK FORTHE LADIES, PRESS REPORT and LADY JIVAGO.
Race 3 TJS FRANK PACKER PLATE
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | He's Our Rokkii | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Dwayne Dunn | 6 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Old North | James Cummings | James McDonald | 8 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Torgersen | Michael Jones | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 56.5 |
In The Running
ZASORCERESS wasn't the quickest to jump, but she mustered and went to the lead, from GOLD AMBITION, who went forward this time. OLD NORTH was just behind them in the two-wide line with HE'S OUR ROKKII on his back and TORGERSEN a touch keen on the inside. ASINARA got well back. OLD NORTH, HE'S OUR ROKKII, TOGERSEN and ASINARA were travelling best on the turn as others dropped off.
The Result
OLD NORTH (2nd) moved up nicely, but HE'S OUR ROKKII (1st) was too strong to the line. TOGERSEN (3rd) fought on well nearer the inside and ASINARA (4th) made ground. A big gap of 5.3 lengths back to 5th.
The Interest
Four talented middle-distance types that are sure to win more races, with HE'S OUR ROKKII showing he could be the Doncaster contender for 2017 Hayes has suggested. The favourite OLD NORTH had every chance and couldn't hold him off late, HE'S OUR ROKKII running a very impressive 11.93 seconds for the last 200m to overcome him. ASINARA had shown some form around Group One fillies so the three boys that beat her are no mugs. GOLD AMBITION will be better over 1400m to 1600m after a break. Follow OLD NORTH, HE'S OUR ROKKII, TOGERSEN and ASINARA.
Race 4 KARI J H B CARR STAKES
Cummings and Schofield start a big day together
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yattarna | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 15 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | No More Tears | Stephen Marsh | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Lady Sniper | Bjorn Baker | Blake Shinn | 8 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
BRIGADOON RISE very well in yard, along with PEARLS, DENPURR, HEARTLINGS and TAP THIS. LADY SNIPER and MUZYKA a touch warm. YATTARNA lean and very keen in the yard.
In The Running
YATTARNA jumped best from the outside to cross LADY SNIPER. HEARTLINGS raced wider without cover. DENMAGIC was slow to begin. The leaders controlled a steady to slow tempo.
The Result
YATTARNA (1st) pulled out plenty in the lead after being challenged strongly at the 300m to hold off NO MORE TEARS (2nd), LADY SNIPER (3rd), BRIGADOON RISE (4th) and DENMAGIC (5th). It was a bunched finish.
The Interest
After being very hot in the yard YATTARNA managed to settle well enough in the lead and control this race, leaving those at the back of the pack in a lot of trouble. LADY SNIPER, NO MORE TEARS and BRIGADOON RISE were all solid up near the pace too, but it was the runs of PEARLS, DENMAGIC and DENPURR that were better than they looked. Favourite PEARLS needs an honest tempo and/or a wet track to perform, she posted one of the lowest top speeds in this race, a filly that lacks the power and muscle to sprint. Forgive PEARLS, DENMAGIC and DENPURR.
Race 5 MOËT & CHANDON CHAMPAGNE STAKES
Young Cummings grabs his opportunity
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prized Icon | Kris Lees | Glyn Schofield | 7 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Chimboraa | David Payne | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Divine Prophet | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Dwayne Dunn | 10 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
EL SICARIO is a big, raw type. NORTH SKY a sprinting type with muscle a big risk at the distance. PRIZED ICON looked fit and well.
In The Running
EL SICARIO pulled his way to the lead and McEvoy couldn't hold him up! He strode clear by many lengths from PRIZED ICON. FARAWAY TOWN was wide with no cover. JAWS OF STEEL and CHIMBORAA were a touch slow and got back, while DIVINE PROPHET was snagged back. The pack took over from the EL SICARIO early in the straight, JAWS OF STEEL getting badly blocked at the time.
The Result
PRIZED ICON (1st) and FARAWAY TOWN (4th) loomed strongly and the former kept lifting best to hold off the swoopers CHIMBORAA (3rd) and DIVINE PROPHET (4th).
The Interest
How much would a fit YANKEE ROSE have won this by... probably 5 lengths or more!? Anyway, we were left with a substandard field and young James Cummings got a well deserved Group One with his valuable son of More Than Ready, backing up from the Fernhill a week earlier. He wasn't even nominated on Monday until the stable realised 'yankee' was looking like non-runner! There were two unlucky tales in the race, FARAWAY TOWN stuck wide and JAWS OF STEEL getting blocked badly right as he was starting to warm up. Forgive JAWS OF STEEL and FARAWAY TOWN.
Race 6 HALL MARK STAKES
Queensland riches are music to Baker's ears
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Music Magnate | Bjorn Baker | Brenton Avdulla | 11 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Knoydart | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Tim Clark | 8 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Fast 'n' Rocking | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Dwayne Dunn | 1 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
No knocks at all in the yard, top weights looked muscular and well, MUSIC MAGNATE ready to run a big race fresh.
In The Running
SPEAK FONDLY and MUSIC MAGNATE took up the running from BACHMAN and KNOYDART. FAST'N'ROCKING was quietly ridden on the inside near the back.
The Result
Five horses crossed the line together! MUSIC MAGNATE (1st) fought off SPEAK FONDLY (7th) and just held on by the narrowest of margins from KNOYDART (2nd). FAST'N'ROCKING (3rd) ran on up the inside, FEDERAL (4th) stormed home out wider and TARGET IN SIGHT (5th) ran on too.
The Interest
On paper this was evenly matched and boy did we get a close race! Most of these horses had been well tested in this grade, with MUSIC MAGNATE the up-and-comer who can go onto the Queensland Carnival with a win under his belt. Hard to fault any of the runs, even SPEAK FONDLY did well considering she was so poorly weighted as A 3yo filly against the boys, just 1.7 lengths behind. KNOYDART bounced back to his 'normal' form after a poor run in the TJ Smith first-up. ARTLEE was held up and hit the line OK too. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 7 SCHWEPPES ALL AGED STAKES
Gai gets some Autumn Carnival glory
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Black Heart Bart | Lindsey Smith | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Kermadec | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 8 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
All the classy horses looked well, ENGLISH out onto the track early but OK. GOLDSTREAM only lean needs further. MALAGUERRA much better behaved today.
In The Running
MALAGUERRA took the lead early before PERIGNON and GOLDSTREAM pushed forward and took over, leaving him in the box seat. PRESS STATEMENT was wide no cover. KERMADEC and ENGLISH went out the back. MALAGUERRA was slightly held up when the sprint went on behind the leaders.
The Result
KERMADEC (3rd) took off early before the turn and loomed strongly, but ENGLISH (1st) sprinted on his inside to take the prize. BLACK HEART BART (3rd) kept lifting from the pack and hit the line late.
The Interest
There was talk of this being a weaker All Aged Stakes yet we had ENGLISH (2nd to Chautauqua) and KERMADEC (2nd to Winx) in the field, some of the best form-lines you can get! After a tactical affair, ENGLISH showed that 1400m was no barrier and she flashed past with KERMADEC going with her on the outside. James McDonald will have wished he stayed on the filly's back and not taken off early. BLACK HEART BART was brave and they were clear of REBEL DANE and PRESS STATEMENT, who isn't quite up to this level perhaps, despite racing wide. MALAGUERRA's form-lines looked shaky when TARGET IN SIGHT put in only an average performance earlier. He didn't have the best of luck, but only came home in 11.88 (5th fastest) for the last 200m. Follow ENGLISH, BLACK HEART BART and KERMADEC.
Race 8 SHARP JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION PLATE
International form-lines prove too good
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guardini | Ciaron Maher | Hugh Bowman | 17 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Index Linked | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 5 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Havana Cooler | James Cummings | James McDonald | 2 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
Lots of fit horses in the yard, even those second-up, RUDY looked well in himself. GUARDINI a nice well-built type and CASINO DANCER a touch fitter now.
In The Running
MESSENE rolled forward from HIPPOPUS and WEARY just behind. GUARDINI was wide with no cover midfield, before getting cover before the turn. INDEX LINKED was restrained out the back and then moved up on the inside. RUDY found a good run, but couldn't get space when it mattered.
The Result
GUARDINI (1st) popped to the outside and sprinted straight past them, laying in late as Bowman kept him straight. INDEX LINKED (2nd) ran on up the inside and HAVANA COOLER (3rd) made some ground wider. RUDY (5th) hit the line in the last 50m after being badly held up.
The Interest
One very impressive run and one very unlucky run in this 2000m race. GUARDINI had shown a good sprint in both his Melbourne starts this prep, but hadn't hit the line. More fitness and a slightly steadier tempo helped him show off his international class, a horse destined for Group 1 a 2 racing from now on. RUDY was the unlucky runner, getting driven into dead-ends after a charmed run. Others just behind were OK, except for MESSENE who doesn't stay a genuine 2000m it seems. CASINO DANCER knocked up late, but she is ready now back to 1600m or 1800m. Follow GUARDINI and CASINO DANCER (back in distance). Forgive RUDY.
Race 9 TAB REWARDS ROYAL RANDWICK 100
Class makes this guy look lucky
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mighty Lucky | Ken Parker | Chris O'Brien | 8 | 61.5 | |
| 2 | Religify | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 2 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Strawberry Boy | Chris Waller | Taylor Marshall | 10 | 62.0 |
In The Yard
Most looked well, including fresh horses TALES OF GRIMM, PAJARO and STRAWBERRY BOY. NANCY, PAJARO and SHOREHAM only lean types.
In The Running
DECISION TIME went to the lead at a decent clip early before backing it off mid-race and then kicking for home early. STRAWBERRY BOY was on his outside, RELIGIFY in the box seat and NANCY just a touch keen in 4th when the tempo backed off. MIGHTY LUCKY settled in the pack with cover and MEDCAUT was wide without a trail. As the turned for home, RELIGIFY drifted wider and pushed NANCY out.
The Result
STRAWBERRY BOY (3rd) fought to the lead, but was grabbed by RELIGIFY (2nd) and MIGHTY LUCKY (1st) surged through late to win. NANCY (4th) fought on solidly.
The Interest
A tricky race to read, they went, stopped and then went again, a race profile that suits a horse just behind the leading bunch. Take nothing away from MIGHTY LUCKY though, who produced almost a career best effort to win carrying 61.5kg in this grade. He could simply be a better horse this prep! STRAWBERRY BOY, RELIGIFY (form was stamped by FEDERAL earlier in day) and NANCY (heavily backed) were all good up near the speed, lil' NANCY would have preferred the track to have stayed softer, it was racing like a good track by this stage of the day. Lots of other OK runs behind, including SHOREHAM (Randwick seems to suit). PAJARO and MEDCAUT (stuck wide). Follow STRAWBERRY BOY, RELIGIFY and NANCY (on softer ground). Forgive MEDCAUT.