Yard to the Post @ Hawkesbury
Race Day: Hawkesbury on Saturday, 30 April 2016
Morning showers cleared and the sun shone for Hawkesbury's annual feature day. It was a big relief for the north-western Sydney club after the much-maligned track couldn't handle the rain last year, the event cancelled after just one race.
A very firm surface was presented with rapid times run and track records broken. It was evident the best going was OFF-RAILS as jockey Brenton Avdulla noted it was "like a highway out there" with the rails being a no-go zone.
In the feature Hawkesbury Gold Cup, the well-backed STRAWBERRY BOY didn't find the lead as expected and Waller's AMOVATIO showed his superior turn-of-foot to dash down the outside at blistering speed.
Watching the replay showed just how good the ride was on AMOVATIO from young apprentice Rory Hutchings, finding cover quickly from a wide barrier and producing the winner at the perfect time in the straight.
The Snowdens continued their string of winners at this meeting, scoring in the Godolphin Crown with the super-genuine NANCY, who chased down TWO BLUE in an energy sapping 1,300 metre sprint. Unfortunately for the Godolphin stable their runner FITOU clipped heels and almost fell during the race.
SPILL THE BEANS also produced an impressive effort in the Hawkesbury Guineas, getting control in the lead and kicking clear in the straght. And the day ended with controversy, the Waller stable advising that MACKINTOSH would settle back in the pack before his jockey Avdulla drove the very well-backed ex-Kiwi to the lead. He rode desperately over the last 100 metres to make sure of the win.
A full review from the yard to the post is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 |
| Weather | OVERCAST/ FINE |
| Bias | OFF RAILS |
Race 1 TAB HIGHWAY PLATE
Joey bounces straight to the front
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noble Joey | Robert & Luke Price | James McDonald | 5 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Bid of Faith | Keith Dryden | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Atom Eve | Norm Gardner | Ms Kayla Nisbet | 3 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
NOBLE JOEY a strong sprinter with good muscle in the yard, while ATOM EVE was well, but she is a leaner type compared to most others.
In The Running
NOBLE JOEY jumped best and took up the running and the favourite ATOM EVE was stuck three wide on the course.
The Result
NOBLE JOEY (1st) kept up his speed to win and BID OF FAITH (2nd) chased from in behind him. ATOM EVE (3rd) fought on wider out.
The Interest
A day of plunges started with NOBLE JOEY in the first, simply too fast for the others. ATOM EVE didn't have the best of luck wider, she hasn't developed much and may need a wet track or longer distance now. She lacks the power of the other short-course types. Follow ATOM EVE.
Race 2 RICHMOND CLUB PROVINCIAL STAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Superior stamina kicks in late
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hipparchus | Glenn Thornton | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Duca Valentinois | James Cummings | James McDonald | 3 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Loving Home | Tess Wilkes | Glyn Schofield | 4 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
Most well in the race including DUCIA VALENTINOIS and HIPPARCHUS, who doesn't carry much muscle. THUNDER LADY seems OK in the yard. AWARD SEASON not 100% fit.
In The Running
REIBY THE RED controlled the race early before THUNDER LADY pushed on to get the leading two rolling. The pack behind was led by LOVING HOME. DUCIA VALENTINOIS and HIPPARCHUS started their runs out wider before the turn.
The Result
LOVING HOME (3rd), DUCIA VALENTINOIS (2nd) and HIPPARCHUS (1st) all joined in together, with the latter just stronger late out wide. They all were wider on the track.
The Interest
On this firm Hawkebury track they sprinted home in 34.22 seconds, which could have suited the fresh horse with the turn-of-foot DUCIA VALENTINOIS. Avdulla made sure HIPPARCHUS got on his bike early though and he simply kept lifting. LOVING HOME and HE 'DREAMIN' (4th) honest as always - professional place-getters! THUNDER LADY failed again and may be off to the breeding barn and a date with Criterion. We got to see the OFF RAILS bias in effect here, jockeys preferring to get out wide. Follow HIPPARCHUS.
Race 3 BLAKES MARINE CLARET STAKES
Hawkes swoops to beat home Godolphin
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swear | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Christian Reith | 7 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Flow | James Cummings | Blake Shinn | 2 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Radcliffe | James Cummings | James McDonald | 4 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
FLOW and RADCLIFFE very nice types for the Godolphin yard, SWEAR a touch longer and leaner in the frame, but also well.
In The Running
LUBITON took up the running from ANGHARAD with ALLITERATE and AJANI just behind them. They rolled along at an honest clip. RADCLIFFE was midfield with FLOW (touch keen early) on his back and SWEAR in last behind him.
The Result
RADCLIFFE (3rd) loomed up only for his stablemate FLOW (2nd) to take over out wider. SWEAR (1st) stoked up out widest and swept past late. ALLITERATE (4th) fought on nearer the inside.
The Interest
Not big margins in the end, but we may have seen some future stars on show. FLOW was keen and still produced and SWEAR swept from last to win. Both first-starters with lots of promise. RADCLIFFE was honest, perhaps ALLITERATE was better though given she had to take the inside run in the lesser ground. Follow FLOW and SWEAR. Forgive ALLITERATE.
Race 4 HAWKESBURY XXXX GOLD RUSH
The boys in blue bounce back to form
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Furnaces | John O'Shea | James McDonald | 5 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Inz'n'out | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Christian Reith | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Kuro | John O'Shea | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 61.0 |
In The Yard
KURO neat, muscular and strong. INZ'N'OUT well but perhaps not at 100% fitness yet. FURNACES fine and FINE MIST doesn't need much work, an athletic sprinter.
In The Running
SWEET SERENDIPITY took up the running and sped along from FURNACES just behind and INZ'N'OUT on his back. COOLRING settled in 4th with no cover. SKIP COURSE slower than usual from the gates and got back.
The Result
Another close finish. FURNACES (1st) moved up wider and INZ'N'OUT (2nd) kept chasing him. KURO (3rd) ran on through the pack. SKIP COURSE (4th) and FINE MIST (5th) ran on nearer the inside.
The Interest
FURNACES was poor first-up and this was a much better run, which was expected given the money that bookies ring. Not much between them all though! INZ'N'OUT can improve up to 1200m now and good to see KURO running well. SKIP COURSE and FINE MIST were stuck on the inside. Don't be too harsh on COOLRING (back to 1200m?) or ALBERTO MAGIC (poor recovery) too. Forgive ALBERTO MAGIC.
Race 5 LANDER TOYOTA LADIES DAY CUP BENCHMARK 85 HANDICAP
Avdulla makes the Hawkesbury track his own
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danish Twist | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 1 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Onemorezeta | Kris Lees | Ms Samantha Clenton | 7 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Better Not Blue | Michelle Ritchie | Tye Angland | 10 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
DANISH TWIST a solid toned type of mare, quite tough. FIGTREE in good enough shape first-up, a bigger horse. Most looking OK.
In The Running
DANISH TWIST jumped best and took up the box seat. MOHAVE and NITE ROCKER pushed on and took up the lead. FIGTREE stuck wide with no cover. BETTER NOT BLUE and ONEMOREZETA got back.
The Result
DANISH TWIST (1st) moved up, came wider and kept lifting to win, bumping FIGTREE (6th) in the process. ONEMOREZETA (2nd) ran on with BETTER NOT BLUE (3rd) down the outside. A packed field across the finish-line again.
The Interest
Another 'stacked finish' with Avdulla guiding the Provincial Championships winner home for a back-to-back win. The brash hoop jumped off and bowed to the crowd after his ride, James McDonald not so impressed after he had swept across the track and taken the rightful running of his mount FIGTREE. Avdulla was suspended for a week. Interesting to note that the winner ran faster time than the Godolphin Crown (next race) and she will meet many of those mares at Scone. Forgive FIGTREE.
Race 6 2016 GODOLPHIN CROWN
All heart from Snowden's little warrior
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nancy | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Two Blue | Kristen Buchanan | Paul King | 4 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Press Report | Kris Lees | Jeff Penza | 2 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
NANCY not the biggest galloper, but looking well in herself. TWO BLUE solid and fit. ROLE MODEL hot and a bigger mare. CRADLE ME a nuggetty type.
In The Running
TWO BLUE jumped very well to lead and ROLE MODEL pushed up on her outside after missing the start. PEACE FORCE and ARTISTRY were just behind with many of the backmarkers getting well back. NANCY tracked up on the inside in 6th. FITOU became unbalanced and blundered badly at the 800m.
The Result
TWO BLUE (2nd) fought on gamely, but was no match for NANCY (1st) who track her up and drove to the lead. PRESS REPORT (3rd) fought on from just behind.
The Interest
TWO BLUE and NANCY two of the most honest and reliable mares you will come across and they were clear of the others. It was one of those races that almost split into two, huge margins to those at the back mid-race! SENSE AND REASON and MAHARA were two roughies in midfield and nothing behind them had a chance. Forgive all those at back of the pack, including FITOU after her stumble. We'll see how reliable this Hawkesbury form is at Scone. Follow NANCY.
Race 7 PANTHERS HAWKESBURY GOLD CUP
This young Kiwi jockey can ride!
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amovatio | Chris Waller | Rory Hutchings | 19 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Mighty Lucky | Ken Parker | Chris O'Brien | 9 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Casino Dancer | Mike Van Gestel | Greg Ryan | 17 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
CASINO DANCER fitter now getting deep into her prep. PAJARO only a light and lean type, OPINION a solid stayer. STRAWBERRY BOY big strong and a nice type.
In The Running
LESS IS MORE jumped OK and came across to lead today from STRAWBERRY BOY up on his outisde. MEDCAUT was in the box seat with ECUADOR on his outside and GREAT ESTEEM wider with no cover. CASINO DANCER just behind him and AMOVATIO got cover back in the pack from a wide barrier.
The Result
AMOVATIO (1st) peeled to the outside and sprinted home out wide, beating home MIGHTY LUCKY (2nd), who ran home through the pack. CASINO DANCER (3rd) fought on past the leader STRAWBERRY BOY (4th).
The Interest
A perfect ride from Hutchings and Waller's gelding showed his superior sprint to dash home out wide. MIGHTY LUCKY is still flying and ran home very well with the 58kg, and CASINO DANCER returned to form, she's now fit after a few runs this campaign. STRAWBERRY BOY OK after getting very well-backed and ECUADOR (6th) only ground away after some money came for him also, they were both as surprised as the Stewards were when LESS IS MORE (finished 15th) led! OPINION caught the eye running on through a bunched field and TALES OF GRIMM was better running on up the inside and could improving ahead of his Scone Cup defence. Not Follows or Forgives.
Race 8 BLACKTOWN WORKERS HAWKESBURY GUINEAS
Class rises to the top in the Guineas
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spill the Beans | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Tim Clark | 10 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Denmagic | David Pfieffer | Jason Collett | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Serene Majesty | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 2 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
SPILL THE BEANS was strong, well and stood out in the parade. DENMAGIC hard fit and HANDFAST holding condition after his last win.
In The Running
SPILL THE BEANS worked across to lead from SUSPENSE and SERENE MAJESTY. He got rolling fro home on the turn. HANDFAST was stuck wide with no cover.
The Result
SPILL THE BEANS (1st) held them off easily, from DENMAGIC (2nd), who ran on OK out wider. SERENE MAJESTY (3rd) was just ahead of HANDFAST (4th) and the pack.
The Interest
On his best ratings this was a walk in the park for SPILL THE BEANS and that's how it turned out. His previous run was only average behind Japonisme, an effort that trainer Gerald Ryan couldn't explain. DENMAGIC is racing very gamely and she made up good ground. HANDFAST stuck wide and perhaps he should have some second. None of them are as good as the winner though. Follow SPILL THE BEANS.
Race 9 FISHBOY SEAFOODS BENCHMARK 77 HANDICAP
Avdulla's army of followers get the cash
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mackintosh | Richard Litt | Brenton Avdulla | 13 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Man of Choice | Brad Widdup | James McDonald | 9 | 61.0 | |
| 3 | Dream Lane | Nick Mitchell | Grant Buckley | 12 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
MACKINTOSH a nice type, he was hot, but not as hot as he was before the Randwick Guineas. DREAM LANE small and tough, MAN OF CHOICE big and strong. SPINNING DAWN also warm in the yard.
In The Running
MACKINTOSH was taken to the lead by Avdulla after the stable advised he would be ridden back. KELLYVILLE FLYER worked up on his outside with MAN OF CHOICE three wide and CARELESS four wide. BLENDWELL didn't find much room at the back.
The Result
MACKINTOSH (1st) kept lifting under hard riding to win by a clear margin from MAN OF CHOICE (2nd), who fought on gamely. DREAM LANE (3rd) also stuck on in-front of a wall of horses.
The Interest
Controversy to end the day! All you can say is the money for this horse came in truck loads, the jockey didn't ride to instructions and he rode like a man possessed over the final 200m. A good effort from the horse, who clearly has ability after beating home black-type winners in NZ over this distance. He had no luck in the G1 Randwick Guineas when backed from 100/1 to 60/1 and is now with the Waller stable. The margin was clear back to a game MAN OF CHOICE. CARELESS was stuck very wide and can be forgiven. BLENDWELL didn't get much room and TRAFALGAR needs further now. Follow MACKINTOSH (..if he's got anything left after this!). Forgive CARELESS and BLENDWELL.