Yard to the Post @ Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 16 July 2016
There were overcast skies at Rosehill Gardens today, but the rain held off as the track improved steadily from a SOFT 7 to a SOFT 6 (officially upgraded after Race 3).
The Listed Winter Stakes was the feature race on the program and the big, muscular and ever-reliable OXFORD POET (pictured) held off a late challenge from ZIN ZAN EDDIE to win. Trainer Kim Waugh was disappointed after his run a fortnight ago after such good form early in this campaign. Her luck turned around today as NINTH LEGION, the horse that beat him two weeks ago, faded for 3rd.
The most promising win of the day came from the John Sargent trained ESTEBAN, who led all the way and strode clear by a massive 6 1/2 lengths! He is an improving son on Encosta De Lago with tactical speed and the scope to be a player in the Spring.
GRANDE PUNTO mustered another good run after a long preparation to win over his favoured 1,200m distance at Rosehill. He got the better of perennial place-getter PAINTE and Melbourne visitor TADDEI TONDO.
Earlier in the day John O'Shea said he would aim impressive two-year-old winner MORTON'S FORK at the Melbourne spring carnival, with the Group 2 Sandown Guineas and Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes the targets.
A full review is on-line now.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | SOFT 7 to SOFT 6 |
| Weather | SUNNY then OVERCAST |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP
The Melbourne spring awaits this Godolphin galloper
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton's Fork | Lindsey Smith | Brenton Avdulla | 10 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Harper's Choice | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Tim Clark | 13 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Fanfaron | Mark Young | Sam Clipperton | 11 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
MORTON'S FORK and most other 2YOs well behaved. LORD MACAU a tough type. Track a Soft 7.
In The Running
LORD MACAU jumped nicely to lead SCREAMARR who pressed forward on a wide run. with FANFARON racing up wide without cover. MORTON'S FORK was slow to begin.
The Result
FANFARON (3rd) hit the front of a tiring LORD MACAU (6th) 250m out, only for stablemate MORTON'S FORK (1st) to reel him in late. HARPER'S CHOICE (2nd) ran on strongly from the back.
The Interest
MORTON'S FORK showed his talent after bombing the start, and looked a class above these. John O'Shea has the Melbourne spring in his mind for the Ad Valorem colt with races out to the mile. Stablemate FANFARON may have peaked on his run late however was wide throughout. HARPER'S CHOICE and HIGH MIST were the best of the closers, with the latter only ridden hands and heels over the line after getting a little tight for room at the 300m. SALSONIC was a little wayward in the straight and finished off well. Follow MORTON'S FORK. Forgive HIGH MIST.
Race 2 #THERACES HANDICAP
Gai's big group of syndicators bring down the house
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dark Eyes | Matthew Dale | Adam Hyeronimus | 9 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | So Willie | Chris Waller | Rory Hutchings | 11 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Kingsguard | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 7 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
KINGSGUARD a progressive type. DUBAIINSTYLE a little on toes. SUBORIC honest & genuine.
In The Running
KINGSGUARD rolled forward from DARK EYES who kept him honest on the outside. CLASSIC UNIFORM was hampered early then pressed forward on a wide run to sit behind the leaders. PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE was slow to begin.
The Result
DARK EYES (1st) took over KINGSGUARD (3rd) at the 300m and held him at bay, while SO WILLIE (2nd) got up along the rail late. DUBAIINSTYLE (4th) and SUBORIC (5th) flashed home out wide.
The Interest
DARK EYES appeared a slight risk up in trip, however he pulled out plenty late to fend off all challengers. KINGSGUARD is an ex-Kiwi on the up, with his run ending late after setting the pace. In what was a messy affair in behind, DUBAIINSTYLE became unbalanced at the 250m which then bumped SUBORIC and they both did well to pick up late out wide. A strange option by Sam Clipperton on CLASSIC UNIFORM who didn't make use of a forward position and elected to race wide throughout. Forgive DUBAIINSTYLE and SUBORIC.
Race 3 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
No hard luck story today
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Star Shaft | Tim McIntosh | Matthew McGillivray | 5 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Somebody | Don & Andrew Ryan | Blake Spriggs | 17 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Stratum's Siren | Luke Pepper | Brenton Avdulla | 8 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
STAR SHAFT, TUDOR SUNRISE & SOMEBODY stronger types. Others ok.
In The Running
BELLA LA BELLE was ridden aggressively to cross from the outside before BOBBY BE pressed on keeping SUCKER wide without cover. TUDOR SUNRISE raced wider still in behind.
The Result
SOMEBODY (2nd) ran up out wide at the 300m to hit the lead before STAR SHAFT (1st) got a split through the middle and drew clear late. STRATUM'S SIREN (3rd) and TUDOR SUNRISE (4th) chased hard out wide.
The Interest
STAR SHAFT wasn't to be denied again after finding a lovely gap and burst through to win well. He does need it all to go right in his races, however was a class above these. SOMEBODY raced four wide the entire trip and was strong to the finish. STRATUM'S SIREN and TUDOR SUNRISE were both hampered and taken wider as a result. No follows or forgives.
Race 4 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP
John Sargent unleashes a stayer on the rise
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Esteban | John Sargent | Rory Hutchings | 1 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Rock Mylady | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tye Angland | 12 | 61.0 | |
| 3 | Erika | John Bateman | Tommy Berry | 5 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
ESTEBAN improving winning last two by a massive space. THURSTON lightly framed. LAUTARO a strong type.
In The Running
ESTEBAN rolled along from the inside gate from THURSTON who pressed on before LAUTARO strode around him to sit outside the lead.
The Result
ESTEBAN (1st) powered away from all his rivals in the straight by a whopping 6 1/2L. ROCK MYLADY (2nd) chased hard up the straight, while ERIKA (3rd) ran on from well back.
The Interest
He had sailed clear at his last two runs by a massive space, and he did the same again in town. John Sargent has a smart one on his hands as he showed his tactical speed to kick away from them on straightening and was several classes above. THURSTON was galloped on at the 900m and lost both hind plates. Follow ESTEBAN.
Race 5 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
From last to first with a light weight
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Super Tycoon | Gregory McFarlane | James Innes Jnr | 13 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Final Decision | Jason Coyle | Adam Hyeronimus | 7 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Francesco | Mark Newnham | Sam Clipperton | 1 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
SUPER TYCOON breaking out. WINE'N'DINE robust. FIGTREE a taller type.
In The Running
CHOICE LARGA jumped nicely for an uncontested lead with VITE LONI and FIGTREE doing the chasing.
The Result
FRANCESCO (3rd) loomed up at the 100m to briefly take over while FINAL DECISION (2nd) got up along the rails, only for SUPER TYCOON (1st) to swamp them all late powering down the outside from last.
The Interest
James Innes Jnr timed his run to perfection on SUPER TYCOON, getting there in the shadows of the post. He is in great form and relished the honest tempo set as he powered home from the back. FRANCESCO is racing in great heart this preparation, while FINAL DECISION got conditions to suit winding up late along the inside. Of those in behind, OBSIDIAN was again looking for room in the straight. No follows or forgives.
Race 6 WINTER STAKES
Too big, too strong for this scholar
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford Poet | Kim Waugh | Tim Clark | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Zin Zan Eddie | Matthew Smith | Jason Collett | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Ninth Legion | Peter Robl | Sam Clipperton | 9 | 60.0 |
In The Yard
HIDDEN WARRIOR getting a little warm. OXFORD POET well built. BETTER NOT BLUE relaxed
In The Running
OXFORD POET strode to the lead holding out NINTH LEGION. HIDDEN WARRIOR raced outside of MARENOSTRO in behind.
The Result
OXFORD POET (1st) kept kicking to stave off the challenge from NINTH LEGION (3rd) before lifting late to hold out the fast-finishing ZIN ZAN EDDIE (2nd).
The Interest
OXFORD POET is as tough as they come and didn't have to do any work at all to find his spot early. He managed to keep NINTH LEGION to his outside the whole race and showed more fight in the end using the 1kg turnaround from their previous meeting. ZIN ZAN EDDIE improved markedly and was helped by a recent trial win to sharpen him up. MARENOSTRO lost no admirers holding his ground in behind the placegetters. Nothing else made ground in the straight. BETTER NOT BLUE received a small wound to the inside of the off-fore fetlock and will now be spelled. Forgive BETTER NOT BLUE.
Race 7 TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP
Collett gets the best out of this GRANDE galloper
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grande Punto | Allan Denham | Jason Collett | 2 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Painte | Brendan McCarthy | Tim Clark | 9 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Taddei Tondo | Gerard Moloney | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
EL SASSO & PAINTE fit. BARBED carrying condition. Others ok.
In The Running
AROUSED jumped nicely and showed early speed to lead SLATE ON EDGE and MORAL VICTORY.
The Result
GRANDE PUNTO (1st) pushed through in the centre and held off the challenges of PAINTE (2nd) and TADDEI TONDO (3rd).
The Interest
The real wet-track sprinters were the ones in the finish with GRANDE PUNTO putting himself into the race at the right time, bursting through at the 200m. PAINTE was forced wider on the turn and ran into yet another second placing proving how consistent he is. Melbourne raider TADDEI TONDO pushed through a tight gap at his first Sydney try and was not far away. The easing favourite EL SASSO was a little disappointing. He did get crowded at the 100m and lost a length or two, but wouldn't have won. BARBED did not handle the conditions and will be spelled. No follows or forgives.
Race 8 PLUCK @ VINERY HANDICAP
Waller has this girl firing on all cylinders
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elle Lou | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 9 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Extensible | Peter & Paul Snowden | Sam Clipperton | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Frill Seeking | Matthew Smith | Andrew Adkins | 2 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
THUD and EXTENSIBLE parade ok. DISTRAUGHT a little warm.
In The Running
BONETE crossed and made the running from FRILL SEEKING and together they set a Strong Tempo. MARPLE MISS led the field up to the leaders.
The Result
ELLE LOU (1st) didn't go around a horse getting up along the inside to hold off EXTENSIBLE (2nd) who flew late. The leading duo of BONETE (4th) and FRILL SEEKING (3rd) didn't shirk their tasks in the straight fighting on all the way up the straight.
The Interest
ELLE LOU is racing in great form this preparation and even with the 60kg impost, she was dominant in the end away from her beloved Randwick track for the first time this campaign. EXTENSIBLE looks to have talent and has the scope to progress this preparation, attacking the line late. FRILL SEEKING and BONETE both stuck to their guns on-pace. DISTRAUGHT didn't appear to handle the conditions and will now be spelled. Follow EXTENSIBLE. Forgive THUD (bled).
Race 9 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS HANDICAP
Another Wyong trained galloper salutes in the city
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isorich | Wayne Seelin | Taylor Marshall | 1 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Butterboom | Joseph Pride | Tim Clark | 6 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Dragon Flyer | John Thompson | Tye Angland | 12 | 59.5 |
In The Yard
GRAFELLI a little on toes. NITE ROCKER & BUTTERBOOM relaxed.
In The Running
ISORICH and NITE ROCKER jumped best before RAIJINZ rolled to the lead. BRING LUCK missed the start (6L).
The Result
ISORICH (1st) rallied late along the rail to beat off BUTTERBOOM (2nd) who got stopped by the big weight. They cleared out from DRAGON FLYER (3rd) and NO BAD BLOOD (4th) who both closed late.
The Interest
The form was on the board for ISORICH with Badajoz winning since his last start triumph, however it was the weight that was the difference in the end as he rallied back to beat off BUTTERBOOM who had the 60kg impost. DRAGON FLYER turned in the eye-catcher of the race coming off a quiet trial, while NO BAD BLOOD also ran well off two good trials and can be followed while fresh. Follow the first four over the line. Forgive BRING LUCK (missed start 6L).