Yard to the Post @ Canterbury Park
Race Day: Canterbury Park on Saturday, 23 July 2016
A big early betting plunge only just missed the mark today at Canterbury Park on a day full of exciting finishes.
French import SINGING hadn't raced for a year after moving to Australia to join the Kris Lees stable and punters didn't miss his Group-level credentials when the markets openned on Wednesday. Prices of $15 or more were quickly snapped up and many corporate bookmakers were asking for $5 by Friday.
He drifted back to $7.5 on-course before SONG AND LAUGHTER got the dream run up the rails to sink the big move by a small margin.
The day had started with a high quality two-year-old event won by Gerald Ryan's colt TANGO RAIN, who led all the way to hold off Waterhouse's fast-finishing THRONUM after the favourite missed the start. Both horses that could carry on their campagns into the early Spring.
And in the feature race, bold front-runner REDZEL led all the way to beat home WOULDN'T IT BE NICE, the two of them streaking over four lengths clear of the pack in testing conditions. A finishing time of 1 minute 7.48 seconds for 1,100 metres after a strong tempo proved that the ground was clearly in the heavy range.
The track played well overall and genuine mudlarks were favoured.
A full review is on-line now.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | HEAVY 8 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY MARTIN KING HANDICAP
Gerald Ryan's impressive colt dances clear
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tango Rain | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Kerrin McEvoy | 7 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Thronum | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Tommy Berry | 2 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Hair Trigger | James Cummings | Sam Clipperton | 11 | 56.0 |
In The Running
TANGO RAIN showed early speed to cross from VIENNA WALTZ who pushed forward to sit outside the lead with TICKLING next along the rails. THRONUM jumped awkwardly before driving through so sit mid-field. CUDABEEN overraced in the early and middle stages.
The Result
TANGO RAIN (1st) gave a kick rounding the turn to safely hold THRONUM (2nd) who surged late after giving chase at the top of the straight. HAIR TRIGGER (3rd) was the best of the back markers closing late from last.
The Interest
A high quality two-year-old event with Gerald Ryan's colt TANGO RAIN leading all the way and holding off THRONUM. There is no clear case to say the favourite would have turned the tables had he jumped better, however both of these horses could carry on their campaigns into the early Spring. DECORATED SOLDIER had to be steadied over the concluding stages finishing on the back of the place-getters. SEVENTHCHIC did not handle the testing conditions and will likely be spelled. Follow TANGO RAIN and THRONUM.
Race 2 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
Rob Thompson rounds them up for a Cessnock victory
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lasszou | Jeremy Sylvester | Robert Thompson | 5 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Attainment | Todd Smart | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Dylan's Dynasty | Angela Davies | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 12 | 53.5 |
In The Running
CHEEKY jumped quickly and led from DYLAN'S DYNASTY who crossed easily from an outside gate. RAISED A LEGEND railed up in behind with ATTAINMENT on his outside.
The Result
DYLAN'S DYNASTY (3rd) headed off CHEEKY (9th) turning for home, only for LASSZOU (1st) to pounce late with ATTAINMENT (2nd) who chased gamely up the straight.
The Interest
LASSZOU was the strongest late and drew clear over the concluding stages for a solid win. He has done some travelling of late, up to Port Macquarie then down to the city, however is racing in great heart this preparation. ATTAINMENT is another who keeps finding the line this time in and showed surge giving chase from around the turn. DYLAN'S DYNASTY battled on ok from on pace however keeps finding one or two better in his races. The eye-catcher of the race was RUBYMAY who ran on right on the heels of the place-getters and was never fully tested over the concluding stages. OCEAN GRAND looked to peak on his run and should be fitter for the outing. Early leader CHEEKY did not handle the testing conditions and will now be spelled. Follow LASSZOU. Forgive RAISED A LEGEND (suffered abrasion and laceration)
Race 3 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP
61kgs not enough to stop Bowman and Waller
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pioneering | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 8 | 61.0 | |
| 2 | Dee Nine Elle | Tony Gollan | Tim Clark | 4 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Art Nouveau | Garry Neale | Andrew Adkins | 9 | 61.0 |
In The Running
HELENSBURGH HAM shot out of the gates to cross SALERNO and set a Strong Tempo. OCEAN TEMPEST took the box seat while the perceived leader DEE NINE ELLE was slowish out of the gates and was used up early to regain a forward position
The Result
DEE NINE ELLE (2nd) swung widest around the turn and quickly took over in the straight before PIONEERING (1st) dug deep get there on the line under the 61kg impost. ART NOVEAU (3rd) closed late from last
The Interest
The Strong Tempo up front was a recipe for the swoopers to finish off the race, and that is exactly what PIONEERING did best under the big weight. The services of Hugh Bowman were tactically correct from trainer Chris Waller opting to go with the best instead of a claim. Tim Clark didn't jump all that well on DEE NINE ELLE and was in some unfamiliar territory not in the lead or on speed, and was strong to the line. ART NOVEAU chased well from the back and continues to race well. Follow the first three over the line.
Race 4 TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP
Collett laughs all the way along the rails
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Song And Laughter | Richard Litt | Jason Collett | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Singing | Kris Lees | Koby Jennings | 3 | 62.0 | |
| 3 | Loophole | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 6 | 60.5 |
In The Running
TRADTRI rolled forward from the outside with BLACK JAG taking the sit on his outside. They rolled along at a Fair Tempo from PINDAN PEARL and SINGING along the rail.
The Result
SINGING (2nd) cruised up rounding the turn to take the lead and looked home before SONG AND LAUGHTER (1st) got the dream run up along the rails to snatch victory on the line. LOOPHOLE (3rd) pushed through late and finished off nicely in behind.
The Interest
French import SINGING hadn't raced for a year after moving to Australia to join the Kris Lees stable and punters didn't miss his Group-level credentials when the markets opened on Wednesday. Prices of $15 or more were quickly snapped up and many corporate bookmakers were asking for $5 by Friday. He drifted back to $7.5 on-course before SONG AND LAUGHTER got the dream run up the rails to sink the big move by a small margin. It was a nice form turnaround from the winner and again showed his liking for the Canterbury 1,900m journey. LOOPHOLE was much better back in distance, while GET ON THE GRANGE tried hard and was just a class below these. Equal favourite PINDAN PEARL was pushed wide turning and didn't finish the race off. Follow SINGING.
Race 5 #THERACES HANDICAP
Four in a row for Terry Robinson's officer
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King's Officer | Terry Robinson | Tommy Berry | 5 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | McCreery | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Got Unders | Jay Hopkins | Mr Lester Grace | 8 | 54.0 |
In The Running
GOT UNDERS worked across from wide out to lead MAGICAL STANCE with MCCREERY and LANCIATO in behind. GAMBLER'S BLUES raced wide without cover.
The Result
KING'S OFFICER (1st) was revved up around the turn and surged late out wider to edge clear from MCCREERY (2nd) over the concluding stages. They put a space on the tiring leaders with GOT UNDERS (3rd) just edging MAGICAL STANCE (4th) out of the placings.
The Interest
Four in a row to KING'S OFFICER! A great job by Terry Robinson who has the Domesday gelding firing on all cylinders with another big win up in grade. He again enjoyed a solid tempo and when he gets that, he surges to the line. MCCREERY was another to enjoy the tempo and enjoyed the testing conditions. The favourite LANCIATO could not be tested at all over the final 200m along the rail after being held up. Forgive LANCIATO and GAMBLER'S BLUES (bled).
Race 6 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
A classy sprinter on the rise
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Last Witness | Paul Perry | Tim Clark | 10 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Raido | Kris Lees | Kerrin McEvoy | 8 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Ever So Natural | Tim McIntosh | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 58.0 |
In The Running
RAIDO crossed to lead HAPPY GALAXY who pressed on from a wide gate. BURRADOO and ENCOSTANATI enjoyed good runs in behind the speed.
The Result
RAIDO (2nd) skipped clear at the 250m however was then tiring as LAST WITNESS (1st) strode up and drew clear for a strong win. EVER SO NATURAL (3rd) kept chasing up the straight to edge out BURRADOO (4th) along the rails.
The Interest
LAST WITNESS made it two wins on the trot and has the scope to keep improving and winning. He is a nice strong muscular sprinter who showed his liking back to the 1,100m. RAIDO was the best of the on-pacers and bounced back after a disappointing performance last start. EVER SO NATURAL tried hard and hit the line well being second-up, and looks ready for 1,200m+ now. Follow LAST WITNESS and EVER SO NATURAL.
Race 7 JULY SPRINT
McEvoy runs them into the ground
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redzel | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 10 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Wouldnt It Be Nice | Paul Perry | Christian Reith | 3 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Forget | Kim Waugh | Tim Clark | 1 | 60.5 |
In The Running
REDZEL jumped best to cross and lead easily from DECISION TIME with FELINES on the rail. The field was well strung out coming to the turn.
The Result
REDZEL (1st) was simply too strong from the lead and held off the late challenge of WOULDN'T IT BE NICE (2nd) who was the only one to give chase out of the pack. They cleared out from FORGET (3rd) who got up along the rails.
The Interest
It was simply a one-act affair for REDZEL with Kerrin McKevoy letting him roll along and he simply broke the hearts of FELINES and DECISION TIME in what was a dominant win. His recent trials were fine, following on from good form last prep and the Snowden's have him firing. WOULDN'T IT BE NICE was much better placed back in distance and offered the only challenge. Follow REDZEL.
Race 8 TAB MORE THAN JUST WINNING HANDICAP
Lester Grace slots home another city winner
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slots | Grant Marshall | Mr Lester Grace | 6 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Powerline | Kris Lees | Koby Jennings | 5 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Allez Chival | Lauri Parker | Ms Jess Taylor | 11 | 54.0 |
In The Running
ALLEZ CHIVAL jumped best from the outside to spear to the lead from FORTUNE PATCH. TYPHOON JOLIE raced in behind on the inside of DYLAN'S ROJO.
The Result
ALLEZ CHIVAL (3rd) was the only one of those on-pace to hang tough, however it was the closers SLOTS (1st) and POWERLINE (2nd) that finished over the top.
The Interest
ALLEZ CHIVAL set the race up for the swoopers to pounce, and that they did with SLOTS and POWERLINE arriving late. It was somewhat of a form turn around for SLOTS not having raced well over the Brisbane carnival, however showed a liking to a track she has raced well at in the past. POWERLINE is very fit and shows a reliable sprint in his races. Of the others, ULTIMA CHANCE continues to race in career-best form, while AVONACO was disappointing and didn't finish the race off. Follow POWERLINE and ULTIMA CHANCE.
Race 9 MYBOYCHARLIE @ VINERY HANDICAP
Kris Lees rounds off the day with a classy winner
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Awasita | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Glenbawn Dame | Peter Robl | Andrew Adkins | 11 | 61.0 | |
| 3 | Mad About You | Paul Perry | Christian Reith | 5 | 55.0 |
In The Running
GLENBAWN DAME crossed from the outside to lead THORSBORNE. MAD ABOUT YOU railed up to keeping SHAHRAZAD wider. LOT THREE FOUR ONE did not jump with the field.
The Result
GLENBAWN DAME (2nd) gave cheek and kicked in the straight however AWASITA (1st) was there to pounce and win comfortably in the end. MAD ABOUT YOU (3rd) kept coming along the rails to just edge out SHAHRAZAD (4th).
The Interest
There is a touch of class about AWASITA who was back in distance and grade after peaking on her run last start. The choice to run her over 1,100m was the right move, where her muscle and power showed late. GLENBAWN DAME was the class runner and didn't shirk his task albeit up in the weights and lost no admirers in the run. The ground may not have dried out enough for MAD ABOUT YOU, and can be followed back onto a Soft 5 or better. The favourite SHAHRAZAD raced keenly in the early and middle stages, however appeared to have every chance. ROSE OF MAN was ridden patiently out the back and ran on out wide. Follow AWASITA, MAD ABOUT YOU (on drier ground) and ROSE OF MAN.