Yard to the Post @ Missile Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 06 August 2016
Torrential rain in Sydney all week left us with plenty of scratchings today, including the star three-year-old CAPITALIST, and those that remained were faced with testing HEAVY ground and an ON-PACE bias.
Royal Randwick in weather like this is about as tough as it gets for thoroughbreds.
While the conditions weren't ideal for many gallopers, on-track punters were just happy the meeting progressed after the persistent rain during the first four races. A jockey meeting after Race 4 coincided with an improvement in the weather and the track held together remarkably well.
The conditions helped lightweight leaders BIRDS OF TOKYO and LIE DIRECT win the first two races as it became clear that back-markers faced an uphill battle with plenty of 'kick-back' reported by jockeys.
The feature of the day was the Group 2 Missile Stakes, taken out by another leader TYCOON TARA first-up for the master trainers Peter and Paul Snowden. The stable scratched CAPITALIST on Friday due to the state of the track and it was left to the stablemate to hold off the favoured REBEL DANE and noted wet-tracker MOUNT NEBO.
In other races, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott got their newly formed training partnership off to a great start as THRONUM jumped better and pulled out plenty to resist the late challenge of MEDITERRANEAN to win the Listed Rosebud for three-year-olds over 1,200 metres.
Another impressive winner on the day was Chris Waller's DUBAIINSTYLE who showed tactical speed to settle closer to the speed. He was one of many lighweight winners on the day.
Read below for a full review from the Yard to the Post.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | HEAVY 10 |
| Weather | SHOWERS |
| Bias | ON-PACE |
Race 1 POWHF LOUISA HOPE HANDICAP
A Melbourne bird swims best in the mud
Bias:
leader
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birds of Tokyo | Luke Oliver | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Firebird Flyer | Chris Waller | Tim Clark | 5 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Defrost My Heart | Chris Waller | Mr Lester Grace | 6 | 62.0 |
In The Yard
HARLEM LADY a lightly framed type stepping up in distance. DEFROST MY HEART athletic and OK after freshen-up.
In The Running
BIRDS OF TOKYO rolled to the front from DEFROST MY HEART who sat outside CILLA. The favourite HARLEM LADY settled last of the small field.
The Result
BIRDS OF TOKYO (1st) controlled the race from the front and extended the lead in the straight to win by a big margin from FIREBIRD FLYER (2nd) who plugged away best in-front of stablemate DEFROST MY HEART (3rd).
The Interest
Kathy O’Hara didn’t receive any of the kick-back leading and BIRDS OF TOKYO drove through the mud, taking advantage of the LEADER bias that the jockeys weren't aware of yet. A last start winner of a BM58 at Moe, Luke Oliver pulled the right reign in bringing her to Sydney and chase the wet tracks she loves. Of the beaten brigade, DEFROST MY HEART could make no inroads with the big weight, while FIREBIRD FLYER only ground away in the straight. HARLEM LADY got back in an impossible position (because of bias) and her run was inconclusive. ERIKA did not look to handle the testing conditions at all. Forgive HARLEM LADY.
Race 2 POWHF ROY BILLING OAM HANDICAP
Deanne Panya directs traffic from the front
Bias:
leader
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lie Direct | Steve Englebrecht | Ms Deanne Panya | 8 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Braces | Gregory Hickman | Ms Winona Costin | 6 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Storm System | Robbie Laing | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
MAJOR MAJOR on the quick back-up from Wednesday, he hasn't lightened off, a solid type. LIE DIRECT solid too and GET ON THE GRANGE/BRACES both a risk at the disance.
In The Running
LIE DIRECT crossed from the outside to lead, and was soon joined by GET ON THE GRANGE as they got about 8Lenghts clear of the chasing pack turning it into a true staying test.
The Result
LIE DIRECT (1st) gave a kick turning for home and had the others beaten at the 300m as he streeted clear from and BRACES (2nd) and STORM SYSTEM (3rd) who both plugged home for the minors.
The Interest
Another leader to win and no apprentice is better at it than Deanne Panya! She dictated from the front on LIE DIRECT, who had the blinkers back on and left all the chasers in her wake in the straight making use of the light weight and the LEADER bias. BRACES and STORM SYSTEM were the two making ground rounding the turn, but could't sustain against that bias. The favourite MAJOR MAJOR was a long way back and under a lot of pressure rounding the turn and may not have handled the quick back-up. Forgive MAJOR MAJOR.
Race 3 JOCKEY CELEBRATION DAY HANDICAP
Tommy Berry makes use of his invitation
Bias:
leader
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Invitations | Kris Lees | Tommy Berry | 2 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Don't Tease Me | Stephen Gleeson | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Last Witness | Paul Perry | Tim Clark | 6 | 59.5 |
In The Running
DON'T TEASE ME drove through for an uncontested lead from TEXAN LAD who sat a couple of lengths back off the rail. THREE SHEETS raced wide without cover throughout.
The Result
DON'T TEASE ME (2nd) gave a kick straightening, however it was INVITATIONS (1st) that finished best out wider over the final 100m. LAST WITNESS (3rd) ran on from last.
The Interest
INVITATIONS was the first leader not to win after the first two races on the card, however was never far off them as Tommy Berry eased wider to give chase on the turn. He gave chase and knuckled down late for a determined win. DON'T TEASE ME had conditions to suit and tired a little late, while LAST WITNESS run was great considering just how tough it was to make up ground on the day. THREE SHEETS struggled to pick up in the conditions round the turn and picked up ok late. Follow INVITATIONS and LAST WITNESS. Forgive TEXAN LAD (lame).
Race 4 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
Deanne Panya snaps the race in two
Bias:
leader
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Snappy One | Jeremy Sylvester | Ms Deanne Panya | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Explosive Scene | Marc Quinn | Andrew Adkins | 9 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Attainment | Todd Smart | Brenton Avdulla | 7 | 55.5 |
In The Running
ATTAINMENT jumped best only for SNAPPY ONE to drive through along the rails to lead. STRIKING LAGO and DESTINED TO WIN did the chasing in behind the speed, while EXPLOSIVE SCENE wider without cover.
The Result
SNAPPY ONE (1st) shook off ATTAINMENT (3rd) quickly rounding the turn and had the race shot to bits a long way out. EXPLOSIVE SCENE (2nd) kept coming and closed off ok late.
The Interest
Another leader dominated affair from Deanne Panya bringing up and early (front) riding double. SNAPPY ONE simply broke their hearts from the front in favourable conditions. EXPLOSIVE SCENE ran on after a wide run while ATTAINMENT was brave and never gave up. A MAGIC ZARIZ was stoked up from the 700m and ran on ok after getting too far back. Forgive a few of those chasing from the back including A MAGIC ZARIZ, HIGH TEC and TUDOR SUNRISE. LINSANG collapsed shortly after being unsaddled.
Race 5 MARK MORAN MISSILE STAKES
The Team Snowden tycoon rolls on
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tycoon Tara | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 6 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Rebel Dane | Gary Portelli | Tommy Berry | 2 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Mount Nebo | Allan Denham | Jason Collett | 4 | 58.5 |
In The Running
TYCOON TARA pushed through from a middle draw to lead REBEL DANE who sat on her outside. MOUNT NEBO sat wide without cover in a compactly bunched field.
The Result
TYCOON TARA (1st) was under a good hold straightening and simply pulled out too much in the end for REBEL DANE (2nd) who had his chance, and MOUNT NEBO (3rd) stuck on out wider.
The Interest
With or without stablemate Capitalist in the race, TYCOON TARA always looked a likely leader and she was simply too good on the day. The others all seemed to have their chance to get past her in the run home, and although she tired late, showed she is tough enough at this level. REBEL DANE looked to have found a suitable race but just lacked the required sprint at the finish. MOUNT NEBO had all of his favourite conditions and stuck on ok. No follows or forgives.
Race 6 THE RANDWICK CITY COUNCIL ROSEBUD
Gai and Adrian Bott start their new partnership on a high
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thronum | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Tommy Berry | 1 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Mediterranean | Matthew Dunn | Blake Shinn | 5 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Miss Beneteau | Jason Coyle | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 4 | 55.5 |
In The Running
THRONUM got away well to drive through along the inside and lead QUICK FEET. LASQUETI SPIRIT was ridden to maintain a forward position wide without cover, while UTHRED took a trail along the inside.
The Result
THRONUM was under enormous pressure straightening, but responded like a tough horse does to shake off QUICK FEET (5th) and MISS BENETEAU (3rd). MEDITERRANEAN (2nd) stormed home late to just miss.
The Interest
The question prior to the race was whether THRONUM would jump well or miss the start, and it was the former that occurred and that was the key. It was a feather in the bow for the newly formed Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott training combination for a tough horse that has shown a liking to the mud at Randwick in his short career. Blake Shinn was stalking them everywhere turning for home on MEDITERRANEAN, and the way he finished the race off suggests he is the one to follow into the bigger 3YO races. It wasn't until the final 125m that he had clear galloping room and that was where he showed his best. QUICK FEET died on his run, while UTHRED failed to handle the conditions. Follow MEDITERRANEAN. Forgive UTHRED and LASQUETI SPIRIT (wide throughout).
Race 7 THE WALLABY CUP
Avdulla trounces them with style
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dubaiinstyle | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | So Willie | Chris Waller | Rory Hutchings | 8 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | King's Officer | Terry Robinson | Koby Jennings | 7 | 60.5 |
In The Running
KOROIBETE jumped best to lead stablemate DARK EYES early before DUBAIINSTYLE pressed forward to sit outside the lead. KING'S OFFICER also strode up mid-race on a wider run.
The Result
DUBAIINSTYLE (1st) was full of running rounding the turn and got away on the field to win easily from the chasers SO WILLIE (2nd) and KING'S OFFICER (3rd).
The Interest
It has taken a while for Chris Waller to step him up to the mile, and with his unlucky run on the Heavy track four starts back, it was a recipe for success. Add in a light weight and tactical speed and the in-form Brenton Avdulla, the race set up nicely for the Ex-Kiwi's first win in Australia. SO WILLIE relished the conditions, as did the well-backed KING'S OFFICER who is simply flying this preparation, and he lost no admirers today sticking on well after racing without cover. QUICK DEFENCE is still improving and tried hard. Follow DUBAIINSTYLE. Forgive BRING LUCK and SUBORIC (both got too far back) and KOROIBETE (lame).
Race 8 POWHF DIRECTORS HANDICAP
McEvoy knits a passage up the inside rail
strong tempo
Bias:
leader
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knit 'n' Purl | Kris Lees | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Allez Chival | Lauri Parker | Ms Jess Taylor | 5 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Tennessee Hussy | Marc Conners | Jason Collett | 2 | 54.0 |
In The Running
ALLEZ CHIVAL jumped best to hold out TYPHOON JOLIE who crossed from out wider. PINCHME settled in behind with ELECTRIC POWER racing wide without cover. VIADUCTRESS stood flat-footed at the start.
The Result
ALLEZ CHIVAL (2nd) kept off the rail turning and that is exactly where KNIT 'N' PURL (1st) took her run, taking over at the 150m and drawing clear. TENNESSEE HUSSY (3rd) was another to run on along the inside.
The Interest
A double to Kris Lees as KNIT 'N' PURL continued her run of recent form and handled the wet. Kerrin McEvoy showed faith that the rail was not all that bad, and the horse did the rest. A few in behind were the other stories of the race with TREE OF JESSE and VIADUCTRESS both closing late after sitting second last and last in the run. ELECTRIC POWER seemed to lose ground rounding the turn and picked up well late, while ALLEZ CHIVAL tired from the lead but held on to place. Follow KNIT 'N' PURL. Forgive TREE OF JESSE and VIADUCTRESS who both got too far out of their ground and ran on well, while ROCK ON ZARIZ was eased down and did not handle the conditions.
Race 9 ROTARY CLUB OF BOTANY BAY HANDICAP
That lady Panya breaks away from the turn again
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Encostanati | Bjorn Baker | Ms Deanne Panya | 8 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Burning Passion | Mark Newnham | Kerrin McEvoy | 10 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Bayview Emperor | Jeremy Sylvester | Robert Thompson | 14 | 54.0 |
In The Running
FORTUNE PATCH jumped best to lead ENCOSTANATI with BURNING PASSION racing wide without cover.
The Result
ENCOSTANATI (1st) saved all the ground along the rail then booted clear in the straight to hold off the late challenge of BURNING PASSION (2nd) who picked up and charged late under the big weight. BAYVIEW EMPEROR (3rd) made up a stack of ground from last running on in behind.
The Interest
The last 200m was always the question with ENCOSTANATI, however Deanne Panya (winning treble) made sure the race was all over and that wasn't to be a factor as she again found a winning break in the straight. To his credit, BURNING PASSION burst out of the pack and gave chase and was gallant in defeat under 59.5kg. One of the better runs in the race came from the swooper BAYVIEW EMPEROR who sprouted wings late after settling last and struggling to keep up with the field down the back straight. It was only when into clear running at the 150m that Robert Thompson could ride with vigour. Forgive BAYVIEW EMPEROR, WUDANG MOUNTAIN, SPECIFIC CHOICE and STAR SHAFT (poor post-race recovery).