Yard to the Post @ Warwick Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 20 August 2016
Royal Randwick had plenty of entertainment options today; family activities near the mounting yard, corporate functions upstairs and some boisterous crowds out on the lawn.
It was a day to celebrate the return of racing's new star WINX and everyone cheered as she dominated the Group 2 Warwick Stakes. REBEL DANE led the field at barely more than a canter and Hugh Bowman made sure the great mare was right up on the pace. He simply gave her some reign from the 400 metre mark and she drove clear for the easiest of wins. Her tenth in a row!
It's impossible to imagine anything beating her on the way to back-to-back Cox Plates.
In other races, new Group 1 Golden Rose favourites DIVINE PROPHET and OMEI SWORD dominated their group-level three-year-old events. Both have the scope to become serious gallopers, especially OMEI SWORD, who will find her best over further than the 1,200 metres today.
A full review from the yard to the post is on-line now.
Track Info
| Rail | +3 metres |
| Conditions | SOFT 5 to GOOD 4 |
| Weather | FINE (cool breeze) |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 MORAITIS COMMUNICATIONS HANDICAP
Four wins for this Super sprinter
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Super Tycoon | Gregory McFarlane | Glyn Schofield | 5 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Pera Pera | Mack Griffith | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Bolord | Gwenda Markwell | Tommy Berry | 8 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
SUPER TYCOON not the best looker and a touch flighty, but he always looks that way. PERA PERA a nice strong type. TORGERSEN looking very well first-up
In The Running
In a messy start, PINDAN PEARL was 10L slow, while SHADOW LORD and TORGERSEN were also a bit tardy, but nowhere near as bad. MR ENTERTAINER jumped best from PERA PERA and SUPER TYCOON took the box seat. A STEADY tempo was set-up
The Result
MR ENTERTAINER (4th) edged off the rails and allowed SUPER TYCOON (1st) to dart up the inside and surge clear late. PERA PERA (2nd) found on and BOLORD (3rd) stuck on from midfield. TORGERSEN (5th) was on the heels of PERA PERA late and may have gone close to getting a place.
The Interest
Simply too good from SUPER TYCOON. He's put four on the trot together now, hitting the line with force every time. TORGERSEN the other classy galloper in the field and he simply was suited by the slow speed up-front. As for PINDAN PEARL, it's back to the barrier trials for her after missing the start by 10L. Follow SUPER TYCOON and TORGERSEN.
Race 2 THE RANDWICK MAYOR'S CUP
Hard fit stayers take the prize
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paragon | Darryl Horner (Snr) | Kerrin McEvoy | 9 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Dowdstown Charlie | Kim Waugh | Tommy Berry | 6 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Lie Direct | Steve Englebrecht | Ms Deanne Panya | 7 | 60.5 |
In The Yard
No knocks in the yard, RICHARD OF YORKE and ELUSIVE RUNNER in good shape. SHELLEY'S GIRL looked well too, DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE and PARAGON leaner want it wetter?
In The Running
LIE DIRECT moved up to take the lead from PARAGON and SHELLEY'S GIRL. ELUSIVE RUNNER missed the start by 5L and was always off the pack at the back. MAJOR MAJOR was slowish too and he started an early run to join in on the turn (cornered awkwardly as usual).
The Result
PARAGON (1st) moved up to challenge and kept fighting to just beat DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE (2nd), who ran on. LIE DIRECT (3rd) wasn't far off with MAJOR MAJOR (4th) on their heels after staying on strongly late.
The Interest
The tough lean gallopers DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE and PARAGON stepped back from a 3200m race at Newcastle to get the Quinella here. Many (..including our Analyst Team) thought that form-line wasn't quite up to the rest and that the two of them preferred wet tracks. Both theories proved wrong! LIE DIRECT won by 9L last start and he was a big market drifter today, punters noting that the wicked bias was in his favour that day. MAJOR MAJOR wobbled around the turn again and could have won if he didn't hit that flat spot and RICHARD OF YORKE wouldn't stop "laying in" according to Bowman. A promising stayer in the UK, he was very disappointing. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 3 TAB HIGHWAY PLATE
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bootlegging | Norm Gardner | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 12 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Destined to Win | John Bateman | Andrew Adkins | 3 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Distinctive Look | David J Smith | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 57.5 |
Race 4 PRIMO SMALLGOODS UP AND COMING STAKES
Hawkes, Berry and a booming finish
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Divine Prophet | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 9 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Derryn | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Tim Clark | 7 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Thronum | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | James McDonald | 6 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
THRONUM and DERRYN both very fit neat looking types, TAJ MAHAL and POUND STERLING more athletic and also looked well. DIVINE PROPHET slightly fitter than KENT, he looks fine first-up.
In The Running
THRONUM went to the lead from DERRYN at a FAIR tempo. DIVINE PROPHET snagged back to the tail of the field. TAJ MAHAL a touch keen on the inside in midfield.
The Result
DERRYN (2nd) slowly got the better of THRONUM (3rd) in a tussle down the straight before DIVINE PROPHET (1st) stormed home from last.
The Interest
Wow! This strong son of Choisir is good! The money came for DERRYN and THRONUM and when DIVINE PROPHET was out the back last on the turn, it looked like that money was right. But Tommy took him to the outside and "like Chautauqua" (Darren Flindell's call) he stormed down the outside. There was still some improvement in the yard so he's definitely a player for the Golden Rose. PRIZED ICON (4th) did enough carrying 61kg and TAJ MAHAL (5th) was OK after racing keenly. Follow DIVINE PROPHET.
Race 5 ALPHA FLIGHT SERVICES SILVER SHADOW STAKES
Waller unveils yet another star
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omei Sword | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Bacarella | Gary Moore | Tim Clark | 11 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Quick Feet | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
OMEI SWORD fit and nice scope to frame. No knock CALLIOPE and MANAYA also. ZELADY'S NIGHT OUT strong and ready to go. CALLIOPE sat down in the barriers and was unfortunately scratched.
In The Running
THYME FOR ROSES led from ZELADY'S NIGHT OUT at a FAIR tempo. BACARELLA stuck wide just off the pace. OMEI SWORD back in the pack with MANAYA over-racing on her outside.
The Result
BACARELLA (2nd) moved up strongly, but OMEI SWORD (1st) peeled off her back and surged clear to win by a big margin. QUICK FEET (3rd) ran on OK.
The Interest
This race shaped as a three-horse battle, but it was all about one in the end. OMEI SWORD dominated her rivals and will only improve up to 1400m+. A shame CALLIOPE was scratched, who had beaten her before, but it's hard to say she would have done anything but finish 2nd today. MANAYA was the disappointing one, she did race a touch keenly, but BACARELLA had excuses too (stuck wide) and still beat her home. There was a slight injury to MANAYA that shouldn't have made too much difference (speedy cut to the near-hind pastern). Follow OMEI SWORD and BACARELLA.
Race 6 BOB INGHAM SHOW COUNTY QUALITY
Snowden's skills get back-to-back wins
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tycoon Tara | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Le Romain | Kris Lees | Christian Reith | 1 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Mount Nebo | Allan Denham | Jason Collett | 9 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
LE ROMAIN looked very well, as did TYCOON TARA, no big knocks , VASHKA and BOSS LANE looked fine, GENERALIFE and FAMOUS SEAMUS not 100% fit but ok.
In The Running
TYCOON TARA moved up on the outside of VASHKA, who led. BOSS LANE and LE ROMAIN just behind them. They rolled along at a FAIR tempo.
The Result
LE ROMAIN (2nd) got the inside run and loomed up, but TYCOON TARA (1st) kept lifting and was too strong on the line. MOUNT NEBO (3rd) and MESSENE (4th) ran on late to beat home BOSS LANE (5th), who sprinted up and peaked.
The Interest
She has only had two starts for the Snowdens and won them both, TYCOON TARA producing a very strong win, showing fight that the punters love to see! LE ROMAIN ran well and looked like he was going to win 300m from home. VASHKA very poor back in last beaten 7.5 lengths. Follow TYCOON TARA, LE ROMAIN and MESSENE.
Race 7 WARWICK STAKES
Australia's champ is back in style!
slow tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winx | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Hartnell | James Cummings | James McDonald | 3 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Rebel Dane | Gary Portelli | Tommy Berry | 2 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
WINX looked picture perfect in the yard. Muscular in the fore-quarter and an athletic frame. LUCIA VALENTINA just a touch warm. She's smaller/leaner and prefers a wet track.
In The Running
REBEL DANE jumped best to lead and WINX moved up on his outside with LUCIA VALENTINA in the box seat and HARTNELL in fourth spot. They trotted along at a SLOW tempo.
The Result
REBEL DANE (3rd) quickened from the turn and WINX (1st) stayed with him under a tight hold before surging clear without a touch from the whip! HARTNELL (2nd) ran on to just catch REBEL DANE with LUCIA VALENTINA (4th) behind them and a gap to the rest.
The Interest
She's a freak! WINX does things other horses can't do and despite the 'soft kill' she had here, the manner of her win was incredible. Winning by 3.5 lengths (..and it could have been further!) in a race that didn't even start until the 600 metre mark is incredible. She started $1.24 and might be similar odds at her next couple of starts. Follow WINX.
Race 8 FORUM GROUP TOY SHOW QUALITY
Godolphin get a much needed winner
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pearls | John O'Shea | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Dixie Blossoms | Ron Quinton | Tim Clark | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Elle Lou | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 8 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
HEAVENS ABOVE and ELLE LOU are both more muscular than many of these and looked well. SLOTS, PEARLS and PIONEERING in good shape. DIXIE BLOSSOMS looked fine, she's only a lightly-framed horse. though.
In The Running
PIONEERING jumped well and ELLE LOU was a touch slow. KNIT'N'PURLS led up from PIONEERING, PEARLS and SLOTS at a STEADY tempo. PEARLS started to make her run and loomed up three-wide on the turn and DIXIE BLOSSOMS got onto her back.
The Result
PEARLS (1st) hung on from DIXIE BLOSSOMS (2nd), who ran on gamely and ELLE LOU (3rd), who made up good ground from the back.
The Interest
No excuses for the horses outside the top four here. PEARLS and DIXIE BLOSSOMS had raced against the better three-year-olds last season and they showed their class to fight out the finish, beating home a very game ELLE LOU, who had the tempo against but race fitness in her favour. HEAVENS ABOVE very good carrying 59kg. Follow PEARLS, DIXIE BLOSSOMS, ELLE LOU and HEAVENS ABOVE.
Race 9 SYDNEY MARKETS FOUNDATION HANDICAP
Another winning streak to end the day
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Legend | Les Bridge | Tim Clark | 13 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Haptic | John O'Shea | James McDonald | 6 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Felines | Kris Lees | Koby Jennings | 11 | 62.0 |
In The Yard
Both four-year-olds muscular and in shape, SOUTHERN LEGEND and HAPTIC. No knocks, ROSE OF MAN nice shine to coat.
In The Running
DON'T TEASE ME led from HAPTIC, FREEZE THE CHARGES and GLENBAWN DAME out four-wide. SOUTHERN LEGEND jumped well but was restrained, as was FELINES. ROSE OF MAN slow early.
The Result
HAPTIC (2nd) drove to the lead and fought hard, but SOUTHERN LEGEND (1st) ran home to just get there. A length and a half back to FELINES (3rd), who sprinted through the pack and held on from ROSE OF MAN (4th), who ran home well out wide.
The Interest
Just like the last race, this was a case of the classier young four-year-olds with black-type form dominating the finish. HAPTIC very brave on-pace and SOUTHERN LEGEND a promising galloper. He's won four in a row now and has the scope to keep improving. Big improvement from FELINES back to her favoured track and distance despite the big weight. Follow HAPTIC and SOUTHERN LEGEND.