Yard to the Post @ Run to the Rose Day
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 27 August 2016
The sun shone brightly over Rosehill Gardens today on an improving Winter track for the running of the Group Two Run to the Rose.
After heavy midweek rain the track was classed as a HEAVY 9, but clear skies saw that improve to a SOFT 7 during the afternoon. With the rail in the True position there was an OFF RAILS bias and most jockeys steered a path well off the inside from the turn.
The feature race promised to be a big showdown between some of the best three-year-old colts in the land and it didn't disappoint. Godolphin's number one jockey James McDonald pulled the right rein by sticking with the muscular ASTERN and he dashed from the pack to run down favourite STAR TURN in a stirring two horse war.
They both streaked clear of another Godolphin runner IMPENDING and the popular half-brother to Winx EL DIVINO, setting up an exciting Golden Rose in two weeks time.
One race later, we were treated to another close finish in the Premier's Cup, Kris Lees landing the quinella as SENSE OF OCCASION edged past SINGING in the final strides. They were both lucky Godolphin's ALLERGIC was locked up behind them in what was a tragic case of "sure thing beaten!".
In other races, the newly formed Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott combination staked their Caulfield Guineas claim with promising colt EVACUATION who toyed with his rivals in Race 3. And Waller's SIR BACCHUS came back to the track with a win too, charging late to grab SNOOPY on the line.
A full review from the yard to the post will be online Sunday at 10am.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | HEAVY 9 to SOFT 7 |
| Weather | SUNNY |
| Bias | OFF-RAILS |
Race 1 #THERACES HANDICAP
Gary Nickson's swooper gets up at odds
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mandalong Kiss | Gary Nickson | Andrew Banks | 8 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Birds of Tokyo | Luke Oliver | Ms Jessica Payne | 4 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | My Giuliano | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
FIREBIRD FLYER very solid and fit deep into prep, NORTHERN JOURNEY a 'no-frills' staying type back in distance. MANDALONG KISS nice scope and athleticism.
In The Running
ERIKA made a mid race move to head off NORTHERN JOURNEY, and they got well clear of BIRDS OF TOKYO with MANDALONG KISS getting back after initially pushing forward.
The Result
BIRDS OF TOKYO (2nd) made the first move on the tiring leaders, however it was MANDALONG KISS (1st) that finished best down the outside. MY GUILIANO (3rd) pushed through nearer the inside getting past the tiring NORTHERN JOURNEY (4th) and ERIKA (5th)
The Interest
A strangely run race. the tactics from Tommy Berry aboard ERIKA a little questionable to take off mid-race. Take nothing away from the winner MANDALONG KISS though, who got shuffled back after jumping well and looked to be struggling on the turn. She wound up and found the better ground (..an OFF RAILS bias played out during the day) to win. BIRDS OF TOKYO again showed her love for wet conditions, while MY GIULIANO took the inside run (not the best ground).. The leaders were only another 1.3 lengths behind the place-getters and stuck on OK considering the tempo they set. FIREBIRD FLYER had a small wound to the near-fore fetlock when back to scale. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 2 STRASSMEIR HANDICAP
Waller unleashes another progressive Kiwi
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antonio Giuseppe | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Extensible | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Shards | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Ms Deanne Panya | 9 | 61.0 |
In The Yard
SHARDS to be ridden more positive with Panya aboard. PIRATE BEN alert and ears pricked. Favourites EXTENSIBLE and ANTONIO GIUSEPPE relaxed and well.
In The Running
RHODIN DRIVE took a while to cross PIRATE BEN who dropped back allowing EXTENSIBLE to rail through and join the lead.
The Result
EXTENSIBLE (2nd) took over turning for home and laid out a bit in the straight as ANTONIO GIUSEPPE (1st) joined in at the 100m and finished best with a wide margin back to SHARDS (3rd) and TAKEWING (4th) in behind
The Interest
The first big betting plunge of the day came off with ANTONIO GIUSEPPE being backed in to equal favourite and out-muscling EXTENSIBLE near the line. The son of Shocking looks a progressive type for the Waller camp set to go through the grades nicely. EXTENSIBLE was tough again from on-pace and lost no admirers in defeat, she was 'left in front' when no-one else wanted to lead. They gapped the others with SHARDS only racing midfield after he couldn't muster the early speed to get to the on-pace position they wanted. A one-paced type, don't totally rule him out yet. Follow ANTONIO GIUSEPPE.
Race 3 ST MARY'S RSL HANDICAP
Gai and Adrian unveil a new star
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evacuation | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Kerrin McEvoy | 9 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Savvan | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Glyn Schofield | 3 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Pipeline | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Tye Angland | 4 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
SAVVAN a little flighty. EVACUATION a big, strong colt, looking well in the yard. COCOEXCEL relaxed.
In The Running
COCOEXCEL jumped best to lead EVACUATION who rolled forward with PIPELINE racing wide without cover.
The Result
COCOEXCEL (2nd) handed up the lead quickly at the 350m to EVACUATION (1st) who quickly put the race away from SAVVAN (2nd) who pushed through from PIPELINE (2nd) sticking on out wider.
The Interest
It was an unorthodox first-up assignment over the 1,400m, however Gai obviously knew what she was doing as EVACUATION surged clear of his rivals to an easy in. It's now onto Melbourne with the Caulfield Guineas as the main aim. SAVVAN looks a nice type for James Cummings who is still learning and sure to improve with distance. PIPELINE stuck on well after racing wide throughout. COCOEXCEL was poor and perhaps didn't see out the journey and/or handle the track. Follow EVACUATION and SAVVAN.
Race 4 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moss My Name | Mark Gee | Ms Deanne Panya | 13 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Fifteen Sunflowers | Clare Cunningham | Anthony Cavallo | 14 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Charge of Light | Greg Campbell | Tim Clark | 5 | 54.5 |
Race 5 ON POINT LOCATING HANDICAP
Koby Jennings parks in 'position A'
strong tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Highly Geared | Garry Kirkup | Koby Jennings | 3 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Alucinari | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 4 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Zoumagic | Keith Dryden | Andrew Adkins | 2 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
ALLEZ CHIVAL very fit. ALUCINARI coat fine fresh. SHAHARAZAD and ROSE OF MAN parade well.
In The Running
ALLEZ CHIVAL railed through to lead MAGNAJOY who worked forward from the outside. HIGHLY GEARED and MOMMA'S SNITZEL settled in behind the speed. OUR HARMONY raced wide without cover.
The Result
HIGHLY GEARED (1st) pushed through to get to ALLEZ CHIVAL (4th) at the 100m before ALUCINARI (2nd) pushed through and flew late up the inside to just miss. ZOUMAGIC (3rd) worked home well out wider.
The Interest
Koby Jennings rode HIGHLY GEARED a treat in the run pushing off the rail at the top of the straight, however it was the run of ALUCINARI that sparked the most interest as she dived late with the big weight. James McDonald would have wanted to have the last 200m again having to duck back to the inside in what was a lovely return. ZOUMAGIC continues to race in career best form and keeps hitting the line with gusto. SHAHARAZAD and ROSE OF MAN were others who closed off OK, horses out wide didn't seem to get into the race. Follow ALUCINARI and ZOUMAGIC.
Race 6 RACING MATES HANDICAP
Sir Bowman times his run to perfection
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir Bacchus | Joseph Pride | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Snoopy | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 3 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Handfast | Richard Litt | James McDonald | 10 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
SNOOPY parades well. ENCOSTANATI a little on toes. SIR BACCHUS relaxed and will be helped by horses getting off the rails. HIS MAJESTY strong as always.
In The Running
ENCOSTANATI rolled forward to a clear lead from SNOOPY on the outside of WILD 'N' FAMOUS. HIS MAJESTY was slow to begin.
The Result
ENCOSTANATI (4th) gave a good kick in the straight and looked home before a wall of horses charged late with SIR BACCHUS (1st) finishing over the top of HANDFAST (3rd) out wider and SNOOPY (2nd) coming again nearer the line.
The Interest
SIR BACCHUS has a few tricks, a horse that seems to like a bit more room and Bowman rode him patiently and pushed through a gap with confidence. Once there was clear space in front of him his big motor did the rest! It was also a pleasing return from HANDFAST, who came widest on the turn, while SNOOPY to his credit dug deep after doing the chasing on-pace. A big market drift for HIS MAJESTY and a very patient ride suggested that he was never going to be asked for too much. Even so, he charged strongly late up the inside. Follow SIR BACCHUS, HANDFAST, SNOOPY and HIS MAJESTY.
Race 7 MTA RUN TO THE ROSE
James McDonald pulls the right rein for Godolphin
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Astern | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 3 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Star Turn | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 5 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Impending | James Cummings | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
ASTERN very colty and sweating. IMPENDING parades best of Godolphin runners. GOOD STANDING, EL DIVINO and STAR TURN all relaxed. MEDITERRANEAN very fit.
In The Running
EL DIVINO railed through to lead STAR TURN with MANOLO BLAHNIQ taking the sit. NIKITAS raced wide without cover.
The Result
STAR TURN (2nd) loomed ominously straightening and cruised up to hit the lead and was quickly joined by ASTERN (1st) on his inside and they settled down for a fight to the line. They cleared out from IMPENDING (3rd) who balanced up and came again late.
The Interest
Plenty of interest heading into the Golden Rose with markets turned on their heads as ASTERN showed he had come back bigger and stronger for Godolphin. James McDonald had the choice of four rides and stuck with his Slipper mount as he got the better of STAR TURN. The latter was perhaps too confidently ridden by Tommy Berry and they both showed their class to gap third. IMPENDING worked to the line well, as did MEDITERRANEAN, but they were well behind. The run of outsider NIKITAS could not be missed racing wide the trip. Follow ASTERN and STAR TURN. Forgive NIKITAS.
Race 8 PREMIER'S CUP
Tim Clark rises to the Occasion
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sense of Occasion | Kris Lees | Tim Clark | 10 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Singing | Kris Lees | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Magic Hurricane | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Brenton Avdulla | 9 | 61.0 |
In The Yard
ALLERGIC has come on nicely. LOOPHOLE rock hard fit. SINGING improvement to come.
In The Running
LOUD DEBATE rolled forward to lead LOOPHOLE who moved up to apply some pressure. SINGING got a soft run in behind the speed outside of SOFIN.
The Result
SINGING (2nd) travelled up strongly wider around the turn and raced to the lead 250m out to then be challenged by MAGIC HURRICANE (3rd) on his inside and finally SENSE OF OCCASION (1st) who swooped best down the outside.
The Interest
A noticeable betting drift on SINGING and the support for stablemate SENSE OF OCCASION was spot on as the latter dived late out wider for a Kris Lees trained quinella. Both runners are being aimed at the Newcastle Cup in three weeks. The ride of Tim Clark changed the race as he kept the well-backed ALLERGIC in a pocket the entire straight, a hard luck story indeed. MAGIC HURRICANE finally showed some form, while SONG AND LAUGHTER was ridden for luck and enjoyed the wet. Follow SENSE OF OCCASION, SINGING and MAGIC HURRICANE. Forgive ALLERGIC.
Race 9 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
Big long strides in a brilliant victory
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chetwood | James Cummings | James McDonald | 1 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Conarchie | Clarry Conners | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Orcym Sam | Gwenda Markwell | Koby Jennings | 2 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
CHETWOOD and CANNYESCENT have both come on in fitness, CHETWOOD a nice big long-strider. WE'RE SURE and CONARCHIE relaxed.
In The Running
CHETWOOD showed natural brilliance out of the gates to increase the tempo from CONARCHIE with another big gap back to EVER SO NATURAL who was struggling to keep up on the turn.
The Result
CHETWOOD (1st) increased his lead and was never headed as he safely held CONARCHIE (2nd) who gave chase the whole race. It was another race in behind with ORCYM SAM (3rd) working home ok out wider.
The Interest
The story pre-race was the weight turnaround for CANNYESCENT, however it was the natural briliance of CHETWOOD that was on display. It was simply a one act affair for this free-striding son of Exceed and Excel with James McDonald never giving another runner a look in as he just kept going further and further in front. CONARCHIE stuck on after doing all of the chasing and was brave. It was daylight back to the closers who all got too far back. ORCYM SAM held off WE'RE SURE and CANNYESCENT. EVER SO NATURAL displayed thumps and a poor post-race recovery. Follow CHETWOOD.