Yard to the Post @ Golden Rose Day
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 10 September 2016
The Godolphin team were euphoric at Rosehill Gardens today, and so they should have been, star colt ASTERN blowing his rivals away in the Group One Golden Rose.
James McDonald stood tall in the saddle as he crossed the line and pumped his chest in delight. The high pressure of months of lead-up work and a global operation all being released in one moment.
Waller's star filly OMEI SWORD was far from disgraced a couple of lengths away in second place after getting tied up in the straight. She looks almost unbeatable in the Group One Flight Stakes in a couple of weeks over a mile.
Waller did train four winners on the day, the well-backed ANTONIO GIUSEPPE winning race two, MCCREERY streaking clear in the Kingston Town Stakes, INVINZABEEL winning the last race and MACKINTOSH holding out the unlucky stable-mate COUNTERATTACK in the Theo Marks Stakes.
And equally as impressive was the Tim Martin stable winning two races, a much smaller training operation. Star mare HEAVENS ABOVE stormed home to grab the promising RAVI and win the Sheraco Stakes.
A full review from the yard to the post is on-line now.
Track Info
| Rail | +2 metres |
| Conditions | SOFT 5 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR (slightly off rails) |
Race 1 POCKIT BLOCK-IT HANDICAP
A Golden start to the day for Greg
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | You Are Golden | Greg Bennett | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Rosaleisha | Bjorn Baker | Jason Collett | 7 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Longkissgoodnight | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Christian Reith | 2 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
LONGKISSGOODNIGHT a nice strong type that should suit Rosehill Gardens. LABDIEN also well, holding condition for Waller.
In The Running
TRINITY RIVER went to the lead from STILETTOED VIXEN and controlled a STEADY tempo with LOVE'S A FANTASY three wide. LONGKISSGOODNIGHT missed the start by a length or so and was hussled into midfield. YOU ARE GOLDEN had the box seat. ROSALEISHA strode up wider on the turn.
The Result
YOU ARE GOLDEN (1st) snuck up the inside and sprinted through to win from ROSALEISHA (2nd) wider. LONGKISSGOODNIGHT (3rd) struggled to find room and had to come wider out and finish off. LABDIEN (4th) just behind her out wide too.
The Interest
YOU ARE GOLDEN came from two heavy track runs (latest 4th behind STILETTOED VIXEN) to deliver a big city win for the Greg Bennett stable. The ride was good and the acceleration was there when needed. It was a messy race though, Jason Collett showing initiative on ROSALEISHA while LONGKISSGOODNIGHT and LABDIEN were in hopeless positions. Forgive LONGKISSGOODNIGHT and LABDIEN.
Race 2 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP
A big betting plunge comes off
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antonio Giuseppe | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 6 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Four Carat | Eric Musgrove | Jason Collett | 7 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Lanciato | Mark Newnham | Tommy Berry | 8 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
No knock on ANTIONIO GIUSEPPE, nice frame and coat. SALTHOUSE on the other hand is a touch leaner, may not be suited to Rosehill?
In The Running
SALTHOUSE jumped best to lead. LANCIATO worked around the outside to get to his outside. ERIKA was awkward to jump and raced keenly up the inside getting to the box seat. ANTIONIO GIUSEPPE and FOUR CARAT nice spots in midfield. BRING LUCK was slow and got back as usual. DOC HOLLIDAY came three wide and put pressure on leading into the straight.
The Result
In a stirring duel, FOUR CARAT (2nd) and ANTIONIO GIUSEPPE (1st) moved up into the race together and the fitter horse won in the end. LANCIATO (3rd) fought on just behind them and BRING LUCK (4th) wound up late.
The Interest
A good honest FAIR tempo in his race and the hot favourite ANTIONIO GIUSEPPE almost got rolled by stablemate FOUR CARAT, who had shown up well in the trials and looks in for a good prep (...he's promised before though). Just as good as the winner, LANCIATO fought on bravely after being right up on the speed. He was coming off a 4 week freshen and is worth following next time. A post-race found mare ERIKA to be lame in the near-foreleg and she will be spelled now. Follow LANCIATO. Forgive ERIKA.
Race 3 #THERACES HANDICAP
Claire Nutman makes this roughie a Moral
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moral Victory | Tim Martin | Ms Claire Nutman | 4 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Caped Crusader | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 3 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Suspense | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 1 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
CAPED CRUSADER strong robust and looking well. MORAL VICTORY a big strong tough-looking horse these days. BULLRUSH a big long-striding type, seems to be one that will peak over 1400m+. No knocks in the yard. UNEQUIVOCAL looks good, perhaps 90% fit.
In The Running
A stop-start race and STEADY tempo overall. CAPED CRUSADER took up the running from BULLRUSH and he backed it off mid-race. HIGHLY GEARED and OPEN BOOK behind them. MORAL VICTORY strode up wider on the turn as the pace picked up with SIR BACCHUS over-racing back on the inside alongside UNEQUIVOCAL.
The Result
MORAL VICTORY (1st) kept his run going to beat CAPED CRUSADER (2nd) by a clear length. SUSPENSE (3rd) fought on from midfield in a bunched finish.
The Interest
Hyeronimus got a cheap section mid-race on CAPED CRUSADER and that changed the dynamic of the race completely. SIR BACCHUS (4th) didn't have much chance after that and UNEQUIVOCAL (6th) was completely out of the race on the turn. BULLRUSH is probably a forgive too, a horse that enjoys a race that asks for more stamina than this one did. No knock on MORAL VICTORY's win though. He got a much easier run than he did last start over 1200m and took advantage of the situation to win at $31, hitting the line like a very genuine horse. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 4 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quatronic | Stephen Brown | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Atlantic Sentinel | Keith Dryden | Andrew Adkins | 7 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Fifteen Sunflowers | Clare Cunningham | Christian Reith | 1 | 55.0 |
Race 5 KINGSTON TOWN STAKES
Magic from Waller and Moreira
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McCreery | Chris Waller | Joao Moreira | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Sir John Hawkwood | John Thompson | Blake Spriggs | 4 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Allergic | James Cummings | James McDonald | 12 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
MCCREERY an agile looking horse, very fit. MANDALONG KISS well and SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD is fit and ready to go first-up. SONG AND LAUGHTER an athletic type better suited to a heavy track. JUNOOB with shine to coat as always.
In The Running
An honest FAIR tempo set up by ZERO TO TEN, HURRICANES and LOOPHOLE in the box seat. MCCREERY was just off them, with ALLERGIC and SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD in midfield. JUNOOB came very wide to start his run, flushing out ALLERGIC early.
The Result
MCCREERY (1st) came out underneath ALLERGIC (3rd) and sprinted clear for a big win, getting eased up on the line. SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD (2nd) ran home gamely off their backs for a clear second and there was a gap back to MANDALONG KISS (4th).
The Interest
Wow! This was a big win and Moreira finally gets one on the board. MCCREERY had always shown good stamina and surge over shorter distances and he proved that 2000m+ is where he'll find his peak today. SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD also very good and fav' ALLERGIC just OK after getting flushed out early. Disappointing JUNOOB didn't get into fourth after trying so hard out wide. Follow MCCREERY.
Race 6 DE BORTOLI WINES GOLDEN ROSE
Power and class from this Spring's Golden colt
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Astern | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 12 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Omei Sword | Chris Waller | Joao Moreira | 3 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Impending | James Cummings | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
YANKEE ROSE the one everyone is looking at, she looks tough and OK, but has some winter coat and certainly isn't a standout. ASTERN shines and OMEI SWORD oozes class. A big-striding daughter of High Chap.
In The Running
YANKEE ROSE found herself in front after jumping OK from GOOD STANDING. The expected leader THRONUM was only average to jump and worked up outside them three-wide. Only a STEADY tempo set-up surprisingly, which got MEDITERRANEAN over-racing back in the pack. ASTERN had space three wide with cover and OMEI SWORD in the pack.
The Result
ASTERN (1st) came to the outside and unleashed a massive sprint to win easily from OMEI SWORD (2nd), who hit the line late after getting tied up in the straight. IMPENDING (3rd) and DIVINE PROPHET (4th) ran on well too.
The Interest
Two possible champions of the Aussie turf, what a race! ASTERN was so impressive in the G2 Run to the Rose leading into this and showed it was no fluke with another powerful sprint to win. It was easy!! Don't be too harsh on the filly OMEI SWORD though, she was always going to find it tricky from that barrier and she found the line with force. Only a matter of time before she's a G1 winner too. IMPENDING and DIVINE PROPHET will win plenty of races, when the other two aren't in the race! YANKEE ROSE (6th) not at her best after getting an easy time in the lead. More fitness might help next time. Follow ASTERN and OMEI SWORD.
Race 7 TASK RETAIL THEO MARKS STAKES
Bowman finds all kinds of trouble
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mackintosh | Richard Litt | Joao Moreira | 6 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Counterattack | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 2 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Southern Legend | Les Bridge | Tim Clark | 3 | 53.0 |
In The Yard
OXFORD POET big, strong, fit, but does he have the class. SOUTHERN LEGEND a powerful type that will be tested up to 1300m. OLD NORTH long and might need further. COUNTERATTACK and MACKINTOSH fit enough.
In The Running
OXFORD POET led from VASHKA at a rolling STRONG tempo from TYCOON TARA behind them. MACKINTOSH, SOUTHERN LEGEND and COUNTERATTACK in midfield. MACKINTOSH strode up wider on the turn with COUNTERATTACK moving up on his inside.
The Result
MACKINTOSH (1st) kept lifting to win and beat the very unlucky COUNTERATTACK (2nd), who only got off heels at the 150m mark. SOUTHERN LEGEND (3rd) and TYCOON TARA (4th) both fought on well just behind them.
The Interest
Four very good efforts, one very unlucky runner. Looking at the race Bowman seemed to be thinking TYCOON TARA was the better horse to follow and waited until much to late to get around the heels of MACKINTOSH. A great return from the former Kiwi 4yo (raced in 2400m Derby last start!), who has shone for the Waller stable, but perhaps even Chris will have wanted COUNTERATTACK to win given he's a stallion prospect that needed this victory. TYCOON TARA and SOUTHERN LEGEND very good too, the latter probably better suited to 1200m on a dry track at this stage. OLD NORTH looked pretty in the yard and raced pretty too.. always out the back. Follow COUNTERATTACk, MACKINTOSH and SOUTHERN LEGEND. Forgive COUNTERATTACK.
Race 8 IRRESISTIBLE POOLS SHERACO STAKES
It's hard to beat a tough genuine mare
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heavens Above | Tim Martin | Tye Angland | 3 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Ravi | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 7 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Magic Alibi | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Christian Reith | 4 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
RAVI a lovely type shining in the yard. HEAVENS ABOVE neat, strong and very genuine. PEARLS and DIXIE BLOSSOMS both leaner more athletic types, stepping back in distance far from ideal.
In The Running
SOLD FOR SONG was slow and DENMAGIC got well back. MAGNAJOY took up the running at a STEADY tempo and PEARLS strode up wider out from CANA out wide too. RAVI found the perfect spot and HEAVENS ABOVE was back in the pack with DIXIE BLOSSOMS behind her. DIXIE BLOSSOMS never got clear.
The Result
RAVI (2nd) sprinted up to join in, but HEAVENS ABOVE (1st) weaved to the outside and grabbed her on the line. MAGIC ALIBI (3rd) just held off the fast finishing DENMAGIC (4th) for a place. SERENE MAJESTY (5th) right there too.
The Interest
You needed a good sprint and some luck in this race, something DIXIE BLOSSOMS never got. Completely forgive her and follow-up next time over 1400m. RAVI and HEAVENS ABOVE seemed suited in this race given their extra sprint, and both produced on the day with a slice more luck. HEAVENS ABOVE so tough, genuine and always put in. DENMAGIC was enormous down the outside, running the same time as ASTERN from the 400m to the 200m (fastest of day!), while SOLD FOR SONG (6th) was also good from the back. NANCY not ideally suited and could be worth forgiving. Follow DIXIE BLOSSOMS, DENMAGIC, HEAVENS ABOVE and SOLD FOR SONG. Forgive DIXIE BLOSSOMS.
Race 9 ROSEHILL BOWLING CLUB HANDICAP
Waller pounces for win number four
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Invinzabeel | Mark Newnham | James McDonald | 1 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Dinghu Mountain | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 5 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Conarchie | Clarry Conners | Kerrin McEvoy | 2 | 59.5 |
In The Yard
INVINZABEEL fit enough first-up, BALMAIN BOY also OK, but he may need further. FABRIZIO a leaner type that has plenty of stamina over 1400m.
In The Running
Some pressure in this race, LUCKY FISH and FABRIZIO pairing off out in-front from MR ENTERTAINER behind them. A STRONG tempo was set up. BALMAIN BOY back in the field three wide no cover.
The Result
INVINZABEEL (1st) strode up through the pack and was too good, beating home DINGHU MOUNTAIN (2nd) and CONARCHIE (3rd).
The Interest
The money came for this Waller horse first-up and James Mac delivered the perfect ride. Fit in the yard and a STRONG tempo that suited helped him win at a track he doesn't usually enjoy (lacks the sustained sprint of a steadier tempo). But... he may be a different horse this prep too with the blinkers on, we will keep an eye on him. It made it four wins on the day for Waller! DINGHU MOUNTAIN solid. CONARCHIE and FABRIZIO very honest. FABRIZIO perhaps better suited to Randwick himself. BALMAIN BOY with too much work to do. MOHER one to follow after he simply knocked up at the end. Follow INVINZABEEL. Forgive BALMAIN BOY.