Yard to the Post @ Spring Champion Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 08 October 2016
The class rose to the top in the Spring Champion Stakes for the three-year-olds today and punters were right on song. After Global Glamour won the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield, the money poured in for YANKEE ROSE, and the super tough daughter of All American did the job in style.
Both PRIZED ICON and SWEAR are quality colts, but they were no match for the filly when her motor kicked in. A horse trainer David Vandyke describes as a "freak".
In other races, DIXIE BLOSSOMS sliced through the field for a dominant Group 3 win in the Angst Stakes and THUNDER FANTASY scored a big upset for the Anthony Cummings stable first-up after a stint in Hong Kong.
A lot of focus on Caulfield today too, where WINX won the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes in a canter, making it 12 wins in a row for the champion mare.
A full review will be online Monday 9am.
Track Info
| Rail | +6 metres |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 CAPITAL BLUESTONE KIRKHAM PLATE
All the way for Waller
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luiza | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 1 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Showtime | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 3 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Lightz | Jim & Greg Lee | Koby Jennings | 2 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
No yard notes available today
In The Running
LUIZA went to the lead at a FAIR tempo from CHINA GALE and SHOWTIME. LIGHTZ was slow to begin, but moved up on the inside into the box seat.
The Result
LUIZA (1st) kicked and fought on to beat SHOWTIME (2nd), who chased hard to the line and LIGHTZ (3rd) just behind them. A gap back to SEVERANCE (4th). MARGINS 0.8L x 1L x 2.9L.
The Interest
It looked a fair win to LUIZA and the daughter of I Am Invinzable did the job in style for Waller. SHOWTIME (by Snitzel) very good though and LIGHTZ fine. One from back in the pack was GOODFELLA (another son of Snitzel), who raced greenly and hit the line late. Follow LUIZA and SHOWTIME.
Race 2 ROYAL RANDWICK FASHIONS ON THE FIELD HANDICAP
All raw power from this youngster
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Niccolance | Kevin Moses | Koby Jennings | 4 | 61.0 | |
| 2 | Comin' Through | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 8 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Reach for Heaven | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 57.0 |
In The Running
NICCOLANCE went to the lead from REACH FOR HEAVEN and INVINCIBELLA (over-raced early on after leader crossed), COMIN' THROUGH was snagged back to last. a FAIR tempo set-up, but it was steady early.
The Result
NICCOLANCE (1st) kicked clear from the turn and was too powerful, from COMIN' THROUGH (2nd), who charged home late and REACH FOR HEAVEN (3rd), who stuck on. PECANS (4th) not far behind a bit of a gap to the rest. MARGINS 1.8L X 0.2L X 0.4L.
The Interest
He raced against the best as a 2yo and now the strong raw NICCOLANCE is finding his feet as a 3yo. Two strong wins from the front in this prep. COMIN' THROUGH a very big run though too, producing amazing sectionals from the back. REACH FOR HEAVEN had he right run, but she is a stout daughter of Savabeel and will enjoy further and softer tracks. Follow NICCOLANCE and COMIN" THROUGH.
Race 3 BOWERMANS OFFICE FURNITURE HANDICAP
Avdulla Towers over them in the finish
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tower of Song | Matthew Dale | Brenton Avdulla | 10 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Encosta Line | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 8 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Vassal | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 5 | 58.5 |
In The Running
BALMAIN BOY jumped well, but SIGNPOSTED and DARCI'S AFFAIR took over, with ENCOSTA LINE whipping up into second place. DARCI'S AFFAIR and BALMAIN BOY a touch keen at times. TOWER OF SONG restrained to the back. BALMAIN BOY was pushed wider and one-paced on the turn.
The Result
ENCOSTA LINE (2nd) kicked to the lead, before TOWER OF SONG (1st) swept home to just grab him. VASSAL (3rd) ran home right into the finish too. BALMAIN BOY (4th) a gap behind. MARGINS 0.1L X 0.2L X 1.4L.
The Interest
Disappointing from BALMAIN BOY, who is tricky horse to ride, and might need tougher conditions than this. Tim Clark has been trying his best, but maybe a jockey change would help the big grinding grey. TOWER OF SONG had finished behind him last start and was well ridden from the outside barrier to score a narrow win. ENCOSTA LINE back to best, while VASSAL and HIPPARCHUS (not much room) are ready for further now. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 4 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Distinctive Look | David J Smith | Koby Jennings | 12 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Valatia | Scott Thompson | Jason Collett | 17 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Flitero | Matthew Dunn | Glyn Schofield | 8 | 56.5 |
Race 5 ADINA APARTMENT HOTELS HANDICAP
Waterhouse keeps kicking goals
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broadside | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 5 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Olympic Academy | Kris Lees | Tye Angland | 2 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Murphy's Delight | Eric Musgrove | Rory Hutchings | 9 | 61.0 |
In The Running
ZERO TO TEN went to the lead from BROADSIDE at a STEADY tempo only. OH SO SPLENDIDO over-raced in the box seat with OLYMPIC ACADEMY behind him on the rails. OH SO SPLENDID strode up to lead from the 900m and steadily increase the tempo.
The Result
BROADSIDE (1st) moved up and kept lifting in the finish from OLYMPIC ACADEMY (2nd), who challenged well. A big gap back to MURPHY'S DELIGHT (3rd) fighting on nearer the inside, edging out CRAMMING (4th) for a place. MARGINS 0.5L X 2.5L X 0.1L.
The Interest
OLYMPIC ACADEMY has been only a couple of lengths off in G3 company on a dry track and BROADSIDE may be heading that way after only a few runs for Gai. The two of them cleared out to an easy win and the rest couldn't match them. LOW PLACES doesn't seem to have come back this prep. MY GIULIANO got back and didn't do much on the very firm track. Follow BROADSIDE and OLYMPIC ACADEMY.
Race 6 #THERACES OCTOBER HANDICAP
Take a box Anthony Cummings
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thunder Fantasy | Anthony Cummings | Tye Angland | 10 | 63.0 | |
| 2 | His Majesty | Kim Waugh | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Religify | Chris Waller | Rory Hutchings | 2 | 58.5 |
In The Running
RELIGIFY sped to the lead from BURNING PASSION with HIS MAJESTY and HANDFAST behind them. THUNDER FANTASY a nice trail in midfield. GOD'S IN HIM struggling at the back in a fast FAIR tempo.
The Result
HIS MAJESTY (2nd) peeled out and loomed, but only fought evenly late as THUNDER FANTASY (1st) swept past. RELIGIFY (3rd) and BURNING PASSION (4th) right there.
The Interest
Wow! He was a classy animal in Australia before racing OK in Hong Kong too before getting injured. He's back with a bang now though, carrying 63kg to win! Every bit a G1 contender for the Spring based on this. HIS MAJESTY not super genuine and too close to the pace? He had his chance. BURNING PASSION did well despite the firm track. GOD'S IN HIM found this too much fresh and the track may have been too firm. Follow THUNDER FANTASY.
Race 7 MOET & CHANDON SPRING CHAMPION STAKES
This little Rose is after Winx
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yankee Rose | David Vandyke | Dean Yendall | 8 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Swear | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 11 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Prized Icon | Kris Lees | Glyn Schofield | 4 | 56.5 |
In The Running
READY FIRE AIM led from VELADERO and HONEYWINE with PRIZED ICON and SWEAR behind them. YANKEE ROSE just back of midfield. A FAIR tempo set-up.
The Result
PRIZED ICON (3rd) fought up the inside and SWEAR (2nd) moved up wider, but YANKEE ROSE (1st) swept past both the colts late to win.
The Interest
Two quality colts. One potential champion filly. YANKEE ROSE is as tough as they come and she backed up from the Flight Stakes to win. She's off to the Cox Plate now and a date with the best we've got, WINX. The colts will win more races, especially SWEAR, who still has plenty of upside. Follow YANKEE ROSE and SWEAR.
Race 8 TAB ANGST STAKES
From zero to hero in a flash
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dixie Blossoms | Ron Quinton | Tim Clark | 10 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Lady Le Fay | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 2 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Happy Hannah | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 54.0 |
In The Running
REPLIQUE took up the running at a STEADY tempo. LADY LE FAY in midfield. DIXIE BLOSSOMS and EXTENSIBLE snagged back to the tail.
The Result
DIXIE BLOSSOMS (1st) produced a big sprint straight through to beat LADY LE FAY (2nd) and HAPPY HANNAH (3rd). EXTENSIBLE (4th) ran on down the outside late MARGINS 2.3L X 1.8L X 0.5L.
The Interest
A patient ride (..followers were worried on the turn!) and an unbelievable sprint. This girl has G1 class written all over her and now heads to Melbourne. LADY LE FAY going very well too and will be better on SOFT ground, while HAPPY HANNAH and EXTENSIBLE did enough for the Snowdens. They couldn't keep up with a 10.65 400m to 200m from DIXIE though. That's flying! Follow DIXIE BLOSSOMS.
Race 9 SENSIS DASH
The Snowden stable purrs again
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denpurr | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tye Angland | 3 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Leami Astray | Robert & Luke Price | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Rock Forthe Ladies | Clare Cunningham | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 60.0 |
In The Running
LEAMI ASTRAY led from SUSPENSE and LUNAR RISE at an honest FAIR tempo. ROCK FORTHE LADIES trailed up wider. DENPURR back in the pack on the rails.
The Result
DENPURR (1st) drove up the inside to catch LEAME ASTRAY (2nd), while ROCK FORTHE LADIES (3rd) chased home wider. SUSPENSE (4th) not far behind. MARGINS 0.4L X 0.4L x 0.4L.
The Interest
A rapid time and close finish. The best run in the race was clearly from the winner though, who produced great sectionals and proved her first-up run was no fluke. DIXIE CHICK and TAILLEVENT didn't get a lot of room, but they wouldn't have troubled the winner. Lots of other OK runs in the race. Follow DENPURR.