Yard to the Post @ Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 17 December 2016
The sun shone down on a soggy Royal Randwick track today, wet trackers getting conditions to suit after the last few weeks at Rosehill Gardens.
There were mixed results for punters, boom filly SHE WILL REIGN's ($1.90 fav') dominant win in the $500,000 Inglis Nursery and the very well-backed CALANDA's ($5) Inglis Sprint victory were popular, unlike SENSE OF OCCASION ($31) who took out the Group 2 Villiers Stakes first-up for Kris Lees.
Once again DIBAYANI filled a place in a feature race, the well-travelled horse running second to SENSE OF OCCASION after finishing in the same spot in the Group 1 Epsom during the spring.
A full review is shown below.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | HEAVY 9 to SOFT 7 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | OFF RAILS |
Race 1 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Free Standing | Cathleen Rode | Jay Ford | 2 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Deny Allcharges | Aleacia Bennett | Blake Spriggs | 14 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Isla Tristana | Matthew Dunn | Tim Clark | 12 | 53.0 |
Race 2 AINSWORTH GAME TECHNOLOGY HANDICAP
Too tough, even in the mud
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moher | James Cummings | Nick Heywood | 5 | 62.0 | |
| 2 | More Than Fabulous | David Payne | Ms Deanne Panya | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Redoutable Heart | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 13 | 59.0 |
In The Running
MOHER went to the lead and his stable-mate UNBIASED was a touch slow. METALLIC CROWN settled in second behind the rolling leader, with MORE THAN FABULOUS tracking up in third. A FAIR tempo was set-up.
The Result
MOHER edged off the rails and kept lifting to hold off MORE THAN FABULOUS (2nd), who had chased well but peaked on his run. REDOUTABLE HEART (3rd), COL'N'LIL (4th) and UNBIASED (5th) all right there at the finish too. MARGINS 0.8L X 0.1L X 0.2L.
The Interest
MOHER has been racing so well this campaign and scored his third win from four starts here. The other run, 4th to Snoopy (good form reference), was good too. Nothing between the top five though, MORE THAN FABULOUS can quicken in the wet, but couldn't sustain his chase to get the leader. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 3 INGLIS NURSERY
Another explosive all-the-way win
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | She Will Reign | Gary Portelli | Ben Melham | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Diamond Tathagata | Mark Newnham | Tommy Berry | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | African Rainbow | Bjorn Baker | Brenton Avdulla | 13 | 54.0 |
In The Running
SHE WILL REIGN was slowish, but mustered through quickly to lead from NORAH GIRL on her outside and two others even wider, SHEIKHA (three wide) and VINLAND (four wide). SHE WILL REIGN travelled easily into the straight with others under riding.
The Result
SHE WILL REIGN (1st) booted right away from the pack once let go. A blanket finish for the rest, DIAMOND TATHAGATA (2nd), AFRICAN RAINBOW (3rd) getting a length clear of SERENA BAY (4th) and the pack late. MARGINS 4L X 0.1L X 1.1L.
The Interest
She was cheap at the sales, bought by the same syndicater as Yankee Rose, and doesn't look that different from the Group 1 winning filly in the yard. Except this girl has rockets! She's dominated two 1000m sprints and now the question is her stamina over 1200m. We'll know when we get there.. nothing to be too worried about yet, except she isn't the biggest sprinter in the world and those big colts will dwarf her in the yard next Autumn. Until then, she's the best of the 2yo crop. A serious speedster! VINLAND in the post-race report [vet: poor post-race recovery]. Follow SHE WILL REIGN. Forgive VINLAND.
Race 4 SEGENHOE CUP
This mare ticked all the boxes
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kinshachi | James Cummings | Ben Melham | 7 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Butterboom | Joseph Pride | Jay Ford | 3 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Song And Laughter | Richard Litt | Koby Jennings | 10 | 60.5 |
In The Running
WAY TOO GOOD led them up from YUMA DESERT, BUTTERBOOM and KINSHACHI, SONG AND LAUGHTER midfield three wide with no cover. IMPOSING LASS was slow to jump and got back to last.
The Result
BUTTEBOOM (2nd) cut up the inside and hit the lead briefly before KINSACHI (1st) stormed late out wider for a big win. SONG AND LAUGHTER (3rd) made ground out wider. HETTY HEIGHTS (4th) surged late from the back.
The Interest
Likes the wet, on the improve, down in the weights, always hits the line and found the right 'posi' in the run. There were a few ticks for KINSACHI today and she got the job done! SONG AND LAUGHTER showing she's got more sprint (and loves to wet too!) than most people gave her credit for at 100/1 and HETTY HEIGHTS was good late from the back. She's ready for 1400m now if all is OK after a hot day out [vet: heat stress]. IMPOSING LASS closed off nicely hard against the rail (lesser ground) and can show up over around 1400m to 1500m next start. Follow KINSACHI and IMPOSING LASS. Forgive HETTY HEIGHTS.
Race 5 FUGEN CHRISTMAS CUP
Another wet track win for a tough eight-year-old
strong tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Destiny's Kiss | Joseph Pride | Joshua Parr | 8 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Iggi Pop | Peter Robl | Tim Clark | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Danjeu | John Thompson | Blake Spriggs | 11 | 54.0 |
In The Running
IGGI POP jumped best and found the box seat, with MY PSYCHIATRIST taking u the lead from NOT A GYPSY. DESINTY'S KISS got back to last. The pressure went on from the 600m.
The Result
DESTINY'S KISS (1st) and DANJEU (3rd) ran on together out wider, but DANJEU peaked the last 200m, leaving DESTINY'S KISS to stride clear. IGGI POP (2nd) and MY PSYCHIATRIST (4th) both brave to the line.
The Interest
Like the last winner, conditions were in DESTINY'S KISS' favour today, especially when the leaders decided to 'turn it on' from about the 600m mark. Good runs from all the top four, putting a margin on the rest of the pack. Follow DESTINY'S KISS, IGGI POP, DANJEU and MY PSYCHIATRIST.
Race 6 INGLIS SPRINT
Shinn steers a big betting plunge home
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calanda | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Geneteau | Bjorn Baker | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Manuel | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Kerrin McEvoy | 8 | 56.0 |
In The Running
TORNADIC sped to the front and set a rapid STRONG tempo. MANUEL three wide no cover just off the leaders and FLASH FIBIAN pushed four wide. CALANDA was slow and got back along the inside.
The Result
GENETEAU (2nd) moved through nearer the inside and was trailed up by CALANDA (1st), who surged through late to win. MANUEL (3rd) ran on out wider and TWIST TOPS (5th) made some late ground too. MARGINS 1.5L X 0.1L X 1.6L.
The Interest
The fav' SUPER TOO scratched at the barriers and Waterhouse's MISS DEBUTANTE a big drifter on track. That left MANUEL as the one to beat, but he had no luck out wider and CALANDA got the right run through the pack to win. He was very well-backed on course and almost joined MANUEL as the favourite in the closing seconds. The top three put a margin on the rest. Follow CALANDA and MANUEL. Forgive MANUEL.
Race 7 INGLIS VILLIERS STAKES
Kris Lees delivers the perfect plan
strong tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sense of Occasion | Kris Lees | Ben Melham | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Dibayani | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Damien Oliver | 8 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Sarrasin | Richard & Will Freedman | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 54.0 |
In The Running
HIGH MIDNGHT and FABRIZIO rolled along at a STRONG tempo. HOPFGARTEN three wide just off the pace. SENSE OF OCCASION back the field.
The Result
DIBAYANI (2nd) threaded through the pack, but SENSE OF OCCASION (1st) followed him through and ran on best late. SARRASIN (3rd) solid to the line wider. CENTRE PIVOT (4th) back on the inside. MARGINS 0.2L X 1L X 0.7L.
The Interest
Suited to sticky wet conditions and presently perfectly first-up, SENSE OF OCCASION skipped through the mud as the others tired. DIBAYANI so close (...again!). SARRASIN very good on debut in Aus and a mention has to go to both HOPFGARTEN (three wide) and AMOVATIO (prefers dry). FABRIZIO (14th) off to the spelling paddock now, he probably shouldn't have raced today. Follow SARRASIN, AMOVATIO and HOPFGARTEN. Forgive HOPFGARTEN.
Race 8 GREEN OPTIONS RACING RAZOR SHARP
The fav's get monstered by a roughie
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Monstar | Brett Cavanough | Richard Bensley | 13 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Sirbible | Russell Bell | Kerrin McEvoy | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | His Majesty | Kim Waugh | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 54.0 |
In The Running
THE MONSTAR moved up out wider to lead with KURO trailing him and SIRBIBLE on the inside. HIS MAJESTY was a touch slow and moved up into the pack.
The Result
HIS MAJESTY (3rd) loomed into it, but THE MONSTAR (1st) and SIRBIBLE (2nd) fought on best the last 200m.
The Interest
Plenty of power and sprint from HIS MAJESTY, but he didn't have the finishing surge first-up to match a hard-fit THE MONSTAR. The winner found the ideal race and went around at big odds given his very solid form-lines and strong SOFT track record. SIRBIBLE fought on very well in the lesser inside ground. KURO and INZ'N'OUT showed no finish at all. Follow THE MONSTAR and SIRBIBLE.
Race 9 JLT & QBE SUPPORTING SURF LIFESAVING HANDICAP
A stirring two-horse duel to end the day
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sabino Speed | Amanda Turner | Peter Wells | 8 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Careless | Mark Newnham | Christian Reith | 18 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Zaunkonig | Richard & Will Freedman | Tim Clark | 3 | 57.5 |
In The Running
SABINO SPEED moved up to lead from CARELESS. They set a FAIR tempo with TURFANE moving up three wide no cover.
The Result
CARELESS (2nd) loomed up to challenge SABINO SPEED (1st) and the two of them settled down to a two horse war, the leader just fighting on best. A big margin back to the Snowden pair ZAUNKONIG (3rd) and SNITZEL KNIGHT (4th) running on.
The Interest
Stuck wide at his previous start. SABINO SPEED enjoyed the fact the track wasn't too heavy and showed his class third-up after a long break. It was a close margin to CARELESS, who Mark Newnham has brought back from feet issues, making a big jump in the ratings second-up in more favourable conditions. They were far too good for the rest. Follow SABINO SPEED and CARELESS.