Yard to the Post @ Warwick Farm
Race Day: Warwick Farm on Saturday, 07 January 2017
A quick downpour of rain late Friday morning left us with a genuine wet track at Warwick Farm today, horses that enjoyed ploughing through the soggy Warwick Farm turf were suited.
In the feature 1,000 metre Handicap, former group-level galloper DAL CIELO struck form again, surging clear of tiring sprinters for a dominant win. New trainer Kris Lees has taught him to settle better in his races and he'll progress now over the longer distances.
In the same race, veteran nine-year-old HURRARA rekindled his old form and stormed down the outside for second. The ever-reliable OXFORD POET was very strong in the market and fought on for a narrow third.
The conditions helped GOLD SYMPHONY and CAUTHEN'S POWER turn around their recent poor form, the former sprinting past short-priced favourite IMPOSING LASS with ease.
Overall a tough day for punters, kicked off in Race 1 when first starter COLESBERG swept home to beat the odds-on favourite SINGLE BULLET.
A full review will be online Sunday 9am.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | HEAVY 8 to SOFT 6 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | OFF RAILS |
Race 1 HAPPY 2017 HANDICAP
Shinn steers the right path
steady tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colesberg | Michael Hickmott | Blake Shinn | 3 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Single Bullet | Gary Portelli | Ben Melham | 7 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Callmetrouble | Bruce Johnson | Grant Buckley | 6 | 57.0 |
In The Running
RADIANT CHOICE took up the running from the short-priced fav' SINGLE BULLET with DUNATAN three-wide no cover. COLESBERG had the trail three wide after being a touch slow early. A STEADY tempo only was set up.
The Result
SINGLE BULLET (2nd) strode to the lead early in the straight, but Blake Shinn hooked COLESBERG (1st) out wide on the track and stormed home best. CALLMETROUBLE (3rd) edged up nearer the inside to grave a place narrowly. MARGINS 0.8L x 1L.
The Interest
COLESBERG had hit the line OK in his trial, but we might have to wait until next start to see just how good he is. This time around Shinn's ride made the difference, pulling out to the wider ground that most jockeys would search for throughout the day. SINGLE BULLET ran well enough (...maybe not if you took the shorts though). CALLMETROUBLE had the bias against so could be worth following. Forgive CALLMETROUBLE.
Race 2 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
The big money lands on a big result
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arbeitsam | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 2 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | France | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 6 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | First Approval | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 58.5 |
In The Running
ARBEITSAM took up the running and rolled to a clear lead from REDOUBLE a couple of lengths behind and CONCESSIONS on the inside. CELLARMAN was wide with no cover at the back.
The Result
ARBEITSAM (1st) charged clear of them and kept going in a very brave display, beating FRANCE (2nd), who Shinn hooked to the outside (again!) and swept home on and FIRST APPROVAL (3rd) making late ground through the pack. MARGINS 3.3L x 0.2L.
The Interest
Wow! A heap of money came for ARBEITSAM late and he charged clear for a big win. The time very impressive compared to other 1400m races too, running over a second faster than Lycia in the next race. No wonder REDOUBLE (5th) knocked up chasing! Waterhouse's winner was stuck on the inside at Canterbury and probably enjoyed stepping back to 1550m too. FIRST APPROVAL and FRANCE OK, but no match. We'll find out whether to forgive REDOUBLE next time. CELLARMAN (8th) in the vet's report [poor post-race recovery] after a tough first-up run. Follow ARBEITSAM. Forgive CELLARMAN.
Race 3 AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB HANDICAP
Little Lycia skips through the mud
Bias:
off-rails in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lycia | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James Doyle | 3 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Twist Tops | Kris Lees | Glyn Schofield | 1 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Roeinda | Bjorn Baker | Jason Collett | 6 | 57.0 |
In The Running
ROEINDA went to a clear lead from HEARLINGS and MAGICAZ. LYCIA slow to begin and needed to be ridden to find a spot at the back of the pack with HARLEM LADY. LYCIA picked up better than HARLEM LADY on the turn and pushed her wider as ROEINDA got rolling up-front.
The Result
ROEINDA (3rd) fought on pretty well with LYCIA (1st) storming home down the outside to win and TWIST TOPS (2nd) running on well from back in the pack too. HARLEM LADY (4th) wound up very late.
The Interest
She loves the wet and got the job done despite a slow start. LYCIA one to back in the mud only! TWIST TOPS had always looked like a tough 1400m wet track type and she showed that today and the super-fit ROEINDA held her form, but can't get a win this prep. HARLEM LADY (4th) needs a strong tempo. She's a mare with low sprint : high surge. HEARTLINGS probably needs a break now [vet: lame in the off fore leg and poor post recovery]. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 4 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chosen Prayer | Keith Dryden | Blake Shinn | 5 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Yasnat | Matthew Dale | Ms Deanne Panya | 3 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Nicof | Neil Osborne | Blaike McDougall | 8 | 55.5 |
Race 5 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP
Snowden's gelding too good for the girls
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gold Symphony | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 2 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Imposing Lass | Bjorn Baker | Ms Deanne Panya | 1 | 53.5 | |
| 3 | Song And Laughter | Richard Litt | Adam Hyeronimus | 3 | 54.5 |
In The Running
IMPOSING LASS took up the running after an awkward jump (as advised by the stable) with GIRL SUNDAY on her outside. The other two tucked in behind them for cover.
The Result
IMPOSING LASS (2nd) wobbled around the turn slightly and kept on the straight at the one pace as GOLD SYMPHONY (1st) darted past for a clear win. SONG AND LAUGHTER (3rd) not too far off out wider and GIRL SUNDAY (4th) knocked up. MARGINS 1.8L x 1.3L.
The Interest
The only gelding in the race against three mares, GOLD SYMPHONY returned to form in wet conditions, which he relishes. A shame for IMPOSING LASS backers that he had to find his form this time after the money had come for her. Panya's ride was awkward looking at times on the big mare, but she seemed to have her chance. GIRL SUNDAY not suited in the wet it seems, nothing wrong in the vet's report for her. No Follow or Forgives.
Race 6 TAB.COM.AU MILE
Waller pounces as the favourites flounder
steady tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cauthen's Power | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 2 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Olympic Academy | Kris Lees | Hugh Bowman | 9 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Kingsguard | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Jay Ford | 3 | 53.0 |
In The Yard
KINGSGUARD very hot and unsettled in the yard.
In The Running
KINGSGUARD took up the running and set slow sectionals early from ROCK MYLADY on his outside. CAUTHEN'S POWER had the box seat. The started to roll into the turn. A STEADY tempo overall set-up. KINGSGUARD awkward and wanted to lay in as they entered the straight.
The Result
CAUTHEN’S POWER (1st) ran on best from OLYMPIC ACADEMY (2nd) who had picked up nearer the inside. KINGSGUARD (3rd) kept on after a difficult ride for Jay Ford. MARGINS 1.3L x 1.8L.
The Interest
The time was slow and the favourites were disappointing. Follow this form with caution! KINGSGUARD hot in the yard and seemed to want to scoot along the rails (like he did last start) so perhaps don't be too harsh on him. ROCK MYLADY has been guilty of putting in a shocker before. Good to see CAUTHEN'S POWER back in form along with OLYMPIC ACADEMY, who was in the inside ground (bias against). No Follows or Forgives.
Race 7 SUMMER SPRINT
Another Championships horse for Lees
strong tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dal Cielo | Kris Lees | Glyn Schofield | 10 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Hurrara | Garry Frazer | Blaike McDougall | 9 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Oxford Poet | Kim Waugh | Blake Shinn | 11 | 61.0 |
In The Running
Good early speed as forecast, SUNDANCE up on the inside with PLATEAU GOLD wider, OXFORD POET three wide looming up and DAL CIELO moving up even wider. HURRARA couldn't go the early pace and got back. EYE STRIKER noticeably slow to begin.
The Result
DAL CIELO (1st) stormed clear and was eased up on the line. HURRARA (2nd) swept home out wider to beat home OXFORD POET (3rd) late. MARGINS 2L x 0.8L.
The Interest
A huge win for DAL CIELO, a horse with Group-level form as a three-year-old. He had been missing the start of late in races and trials, but Schofield got him to jump better here and he stormed through the wet conditions for a big win. Exciting given he could be even better over 1200m and 1400m. OXFORD POET brave and good ol' HURRARA loved the light weight and right spot in the run. Don't be too harsh on horses like SUNDANCE (10th) or KING'S TARIFF (11th) who got dictated too and trapped in the lesser ground. Follow DAL CIELO.
Race 8 #THERACES SPRINT
An old boy gets a deserved win
Bias:
off-rails in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kudero | Clarry Conners | Blaike McDougall | 7 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Alart | Jan Bowen | Jason Collett | 15 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Ziggy Willie | David Pfieffer | Tim Clark | 8 | 61.0 |
In The Running
ALART jumped well to take up the running from EMINENT DUKE and KUDERO moving up wider. EMINENT DUKE shifted early and checked BOGIE, who then checked back onto the heels of INVINZABEEL, who then checked back onto WHAT COULD BE.
The Result
KUDERO (1st) chased down ALART (2nd), who had kicked to the lead. ZIGGY WILLIE (3rd) and BUTTERBOOM (4th) making some ground out wider.
The Interest
A messy looking race on paper and the very honest six-year-old KUDERO got the prize. His form had been fine lately and he handled the drying SOFT track to win, not to mention finding a nice spot under the guidance of Blaike McDougall. ALART back to form (she's up and down though!). ZIGGY WILLIE (winds up) and BUTTERBOOM (sprints, peaks) both very honest 1200m horses up in the weights. WHAT COULD BE (8th) found trouble again and featured in the vet's report [poor post race recovery]. He probably didn't handle the wet track too. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 9 TAB HANDICAP
This horse just keeps giving!
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King Darci | Tim Martin | Adam Hyeronimus | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Zaunkonig | Richard & Will Freedman | Blake Shinn | 17 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | King's Officer | Terry Robinson | Jay Ford | 14 | 59.5 |
In The Running
SUDDEN BLITZ was urged up the inside to lead KING DARCI with ZAUNKONIG moving up three wide.
The Result
KING DARCI (1st) drove to the lead and held a clear margin from ZAUNKONIG (2nd). KING'S OFFICER (3rd) ran on up the inside late to grab HOGMANAY (4th) on the line. MARGINS 1.3L x 0.5L.
The Interest
He's held his form for such a long time and found the perfect race here. On-pace on a tough track. KING DARCI is one tough horse! ZAUNKONIG found the ideal spot and had his chance. HOGMANAY (stuck near inside), KING'S OFFICER (on inside too) and STAR WARS (probably wants it drier) three for the future. HE'S A GIVEN [vet: laceration to the off side shoulder] and DARK STEEL [vet: coughing with mild respiratory distress] in the report. No Follows or Forgives.