Yard to the Post @ All Aged Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 15 April 2017
The Royal Randwick track had more tricks than a magic act today, an early inside and leader bias making way for horses spreading out wider late in the day. Most jockeys described the conditions as "sticky", leaving even the world-class jockey James Doyle baffled after he won on RAIMENT in Race 8. Godolphin's filly settled in a seemingly hopeless position out wide before sweeping to the lead.
Stepping up to the mile in the testing conditions proved too much for short-priced favourite INVADER in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes for two-year-olds. He was left chasing THE MISSION a long way from home after the leader bolted to the lead and simply didn't stop.
The first swooper of the day won the other feature, the Group 1 All Aged Stakes over 1,400 metres. LE ROMAIN had worn down JUNGLE EDGE to take the lead before TIVACI sprouted wings late down the outside.
TIVACI, RAIMENT and THE MISSION all horses that were stuck wide two weeks ago at Royal Randwick when there was a vicious NEAR RAILS bias.
A full review will be on-line Tuesday 9am.
Track Info
| Rail | +7 metres |
| Conditions | HEAVY 8 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | NEAR RAILS and ON-PACE, then FAIR later |
Race 1 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
Brodie rides home a tough country Lad
strong tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercurial Lad | Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones | Brodie Loy | 8 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | War Hero | John Ramsey | Tye Angland | 9 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Tiger By the Tale | Danny Williams | Jay Ford | 11 | 56.0 |
In The Running
FERMANAGH LAD led at a STRONG tempo on the rails from MERCURIAL LAD chasing behind. WAR HERO three wide and no cover. SUPREME LAD slow to begin and couldn't keep up way back.
The Result
MERCURIAL LAD $4.4f (1st) drove to the lead and held off WAR HERO $5.5 (2nd 1L), who chased hard. TIGER BY THE TALE $13 (3rd 1.2L), ATLANTIC SENTINEL $11 (4th 1.8L) and ATTAINMENT $5.5 (4th 1.8L) just behind them.
The Interest
The early part of the day had an ON-PACE bias and while MERCURIAL LAD was up on a STRONG tempo, he was helped by the track pattern. Hard to work out the best runs out of the top five, apart from perhaps WAR HERO, who was wide and chased very genuinely. BANDIT BELLE $71 (10th 20.3L) in the report [vet: respiratory distress and had a poor post race recovery]. Follow WAR HERO. Forgive WAR HERO.
Race 2 IGA LIQUOR HANDICAP
The Kiwi connection relishes the mud
strong tempo
Bias:
on-pace
,
on-rails in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untamed Diamond | Richard Collett | Jason Collett | 12 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Sweet Serendipity | Jason Coyle | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 9 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Yuma Desert | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 56.0 |
In The Running
SWEET SERENDIPITY sped to the lead at a STRONG tempo from IL MIO DESTINO, BURRADOO and UNTAMED DIAMOND three wide. KNIT'N'PURL was snagged back to last on the rails.
The Result
SWEET SERENDIPITY $26 (2nd 0.1L) drove clear on the rails, but was grabbed late by UNTAMED DIAMOND $9 (1st), who knuckled down in the straight. YUMA DESERT $6.5 (3rd 1.1L) fought on along the inside and KNIT'N'PURL $9.5 (4th 1.5L) surged home up the rails late.
The Interest
Two on-pacers fought it out again and credit to the winner who was wide throughout, even if the bias did help. KNIT'N'PURL and big run from the back in conditions that suited her She's a neat, tough 'Randwick type'. The horses just behind them could easily improve next start, including NUDIERUDIE $8.5 (5th 1.9L) and CANNYESCENT $3.7F (6th 2.6L). ALMIGHTY GIRL $7 (10th 10.3L) in the report [vet: lost a plate and sore on the near fore foot]. Follow UNTAMED DIAMOND and NUDIERUDIE.
Race 3 MOSTYN COPPER GROUP FRANK PACKER PLATE
Kiwi three-year-old form too good again
strong tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mongolian Wolf | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Veladero | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Screamarr | Garry Kirkup | Tye Angland | 5 | 56.5 |
In The Running
VELADERO jumped to on-pace and pressure came from wider, including CAPTAIN DUFFY to the lead and ROKDA KASBA moving up on the outside. SCREAMARR just behind the leaders. ACATOUR went back and ROCK'N'SWING tailed off. An honest STRONG tempo was set-up.
The Result
MONGOLIAN WOLF $6 (1st) moved up and stayed on best, drifting to the outside of the track, while VELADERO $7.5 (2nd 1.3L) fought on nearer the rails. SCEAMARR $9 (3rd 1.7L) right behind the leaders and a gap to 4th.
The Interest
The Kiwi form again proves too strong in Aus this wet Autumn. They are fit, tough and can stay all day! MONGOLIAN WOLF coming off a placing behind Gingernuts and an unlucky run in the Derby. VELADERO is improving every run and should carry on to Queensland based on this form. A Doomben 2000m race seems ideal for him. SCREAMARR a possible Derby prospect up north, he's a quality son of Street Cry that relished the extra distance. Follow MONGOLIAN WOLF, VELADERO and SCREAMARR.
Race 4 TAB HALL MARK STAKES
A well-deserved win for this speedy sprinter
fair tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redzel | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Counterattack | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Hellbent | Darren Weir | Damian Lane | 5 | 56.0 |
In The Running
REDZEL led from HELLBENT and TAKEDOWN at an honest FAIR tempo. ROYAL TUDOR moved up wide no cover and COUNTERATTACK moved up on the inside to join in on the turn.
The Result
REDZEL $2.8F (1st) fought on best to beat COUNTERATTACK $7 (2nd 0.8L) and HELLBENT $3.9 (3rd 1.3L). ROYAL TUDOR $26 (4th 1.4L) strong to the line just behind them.
The Interest
REDZEL deserved this win and proved that 1200m wasn't beyond him now he is an older horse. COUNTERATTACK much better in soft Sydney conditions than the firm Flemington he faced in the Lightning and Newmarket, while HELLBENT needs a firmer track to show his best. ROYAL TUDOR $26 (4th 1.4L) (way out of grade) and MIGHTY LUCKY $100 (5th 2L) running enormous races! Follow REDZEL, ROYAL TUDOR and MIGHTY LUCKY.
Race 5 SHARP JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION PLATE
Tim Clark stacks them up and boots her home
slow tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Top of My List | Anthony Cummings | Tim Clark | 8 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Sons of John | Jason Attard & Lucy Keegan-Attard | Glyn Schofield | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Rudy | Helen Page | Jason Collett | 5 | 54.0 |
In The Running
TOP OF MY LIST took up the running from NEW TIPPERARY working up on her outside. RUDY, SONS OF JOHN and ASTRONOMOS just behind them. Only a SLOW tempo set-up.
The Result
TOP OF MY LIST $18 (1st) quickened up along the rails from SONS OF JOHN $11 (2nd 0.8L), who chased through on the inside. A gap back to RUDY $18 (3rd 3.8L), ASTRONOMOS $3.2F (4th 3.9L) and NEW TIPPERARY $4.6 (5th 4.3L).
The Interest
This was almost a 'no race'. TOP OF MY LIST led at such a dawdle that her final 200m of 12.55 seconds was much faster that the speedy REDZEL in the 1200m race! He was about 5 lengths slower running 13.32 seconds. She was racing over 10kg out of her grade and dominated! That makes the form hard to follow, horses like NEW TIPPERARY completely out-sprinted. ASTRONOMOS had other excuses too [vet: poor post race recovery and displaying the thumps]. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 6 MOET & CHANDON CHAMPAGNE STAKES
A Group 1 quality mudlark sinks the favourite
strong tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Mission | Paul Perry | Damian Lane | 5 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Invader | Peter & Paul Snowden | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Whispered Secret | Kris Lees | Glyn Schofield | 8 | 54.5 |
In The Running
THE MISSION led them up at a STRONG tempo, bolting to a clear lead early, before getting into a rhythm. ACE HIGH a few lengths away and WHISPERED SECRET another couple of lengths back at the head of the pack. INVADER in the clear with no cover behind them making ground on the turn.
The Result
THE MISSION $9 (1st) held a clear margin from INVADER $1.85F (2nd 2.3L) and WHISPERED SECRET $6 (3rd 2.6L) chasing behind.
The Interest
INVADER was left chasing a long way from home, it was always going to be a tough ask for the 'nuggety' son of Snitzel to out-stay these horses again over 1600m. THE MISSION a toned tough type that loved the conditions and probably helped by some ON-PACE bias too. WHISPERED SECRET honest and ACE HIGH probably better on top of the ground. He's got Derby written all over him. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 7 SCHWEPPES ALL AGED STAKES
A timely win for a future stallion prospect
strong tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tivaci | Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson | Damien Oliver | 7 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Le Romain | Kris Lees | Hugh Bowman | 10 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Jungle Edge | Mick Bell | Kevin Forrester | 4 | 59.0 |
In The Running
JUNGLE EDGE led them up and LE ROMAIN moved up on his outside. A STRONG tempo was set-up and TIVACI got well back.
The Result
TIVACI $9 (1st) came to the outside and ran on best to catch LE ROMAIN $4 (2nd 0.3L), who had driven past JUNGLE EDGE $13 (3rd 1.6L) to hit the lead.
The Interest
What a win by TIVACI! He's a serious Group 1 horse now after being unlucky in both the Newmarket (blocked) and TJ Smith (stuck wide, bias against). He is due to go to stud, but may race on now and could even be a good horse for The Everest in the Spring. LE ROMAIN back on-track after a step back in the Doncaster. ENGLISH loomed up and just couldn't see out the testing 1400m. Follow TIVACI.
Race 8 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS J H B CARR STAKES
Track bias turnarounds keep punters guessing
strong tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raiment | James Cummings | James Doyle | 13 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Invincibella | Chris Waller | Craig Williams | 8 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Smart Amelia | Bjorn Baker | Glyn Schofield | 11 | 54.0 |
In The Running
DIDDUMS went to the lead from PROMPT RESPONSE working up wide on the outside at a STRONG tempo. MY COUNTRY wide and RAIMENT wide with cover before coming four wide (no cover) before the turn. INVINCIBELLA slowish and got back.
The Result
RAIMENT $5.5 (1st) loomed up and kicked right away from the chasers, INVINCIBELLA $6 (2nd 4.5L) running on and SMART AMELIA $9 (3rd 4.6L) chasing out wide. PROMPT RESPONSE $3.5F (4th 5.4L) and DIDDUMS $4.8 (5th 6.5L).
The Interest
The top six fillies ran in the PJ Bell a couple of weeks ago over 1200m and the different bias today (was strong NEAR RAILS that day) made a big difference. RAIMENT back to peak form again with a big win, INVICIBELLA getting a fairer chance and DIDDUMS not getting the 'red carpet' run she got last time. ZUMBELINA $18 (6th 8.4L) a horse that could improve on dry and in the report [vet: poor post race recovery]. MY COUNTRY unfortunately bled [vet: bled]. Follow RAIMENT. Forgive ZUMBELINA.
Race 9 THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TROPHY
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kellyville Flyer | Jason Attard & Lucy Keegan-Attard | Tim Clark | 10 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Duca Valentinois | James Cummings | Craig Williams | 2 | 53.5 | |
| 3 | Maurus | John Thompson | Jason Collett | 7 | 61.0 |
