Yard to the Post @ Hawkesbury
Race Day: Hawkesbury on Saturday, 29 April 2017
The big long straight didn't stop there being plenty of hard luck stories at Hawkesbury today for 'stand-alone Saturday' at the north-west Sydney club.
Overall it was a successful day under sunny skies on a GOOD surface, the first time the feature meeting in NSW had been on a dry track for two months. And after the shifty track last year and strong OFF RAILS bias, punters were pleased to see a FAIR track throughout the day.
Those unlucky runners were hard to watch though, Bowman steering the well-backed ARTISTRY up behind DAYSEE DOOM (2nd) as SHILLELAGH stormed down the outside to win the Group 3 Godolphin Crown for mares.
One race later it was Hugh Bowman in the wrong spot again as CALANDA couldn't get clear in the Group 3 Guineas, with GENERALISSIMO getting stuck between horses too. Local filly SHAZEE LEE was perfectly ridden by Jay Ford, held up out the back before storming home at the big odds of $61.
The Group 3 Gold Cup was won by bold front-runner FABRIZIO and earlier in the day Waller unveiled two more promising stayers in GREAT GLEN and MORTAR PLATOON, who got the quinella in the opening event.
A full review will be on-line Monday 11am.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 RICHMOND CLUB PROVINCIAL STAYER'S BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP
Waller stayers have too much upside
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Glen | Todd Smart | Kerrin McEvoy | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Mortar Platoon | Matt Cumani | Tommy Berry | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Lookin' At You | Anthony Cummings | Brenton Avdulla | 9 | 54.5 |
In The Running
LOOKIN' AT YOU led at a STEADY TEMPO only. GREAT GLEN in midfield, MORTAR PLATOON on his inside, LAST TRY WINS got back.
The Result
GREAT GLEN $2.7F (1st) came wider with MORTAR PLATOON $6 (2nd 0.1L) and they drove to the line together in a close finish. Slight interference from GREAT GLEN not costing him the win. LOOKIN' AT YOU $3.5 (3rd 3.59L) just held on for a place in-front of a wall of them.
The Interest
Two progressive imported stayers for Waller and they proved much too good for these. GREAT GLEN getting up in distance for the first time in Aus and MORTAR PLATOON trying a middle-distance for the first time ever. They both handled it well and watch out for them in another staying race soon. Follow GREAT GLEN and MORTAR PLATOON.
Race 2 TAB CLARENDON STAKES
Cummings sneaks the win in a messy finish
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Go Daddy Go | Anthony Cummings | Jason Collett | 6 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Fifth Affair | Garry White | Corey Brown | 1 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Charlie Chap | Mike Van Gestel | Johan Victoire | 5 | 53.0 |
In The Running
SERENA BAY slid across to lead from DRAGONEIGHT back in the box seat and SO BIZZARE outside of her. CHARLIE CHAP pushed ICON OF DUBAI wider on the turn just behind them. A FAIR tempo set-up
The Result
GO DADDY GO $21 (1st) ran on a touch wider with FIFTH AFFAIR $11 (2nd 0.04L) nearer the inside and there was nothing between them. CHARLIE CHAP $8 (3rd 0.07L) and ICON OF DUBAI $3.5 (0.44L) both right in the finish too as SERENA BAY $2.2F (5th 1.85L) tired slightly over the final 200m.
The Interest
A blanket finish and a rough result, it's hard to know how much to trust this form given SERENA BAY was a touch soft in the market and below her best up in distance. Anthony Cummings' Uncle Mo colt GO DADDY GO had the blinkers on and they seemed to work. FIFTH AFFAIR and CHARLIE CHAP have similar form ratings, which put them below good class Saturday races. ICON OF DUBAI favoured in the market and not bad at his second start after racing a big wide. Follow ICON OF DUBAI.
Race 3 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wanna Get a What | Gratz Vella | Tommy Berry | 7 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Ruthless Agent | Kurt Goldman | Hugh Bowman | 2 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Major Sharpe | Joseph Ible | Jay Ford | 3 | 56.0 |
Race 4 HAWKESBURY XXXX GOLD RUSH
Bowman pounces on the win
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Felines | Kris Lees | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Palazzo Pubblico | Matthew Smith | Jason Collett | 5 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | That's a Good Idea | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tye Angland | 9 | 58.5 |
In The Running
THAT'S A GOOD IDEA led from COOLRING. FELINES just behind them with PALAZZO PUBBLICO stuck three wide no cover. CLEARLY INNOCENT and OLD NORTH out the back. Only a STEADY tempo for the first couple of furlongs.
The Result
In a bunched finish, FELINES $4.2F (1st) pushed out past PALAZZO PUBLICO $12 (2nd DH 0.62L) and went on to get the win. THAT'S A GOOD IDEA $10 (2nd DH 0.62L) held on for a dead-heat as runner-up, with COOLRING $26 (4th 0.68L) a whisker away.
The Interest
She came into this with the best form-lines and her stamina wasn't tested in this 1100m race. The STEADY early sections playing into the hands of FELINES and Bowman rode her perfectly. Nothing between the top nine horses, CLEARLY INNOCENT $6 (9th 2.54L) hitting the line OK. But OLD NORTH $6 (7th 1.72L) might have been a touch better if you are looking for an early Stradbroke bet. BURNING PASSION worth a mention too, he didn't get much room. Follow OLD NORTH.
Race 5 BLAKES MARINE BENCHMARK 85 HANDICAP
Off to Scone for new trainer Newnham
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lanciato | Mark Newnham | Tommy Berry | 17 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Liapari | Lisa Enright | Hugh Bowman | 10 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Il Mio Destino | Kim Waugh | Ms Deanne Panya | 6 | 53.5 |
In The Running
IL MIO DESTINO led at an honest FAIR tempo from VOILIER and ASTARA. SPY DECODER stuck three wide. LANCIATO well back at the tail of the field. ININZABEEL and BETTER NOT BLUE found plenty of trouble as they made their runs in the straight.
The Result
IL MIO DESTINO $15 (3rd 0.07L) got clear of the other on-pacers, but was grabbed late by LANCIATO $5EF (1st) and LIAPARI $8 (2nd 0.05L) down the outside. ENCOSTA LINE $20 (1.04L) and BETTER NOT BLUE $8.5 (5th 1.58L) running on just behind them.
The Interest
What a great ride on IL MIO DESTINO and even better win by LANCIATO. The light-weight mare really got rolling and looked like she had pinched it, only for Mark Newnham's Scone Cup contender to descend from the heavens late and win. The NZ import ASTARA only fair, but she was in the report [vet: minor lacerations to its near-hind leg]. Forgive runs for both BETTER NOT BLUE and INVINZABEEL $8.5 (12th 3.68L).
Race 6 2017 GODOLPHIN CROWN
Dodgy rides and form reversals
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shillelagh | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 10 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Daysee Doom | Ron Quinton | Andrew Adkins | 12 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Kinshachi | James Cummings | Corey Brown | 17 | 57.0 |
In The Running
SWEET REDEMPTION took up the running from DAYSEE DOOM. ARTISTRY in midfield and SHILLELAGH back in the back three wide after jumping OK (she can jump very slowly). KINSACHI stuck three wide near the pace. ARTISTRY badly blocked looking for a run in the straight as her jockey Hugh Bowman made a move back into the pack.
The Result
DAYSEE DOOM $2.7F (2nd 0.71L) drove the lead, but SHILLELAGH $11 (1st) swept home best to win. KINSACHI $17 (3rd 1.93) fought on solidly to the line.
The Interest
The money had poured in for ARTISTRY all week and Bowman somehow butchered it. He had the left indicator on, was ready to move out wider 300m from home, but decided to switch back in as he "wasn't travelling well enough". An appropriate excuse 500m or 600m out, but there is no need to ride cute that close to home. A strange ride indeed. SHILLELAGH was close-up to ARTISTRY in the spring and proved that was no fluke with her first good run for Waller back to a GOOD track (..and she jumped better this time!). DAYSEE DOOM did all she could and placed again. Forgive ARTISTRY.
Race 7 BLACKTOWN WORKERS CLUB HAWKESBURY GUINEAS
The local girl sinks the flashy favourites
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shazee Lee | Scott Singleton | Jay Ford | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Prompt Response | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 11 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Salsonic | Jason Coyle | Jason Collett | 8 | 56.0 |
In The Running
GOOD STANDING worked to the lead from ROSA CAROLINA and PROMPT RESPONSE pushed three wide. A FAIR tempo set up. TYCOON MAR out four wide. CALANDA and GENERALISSIMO behind the leaders and couldn't get much room in the straight. SHAZEE LEE out the back weaving clear.
The Result
SHAZEE LEE $51 (1st) burst through the pack late to beat PROMPT RESPONSE $3 (2nd 0.36L). SALSONIC $26 (3rd 0.4L) ran on OK.
The Interest
Class runners GOOD STANDING $9 (7th 1.8L) and SPRIGHT $5 (8th 2.44L) disappointed, CALANDA $3.9F (10th 3.69L) and GENERALISSIMO $19 (5th 1.49L) had no luck, and PROMPT RESPONSE was left three wide, leaving local mare SHAZEE LEE to take advantage. She's an underrated mare that likes to make one short run at them in her races and did the job in style here. What about TYCOON MAR $71 (6th 1.56L) too, trapped four wide the whole way and right in the finish. Forgive CALANDA, GENERALISSIMO and TYCOON MAR.
Race 8 LIVAMOL HAWKESBURY GOLD CUP
Waterhouse bounces back in style
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fabrizio | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Jason Collett | 1 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Moher | James Cummings | Kerrin McEvoy | 2 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Testashadow | Gary Portelli | Ms Deanne Panya | 7 | 56.5 |
In The Running
FABRIZIO jumped nicely and rolled to the lead from FAMOUS SEAMOUS, MOHER and TESTASHADOW. An honest FAIR tempo set up. DUCA VALENTINOIS stuck wide in midfield.
The Result
FABRIZIO $9 (1st) kept rolling to get the win from MOHER $11 (2nd 0.96L) and TESTASHADOW $18 (3rd 1.01L) in a race where not many horses made ground.
The Interest
He was so poor first-up that some may have written him off, Waterhouse's FABRIZIO turning it all around today with a bold all-the-way win. MOHER just couldn't muster the last 100m to get past the leader. Notable runs from the back included AUVRAY $101 (5th 1.16L) who kept on well and MIGHTY LUCKY $16 (7th 2.56L) brave as always. Forgive DUCA VALENTINOIS.
Race 9 ALL STATE SHOPFITTING BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP
Tommy times his run to perfection
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | So Willie | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 15 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Louie Sea Kay | Gwenda Markwell | Corey Brown | 4 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Gambler's Blues | Tim Martin | Joshua Parr | 2 | 56.0 |
In The Running
HAMMOND LANE led from BROADSIDE and CLASSIC RECORDS up wider. GAMBLER'S BLUES and ANCIENT HISTORY behind them. BERETTA stuck wide no cover when CLASSIC RECORDS rolled to the lead. A STRONG tempo set up with SO WILLIE and ZIGANUI jagged to the back. ANCIENT HISTORY couldn't find room in the straight.
The Result
SO WILLIE $10 (1st) weaved through the pack, came wider and ran on best to beat LOUIE SEA KAY $11 (2nd 0.75L), who ran on from midfield. GAMBLER'S BLUES $6.5 (3rd 1.14L) fought on well from nearer the pace.
The Interest
A perfect ride on SO WILLIE from Tommy Berry, back off the STRONG tempo and coming home late. He was in the ideal POSITION IN RUN given how fast the leaders were going. GAMBLER'S BLUES and ANCIENT HISTORY (no luck in straight) the best of the on-pace runners. Follow GAMBLER'S BLUES and ANCIENT HISTORY. Forgive ANCIENT HISTORY.