Race Day Review - Chelmsford Stakes Day at Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 06 September 2014
The skies were grey at Royal Randwick and the crowd was huddled under-cover, with most in close proximity to the bar. That didn't stop the track from lighting up with the arrival of two classy fillies for the Spring. Winx and Lucia Valentina (pictured above) are both names that could be up in lights by the time November comes after they dominated the Furious Stakes and Tramway Stakes with ridiculous ease. In a tough day at Royal Randwick where many horses laboured to the line, both fillies flew home, making horses like Earthquake and Tiger Tees look second-rate.
The feature race of the day, the Chelmsford Stakes, was far less exciting. The Jim Cassidy ridden Hawkspur dominated a slow tempo in the lead and kicked best to win. Despite the lacklustre affair, the effort of Chris Waller to train the first six over the line was exceptional. Both Criterion (David Payne) and Entirely Platinum (Hawkes) were disappointing at the back.
There was a lot of talk about the state of the track and which horses were handling it best. Overall, it was clear that bigger and more powerful types were struggling to get through the very testing ground. The failures of Rock Sturdy, Corryvreckan, Valentia, Washington Heights and even Earthquake could all be put down to the tough Randwick surface.
A race-by-race analysis of the day is provided from the mounting yard to the finish. The complete guide from your team at the track.
Track Info
| Rail | +4m ENTIRE CIRCUIT |
| Conditions | HEAVY 9 (very tough racing surface) |
| Weather | OVERCAST and SHOWERS |
| Bias | NO BIAS (slightly off rails preferred) |
All The Race Finishes
Race 1 TAB EARLY QUADDIE HANDICAP
Winona and her Prince are too classy
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foreign Prince | David Payne | Ms Winona Costin | 3 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Hunter Jack | Tim Martin | Tye Angland | 7 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Devonshire Duke | Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson | Brodie Loy | 9 | 59.0 |
Foreign Prince was too strong for Hunter Jack
In The Yard
DEVONSHIRE DUKE looked to have travelled up well from Melbourne. HUNTER JACK was fitter this time and FOREIGN PRINCE was the pick of the yard. A nice athletic type.
In The Running
FOREIGN PRINCE jumped nicely, but took a sit in 3rd this time. DEVONSHIRE DUKE moved forward to take the lead and set an EVEN TEMPO, with HUNTER JACK in 2nd. WHISPEROSSA was slowish again.
The Result
HUNTER JACK (2nd) moved up and took the lead early in the straight, but FOREIGN PRINCE (1st) stalked him, peeled wider and was too strong late. DEVONSHIRE DUKE (3rd) kept on ok, while WHISPEROSSA (4th) ran on.
The Interest
A simple race to analyse. FOREIGN PRINCE was just too strong and is probably a few lengths better than these. HUNTER JACK is progressing nicely and the form should hold up well. It was a very canny ride from Winona, who must have heard whispers that some of the others were going to push forward and take her on for the lead. She simply let the boys go by and saved her galloper for when it really mattered. WHISPEROSSA was slow to begin, and the track was very heavy, but on this evidence it doesn't look like he quite gets the mile. The run tapered over the final 100m. Follow FOREIGN PRINCE and HUNTER JACK.
Race 2 NATIONAL JOCKEYS TRUST HANDICAP
Winona takes another win
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | World Wide | Bede Murray | Ms Winona Costin | 5 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Grand Marshal | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Surpass | Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson | Brodie Loy | 11 | 60.0 |
World Wide enjoyed the wet and won easily
In The Yard
SURPASS was a bit more relaxed in the yard this time. WORLD WIDE was pick of the yard and GRAND MARSHAL was quite light and athletic. SLIVOVITZ was the biggest and most powerful, but the track didn't seem to be suiting horses of his type. A very tough racing surface that suited lighter and more athletic horses who weren't getting as deep into the sodden turf.
In The Running
DIVERTIRE jumped best and rolled to the lead setting an EVEN TEMPO. She was a bit keen mid-race. WORLD WIDE moved up to 2nd. SLIVOVITZ over-raced early at the back and MR SCARY was keen in the run also.
The Result
WORLD WIDE (1st) cruised up and kept going to win, from GRAND MARSHAL (2nd), who chased home solidly. SURPASS (3rd) stayed on nearer the rails and SLIVOVITZ (4th) ran on steadily.
The Interest
A superior wet tracker won this one. He did look very well in the yard so could pick up another race soon. GRAND MARSHAL has the most upside in the race though and is the horse to follow. You could speculate that SLIVOVITZ could be forgiven, especially considering so many other 'big types' failed during the day. DIVERTIRE was just too bad to be true and she clearly wasn't feeling at her best after three runs in 11 days. Jo Pride reported he would now freshen her up. Follow GRAND MARSHAL. Forgive SLIVOVITZ.
Race 3 COOLMORE FURIOUS STAKES
A new champion filly arrives for the Spring
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winx | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Alpha Miss | Robert Smerdon | Jason Collett | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Earthquake | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 56.0 |
Winx dominated a very good group of fillies
In The Yard
EARTHQUAKE had some condition and wasn't 100% fit. WINX paraded best and MEMORIAL also looked very well, but it was noted post-race that she is a galloper that stretches right out and enjoys a good rhythm in her races. PEGGY JEAN looked fit and ALPHA MISS had a winter coat again.
In The Running
EARTHQUAKE rolled to the lead and set a SLOW TEMPO, while MEMORIAL and PEGGY JEAN went back.
The Result
WINX (1st) sustained a strong sprint to win easily, from ALPHA MISS (2nd) who sped home well up the inside. EARTHQUAKE (3rd) was only ok to the line.
The Interest
EARTHQUAKE wasn't fit enough to win in the Heavy and she will take improvement. She will need to improve a lot to beat WINX though. The Waller trained filly was very impressive powering away down the straight in very quick time. ALPHA MISS is so tough and genuine, she shouldn't be discounted from the big races as she continues to get fitter, especially here at Royal Randwick. PEGGY JEAN just couldn't sustain her speed and should be forgiven given the way the race was run, and MEMORIAL never found her rhythm on the tough Randwick surface. Follow WINX. Forgive EARTHQUAKE, PEGGY JEAN and MEMORIAL.
Race 4 MING DYNASTY QUALITY HANDICAP
No photo finish needed for this Arrowfield win
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Panzer Division | Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | Tye Angland | 10 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Shooting to Win | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tim Clark | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Lady Sharapova | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | James McDonald | 7 | 54.0 |
Panzer Division led all the way to win comfortably
In The Yard
VALENTIA, WASHINGTON HEIGHTS and SHOOTING TO WIN paraded the best, but most looked well. CLOVER LANE lacked the power of others, as did ROAD TO SHANGRI LA, who was a bit keen also. It was noted post-race that VALENTIA and WASHINGTON HEIGHTS were big and strong colts not suited by the tough Randwick conditions.
In The Running
PANZER DIVISION rolled to the lead and set an EVEN TEMPO, from VALENTIA in 2nd. TASHBEEH, CLOVER LANE and WASHINGTON HEIGHTS got well back.
The Result
PANZER DIVISION (1st) kept powering home in the straight. SHOOTING TO WIN (2nd) stayed in strongly to the line and LADY SHARAPOVA (3rd) ran on well down the outside.
The Interest
PANZER DIVISION proved he has talent and did a good job to lead all the way and win clearly. VALENTIA got very tired late, but it was still a solid run. SHOOTING TO WIN showed his strength and LADY SHARAPOVA put in a great performance. She was level with WASHINGTON HEIGHTS at the 200m and powered home far better. You could forgive the big colt, WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, as the track was very testing and he was under pressure a long way from home. Follow LADY SHARAPOVA and PANZER DIVISION. Forgive WASHINGTON HEIGHTS.
Race 5 TATTERSALLS CLUB CHELMSFORD STAKES
Waller dominates the feature race
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawkspur | Chris Waller | Jim Cassidy | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Royal Descent | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Bagman | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 59.0 |
Hawkspur (outside) just nosed out Royal Descent (inside)
In The Yard
CRITERION was the standout in the yard and ENTIRELY PLATINUM also looked good. It was noted post-race that CRITERION is a long striding galloper that enjoys rhythm in his races. ROYAL DESCENT and SACRED FALLS still had some improvement to come. HAWKSPUR and BAGMAN looked the fittest in the yard.
In The Running
HAWKSPUR (1st) was given a dig in the ribs and pushed on to lead. He controlled a SLOW TEMPO, from ENTIRELY PLATINUM in 2nd. SACRED FALLS and ROYAL DESCENT were just in behind. CRITERION made an early run on the turn and was pushed four wide.
The Result
ROYAL DESCENT (2nd) sprinted up the inside to hit the lead, but HAWKSPUR (1st) kicked back to win. BAGMAN (3rd) sped home through the pack well and SACRED FALLS (4th) was solid to the line.
The Interest
Waller with the first six home as JUNOOB nails CRITERION on the line! What a training performance and David Payne (CRITERION) and the Hawkes boys (ENTIRELY PLATINUM) probably feel a bit sheepish after being taught a lesson by the master Kiwi trainer. It is tough to get a read on the race given the muddling tempo and very heavy track. It was great ride on HAWKSPUR by the Pumper after they announced pre-race that the horse may go forward. ENTIRELY PLATINUM was disappointing and isn't up to this class at this stage. SACRED FALLS and ROYAL DESCENT had improvement in the yard and the pace wasn't strong enough for SACRED FALLS to sprint home with them - a one-paced type. CRITERION was disappointing, getting out-sped down the straight. He lost his momentum getting pushed wide on the turn before he hit the Randwick rise and will improve up in distance now. No follows or forgives.
Race 6 CONCORDE STAKES
Nippy sprinters out-fight the big boys
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wouldnt It Be Nice | Paul Perry | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Nuclear Class | Tas Morton | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Rain Affair | Daniel Bowman | Blake Shinn | 2 | 58.0 |
Wouldn't It Be Nice ran home well to win
In The Yard
I'M ALL THE TALK, DIDNTCOSTALOT and TARGET IN SIGHT paraded best. ATMOSPHERICAL looked well first up. WOULDNT IT BE NICE and NUCLEAR CLASS lacked the power of others, but it was noted post-race that the lighter and athletic types were performing well in the testing conditions.
In The Running
I'M ALL THE TALK (1st) sped to the lead and set a GOOD TEMPO, from RAIN AFFAIR who was on his outside. NUCLEAR CLASS had the drop on them in third. TARGET IN SIGHT couldn't go with them early on and was tailed of three lengths last.
The Result
WOULDNT IT BE NICE (1st) ran on well to get there late after NUCLEAR CLASS (2nd) had hit the lead. RAIN AFFAIR (3rd) stuck on ok from DIDNTCOSTALOT (4th). TARGET IN SIGHT (7th) stormed home over the last 100m.
The Interest
Well you can be sure if you ran this race again on another track you would get a different result. I'M ALL THE TALK and RAIN AFFAIR sped along at a good clip in the mud and the little NUCLEAR CLASS simply skipped by them, only for the athletic WOULDN'T IT BE NICE to fight on best. The bigger and more impressive types that finished just behind the top two all performed admirably enough and you can make a case for following up on RAIN AFFAIR, I'M ALL THE TALK, DIDNTCOSTALOT, ATMOSPHERICAL and TARGET IN SIGHT. Not making any judgements on RAIN AFFAIR at this stage, but you would have liked to have seen a slightly better performance first-up. WOULDN'T IT BE NICE deserved the win and has been very genuine all campaign. It was very strange placement by Gai Waterhouse for AUSSIES LOVE SPORT, who never raised hopes at any stage. No follows or forgives.
Race 7 TATTERSALLS CLUB TRAMWAY STAKES
Little Lucia blows them away
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucia Valentina | Kris Lees | Kerrin McEvoy | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Tiger Tees | Joseph Pride | Corey Brown | 11 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Toydini | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | James McDonald | 14 | 57.5 |
Lucia Valentina sprinted quickly from the back to win
In The Yard
HOOKED was the best in the yard. LUCIA VALENTINA and GYPSY DIAMOND paraded well, while HONORIUS didn't impress. RISING ROMANCE and LUCIA VALENTINA are nice types and looked fit enough. It was noted post-race that LUCIA VALENTINA is a light and athletic type suited to the testing conditions.
In The Running
TIGER TEES was best to jump and went forward to lead, controlling an EVEN TEMPO. WEARY was slow again and LUCIA VALENTINA, RISING ROMANCE and VILANOVA were at the back.
The Result
LUCIA VALENTINA (1st) picked up very quickly in the wet and flew home. TIGER TEES (2nd) maintained his sprint and TOYDINI (3rd) kept lifting.
The Interest
There were a few Spring hopefuls in this race and most of them did well. TIGER TEES was brave again, but it is the horses around him that are most interesting for the next few weeks. LUCIA VALENTINA is a classy animal and she has the ability to sprint in the wet. It was a dominant win and she hit the line very (very) hard. TOYDINI and RISING ROMANCE were also impressive, while MONTON, VILANOVA and HOOKED all deserve a mention also. The John Thompson trained HOOKED was cruising at the top of the straight and is ready to win if he can find a dry track soon. Follow TOYDINI, LUCIA VALENTINA and RISING ROMANCE. Forgive HOOKED.
Race 8 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
Hard fit and much too strong
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Supreme Warrior | John Sargent | Taylor Marshall | 5 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Spy Decoder | Anthony Cummings | James McDonald | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Ideal Position | Jeff Brasch | Yusuke Ichikawa | 9 | 54.5 |
Supreme Warrior went hard and just kept going
In The Yard
ROCK STURDY and CORRYVRECKAN looked the best in the yard, but it was noted that the track wasn't suiting bigger and heavier types. SUPREME WARRIOR and DANESIRI were the lighter and efficient types suited to the track, and IDEAL POSITION also had efficiency in his frame (all yard notes provided pre-race on Twitter @TheRaceGuide).
In The Running
DANESIRI missed the start and got back. SPY DECODER jumped best and took the box seat. SUPREME WARRIOR rolled forward and set a GOOD TEMPO, from DREAM CHOICE.
The Result
SUPREME WARRIOR (1st) kept nipping along best to win. SPY DECODER (2nd) travelled well into the straight but just couldn't catch up over the last 100m. IDEAL POSITION (3rd) stayed on solidly and ROCK STURDY (4th) couldn't get there with the weight.
The Interest
As the track further deteriorated the lighter, fitter and more efficient types continued to dominate. SUPREME WARRIOR was hard fit, and DANESIRI and IDEAL POSITION raced above market expectations too. There is no doubt ROCK STURDY and SPY DECODER are the best horses from the race though. You could even be bold and forgive CORRYVRECKAN given he is such a strongly built type that couldn't lift his legs in the Randwick mud. Follow ROCK STURDY and SPY DECODER. Forgive CORRYVRECKAN