Yard to the Post @ Golden Rose Day
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 23 September 2017
Gerald Ryan is one of the best horsemen in Sydney racing, there is no doubt about that. Something he proved today as TRAPEZE ARTIST broke clear of the chasing pack to dominate the Group One Golden Rose at massive odds.
Stablemate MENARI was the preferred runner in the bookies ring, punters keeping him around the $2.4 mark all afternoon. Despite a dominant Black Opal win third-up last campaign when the blinkers went on also, TRAPEZE ARTIST languished in the market out at $41. He even sky-rocketed to well a above $100 on trading platforms for a period.
A rapid strong tempo set by the Paul Perry gallopers PERAST and THE MISSION didn't suit the powerful favourite and TRAPEZE ARTIST surged clear over the final furlong to post a 4.3 length margin over CHAMPAGNE CUDDLES (2nd) and MENARI (3rd) to collect $580,000 in prizemoney.
Other impressive wins included the tough three-year-old ACE HIGH who led all the way in the Group Three Gloaming Stakes over 1,800 metres, while DAYSEE DOOM covered extra ground before holding off stablemate DIXIE BLOSSOMS to win the Group Two Golden Pendant later in the day.
Earlier in the day PARET threw the first race away by racing greenly down the straight, WASHINGTON HEIGHTS continued on his winning way and stayer ALWARD bounced back on the softer track. Rosehill track managers had applied plenty of irrigation and the times run for the first few races were clearly equivalent to a "dead track" before the surface firmed up later in the day.
A full review from the yard to the post will be on-line Monday 5pm.
photo: @atc_races
Track Info
| Rail | +3m |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 to GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE, WINDY |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 NATHAN'S FAMOUS HOTDOGS HANDICAP
Even Bowman couldn't tame this rogue
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
In The Running
MOLTEN took up the lead at a STEADY tempo from BRIGHT IDEA on his outside. OUR MANTRA behind BRIGHT IDEA in the running line with BEAU GESTE (a touch keen) and PARET (very keen) behind them.
The Result
BEAU GESTE (1st) sprinted with OUR MANTRA (2nd 0.2L) and got the better of him, PARET (3rd 0.4L) running on hard just behind them after racing greenly for the final 150m. A gap of 1.4L back to AONAIR (4th)
The Interest
All of the top three put in great performances, coming from midfield or back when the tempo was only STEADY. Between them they had the top three 600m-400m, 400m-200m and 200m-finish sectionals. PARET unbelievably having the fastest final 200m despite racing very greenly as Bowman tried to keep him focussed. He settled better off a strong tempo when winning on debut so may need an honest pace to show his best, until Waller straightens him out, which is only a matter of time. OUR MANTRA in the report [vet: galloped on both hind legs].
Race 2 COLIN STEPHEN QUALITY
A three way photo in a five horse race
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
In The Running
BROADSIDE took up the running from stable-mate DEE I CEE at steady early sections, before ramping up the sprint early, posting an 11.71 from the 800m to the 600m before steadily slowing down over the final three furlongs. ADMIRAL JELLO in the box seat with AUVRAY on his outside.
The Result
AUVRAY (1st) came wider on the turn and fought on best in a close three-way finish, edging out ADMIRAL JELLO (2nd 0.1L) and BROADSIDE (3rd 0.3L). A big gap back of 6.1L back to DEE I CEE (4th).
The Interest
The top three all had similar form out of the G3 Newcastle Gold Cup and it was no surprise to see a finish like this. BROADSIDE (winner at Newcastle) did have more weight here, but perhaps Tim Clark went for home a little too early in hindsight.
Race 3 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
Race 4 RANVET HANDICAP
An Irish bred loves the softer ground
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
In The Running
THEWAYWEARE was ridden aggressively to find the lead as ZAUNKONIG moved up on his outside. ALWARD just behind them and UP'N'ROLLING in the box seat. The tempo was steady early before the leader posted a 11.76 for the 800m to 600m section and slowed down from there IMANUI back in the pack and held up at the 350m, while UP'N'ROLLING was held up too.
The Result
ALWARD (1st) maintained a strong run to the line beating UP'N'ROLLING (2nd 0.8L), who fought on when clear to get pat ZAUNKONIG (3rd 1.1L). QUICK DEFENCE (4th) and IMANUI (5th) not too far off behind them.
The Interest
The slightly softer track helped Waller's progressive stayer ALWARD, who maintained a strong run to win. He's not the type to power home on a firm Rosehill surface so enjoyed irrigation they applied during the week. UP'N'ROLLING a touch unlucky, but may have not got the winner anyway. IMANUI probably worth a forgive too, he really came into the race nicely on the turn when held up and may simply prefer 1600m to 1800m now. Unlucky runners: UP'N'ROLLING (could have challenged winner), IMANUI (may have placed).
Race 5 SCHWEPPES SHANNON STAKES
Reaching new Heights every start
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
In The Running
IMPOSING LASS jumped in midfield and was pushed along to go and lead, setting a STRONG gallop. GOOD PROJECT moved up on the outside. LUBITON in the box seat. DAWN WALL just back of midfield with MIGHTY LUCKY, EURO ANGEL and WASHINGTON HEIGHTS out the back.
The Result
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS (1st) swept down the outside to beat MIGHTY LUCKY (2nd 0.5L), who had run on hard through the pack. A gap back to IMPOSING LASS (3rd 2.8L). Around a length then to LUBITON (4th) and another length to the pack, headed by DAWN WALL (5th).
The Interest
He won three from five leading into this race and was unlucky in the other two, WASHINGTON HEIGHTS is a galloper on the rise that produced another great performance in a testing 1500m race that showed he has more stamina than many thought. A perfect ride from McEvoy too. MIGHTY LUCKY bounced back to form after a 'so-so' first-up run and IMPOSING LASS was very brave after doing a lot of work out in the lead. Her 'Spot Rating' was strong, beating off the well-performed GOOD PROJECT by 3.2L after sharing the lead with him. DAWN WALL sprinted powerfully first-up and all she did was sprint again here, her run finishing 200m out. More fitness needed. EURO ANGEL a touch unlucky near the back, but probably wouldn't have placed.
Race 6 JAMES BOAG'S PREMIUM GLOAMING STAKES
A 3yo with plenty up his sleeve
steady tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
In The Running
ACE HIGH was urged to go to the lead and CORAL COAST moved up on his outside with SANCTIONED in the box seat. A STEADY tempo was set-up early, before some mid-race pressure set up a long sprint for home (STEADY: LONG SPRINT).
The Result
ACE HIGH (1st) kept lifting to hold off SANCTIONED (2nd, 1.3L), who had peeled out but was safely held late. A big gap to CORAL COAST (3rd 5.3L) fighting on with SULLY (4th) about a half length behind.
The Interest
The big-striding ACE HIGH always shaped as a stayer, surging home late off a steady tempo over 1500m the start before this, and he seems to prefer GOOD tracks too. Up to 1800m he proved much too strong, despite being attacked mid-race and second favourite SANCTIONED getting the drop on him in the run. SULLY nice from the pack to beat favourite ASTORA (5th) home, who may have not stayed the distance. A big gap between 1st and 2nd and the rest.
Race 7 DE BORTOLI WINES GOLDEN ROSE
Tougher than the favourite and twenty times the odds!
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
In The Running
The two Paul Perry trained gallopers went mad in the lead, THE MISSION and PERAST setting a very rapid STRONG tempo with FORMALITY, MENARI and TRAPEZE ARTIST chasing.
The Result
TRAPEZE ARTIST (1st) eased wider and fought on best to the line to win easily. CHAMPAGNE CUDDLES (2nd, 4.3L) ran on from last to catch MENARI (3rd, 4.5L), who loomed with the winner but couldn't sustain. GOLD STANDARD (4th) just behind the placings.
The Interest
The story of two Gerald Ryan gallopers, TRAPEZE ARTIST dominating the Black Opal third-up last prep with blinkers on, and doing exactly the same here to a much better field. He was only average behind GOLD STANDARD over 1500m the start before and punters had every right to be cautious. But in hindsight, all his other runs were strong and the $41 ($100+ on trading platforms!) seems very generous now. MENARI found a testing 1400m a touch too far without being disgraced. CHAMPAGNE CUDDLES well ridden. GOLD STANDARD (back to 1600m now would suit) showed his toughness again. MENARI in the report. [vet: galloped on, lost plate]
Race 8 GOLDEN PENDANT
Ron Quinton Quinellas the mares
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
In The Running
SWEET REDEMPTION took up the running at a FAIR tempo without much pressure, MAGIC ALIBI on her outside and DAYSEE DOOM three wide. OMEI SWORD found the box seat with DANISH TWIST on her back (cut across from wide barrier). DIXIE BLOSSOMS held together three wide with cover.
The Result
DAYSEE DOOM (1st) fought hard right to the line to beat DIXIE BLOSSOMS (2nd, 0.2L), who had sprinted up before getting out-fought late. A small gap back to OMEI SWORD (3rd, 1.2L) and DANISH TWIST (4th, 1.4L) together on the inside.
The Interest
She's so brave! DAYSEE DOOM was stronger to the line than favourite OMEI SWORD last start over 1200m and she was far stronger today, even after getting stuck three wide. Stable-mate to the winner DIXIE BLOSSOMS good from the back and DANISH TWIST solid after getting forced onto the rails. The top four seemingly the class mares in this race over 1400m. BONNY O'REILLY (6th) not quite as strong to the line, peaking over the final 150m.
Race 9 TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP
Bjorn Baker followers go bang!
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
In The Running
SIR PLUSH took up the running and set a STRONG tempo, stringing the field out chasing him. BE LIKE DAD under pressure and HOGMANAY behind them urged along.
The Result
SIR PLUSH (1st) maintained his run well enough to hold a big margin on the rest. HOGMANAY (2nd) brave to the line and ZUMBELINA (3rd) just behind him safely held.
The Interest
Wow! Aggressive tactics on SIR PLUSH really broke this field up and it was going to take a horse with a big finishing surge to come out of the pack and win. ZUMBELINA couldn't muster it second-up and the rest simply weren't good enough. A dry 1400m appears to have brought about SIR PLUSH's best performance yet after a couple of 'so-so' runs (not much luck). The stable followers knew this tactic was on, good money coming in just before they jumped.