Race Day Review - Golden Rose Day at Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 13 September 2014
Hallowed Crown created a special moment at Rosehill Gardens when he fought hard over the final furlong to win the Golden Rose. His trainer, James Cummings, who works with his well-known grandfather Bart, became the fourth successive generation of the Cummings family to claim racing's highest prize.
And just how big this prize is wasn't "just" captured by it's Group 1 status, or the total $1 million in prize money on offer. James knows that he has a special horse. One that could win even bigger and better races than this, and go on to be a valuable stallion in the future.
As a galloper, he is one of the more relaxed and professional types you will see. His athletic frame contains the power for a final surge and it is clear he as the scope to perform over longer distances. With the heart of the Spring Carnival just around the corner some big decisions await the Cummings clan.
There has to be note made of the valiant runner up, Scissor Kick. A more powerful type, he is every bit as impressive as the winner, and perhaps has even more attractive attributes as a potential stallion.
In the other feature races on the day, Waller provided two dominant winners as He's Your Man stayed on strongly to win the Kingston Town (2000m) and Catkins was much too classy winning a sub-standard Sheraco Stakes (1200m).
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 | TRUE |
| Conditions | DEAD 5 |
| Weather | FINE (cloud and sunny spells) |
| Bias | NO BIAS (Races 1-4) OFF RAILS* (Races 5-8) |
All The Race Finishes
Race 1 THE PASLODE HANDICAP
A tough mare takes her chance
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Villa Splendido | Garry White | Tye Angland | 1 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Wings | Tash Burleigh | Blake Shinn | 7 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Sensualism | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 6 | 57.5 |
Villa Splendido fought on best to win
In The Yard
SENSUALISM was best in the yard, a big and strong type. WINGS also looked well. BRING A RING was unsettled again, as was MORE BEAUTIFUL. SAINTLY PRO looked smaller and a class below the others. (note: all yard notes on @TheRaceGuide pre-race on Twitter)
In The Running
SHERBERT BOMB jumped out best and took the lead setting an EVEN TEMPO. BRING A RING moved up to second. MAGNOLIA LANE missed the start and got back.
The Result
VILLA SPLENDIDO (1st) moved into the run early in the straight and kicked too well, from WINGS (2nd) who ran on nicely. SENSUALISM (3rd) made a solid run down the outside.
The Interest
A lower grade race, but this was a well deserved win. VILLA SPLENDIDO has been around the mark in better races than this and she was given a peach of a ride by Angland to win. WINGS and SENSUALISM are in good form and they can show up again in a similar grade soon. BRING A RING has been a bit fizzed up before the last couple of races and may improve if they can get her more settled. No follows or forgives.
Race 2 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS HANDICAP
James Mac earns himself a 'cold one'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleansing Ale | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | James McDonald | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Martian | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Nordic Duke | Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson | Jeff Lloyd | 11 | 55.0 |
Cleansing Ale was well ridden to win
In The Yard
WORLD WIDE, COCKTAIL TIME, RAGTIME COWBOY JOE, NORDIC DUKE and. LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY were the best in the yard. SPECIFIC CHOICE looked quite lean and seemed to be at the end of his preparation. CLEANSING ALE was in good shape, but didn't look like an obvious stayer, a more solid and compact type.
In The Running
NORDIC DUKE was slow and got back. SPECIFIC CHOICE rolled forward to the lead and set a rolling EVEN TEMPO, from FLYING SEBRING in second. COCKTAIL TIME and RAGTIME COWBOY JOE were just in behind the leaders.
The Result
COCKTAIL TIME (5th) made a three wide move early, but just couldn't lift enough. CLEANSING ALE (1st) powered home best, from MARTIAN (2nd), NORDIC DUKE (3rd) and WORLD WIDE (5th), who were all strong late down the outside.
The Interest
Don't think the CLEANSING ALE wanted much further, but he hung on after putting the race away early in the straight. MARTIAN looks to have the most scope in the race, this being only his second start in Australia. COCKTAIL TIME and RAGTIME COWBOY JOE were both very solid nearer the pace, and nearer the rails. WORLD WIDE is going very nicely at the moment and will be scouting for another wet track soon. SPECIFIC CHOICE looks ready for a rest now. Follow CLEANSING ALE (1800m?) and MARTIAN. Forgive COCKTAIL TIME.
Race 3 SPORTSYEAR SPRINT
A regal passage thanks to a beautiful ride
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turquoise King | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | James McDonald | 10 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Fare Well | Clarry Conners | Jason Collett | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Pitt Street | Kris Lees | Tye Angland | 6 | 58.0 |
Turquoise King held off the swoopers to win
In The Yard
PITT STREET, WOODBINE, MURDER OF CROWS, FARE WELL and MAGIC DALLAS were the best. WOODBINE was fit enough, just some condition. OH SO ADORABLE was unsettled
In The Running
TWO BLUE went out to a big lead and set an EVEN TEMPO. TURQUOISE KING got the good trail just in behind. MAGIC DALLAS was slow and got right back to last, while WEINHOLT was stuck a bit wide for the early stages near the rear.
The Result
TURQUOISE KING (1st) loomed up and kept going. FARE WELL (2nd) ran on from the back and PITT STREET (3rd) put in a very solid effort until his run tapered the last 50m.
The Interest
It was quite a bunched finish, which isn't always the best indicator of form, but it might simply be that these were an evenly matched group of sprinters. TURQUOISE KING had the perfect run and delivered, while a few of the favoured ones disappointed. He can progress over a bit further. FARE WELL and PITT ST paraded nicely and have returned in fine order, while TWO BLUE showed how game she is with a strong fighting effort just behind the top three. WOODBINE just seems to be outsprinted in his races, he picked up well enough late to suggest a better performance is not far away, and ALL CERISE showed some promise running on along the rails. MURDER OF CROWS is a genuine benchmark horse and won't be breaking any records soon. Follow TURQUOISE KING, ALL CERISE and TWO BLUE (over 1400m).
Race 4 THEO MARKS STAKES
Power and acceleration are hard to beat
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cluster | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tim Clark | 4 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Bull Point | David Vandyke | Corey Brown | 8 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Ninth Legion | Peter Robl | James McDonald | 5 | 54.5 |
Cluster showed a great turn-of-foot down the outside
In The Yard
CLUSTER was a bit keen in the yard, but very well. BULL POINT also looked great. ZEPHYRON looked unsettled and had some condition. There was no knock on NINTH LEGION and KIRRAMOSA.
In The Running
BULL POINT drifted back. TOUGHER THAN EVER took the lead and set an EVEN TEMPO, from LASER HAWK and NINTH LEGION just behind. JETSET LAD was a bit wide in midfield. CLUSTER kept BULL POINT a bit wide also at the back.
The Result
NINTH LEGION (3rd) cruised up to hit the lead, but BULL POINT (2nd) ran on to claim him. They both had no answer to the sprint of CLUSTER (1st).
The Interest
BULL POINT and CLUSTER are both good horses. CLUSTER had the superior acceleration, but don't be surprised if the BULL POINT goes on with it now. He looks a very relaxed galloper under Waller. NINTH LEGION did a good job at a track he doesn't enjoy, while ZEPHYRON and KIRRAMOSA did enough to suggest they are on track for staying races later in the campaign. JETSET LAD is low flying at the moment and did a great job against the quality in this race. Follow CLUSTER and BULL POINT.
Race 5 KINGSTON TOWN STAKES
Waller's patience pays off again
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | He's Your Man | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 13 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Kingdoms | Michael Hickmott | Larry Cassidy | 14 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Deane Martin | Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 54.0 |
He's Your Man improved to win easily
In The Yard
The were not many knocks in the yard, apart from LA AMISTAD, who clearly wasn't 100% fit. LUCKY CHAPPY is a smaller type, but looked well, and GALLATIN's coat was coming along nicely.
In The Running
GREATWOOD rolled to the lead, from LAIDBACK LARRY in second. The set up an EVEN TEMPO, from MR O'CEIRIN and LA AMISTAD, who were just in behind. OPINION and HOYLONNY got right back.
The Result
HE'S YOUR MAN (1st) stormed home to win well, from KINGDOMS (2nd) who stayed on strongly. DEANE MARTIN (3rd) just stayed on better than LUCKY CHAPPY (4th) late.
The Interest
With GREATWOOD and LA AMISTAD disappointing it was left to HE'S YOUR MAN to show his class. He is a quality middle-distance horse. KINGDOMS is racing very well and can get further and DEANE MARTIN looks set for a good staying campaign. LUCKY CHAPPY is racing in great heart and is a type (genuine, smaller and agile) that could be suited to Royal Randwick in the future. Don't be too disappointed with LA AMISTAD, she had more fitness to come and always improves lengths when up to around 2400m. A genuine staying type. You can be harsh on GREATWOOD though. It was a worrying performance third-up from a horse that looked fit and well first-up. The end of his preparation already? OPINION had another "warm-up run". A big watch on him. Follow HE'S YOUR MAN. Forgive LA AMISTAD.
Race 6 IRRESISTIBLE POOLS & SPAS SHERACO STAKES
The "Cat" pounces and shows her class
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catkins | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 7 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | My Sabeel | Kevin Moses | Luke Nolen | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Neena Rock | John Sargent | Blake Shinn | 11 | 56.0 |
Catkins cleared out in the straight
In The Yard
SHAMALIA was the best in the yard. CATKINS looked pretty fit, not far off 100% fitness. MAYSOON and RUNWAY STAR looked well again. ECHO GAL looked good, but it was noted she is compact and not a 'Rosehill type'.
In The Running
CATKINS jumped well enough and found a spot near the pace. MAROON BAY sped across and led ECHO GAL, setting a GOOD TEMPO.
The Result
CATKINS (1st) cruised to the lead and kicked away. MY SABEEL (2nd) fought on very strongly late and NEENA ROCK (3rd) did a great job too.
The Interest
CATKINS is just better than these over the sprint trip. Not sure of the quality of the race behind the winner. MY SABEEL continues to race genuinely. CHINTZ looked like a nice type in the yard and could be followed over further after a solid finish. NEENA ROCK is genuine and had improvement, and MAYSOON is going well enough If she finds the right race. SHAMALIA was disappointing, but she enjoys cover and a late burst of acceleration. Nothing worked out for her here. Follow CATKINS and CHINTZ (over further).
Race 7 DE BORTOLI WINES GOLDEN ROSE
Cummings keeps the unbeaten crown
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hallowed Crown | Bart & James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 14 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Scissor Kick | Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | Tye Angland | 12 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Shooting to Win | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tim Clark | 11 | 56.5 |
Hallowed Crown was too strong late for a brave Scissor Kick
In The Yard
ALMALAD, SCRATCH ME LUCKY, HALLOWED CROWN, SCISSOR KICK and NOSTRADAMUS all looked well in the yard. BRING ME THE MAID was in good shape, but she was clearly a smaller galloper than the colts and geldings. SHOOTING TO WIN also looked in very good shape, appearing to be a horse that could be suited by further.
In The Running
YGRITTE and SNIPER FIRE went to the front and set an EVEN TEMPO. ALMALAD and NOSTRADAMUS were just in behind. BETTER LAND was stuck wide with no cover near the speed, with SCISSOR KICK even wider in midfield.
The Result
SCISSOR KICK (2nd) slid up out wide and produced a great sprint down the outside, but HALLOWED CROWN (1st) peeled off his back and was too strong late. SHOOTING TO WIN (3rd) was strong and just got the bob from ALMALAD (4th), who was brave to the line.
The Interest
The first two horses home are good, very good. HALLOWED CROWN is a beautifully well balanced type that can go on to even bigger things than this, while SCISSOR KICK was very unlucky not to win after charting a wide course through-out. He looks like a type that could dominate over sprint trips in the future. Both ALMALAD and SHOOTING TO WIN put in very tough performances and can be followed up in distance. NOSTRADAMUS did cut back to the inferior going near the inside, but he wasn't quite up to the better ones this time. The little filly, BRING ME THE MAID, didn't have the strength to push clear when it mattered and can be forgiven. Follow HALLOWED CROWN, SCISSOR KICK, ALMALAD and SHOOTING TO WIN. Forgive BRING ME THE MAID.
Race 8 PJ'S IRISH PUB PARRAMATTA HANDICAP
A small margin, but a big win
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reflectance | John Thompson | Blake Shinn | 1 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Maximilian | James Cummings | Tim Clark | 15 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Black Revolver | Chris Waller | Corey Brown | 6 | 56.0 |
Reflectance was too strong, despite hitting the lead early
In The Yard
MAXIMILIAN, REFLECTANCE, ALIAS and BLACK REVOLVER all looked well in the yard. ALIAS was the most powerful sprinting type out of that group. ZA MAGIC and ENGAGEMENT were unsettled. ANY DAY WILL DO hasn't come up that well this preparation so far, will still some condition and a dull coat.
In The Running
ENGAGEMENT went forward to lead, from ANY DAY WILL DO, who worked up into second. Some early pressure ensured a GOOD TEMPO was set up. IDANCE settled behind the leaders, while ALIAS was a bit keen on the rails inside horses. MASTERSTROKE was trapped wide midfield.
The Result
REFLECTANCE (1st) tracked into the race well and fought off the late challenge of MAXIMILIAN (2nd). BLACK REVOLVER (3rd) worked home strongly late.
The Interest
REFLECTANCE has come back in great form and he did a great job to hold off MAXIMILIAN after hitting the lead so early in the straight off a solid speed. He is arguably a better horse at Royal Randwick so can win again. BLACK REVOLVER was ridden very kindly by Brown and worked home strongly late. A big watch up in trip next time. MASTERSTROKE got well backed and fought on solidly with the light weight after a wide run. Don't want to be too harsh on the on-pacers, especially ALIAS, who does have sprinting talent in the right race. ANY DAY WILL DO is a big watch in the yard next time. She is an impressive galloper that just hasn't been herself in two runs this preparation so far. Follow REFLECTANCE and BLACK REVOLVER.