Yard to the Post @ Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 16 December 2017
Racegoers at Royal Randwick were greeted with an almost ideal racing surface today, a few weeks of rehabilitation following the busy spring carnival paying big dividends.
The lush turf and open expanses set the scene for a riveting Group 2 Villiers Stakes, Waterhouse and Bott's CABEZA DE VACA flying along in the lead to set up a huge margin only for the Queenslander CRACK ME UP to surge home and arrive in the final few metres. The win gives the Birchley-trained gelding a free ticket to the Group 1 Doncaster next Autumn.
He might be faced with the winner of Race 6 next April, SEDANZER continuing to get better and better for Waterhouse and Bott. They might have wished they took on the bigger race today given she ran a narrowly faster time off a much slower tempo. Rachel King (photo) has formed a very successful combination with the four-year-old mare.
Earlier in the day the $500,000 Inglis two-year-old prize went to John O'Shea's debutant IRISH BET and tough mare ANATOLA led all the way for her first Sydney victory third-up.
Check back for a full review Monday 12pm.
photo: @atc_races
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 to GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 ANZ BLOODSTOCK NEWS HANDICAP
The fit filly gets the prize
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
In The Running
AWESOME PLUCK jumped OK and came across to lead (touch keen) at a FAIR tempo, backing it off for a furlng mid-race.
The Result
SAVATIANO (1st) sprinted from midfield to get the win, CALCULATED (2nd 1.3L) running on solidly and AWESOME PLUCK (3rd 2.3L) fighting on for a place after getting out-sprinted.
The Interest
She's had a long prep into this and the fitness may have helped, SAVATIANO sprinting best fifth-up. Stepping back from 1300m on HEAVY to a sharp 1100m was no problem at all. Expect her to stay around this distance in the future. CALCULATED (good to line) and AWESOME PLUCK (touch keen, better off strong tempo or in wet?) both did enough first-up and can be followed this prep. The Hawke's galloper ROYAL PHOENIX (4th 3.8L) has a bit to offer when he sharpens up as a racehorse.
Race 2 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
Race 3 CHRISTMAS CUP
Waller's jockey switch does the trick
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
In The Running
BROADSIDE took up the running as expected, setting a STEADY tempo 'til the 1000m when he got rolling for a very LONG SPRINT home.
The Result
VASSAL (1st) ran on best a few horses wide to catch the duo of BROADSIDE (2nd 1.8L), who kept fighting on, and PRINCE CHERI (3rd 2L), who sprinted and peaked.
The Interest
He won two starts ago, then finished 6th of 7 last start and now wins! VASSAL is a hard horse to catch, the stable blaming the apprentice jockey for the poor run. BROADSIDE was in a difficult situation given the firming track, he lacks the dash to win on dry often. PRINCE CHERI not suited by the long sprint home and is ready to win one now. SHALMANESER (7th 9.4L) in the report [vet: heat affected].
Race 4 INGLIS NURSERY
The smart money lands on Irish
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
In The Running
MISS INVINCIBLE sped across and set a hot STRONG tempo, RAGGED RASCAL working up three wide no cover and IRISH BET just behind the leaders.
The Result
IRISH BET (1st) worked clear and fought on best from a brave RAGGED RASCAL (2nd 1.3L). CANNYONERO (3rd 1.5L) ran on from midfield for a place.
The Interest
It was a strong debut for IRISH BET, backed into $5 fav' and winning by 1.3L from a good field, but there were some hard-luck tales behind. LET ME SLEEP ON IT (4th 2L) got hassled by the leader MISS INVINCIBLE (9th 4.3L) as she tired, SANCTIMONIOUS (5th 2.1L) got a check from his stable-mate LOGAN RIVER (6th 2.5L) on the turn and LOGAN RIVER himself was awkward turning before getting tightened as he ran on late. The McEvoy-trained pair very unlucky after coming up from Melbourne for this one race. The speedy MISS INVINCIBLE needs a break now [vet: slow to recover] and LU'S IN CHARGE (11th 11.7L) was in the report too [vet: multiple lacerations].
Race 5 CATANACH'S HANDICAP
Newnham's new recruit puts it all together
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
In The Running
ANATOLA took up the running at an honest FAIR tempo. O'RACHAEL tracking up behind on the rails.
The Result
ANATOLA (1st) kept going and fought on for a good win, O'RACHAEL (2nd 1.3L) running on for a clear second placing. A gap back to MACHINEGUN JUBS (3rd 3.6L) just fighting on for a place in progressively slower sections (pack performed like it was a strong tempo).
The Interest
She was strong first-up, suffered heat stress second-up and put it all together today, ANATOLA a strong mare that can win again in Sydney after moving up from Melbourne to the Mark Newnham stable this prep. The shape of the race suggests she took a big jump in the ratings, only O'RACHAEL (got the gun run, known for final surge) getting close to her. SUSPENDERS (4th 3.8L) wide for the third time in a row! So unlucky! KAWAIKINI (6th 4L) was given a shocker from O'Hara (blocked 200m) and should have finished 3rd. IN TIMES OF WAR (9th 5.5L) heading for the paddock now [vet: laceration off-hind pastern]. SECRET TRAIL (8th 5.4L) could be a sneaky bet back to 1100m next start.
Race 6 RIGHT2DRIVE HANDICAP
One mighty mare keeps delivering
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
In The Running
DREAMFORCE went to the lead and pulled very hard (needs stronger bit?). MAGICALEASE went forward and GOLD AMBITION way out three wide no cover with SEDANZER on his back.
The Result
SEDANZER (1st) came wider, quickened and strode clear for a big win. ZOURKHAN (2nd 2L) fought on and XEBEC (3rd 3L) surged home late.
The Interest
She is absolutely flyng! SEDANZER can quicken, is very genuine and could improve again up to 2000m based on this performance. She ran a faster time than the Villiers too, could she have won that!? ZOURKHAN was wound up for a good first-up run and delivered. MAGICALEASE (6th 4.8L) far from disgraced after chasing the hot speed, his first time to this grade. CHATELARD found some trouble in the last 100m (blocked) and may have grabbed 3rd. No luck for GOLD AMBITION again (wide, worked early). DREAMFORCE went hard and may prefer 1500m at Rosehill.
Race 7 INGLIS VILLIERS STAKES
One tough Queenslander chases down the rabbit
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
In The Running
CABEZA DE VACA set a hot STRONG tempo in the lead, striding 12L clear from the chasing stablemate DARK EYES.
The Result
CRACK ME UP (1st) came wider on the turn and kept chasing to just catch CABEZA DE VACA (2nd 0.4L) in the final strides. INTERLOCUTER (3rd 0.6L) ran on well too, along with a bunch just behind.
The Interest
What is more unbelievable, the fact CABEZA DE VACA went warp speed in the lead and only just lost, or that his stablemate SEDANZER ran a faster time in a BM 84 the race before off a steadier tempo!? Josh Parr got a talking to from the stewards for his daring ride, three sub 11 second splits early getting the field near exhaustion before the turn. The leader running 13.61 for the final 200m, which was 8-9L slower than BROADSIDE in the staying race! In the end, CRACK ME UP was the right horse on the day, a progressive type that really does find the line well (strong tempo suited). INTERLOCUTER lost no admirers. MISTER SEA WOLF (5th 0.9L) good too in a blanket finish.
Race 8 RAZOR SHARP HANDICAP
Right time, right place in a very testing race
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
In The Running
ISORICH was pushed forward and CHETWOOD joined on his outside setting a rapid STRONG tempo.
The Result
ZESTFUL (1st) swept past them from midfield and I THOUGHT SO (2nd 0.1L) fought hard from just behind the leaders in a driving finish. KURO (3rd 2.9L) just scraped in for a place in-front of the pack.
The Interest
They went mad in this! Jess Taylor drove poor ISORICH into a hole before they hit the 400m mark and CHETWOOD [vet: poor recovery] tired very badly first-up after racing on the hot speed. I THOUGHT SO was brave, but will he ever win again! A horse that seems to always find one better. He copped a whip over the head and was tightened for a period, ZESTFUL getting the right run and swooping home best. She's a horse that can be "up and down" and had seemed to race better fresh before today, but she managed to put it all together two weeks after running on for 4th over 1100m on a wet track. Some unlucky horses in the race, SIR PLUSH (11th 5.2L) (stuck wide), SAMANTHA (13th 8.1L) (stuck very wide), CALANDA (4th 3L) (held up) and THE MONSTAR (12th 5.6L) (held up). PALAZZO PUBLICO (7th 4.1L) like some others couldn't sustain a strong run in a testing race.
Race 9 TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
The Interest
This horse is a different animial this time in, UPTOWN LAD dominating again despite a wide run! SAVVAN and SIREN'S FURY came through the same mares form-line and finished alongside each-other again. REDOUBLE brave with 60kg. POWERLINE got stuck wide which didn't help him. MALAISE did what he does, a short sprint and just a plain finish.