Yard to the Post @ Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 27 January 2018
There were exciting finishes all day today at Rosehill Gardens, most punters either thanking their lucky stars or cursing bad luck by the time the last race came around.
While there were no excuses for those chasing big 2.8 length winner DIFFICULT TO GET in the day's finale, smart rides often made the difference in other races, the finishing judge ask to split six finishes with half a length margin or less.
Followers of KENNEDY (Race 2 over 1,100 metres), ENDLESS DRAMA (Race 7 over 1,400 metres) and GET ON THE GRANGE (Race 8 over 1,800 metres) would have thought their horse had done enough to win, kicking to the lead 200 metres from home. But SIEGE OF QUEBEC, LANCIATO (picture) and EMPEROR'S WAY all found a way to surge hard late and get the victory.
LANCIATO's win over PRIZED ICON (2nd) and ENDLESS DRAMA (3rd) in the feature Carrington Stakes showed off the skills of rising jockey Rachel King. She patiently guided the winner through the pack and peeled widest to chase down an unlucky ENDLESS DRAMA, who was stuck wide and produced a stunning sprint to hit the lead before peaking late.
It was in the Carrington Stakes that we saw the biggest, and perhaps most surprising, betting plunge of the day. French import GEORGE PATTON had last raced 79 weeks ago, but that didn't stop the money coming after a very classy looking trial behind Egyptian Symbol, the five-year-old stallion firming to $2.7 before over-racing and finishing 5.7 lengths back.
A full review will be on-line Monday 5pm.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 to GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 TAB PLATE
Kathy puts the filly from Canberra in the right spot
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sizzling Belle | Nick Olive | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Outrageous | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Osorno | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 3 | 56.0 |
In The Running
Jay Ford on HAUNTING SPIRIT and Kathy O'Hara on SIZZLING BELLE took up the running and controlled a STEADY tempo. BOBBIO moving up three wide no cover. OMAR over-raced just behind them and OUTRAGEOUS got onto heels mid-race off the slower speed.
The Result
SIZZLING BELLE (1st) gave a kick and held on to beat the fast finishing OUTRAGEOUS (2nd 0.1L). OSORNO (3rd 1.4L) ran on well through the pack too.
The Interest
The fav' OMAR ($3.1) had looked so professional in his trials, but didn't turn out to be a pro on the track, over-racing and hitting the line weakly. OUTRAGEOUS and OSORNO had similar form last prep (both chasing home midfield in the Breeders) and they showed that form has real depth, putting in the best two runs of the race. OUTRAGEOUS on the improve and flying this prep. No knocks on SIZZLING BELLE (won a Wagga 2YO maiden well on debut before this), she just had the favours today. BOBBIO (4th 2L) and VENOM (5th 2.3L) both found the line nicely enough. OMAR +(slow recovery) ##(over-raced inside horses off steady tempo).
Race 2 WILKES QUALITY
This fav' can't sprint, but boy can he surge!
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Siege of Quebec | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Brenton Avdulla | 1 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Kennedy | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 4 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Single Bullet | Gary Portelli | Tye Angland | 3 | 61.0 |
In The Running
KENENDY took up the running and controlled a STEADY tempo, SIEGE OF QUEBEC moving up on his outside after losing the battle for the lead early. The race settled down to a STEADY tempo only and ROMAN TYPHOON was out wide over-racing.
The Result
SIEGE OF QUEBEC (1s) kept lifting to smash the line late after getting hopelessly outsprinted by KENNEDY (2nd 0.4L). A gap back to SINGLE BULLET (3rd 3.7L) who put in a short sprint.
The Interest
He's a miler in the making, this slowly run 1,100 metres proving tricky for the talented SIEGE OF QUEBEC. You had to love the way he hit the line late! KENNEDY racing well this prep and Schofield rode him a treat. ROMAN TYPHOON #(raced keenly) *(stuck wide) *(pushed wide turn) should have been a clear 3rd and is one to follow back in his grade (if you can find a price, no-one is missing his runs!), SINGLE BULLET weak to the line again and hard to excuse him despite +(lost plate, stuck in tail)!
Race 3 OWNERS FORUM @ ROYAL RANDWICK HANDICAP
Tough, tough, tough from Baker's new recruit
steady tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Show a Star | Bjorn Baker | Jean Van Overmeire | 9 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Prometheus | Matthew Dale | Ms Winona Costin | 8 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | New Universe | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 59.5 |
In The Running
SHOW A STAR was aggresively ridden to lead, then backed off the tempo mid-race for a couple of sections, before rolling again from the 700m. A STEADY TEMPO: LONG SPRINT set up.
The Result
SHOW A STAR (1st) kept lifting to beat home PROMETHEUS (2nd 0.2L) and NEW UNIVERSE (3rd 0.4L) both chasing out wider. HUNTER JACK (4th 0.5L) and KING DARCI (5th 0.7L) both keeping on right there too.
The Interest
He's only just come to Sydney this prep and already Bjorn Baker's SHOW A STAR is up and winning, a pretty straightforward gelding that was only second-up today. We had profiled him as a horse that may not find his best at Rosehill (tough type, sticks on, still not conclusive even after the win), the aggressive ride taking out any chance that he would be out-sprinted. It remains to be seen how deep the race was, EUSEBIO (6th 2.2L) didn't do much and the first few were all in a bunch. PROMETHEUS *(pushed wide turn) showed his Kembla form was no fluke and may be worth following again. SO WILLIE (7th 2.7L) and THE GETAWAY (8th 3L) doing enough from the back.
Race 4 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
Plenty of power in this Lion
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Lion | Michelle Fleming | Chris O'Brien | 11 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Another Sin | Brett Cavanough | Jay Ford | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | El Mo | Gayna Williams | Brenton Avdulla | 9 | 54.0 |
In The Running
ORI ON FIRE rolled at a STRONG tempo with ANOTHER SIN on his outside, JETS CRACKER moving up three wide.
The Result
THE LION (1st) got clear at the 300m and powered home with a huge finish over the final 200m, overcoming ANOTHER SIN (2nd 2L), who had given a kick. EL MO (3rd 2.3L) sustained his run from the pack.
The Interest
Wow! He drifted in the market and only had average form, but THE LION produced a final 200m that had to be seen to be believed. Breaking 11 seconds (tbc) off a STRONG tempo is high grade stuff and ANOTHER SIN is no easy-beat either. EL MO and JETS CRACKER (6th 5L) *(stuck wide) both produced good runs. One from the back worth forgiving in easier grade could be PATRIOT (12th 10.9L) #(laid in) #(wouldn't take gap) *(held up).
Race 5 CHRIS TOOGOOD FAREWELL HANDICAP
Godolphin winners are sure hard to find
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bratislava | James Cummings | Tye Angland | 5 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Lofty's Menu | John Bateman | Lee Magorrian | 4 | 62.0 | |
| 3 | Samadoubt | Bjorn Baker | Jean Van Overmeire | 10 | 60.0 |
In The Running
SAMADOUBT was aggressive in the lead, then controlled the mid-sections, before kicking for home again on the turn. Overall a STEADY tempo. LOFTY'S MENU moved up on his outside.
The Result
BRATISLAVA (1st) peeled wider from behind the leaders and fought on for a very narrow win, crossing the line with LOFTY'S MENU (2nd 0.1L). SAMADOUBT (3rd 0.3L) only just edged out late and MISHANI HONCHO (4th 0.4L) running on well down the outside.
The Interest
The winner was "johhny on the spot" this time, enjoying some cover (led and failed last start) and fighting on best. It's almost lucky he won as Lee Magorrian hit LOFTY'S MENU with the whip too many times prior to the 100m, a rule in racing that no-one understands still! [ MEROVEE (5th 2.4L) may still be the best horse in the race, watch out for him over further. THAAD (6th 3.7L) a touch disappointing, but was a long way back.
Race 6 #THERACES HANDICAP
Respect big money for a Waller runner
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | O'rachael | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Tye Angland | 8 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | The Pinnacle | Peter & Paul Snowden | Corey Brown | 3 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Moss Trip | Peter & Paul Snowden | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 53.0 |
In The Running
MISS BALLANTINE was urged to the lead and set a FAIR tempo with O'RACHAEL going forward on her outside.
The Result
O'RACHAEL (1st) drove to the lead and held on late, THE PINNACLE (2nd 0.2L) sustaining her run from midfield and MOSS TRIP (3rd 0.4L) sprinting well out wide, before just peaking late. WITCHES (4th 0.9L) stormed home from the back too.
The Interest
There was big money for this mare after a second-up failure, ridden aggresively to get on-pace and use her strength over 1350m. All of the top four were strong runs, THE PINNACLE back with a classy finish (1600m next start ideal), MOSS TRIP not disgraced coming to Rosehill (maybe she will like a GOOD 4 to SOFT 5 better) and WITCHES sustaining her brilliant form for Brad Widdup third-up. NO INTEREST (5th 2.4L) better at a different track so don't discount her too.
Race 7 CARRINGTON STAKES
Rachel weaves some magic from the back
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lanciato | Mark Newnham | Ms Rachel King | 1 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Prized Icon | Kris Lees | Glyn Schofield | 9 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Endless Drama | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 8 | 58.5 |
In The Running
BEAUTY FLAME took up the running at a FAIR tempo, OXFORD POET moving up on his outside. KURO worked up out wider to be just behind them outside the keen PRIZED ICON (pushed out 3W on turn). ENDLESS DRAMA stuck wide near the back.
The Result
LANCIATO (1st) weaved through the field and was too strong late for PRIZED ICON (2nd 0.8L), who fought on, and ENDLESS DRAMA (3rd 0.9L), who had sprinted powerfully to hit the lead.
The Interest
Well, well, well. A very confident plunge on GEORGE PATTON ##(over-raced badly) fell flat on its face once the big grey started over-racing. He had nothing over the final 200m, it was always going to be a big ask after such a long break. ENDLESS DRAMA *(stuck wide) *(pushed wider turn) #(laid in) perhaps the hard luck story of the race after being set up for this with three trials under his belt. PRIZED ICON once to follow for sure... and we can't forget the winner LANCIATO, perfectly ridden to deliver a career best win. Perhaps the 2nd and 3rd horses have a touch more class in the medium-term though.
Race 8 ATC OWNERS BENEFIT CARD HANDICAP
Plenty of fight in this Snowden stayer
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emperor's Way | Peter & Paul Snowden | Glyn Schofield | 8 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Get On the Grange | Allan Kehoe | Blaike McDougall | 6 | 61.0 | |
| 3 | Gamblestown | Joseph Pride | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 60.5 |
In The Running
NOTHING BOX got rolling early, backed it off for one section, then set off for home from the 700m. A FAIR TEMPO: LONG SPRINT was set up.
The Result
EMPEROR'S WAY (1st) pulled to the outside and stormed home to catch NOTHING BOX (2nd 0.1L), who had given a big kick to the lead early in the straight. GAMBLESTOWN (3rd 2.4L) chased hard until just peaking on his run the last 50m.
The Interest
It's not easy to sustain a 700m sprint down the Rosehill track, EMPEROR'S WAY delivering sectionals of 11.84, 11.52, 11.40 and 11.56 to show he is a talented animal that finds the line with force. GET ON THE GRANGE flying this prep, his run every bit as good as the winner near the testing tempo. Old GAMBLESTOWN so close, yet so far! 1700m and a genuine tempo in his right grade is what he needs (won't find that anytime soon!). THE BANDIT (4th 4.2L) may have run out of fitness second-up. SIR BARB (6th 6.7L) not too bad from way back on the turn.
Race 9 TAB.COM.AU SPRINT
A big margin to finish the day
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Difficult to Get | Jeff Englebrecht | Andrew Adkins | 3 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Knight Templar | Jason Reilly | Ms Belinda Hodder | 4 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Ziggy Willie | David Pfieffer | Tye Angland | 10 | 61.0 |
In The Running
ANNA'S JOY sped to the lead and set a STRONG tempo with PEDWAY on her outside, KNIGHT TEMPLAR over-racing behind and DIFFICULT TO GET in the box seat.
The Result
DIFFICULT TO GET (1st) cruised up three wide and broke right way over the last 200m as others tired. KNIGHT TEMPLAR (2nd 2.8L) fought on well and ZIGGY WILLIE (3rd 3L) made ground from the back.
The Interest
Not too sure about the form out of this race, DIFFICULT TO GET making it 'two from two' when she backs up a week later, but the horses chasing were KNIGHT TEMPLAR ( $51, over-raced), ZIGGY WILLIE and SATIRICAL MAGIC (better at Canterbury). KNIGHT TEMPLAR clearly under-rated in markets after big performances in the country and would have finished closer if he settled. PEDWAY (6th 5.5L) probably off to the spelling paddock now.