Yard to the Post @ Apollo Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 17 February 2018
It was an extended afternoon of thoroughbred action at Royal Randwick today, the Australian Turf Club organising for champion mare WINX’s final trial to take place between races.
And she didn’t disappoint.
Settling midfield and tracking up behind stablemate MACKINTOSH, who rolled along in the lead, WINX edged to the outside and surged hard for a dominate win in quick time. There won’t be many legitimate competitors in the Chelmsford two weeks from now based on that performance.
As well as attracting all the press attention, Waller also snared the feature race of the day, import ENDLESS DRAMA running down a brave GLOBAL GLAMOUR to take out the Group 2 Star Apollo Stakes.
There were promising returns to the track for three-year-old filly ALIZEE, winning the Group 2 Light Fingers, and CLEARLY INNOCENT, who had no luck behind KAEPERNICK in the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes.
And Gai Waterhouse’s SANTOS stamped himself as a legitimate Golden Slipper contender, dominating the Pierro Plate early in the day, a win co-trainer Adrian Bott was delighted with.
A full review of the day will be on-line Monday 5pm.
photo: @ray_hickson
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mate Story | Jean Dubois | Jean Van Overmeire | 3 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Fui San | Terry Robinson | Jason Collett | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Royal Villa | Craig Martin | Ms Rachel King | 4 | 53.5 |
Race 2 THE LUXURY NETWORK PIERRO PLATE
Another step towards the Slipper
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santos | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Exceltic | Gary Portelli | Tye Angland | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Irish Bet | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 58.5 |
In The Running
LEGED OF CONDOR took up the lead and backed it off a bit mid-race, SANTOS moving up on his outside, a FAIR temp set up overall.
The Result
SANTOS (1st) moved up and broke clear for an easy win. EXCELTIC (2nd 2.5L) chased home OK, but was safely held late. IRISH BET (3rd 2.6L) kept coming from midfield.
The Interest
SANTOS was very good in his first prep, looked strong in his trials, then took another step here on race day. Waterhouse and Bott have the ability to build more stamina into their 2YOs than others and his final 200m (11.57 seconds) was just 0.02 outside the fastest on the day (big result given he was on-pace and is just a 2YO). Hard to see anything behind him making up the ground before the Slipper, of course TCHAIKOVSKY (5th 4.3L) could be better for his debut run, most others with racing under their belt. TOULOUSE (6th 4.7L) an eye-catcher late from the back, he is crying out for more ground.
Race 3 FAIRFAX & ROBERTS JEWELLERS HANDICAP
Way too close to call
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Almost Court | Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones | Christian Reith | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 1 | Emperor's Way | Peter & Paul Snowden | Glyn Schofield | 1 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Zourkhan | Luke Berger | Tye Angland | 8 | 57.0 |
In The Running
ALMOST COURT controlled the lead at a STEADY tempo with THE BANDIT surpisingly moving up on his outside. They upped the pressure from the 700m mark to be running low 11 second sectionals 600m to 200m.
The Result
ALMOST COURT (1st DH) got a break on the pack as EMPEROR'S WAY (1st DH) looked for room wider, EMPEROR'S WAY driving late to hit the line together. ZOURKHAN (3rd 1L) a good chase from the pack.
The Interest
Many would argue that EMPEROR'S WAY had a margin in this photo, we will leave it to the experts. One thing is for sure though, Glyn Schofield should have tracked up behind the leader and he would have won for sure. Coming wider around THE BANDIT (7th 3.1L) who was hanging out was a move that cost punters half their winnings. ALMOST COURT got the favours and measured up to city class. Lots of forgives in the race given the STEADY tempo, horses like MORE ENERGY (6th 2.6L) winding up to the line OK. EL NOVIO (8th 3.8L) was ridden very negatively and never asked for an effort, a complete forgive, he might be fit enough to follow next time.
Race 4 ACJC SOUTHERN CROSS STAKES
Clear room and a massive motor
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kaepernick | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Brenton Avdulla | 8 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Dothraki | Peter & Paul Snowden | Joshua Parr | 5 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Boss Lane | Ron Quinton | Andrew Adkins | 7 | 57.0 |
In The Running
OXFORD POET took up the lead from DEPLOY and set a FAIR tempo. BOSS LANE stuck wide in midfield with KAEPERNICK on his back.
The Result
KAEPERNICK (1st) peeled to the outside from the back and sprinted well, just hanging on to win from DOTHRAKI (2nd 0.2L), who ran on up the inside. BOSS LANE (3rd 0.6L) fought on OK.
The Interest
An odd race to say the least. The slightly soft ground not ideal for the big powerful KAEPERNICK, who produced a rapid sprint to hit the lead, his legs tiring over the last 100m but there was nothing there to grab him! DEPLOY (8th 4.9L) disappointing #(tying up, poor recovery), CLEARLY INNOCENT (6th 2.4L) with no luck **(badly blocked 300m) and DUCA VALENTINOIS (5th 1.6L) without much luck too **(held up). It really was DOTHRAKI's race to win, a horse that looms and peaks almost every time!
Race 5 DERUCCI HANDICAP
Waller fitness kicks in when it counts
fair tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quick Defence | Chris Waller | Tim Clark | 11 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Malaise | Richard Laming | Glyn Schofield | 3 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | The Pinnacle | Peter & Paul Snowden | Christian Reith | 7 | 55.0 |
In The Running
KING DARCI and TAHSIN took up the running and led at a FAIR tempo, putting on a LONG SPRINT from the 600m mark and tiring late.
The Result
QUICK DEFENCE (1st) surged home best from the back to run down MALAISE (2nd 0.2L), who had cruised up to hit the lead and THE PINNACLE (3rd 0.4L), who fought on well from near the pace.
The Interest
Finally KING DARCI (6th 3.9L) had to face an honest tempo after gettting on-pace favours for the past few months! QUICK DEFENCE the one getting the right run off the tempo this time, the Waller galloper maintaining a long sprint to get the job done under the urgings of in-form jockey Tim Clark. MALAISE ran well and arguably better at 1400m to 1500m (although he was close!). THE PINNACLE going well this prep and should win one soon. KING DARCI and TAHSIN (5th 3.7L) would rather they didn't see each other again! Each much better if allowed to dictate on their own in the lead. BERDIBEK (8th 6.1L) not asked much by the jockey Avdulla on his Aus debut.
Race 6 THE STAR APOLLO STAKES
Less Drama for Tye and he gets the win
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Endless Drama | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 3 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Global Glamour | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Ms Rachel King | 4 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Comin' Through | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 8 | 59.0 |
In The Running
GLOBAL GLAMOUR was urged forward and set a STRONG tempo in the lead, crossing ADDICTIVE NATURE on way, who found the box seat. STAMPEDE moved up outside the leader.
The Result
ENDLESS DRAMA (1st) peeled off the backs of the leaders and chased down a brave GLOBAL GLAMOUR (2nd 0.2L). COMIN' THROUGH (3rd 0.4L) and PRIZED ICON (4th 0.5L) running on wider out.
The Interest
ENDLESS DRAMA go tmore luck this time and a deserved first win in Australia came his way. He looks like he's a firm track 1400m horse, so the conditions suited, but he may have not have loved the rapid tempo set by GLOBAL GLAMOUR though. Smart tactics by Rachel King given she had a couple of horses behind her that can peak on her runs. Jeez she was brave! COMIN' THROUGH back with a strong performance and PRIZED ICON ready for further now. ADDICTIVE NATURE (5th 2L) had his chance, a tricky horse to read, bred for further and built like a sprinter.. our guess is that he will be around the 1200m to 1400m mark over the Carnival given his power to sprint.
Race 7 ROBRICK LODGE TRISCAY STAKES
A group-level win was never Faraway
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Faraway Town | Matthew Smith | Tim Clark | 10 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Zestful | Kris Lees | Jason Collett | 14 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Raiment | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 7 | 53.5 |
In The Running
ANNA'S JOY sped to lead at a FAIR tempo. MISS GUNPOWDER up on her outside. FARAWAY TOWN three wide no cover just off them and JUST DREAMING four wide.
The Result
FARAWAY TOWN (1st) chased home hard to beat ZESTFUL (2nd 0.1L), who stormed down the outside. RAIMENT (3rd 0.6L) ran on well once she was clear after getting held up 'til the 200m.
The Interest
Lots of good runs in this race. FARAWAY TOWN had always looked like a 1400m swooper and she won first-up off a STRONG tempo over 1200m. Staying at 1200m no problem this time as she added a decent jump to her armoury and settled closer to the pace. RAIMENT very good *(held up), JUST DREAMING (5th 1.3L) strong **(stuck very wide) and some excuses for ECKSTEIN (6th 2L) #(keen) and GIBRALTAR GIRL (4th 1L) (1200m too far for her fresh). Roughie MARIQUITA (13th 6.7L) **(badly blocked) one to watch for next time.
Race 8 TAB LIGHT FINGERS STAKES
All class from the Godolphin stable
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alizee | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Shumookh | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Torvill | Clarry Conners | Christian Reith | 9 | 56.0 |
In The Running
FROM WITHIN sped to the lead and set a STRONG tempo. DEBONAIRLY moved up on her outside and SHUMOOKH on-pace three wide no cover.
The Result
ALIZEE (1st) weaved up the inside, drove through and held on from a brave SHUMOOKH (2nd 0.1L). TORVILL (3rd 0.3L) ran on well from the back.
The Interest
The top five here are fillies worth following. ALIZEE oozes class and she can dash into a race, the last 100m sometimes a question if she is exposed too early. SHUMOOKH very brave *(stuck wide), TORVILL showing her class over 1200m when she settles OK, FROLIC (4th 1.9L) running on and MELODY BELLE (5th 2.3L) fighting on to the line over the final 200m. Perhaps ALIZEE, FROLIC and MELODY BELLE are the most obvious 1400m types as these fillies progress up in distance, but the muscular SHUMOOKH is very tough. DEBONAIRLY (7th 5.1L) up on a strong tempo and can improve down in grade next start on a softish track.
Race 9 MOSTYN COPPER GROUP HANDICAP
April awaits this tough country galloper
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suncraze | Melanie O'Gorman | Tim Clark | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | No Interest | Jason Coyle | Ms Rachel King | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Star of Monsoon | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Glyn Schofield | 7 | 55.0 |
In The Running
MISSILE CODA led at an honest FAIR tempo with DIFFICULT TO GET #(raced keenly) moving up on her outside.
The Result
SUNCRAZE (1st) edged wider from midfield and chased hard to get the win, out-fighting NO INTEREST (2nd 0.1L), who had sprinted past him on the outside. STAR OF MONSOON (3rd 0.3L) right in the finish and GENERALISSIMO (4th 0.6L) running on from the back.
The Interest
Just 3.4L from 1st to last placed MISHANI HONCHO (9th 3.4L), who was chopped out and unlucky not to finish a bit closer. SUNCRAZE and GENERALISSIMO were the first-up horses that can continue to progress towards the Carnival, most others in the right grade and searching for a suitable race to get another win. NO INTEREST much better now fit this prep. GRANDE PUNTO (8th 3L) hit the line late and just needs to find a wet track somewhere!