Race Day Review - Stan Fox Stakes Day at Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 27 September 2014
The colours of Catkins were lowered as they were for Lankan Rupee the night before as another mighty grey sprinted to win the Group 3 Golden Pendant. Arabian Gold has come back stronger this preparation and she turned those good looks into a performance, making Catkins look slow over the last 50m. She has some big targets this Spring and who's to say she can't take the next step.
In the feature race of the day Shooting To Win stamped his potential to win from Scissor Kick, who unbelievably got stuck wide again. He might not have won anyway, but Angland will have big questions to answer this time as he 'fell asleep at the wheel'.
It was a bit interesting that perhaps the other impressive performance of the day came just after people had finished their brunch. The unbeaten Sweynesse stormed home again to remain on track for a Spring Champion win. The clubs want turnover, but racegoers want to see classy colts on at the prime time of the day.
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 | +3m ENTIRE CIRCUIT |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE and SUNNY |
| Bias | NO BIAS |
All The Race Finishes
Race 1 GLOAMING STAKES
A touch of Godolphin class
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sweynesse | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Kerrin McEvoy | 7 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Diamond Valores | Darren Weir | Blake Shinn | 4 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Pounamu | Michael Kent | Hugh Bowman | 2 | 56.5 |
Sweynesse was too strong late
In The Yard
DIAMOND VALORES looked the most powerful, but a bit keen. SWEYNESSE and FORBIDDEN JEWEL looked very well. POUNAMU didn't impress, he looked leaner than the rest.
In The Running
LORD BECKWORTH rolled to the lead setting an EVEN tempo from DIAMOND VALORES, ROAD TO SHANGRI LA and POUNAMU.. SWEYNESSE (favourite) settled at the rear in the small field
The Result
SWEYNESSE (1st) simply outclassed DIAMOND VALORES (2nd) who had every chance. They cleared out from POUNAMU (3rd) who lacked the top speed of the others
The Interest
SWEYNESSE is a classy galloper and remains undefeated and will be even more suited to the Spring Champion Stakes in two weeks time. DIAMOND VALORES was well backed but just couldn't go with the winner. POUNAMU may prefer tougher conditions, so don't be too harsh on him. Follow SWEYNESSE.
Race 2 COLIN STEPHEN QUALITY
A tough Kiwi takes the prize
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deane Martin | Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Iggi Pop | Peter Robl | Corey Brown | 4 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Celtic Prince | Grant Young | Glyn Schofield | 2 | 55.5 |
Deane Martin stayed on strongly to win
In The Yard
No real knocks in the yard. DEANE MARTIN and GALLATIN paraded the best, while CELTIC PRINCE and IGGI POP appeared to lack power for a sprint.
In The Running
TRAVOLTA rolled forward to set a rolling EVEN TEMPO. IGGI POP pushed forward after being trapped three wide and SECESSIO had to be restrained after also being stuck wide. MULTILATERAL lacked early speed and went back. CELTIC PRINCE started an early run three wide before the home turn.
The Result
DEANE MARTIN (1st) hit the front a long way from home and staved off challenges of IGGI POP (2nd), who stayed on well after racing wide in the early stages, and CELTIC PRINCE (3rd), which made a long sustained run. TRAVOLTA may have pulled up lame after leading.
The Interest
DEANE MARTIN is off to the Metropolitan after a strong staying performance. He did well here, but would need to improve again to win a race like that. IGGI POP ground away in the straight as he always does. CELTIC PRINCE is now ready for a big performance if he gets to Randwick, a track he is more suited to. GALLATIN paraded and race well. A wet track would help his chances next time. Follow DEANE MARTIN and CELTIC PRINCE.
Race 3 BACARDI REGINALD ALLEN QUALITY
The fillies "sit and sprint"
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abduction | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Kerrin McEvoy | 8 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Candelara | Tim Martin | James McDonald | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Muscovado | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Thomas Huet | 6 | 54.5 |
Abduction showed a good turn-of-foot to win
In The Yard
DONELLE and DYNAMIC ROCK looked well and strong. CANDELARA had nice coat, looking well. ABDUCTION was a bit keen and fresh in the yard. SLIGHTLY SWEET is a nice and pretty filly.
In The Running
MUSCOVADO led out from DONELLE who was wide early, with DYNAMIC ROCK and CANDELARA taking a sit. Not much pressure was applied and a SLOW TEMPO was set up. SLIGHTLY SWEET was caught wide midfield and ABDUCTION drifted back in the early stages.
The Result
ABDUCTION (1st) took the gaps when they appeared and showed the best turn-of-foot to defeat CANDELARA (2nd) and MUSCOVADO (3rd) who also sprinted ok.
The Interest
ABDUCTION was sharp over the last furlong and may appreciate a little further. It was an impressive performance to win off the SLOW TEMPO. It might not look it on paper, but SLIGHTLY SWEET's run was quite good. She was stuck wide and wasn't suited by the SLOW TEMPO, a lighter and athletic type. CANDELARA was very solid to the line and might even be able to stretch out to a longer distance now, a nice athletic type. Follow ABDUCTION. Forgive SLIGHTLY SWEET.
Race 4 SMOOTHFM HANDICAP
An ounce of luck just at the right time
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kourkam | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Tommy Berry | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Foreign Prince | David Payne | Ms Winona Costin | 10 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Grand Marshal | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 57.0 |
Kourkam finished strongly late along the rails
In The Yard
BILLY AUCASH, FOREIGN PRINCE and WORLD WIDE all looked very well in the yard. HUNTER JACK looked nice, and so did CLEANSING ALE, but not the staying type. OAKDALE ROYAL was keen and didn't look well.
In The Running
FOREIGN PRINCE rolled to the front and set a steady SLOW TEMPO. BILLY AUCASH moved up to second, with CLEANSING ALE and GRAND MARSHAL just behind.
The Result
FOREIGN PRINCE (2nd) looked to have the race in the bag before shifting out in shadows of post to let KOURKAM (1st) through along the rail. GRAND MARSHAL (3rd) and CLEANSING ALE (4th) stuck on well and left a gap to the rest.
The Interest
FOREIGN PRINCE was testing a longer distance and he did a good enough job to lead everywhere but the last 10m. Interestingly, he might be a horse better suited to rolling along at a more honest tempo, but they weren't going to tax him too much today. KOUKRAM has progressed nicely and can go on with it now. As can GRAND MARSHAL, who will be suited over longer distances in the future. Good horses like HUNTER JACK were left standing when they sprinted into the straight. Follow FOREIGN PRINCE (back in distance), KOUKRAM and GRAND MARSHAL (both up in distance).
Race 5 STAN FOX STAKES
A good looking galloper gets his reward
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shooting to Win | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tim Clark | 3 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Scissor Kick | Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | Tye Angland | 4 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Valentia | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tommy Berry | 7 | 56.5 |
Shooting to Win surged clear to win
In The Yard
Serious colts in the yard. SCISSOR KICK, SCRATCH ME LUCKY, VALENTIA, SHOOTING TO WIN and BACHMAN all looked very well - strong and nice types. SCISSOR KICK was a bit hot like last start.
In The Running
VALENTIA held the lead setting an EVEN TEMPO, from MODOC and SCISSOR KICK. MODOC pushed SCISSOR KICK three-wide mid-race.
The Result
SHOOTING TO WIN (1st) railed well after VALENTIA (3rd) left the fence in the straight. SCISSOR KICK (2nd) fought on strongly in the straight.
The Interest
The race changed complexion when MODOC shifted out pushing SCISSOR KICK three wide. Another dash of bad luck for Arrowfield after he endured such a torrid run in the Golden Rose. Based on his type, and this performance, he doesn't want too much further than 1400m though so the Caulfield Guineas is a big risk. SHOOTING TO WIN's effort strengthens Golden Rose form and he looks a strong horse that will do well in the Autumn. VALENTIA was solid enough, he just may be a touch better at his home track - Randwick. BACHMAN did a nice job second-up and can win a race of a lesser class over the carnival. Follow SHOOTING TO WIN and SCISSOR KICK.
Race 6 IT'S BETTING SEASON AT TAB SHANNON STAKES
Pride's Rock is much too strong
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rock Sturdy | Joseph Pride | Corey Brown | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Liberty's Choice | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 9 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Ninth Legion | Peter Robl | James McDonald | 14 | 58.5 |
Rock Sturdy surges clear to win
In The Yard
JETSET LAD, MR CHARD, ROCK STURDY, EPIC and LIBERTY'S CHOICE all looked well in the yard. ROCK STURDY looked the most powerful. No knock BEST CASE. RUGGED CROSS was smaller and less impressive.
In The Running
JETSET LAD enjoyed a soft lead at an EVEN TEMPO from NINTH LEGION, with TOUGHER THAN EVER and LIBERTY'S CHOICE enjoying the trail.
The Result
ROCK STURDY (1st) charged down the centre of the track to defeat a gallant NINTH LEGION (3rd) and LIBERTY'S CHOICE (2nd). Protest LIBERTY'S CHOICE vs NINTH LEGION for interference final stages upheld after original dead heat for 2nd over the line.
The Interest
ROCK STURDY is strong and tough horse that looked well suited on the big open expanses of Rosehill. BEST CASE was once again very genuine, while KIRRAMOSA will be suited up in distance. NINTH LEGION did a great job at a track he doesn't enjoy. Watch out for him on a dry Randwick circuit. ZEPHYRON wasn't asked for much by Robert Thompson and is a sneaky improver next start. Follow ROCK STURDY and NINTH LEGION.
Race 7 PJ'S IRISH PUB PARRAMATTA GOLDEN PENDANT
Two classy mares fight it out
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arabian Gold | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Blake Shinn | 2 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Catkins | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 6 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | My Sabeel | Kevin Moses | Tye Angland | 10 | 56.0 |
Arabian Gold sprinted well to win first up
In The Yard
CATKINS looked well. ARABIAN GOLD, CHINTZ, MY SABEEL and LORNA MAY all looked well too. SAINTLY PRO looked poor, and most others were an even bunch.
In The Running
GOLD EPONA rolled to the front and set a STOP-START TEMPO, where she made an early sprint home from the turn. LORNA MAY sat outside the led and MY SABEEL was three wide with no cover. CATKINS took the box seat.
The Result
CATKINS (2nd) worked clear and was battling for the win, until ARABIAN GOLD (1st) sprinted best up the inside. MY SABEEL (3rd) maintained her run.
The Interest
It might have been the strange tempo, or a flat run second-up, or it may simply be that ARABIAN GOLD is a serious mare. She has shown the ability to sprint before and all reports are that she is strong this campaign. CATKINS was brave enough after being asked to speed up from the 500m and can bounce back. MY SABEEL, FINE BUBBLES and NEENA ROCK are all flying at the moment and can be followed in easier races. Follow CATKINS and ARABIAN GOLD.
Race 8 THE PASLODE HANDICAP
The big strong boys dominate
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woodbine | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tommy Berry | 17 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Amovatio | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 15 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Murder of Crows | Chris Waller | Jim Cassidy | 1 | 56.0 |
Woodine powered home well to the line
In The Yard
BELLE DE COEUR, AMOVATIO, WOODBINE, MAHARA and LA PIETA all looked well. ORDER OF THE SUN is an impressive type on his toes. SOAPY STAR and FIRST CLASS TICKET are tough looking little horses. GHOST PROTOCOL looked poor.
In The Running
TWO BLUE went to the lead and ORDER OF THE SUN set an EVEN TEMPO from FIRST CLASS TICKET and MISS PROMISCUITY. AMOVATIO got well back while ORDER OF THE SUN was stuck wide.
The Result
WOODBINE (1st) sustained a strong run from AMOVATIO (2nd) who sprinted well. MURDER OF CROWS ran on solidly to 3rd.
The Interest
A nice return to form from WOODBINE, who showed his strength to win. It ended up being the strongest sprinting types that took the places with AMOVATIO sprinting home well and MURDER OF CROWS finishing off. ALL CERISE did a good job and may be better suited stepping up in distance, but the most impressive performance was from MAHARA. The Snowden team had her looking in great shape and she is in for a cracker of a campaign. Follow MAHARA.