Yard to the Post @ Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 01 December 2018
Chris Waller put together three back-to-back wins in the middle of the card today, the last of which was the promising grey MY NORDIC HERO (picture) who flashed home to beat a very brave GOODFELLA in the feature Group 3 Festival Stakes. GOODFELLA pushed forward on the speed early and Rachel King couldn't get the tough son of Snitzel across leaving him three wide with no cover. They set off for a long sprint home after a cheap sectional mid-race, creating enough pressure for Hugh Bowman to swoop home best on the grey, who'll be even better over longer distances this campaign. The top two both gallopers to follow.
The Listed Starlight Stakes, a sprint over 1,100 metres, perhaps isn't a form reference with as much strength. Waterhouse and Bott's INVINCIBLE STAR settled on-pace and fell in to win from BADAJOZ and MY FAVORITE, two horses that had been out of form. The time was only plain and the finish was bunched, indicators that this is a race to be treated with caution next time.
Earlier in the day Godolphin unveiled another potential two-year-old star in ATHIRI, who surged clear to win by two lengths, and the Hawkes stable surprised everyone by producing KAPAJACK to win on debut in Saturday grade in Race 2.
The track played well after torrential rain had hit Sydney on Wednesday, a drying GOOD 4 surface presented with some sharp sectionals produced during the day.
Track Info
| Rail | +3 metres |
| Conditions | SOFT 5 to GOOD 4 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 ELDERTON HOMES MADE. YOU LOOK SPRINT
More class from the Godolphin team
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Athiri | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 8 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Accession | Chris Waller | Jay Ford | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Stronger | Peter & Paul Snowden | Joshua Parr | 5 | 56.5 |
In The Running
NUCLEAR SUMMIT took up the running at a FAIR tempo with STRONGER on his outside. KRAMERIC stuck wide no cover midfield and pushed even wider on the turn (5W NC).
The Result
ATHIRI (1st) worked her way clear through the pack and surged clear late to beat ACCESSION (2nd 2L) and STRONGER (3rd 2.8L).
The Interest
Another potential Godolphin two-year-old star! ATHIRI looked every bit the professional in her trial and she produced a perfect display here, winning with more up her sleeve. ACCESSION a touch keen in the run and seems a pretty bomb-proof type too. KRAMERIC (6th 4L) the unlucky horse out so wide. THE SNOOPERSTAR wound up late like a 1400m+ type.
Race 2 HAPPY 21ST MADELEINE SPRINT
Never underestimate the Hawkes stable
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kapajack | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Andrew Adkins | 10 | 52.0 | |
| 2 | Mister Songman | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 8 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Easy Eddie | Joseph Pride | Robbie Dolan | 12 | 63.5 |
In The Running
WOOSHKA took up the running at a FAIR tempo (on the steady side), MISTER SONGMAN moving up on his outside with EASY EDDIE three wide no over and LEOGANG out four wide no cover. SKYRAY a touch keen back in the pack.
The Result
MISTER SONGMAN (2nd 0.1L) drove hard to the line, but KAPAJACK (1st) was just too strong chasing wider out. EASY EDDIE (3rd 0.9L) hung on for a place.
The Interest
The Hawkes boys had a smirk on their face after this one, the stable knew KAPAJACK was smart (backed from $26 into $17) but most punters didn't given the 3YO was on debut straight to BM 70 Saturday grade. He's on his way to the Magic Millions now and has plenty of talent stepping up to the 1400m 3YO race there. MISTER SONGMAN very strong too and will be suited to 1200m+ next time also, and EASY EDDIE was very good first-up out wide on the track. SKYRAY poor as $4.2 fav' and pulled up lame.
Race 3 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noble Boy | Theresa Bateup | James McDonald | 6 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Coup de Main | Matthew Dale | Hugh Bowman | 17 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | I Am Capitan | Dean Mirfin | Sam Weatherley | 9 | 59.5 |
Race 4 ATC CUP
James Mac finds the plumb position in run
fair tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exoteric | Scott Brunton | James McDonald | 1 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Our Century | Kim Waugh | Jason Collett | 4 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Red Excitement | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Joshua Parr | 5 | 58.5 |
In The Running
RED EXCITEMENT took up the running and rolled at a FAIR tempo, before increasing the pressure 800m out for a LONG SPRINT home. OUR CENTURY was outside the leader and EXOTERIC had the box seat. SAVACOOL dropped out with the sprint went on, not herself today.
The Result
EXOTERIC (1st) moved through and fought on best from OUR CENTURY (2nd 1.8L) and RED EXCITEMENT (3rd 3.3L), who tired late.
The Interest
RED EXCITEMENT probably went a little hard in the lead, OUR CENTURY was in a tough spot chasing him with no cover and EXOTERIC got the plumb position in run, the Waller galloper progressing second-up from a freshen to win here after getting beaten by OUR CENTURY the start before. SAVACOOL (5th 113.5L) not herself and pulling up with a cardiac arrhythmia.
Race 5 ATC TIPPING COMPETITION HANDICAP
Solid stayers slog it out
steady tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazaz | Eric Musgrove | Tim Clark | 7 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Heartlet | Kerry Parker | Andrew Adkins | 2 | 52.0 | |
| 3 | Solo Mission | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 12 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
THE BANDIT was very hot and unsettled in the yard.
In The Running
GOODWOOD ZODIAC took up the running early, controlled a few mid sections and booted for home from the 800m, setting a STEADY tempo with a LONG SPRINT overall.
The Result
MAZAZ (1st) stayed on best to the line to beat a very solid HEARTLET (2nd 0.8L), who fought on from the box seat. SOLO MISSION (3rd 1.6L) stayed on well to the line after getting held up on the turn to catch GOODWOOD ZODIAC (4th 1.7L).
The Interest
Some solid stayers here, none of them world-beaters, MAZAZ enjoying more pressure this time after getting out-sprinted in a SLOW 2500m behind THE BANDIT last start. THE BANDIT (6th 3.9L) back to his old tricks today and TAMARACK (10th 14.5L) put in an absolute shocker, never travelling from the outset.
Race 6 FESTIVAL STAKES
Waller's the hero again with three back-to-back
fair tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | My Nordic Hero | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Goodfella | Bjorn Baker | Ms Rachel King | 10 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Chamois Road | Patrick & Michelle Payne | Tim Clark | 7 | 59.0 |
In The Running
MONSIEUR SISU took up the running at a FAIR tempo with CHAMOIS ROAD on his outside and GOODFELLA moving up three wide no cover. GOODFELLA pushed on and hit the lead on the turn, ensuring a LONG SPRINT home.
The Result
MY NORDIC HERO (1st) swept home from the back to grab a very game GOODFELLA (2nd 0.5L). CHAMOIS ROAD (3rd 1.3L) holding on for a place as SPECTROSCOPE (4th 1.9L) peaked on his run out wider.
The Interest
A pretty packed finish for a few gallopers with similar ability, perhaps the top two the ones to follow, MY NORDIC HERO with more progression to come this prep while GOODFELLA was very brave here and continued his strong form from the spring. DUCA VALENTINOIS (6th 2.4L) was a bit tight on the inside and McEvoy dropped his whip on GRANDE ROSSO (7th 2.6L) 325m out, but they wouldn't have troubled the winners. NEW TIPPERARY a sneaky OK run at the back (8th 4L) (out-sprinted, found line OK) and he could do something over a mile next start as these horses head towards the G2 Villiers.
Race 7 STARLIGHT STAKES
The star shines brightest back in grade
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Invincible Star | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 4 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Badajoz | James Cummings | Brenton Avdulla | 1 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | My Favorite | Joseph Pride | Sam Weatherley | 11 | 53.0 |
In The Running
INVINCIBLE STAR took up the running at a FAIR tempo with GWENNETH pushing up three wide no cover on her outside and SPENDING TO WIN racing a touch keen in-between them.
The Result
INVINCIBLE STAR (1st) held on to beat BADAJOZ (2nd 0.2L), who chased up the inside, and MY FAVORITE (3rd 0.4L) running home out wider. DEPLOY (4th 0.4L) right there too, only 2L separating the first nine across the line.
The Interest
INVINCIBLE STAR got the job done... just. This race was only run in fair time, the margins were small and a couple of out-of-form gallopers got close in the finish, all signs this is a form-line to be careful of. SPENDING TO WIN (5th 0.8L) a touch keen and could have done with GWENNETH pressuring the leader more. MAGIC ALIBI (7th 1.5L) blocked late and MARSUPIAL (6th 1.2L) was just fair as a $2.8 fav'.
Race 8 SUMMER RACING HANDICAP
Big bruisers dominate this Rosehill sprint
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mapmaker | Tim Martin | Adam Hyeronimus | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Catesby | Damien Lane | Robbie Dolan | 12 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Drachenfels | Jeremy Sylvester | Tim Clark | 10 | 56.0 |
In The Running
CATESBY and MAPMAKER took up the running at a STEADY tempo. DRACHENFELS just off the pace stuck wide.
The Result
MAPMAKER (1st) chased down CATESBY (2nd 0.2L), who had given a big kick. DRACHENFELS chasing well (3rd 1.5L) to grab a place from GRESHAM (4th 1.7), who had got into a bumping duel and was blocked late.
The Interest
The top four the best four runs here, it was always going to be very hard to get past the big boys CATESBY and MAPMAKER once the track dried out and they got an easy time in the lead. DRACHENFELS good out wide and GRESHAM finding some trouble. REVENIRE (7th 3L) and STRATHMORE (8th 3.8L) didn't seem to stay the 1300m, COLLATERAL (10th 5.5L) hardly asked for anything and will be better over further (and on wet).
Race 9 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
Light-weights and slow tempos give leaders the prize
slow tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arraignment | Joseph Pride | Robbie Dolan | 4 | 53.5 | |
| 2 | Gaulois | James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Tip Top | Les Bridge | Tim Clark | 3 | 57.5 |
In The Running
ARRAIGNMENT took up the running at a SLOW tempo from GALOIS on his outside and kicked for home early, setting a LONG SPRINT home. MUTARAKEM wide up on the pace.
The Result
ARRAIGNMENT (1st) dug in for the long sprint home, holding off GAULOIS (2nd 0.2L) who had loomed ominously. TIP TIP (3rd 1.7L) chased home from the box seat.
The Interest
A super reliable horse with an easy lead and no weight (50.5kg thanks to Robbie Dolan's claim) is very hard to beat, GAULOIS just lacking the fight over the final 100m as he sometimes does. All credit to ARRAIGNMENT who had been so close his last few starts. SEXY EYES (4th 3.3L) was plain today and ROMAN SON was very impressive (6th 4.4L), surging home late once he was clear to smash the line. NOTIO (7th 5L) a touch keen early and didn't do much.