Yard to the Post @ Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 29 December 2018
Hot dry conditions set the scene for some scintillating performances at Royal Randwick today, none more-so than ALIZEE's (picture) dominance of the Listed Christmas Classic over 1,200 metres. The Godolphin mare settled back off a STRONG tempo set up by FELL SWOOP and simply glided past with ease in the straight, crossing the line in just 1:08.77.
For those that use times to analyse performances, the last race would have caught the eye too, in-foal mare CLIPPER kicking from on-pace to run 1:08.97 in a benchmark 78 race (only 1.2L slower). She even hit the line harder than ALIZEE, the Christmas Classic winner running 11.43 seconds for her last 200 metres and CLIPPER running just 11.15.
The biggest margins on the day were produced by MISTER SONGMAN, who destroyed a benchmark 76 field by 7 lengths, and improving sprinter DEPRIVE, who stormed clear late to win his benchmark 78 sprint by 3.3 lengths. Both gallopers that seem destined to climb the grades into black-type racing.
And UK jockey Tom Marquand made an impression with his classy ride on LIVE AND FREE, the young hoop slicing up the inside to beat home ISLAND MISSILE and TURNBERRY.
Track Info
| Rail | +6 metres |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | HOT |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 2019 MEMBERSHIP HANDICAP
A new star jockey over from England
strong tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movie Role | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Tom Marquand | 4 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Igniting | Ciaron Maher | Glyn Schofield | 11 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Hightail | Peter & Paul Snowden | Christian Reith | 7 | 58.0 |
In The Running
Plenty of tempo early, a STRONG speed set up by GISELLE ANNE with YITAI SYNERGY on the inside, ICONIC STAR and BENGALLA BAY out wider with no cover.
The Result
MOVIE ROLE (1st) drove up the inside from midfield to beat IGNITING (2nd 1.5L) sweeping down the outside from midfield and HIGHTAIL (3rd 1.7L) fighting on from near pace.
The Interest
MOVIE ROLE was plain in Melbourne on debut up the straight at Flemington, around a bend with the blinkers on did the trick, along with a gem from Tom Marquard who has recently arrived for a few months from England. IGNITING and HIGHTAIL clearly held the placings, but GISELLE ANNE (4th 3.9L) was brave after flying along in the lead. DEVIATE (6th 5.1L) held up at a key moment and lost momentum.
Race 2 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ori On Fire | Cameron Crockett | Robbie Dolan | 6 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Rioli | Alan Ryan | Jean Van Overmeire | 10 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Andy's a Star | Cameron Crockett | Mathew Cahill | 11 | 53.0 |
Race 3 EVENTS BY ATC HANDICAP
Bowman lifts home Baker's non-winner
slow tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redouble | Bjorn Baker | Hugh Bowman | 5 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Sweet Deal | John Thompson | Jason Collett | 2 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Bondi | Peter & Paul Snowden | Corey Brown | 8 | 53.5 |
In The Running
BONDI controlled a SLOW tempo with SWEET DEAL on his outside and REDOUBLE behind her. Only a SLOW tempo set up.
The Result
SWEET DEAL (2nd 0.1L) kicked on, but REDOUBLE (1st) chased hard in a very close finish, gaining the upper hand very late. BONDI (3rd 1.9L) out-kicked and not far off.
The Interest
The top two are flying and the third hose BONDI shouldn't be sacked, grinding type that will probably ensure more pressure up to the Gold Coast. REDOUBLE hadn't won for a while and Bowman could have made all the difference today, lifting him late to beat a very brave SWEET DEAL.
Race 4 VALE JOHN MARSHALL
Gai and Adrian in perfect tune
fair tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mister Songman | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 4 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Generalissimo | Garry White | Jason Collett | 1 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Nikkas 'n' a Twist | Kylie Gavenlock | Corey Brown | 9 | 57.0 |
In The Running
MISTER SONGMAN went to the lead, was a little keen early before settling and kicking into the turn for a LONG SPRINT home. (FAIR TEMPO: LONG SPRINT)
The Result
MISTER SONGMAN (1st) surged right away from the chasing pack, GENERALISSIMO (2nd 7L) making some ground up the inside and NIKKA'S 'N' A TWIST (3rd 7.3L) running on past some tired horses, most of them finishing in a pack 7L+ behind the winner.
The Interest
Some strong 1100m form, up to 1400m with the blinkers on in a weak field, it all looked good for MISTER SONGMAN. But not this good!! Running 1:20.55 is group-level quality and we'll see him show up there in the Autumn if he holds form. A pretty poor ride on ARANCINI (9th 10.6L) (speedy cut) by Tommy Berry, leaving his horse exposed wider on the turn. GOOD WEATHER (6th 8.1L) pulled up 1/5 lame.
Race 5 HYLAND BOXING DAY SALE HANDICAP
Power and class from a young English hoop
slow tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Live And Free | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Tom Marquand | 10 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Island Missile | Peter & Paul Snowden | Corey Brown | 4 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Turnberry | Kris Lees | Robbie Dolan | 7 | 60.5 |
In The Running
TURNBERRY controlled a SLOW tempo in the lead with LAUSSEL moving up on the outside.
The Result
LIVE AND FREE (1st) powered home from the back up the inside, threading through after getting blocked to hit the line hard. ISLAND MISSILE (2nd 0.5L) sprinted home well too from near the pace, grabbing TURNBERRY (3rd late) in a close finish.
The Interest
Almost a nothing race this, a real lack of tempo turning it into a 500m sprint home. The neat muscular LIVE AND FREE had sprinted well the start before in a more testing race before peaking late, the softer tempo probably helping here along with a stunning ride from the young UK jockey Tom Marquand. ASTERIUS (7th 2.9L) had no chance from the back lacking the power of the winner, softer ground and more tempo needed for him next time.
Race 6 CHRISTMAS CLASSIC
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alizee | James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 8 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Husson Eagle | Patrick & Michelle Payne | Ms Tahlia Hope | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Fell Swoop | Matthew Dale | Tommy Berry | 2 | 60.5 |
Race 7 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
The 'Hippo' adapts to a fierce tempo
strong tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tip Top | Les Bridge | Adam Hyeronimus | 10 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Berdibek | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Robbie Dolan | 3 | 53.5 | |
| 3 | Gresham | Chris Waller | Corey Brown | 9 | 53.5 |
In The Running
SIR PLUSH went to the lead and rolled at a STRONG tempo, ARRAIGNMENT slotting in behind him for a while before moving up 2W on the turn. REFLECTIVITY a touch keen behind them, moving up 3W on the turn.
The Result
TIP TOP (1st) ran on best down the outside to just beat BERDIBEK (0.1L), who ran on well too. They both just got the better of GRESHAM (3rd 0.6L), who had loomed on the turn and the leader SIR PLUSH (4th 0.9L).
The Interest
TIP TOP in great form and got a peach of a ride from Hyeronimus ('Hippo') here back off the STRONG tempo. BERDIBEK progressing now this prep, the imported stayer only second-up here and can do more up to 2000m later in prep. GRESHAM well ridden too by Brown and perhaps he doesn't quite get the 1600m. You could forgive REFLECTIVITY (5th 2.3L) in a race with less pressure next time.
Race 8 AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB HANDICAP
Godolphin take it steady with another star
strong tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deprive | James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | After All That | Rodney Northam | Billy Owen | 13 | 61.5 | |
| 3 | Kapajack | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Corey Brown | 2 | 54.0 |
In The Running
MAD FOR ART rolled along at a STRONG tempo with JUNGLIZED just off him.
The Result
DEPRIVE (1st) ran on best from midfield, breaking away from them late. AFTER ALL THAT (2nd 3.3L) making up ground from the back and KAPAJACK (3rd 3.4L) fighting on from midfield.
The Interest
Comparisons are sure to be made to Osborne Bulls now, a Godolphin horse on his way up through the benchmark grades that can really soak up a strong tempo and fight hard. He came through a hot form race last start and did the job with ease here. MAD FOR ART (4th 4L) maybe worth a mention after leading at the strong tempo. Not much to excuse in behind, perhaps JUNGLIZED (11th 12.4L) (poor recovery) is better back to 1000m or 1100m.
Race 9 SUMMER RACING HANDICAP
In-foal and in form for a new trainer
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clipper | Angela Davies | Sam Weatherley | 4 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Zonk | Les Bridge | Chris Williams | 8 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Savvan | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Christian Reith | 1 | 59.5 |
In The Running
ZONK got to the lead with CLIPPER on her outside, they set a STEADY tempo in the mid sections and kicked on the turn. SAVVAN was in the box seat and SEAGLASS was wide no cover.
The Result
ZONK (2nd 0.5L) kicked in the straight with CLIPPER (1st) chasing, the latter fighting on best late. SAVVAN (3rd 1.3L) just behind them trying hard.
The Interest
On-pace dominated, three good mares running the placings here after getting a pretty easy time on-pace. CLIPPER with a new trainer for a short period before she goes to have her foal, currently carrying in-foal and racing in career best form in the two runs she's had with Angela Davies. SAVVAN also amazingly in-foal in the same race and going well too. TANIKO (4th 2.6L) (back off steady tempo), ZIZZIS (5th 2.8L) (raced keenly), PUMPKIN PIE (6th 3L) (tempo didn't suit, lame) and even LEVEE BANK (9th 5.1L) (way back off tempo) could all be excused to a degree. Unfortunately ZONK bled and will now have the three month break.