Yard to the Post @ Kensington
Race Day: Kensington on Saturday, 05 January 2019
Apprentices won five of the nine races at Kensington today, strong competition in the junior ranks giving Sydney trainers plenty of choice this summer.
One of the most popular young hoops is 22-year-old Irishman Robbie Dolan, who was surprisingly knocked back for an apprenticeship by Racing Victoria before getting the opportunity in NSW with Mark Newnham. Two winners on the card showed his quality again, including a patient ride on EASY EDDIE (Race 2, picture) and sneaky inside run on favourite GRESHAM (Race 7), his first winner for Chris Waller.
Kiwi Sam Weatherly matched Dolan's two wins on front-runners SWEET SCANDAL (Race 5) and MERCURIAL LAD (Race 9), while Jean Van Overmeire continued his recent improvement with trainer Bjorn Baker's support, controlling the race on the tough SAMADOUBT (Race 6).
The most impressive win on the day came from Ron Quinton's LJUNGBERG, storming clear over 1,300 metres in Race 4 to win by almost four lengths. Quinton suggested he'd hold back from the pressure of the Magic Millions next week for the three-year-old, a different approach to the Snowden's, who will take their two-year-old HIGHTAIL up north after he qualified by winning the opening race.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 to GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE, then rain |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 EVENTS BY ATC HANDICAP
Another Snowden youngster heading higher
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hightail | Peter & Paul Snowden | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Avon River | James Cummings | Brenton Avdulla | 1 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Twentyfour Carat | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Tommy Berry | 10 | 56.5 |
In The Running
UNDERWOOD rolled along at a STRONG tempo, all horses in OK positions, TWENTYFOUR CARAT and PERALTA out the back.
The Result
HIGHTAIL (1st) was much too strong from just off the pace, running clear of AVON RIVER (2nd 2.3L) and TWENTYFOUR CARAT (3rd 2.4L) making ground.
The Interest
HIGHTAIL seems to get better every run and is ready for higher grade now. No knocks AVON RIVER, TWENTYFOUR CARAT or PERALTA (4th 5.3L), who wound up late and may enjoy further. JAHBATH (8th 8.5L) keen and beaten a long way.
Race 2 AUTUMN CARNIVAL ON SALE SPRINT
All too easy in the end for Eddie
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Easy Eddie | Joseph Pride | Robbie Dolan | 6 | 61.0 | |
| 2 | Intuition | Kurt Goldman | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Ever So Natural | Tim McIntosh | Brock Ryan | 7 | 52.0 |
In The Running
Robbie Dolan took his time on EASY EDDIE to begin with, letting EVER SO NATURAL come across and get the lead at a STEADY tempo.
The Result
EASY EDDIE got through and drove to a strong in, INTUITION (2nd 1.8L) sprinting into it and EVER SO NATURAL (3rd 2.3L) fighting on OK.
The Interest
Too much class from EASY EDDIE who is on his way to black-type now, a horse that progresses into his prep and is reaching new heights this time in. MAPMAKER (4th 5.7L) was a touch keen, got on the heels off the tiring MALAISE (5th 7.8L) and probably just had a warm-up run for a Rosehill race soon.
Race 3 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Scopa | Matthew Dunn | Brenton Avdulla | 8 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Elegant Ellen | Richard & Luke Clarke | Robbie Dolan | 2 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Zardoro | Terry Robinson | Ms Rachel King | 4 | 53.0 |
Race 4 2019 MEMBERSHIP HANDICAP
Ron Quinton's class on show with a big win
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ljungberg | Tony Ball | Hugh Bowman | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Above And Beyond | Gary Portelli | Jason Collett | 11 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Botti | Patrick & Michelle Payne | James McDonald | 6 | 57.0 |
In The Running
ABOVE AND BEYOND took up the running at a FAIR tempo, LJUNGBERG just behind the leaders moving up 3W on the turn with SURE KNEE stuck out wider with no cover.
The Result
LJUNGBERG (1st) broke right away for a big win. ABOVE AND BEYOND (2nd 3.8L) held on from BOTTI (3rd 4L) chasing home.
The Interest
A dominant win to LJUNGBERG, who won with the bias against first-up and was way too good here. He's going places. Some excuses for SURE KNEE (5th 4.9L) out wider, he probably should have run 2nd. SILENT EXPLORER (9th 11.4L) never looked fully comfortable and dropped out.
Race 5 TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP
Sam produces a sweet ride to win
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sweet Scandal | Chris Waller | Sam Weatherley | 10 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Harmattan | James Cummings | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Gongs | James Cummings | James McDonald | 2 | 57.5 |
In The Running
SWEET SCANDAL came across and got control of a FAIR tempo (on the steady side).CHARLAYNE was midfield out wide and OAKFIELD MISSILE was even wider at the back.
The Result
SWEET SCANDAL (1st) kicked and was too strong in the straight, HARMATTAN (2nd 2L) sprinting into the race and peaking late, GONGS (3rd 2.1L) winding up the inside
The Interest
SWEET SCANDAL had the bias, track conditions and tempo against him last start, she got the right run in the lead this time and was simply too strong. THE ART OF THE BAR (5th 2.7L) ready for a break now.
Race 6 THE AVIARY @ ROYAL RANDWICK HANDICAP
Start to finish for this tough leader
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samadoubt | Bjorn Baker | Jean Van Overmeire | 6 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Poetic Charmer | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tommy Berry | 7 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Astoria | James Cummings | Sam Weatherley | 1 | 61.0 |
In The Running
SAMADOUBT got the lead and set a FAIR tempo with LET'S PARTY MARTY working up on the outside of him. ZIDANE wide no cover at the back.
The Result
SAMADOUBT (1st) knuckled down and fought on best, beating off POETIC CHARMER (2nd 0.8L)) and ASTORIA (3rd 1.2L). REGENT (4th 1.6L) sprinted up and peaked late.
The Interest
SAMADOUBT is racing in great heart this prep, a tough horse that likes to find the rails, roll along and fight hard at the finish. POETIC CHARMER just keeps getting nice rides and Berry did the job again here today. ZIDANE (6th 3.5L) ready for 1500m now after finding the line late.
Race 7 KENSINGTON HANDICAP
Dolan finds the box seat and another win
slow tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gresham | Chris Waller | Robbie Dolan | 3 | 52.0 | |
| 2 | Sir Plush | Bjorn Baker | Glyn Schofield | 2 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | New Universe | Chris Waller | Jay Ford | 7 | 52.0 |
In The Running
SIR PLUSH got control at a SLOW tempo with GRESHAM on his back and NEW UNIVERSE a touch keen just behind the leaders. The horses out the back in a tricky spot given the tempo; EMPEROR'S WAY (5th), THE GETAWAY (6th), SPECTROSCOPE (7th), MORE ENERGY (8th) and SAYED (9th) all without much hope the way the race was run.
The Result
SIR PLUSH (2nd 0.2L) kicked on, but was just edged out by GRESHAM (1st) up the inside in a close finish. NEW UNIVERSE (3rd) chased OK just behind.
The Interest
The top three dominated and not much else had a chance, apart from the disappointing INVINZABEEL (5th 4L), who drifted in the market and was very plain after settling outside the leader. EMPEROR'S WAY (4th 3.6L) has come back well, running on hard.
Race 8 SUMMER RACING SPRINT
Berry conquers Ford in a two horse war
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart Conquered | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 7 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Sei Stella | Matthew Dale | Jay Ford | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Tessera | Richard Litt | Robbie Dolan | 9 | 61.0 |
In The Running
SEI STELLA and HEART CONQUERED took up the running and set an honest STRONG tempo. All horses in OK positions apart from WANNA GET A WHAT wide no cover.
The Result
HEART CONQUERED (1st) knuckled down and only just edged out SEI STELLA (2nd 0.2L). TESSERA (3rd 3.5L) keeping on late to edge out the rest of the chasing pack.
The Interest
Two horses dominated this and could go on to better things. REBEL MISS (4th 3.7L) still frustrates, peaking on her run to the line almost every start, even over 1000m. REVENIRE (7th 5.9L) lost ground around the cambered turn and pulled up 1/5 lame.
Race 9 AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB HANDICAP
One tough lad gets a deserved city win
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercurial Lad | Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones | Sam Weatherley | 15 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Tahsin | John Bateman | Robbie Dolan | 14 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Nicci's Gold | Gary Portelli | Jason Collett | 9 | 58.5 |
In The Running
MERCURIAL LAD sped to the lead and set a STRONG tempo, rolling along with SPARKY LAD on his outside. All found their positions, NICCI'S GOLD way back mid-race.
The Result
MERCURIAL LAD (1st) kept fighting on to hold off TAHSIN (2nd 0.5L) running on from midfield. NICCI'S GOLD (3rd 1.8L) ran on from the back.
The Interest
A tough wet-track type usually when in town, this was a smart ride by Sam Weatherley, using his light city handicap and grinding racing style to perfection. TAHSIN had the right run and only just missed, while NICCI'S GOLD did well from a long way back. SPARKY LAD (4th 3L) could enjoy stepping back to less pressure over 1500m, similar to SUPER STAR BOB (5th 4.5L), who was only even to the line. TOROSO pulled up with a cardiac arrythmia.