Midweek Review @ Kensington
Race Day: Kensington on Wednesday, 20 February 2019
The most impressive performances came early at the Kensington track today, ALMERHERI breaking his Maiden in emphatic style over 1,400 metres in Race 1 after settling much closer to the pace from a good barrier. It was the dashing victory of CLASSIQUE LEGEND (picture) in the 1,100 Maiden (Race 2) that left people gasping though. The son of Not A Single Doubt sprinted clear for a very dominant 2.5 length win over the tough GOT YOUR SIX chasing in second. CLASSIQUE LEGEND's final sectionals suggest that he could be a group-level horse in the making.
Following all post-lunch-time excitement, it was a tricky end to the day for punters, $1.6 fav' DESERT LORD over-racing again in the lead when 3rd behind WINE BUSH in Race 5, before $3.10 fav' ROCK ran on hard late but missed behind CUBA in Race 7, the second-favourite KOLDING badly held up in the pack.
Overall the track played quite well, a small advantage near the pace and kicking off the tight Kensington bend, which not all horses handle.
See below for short comments on each race.
Track Info
| Rail | +5 metres |
| Conditions | SOFT 6 to SOFT 5 |
| Weather | OVERCAST |
| Bias | FAIR, horses near the pace slight advantage |
Race 1 RISE UP THIS AUTUMN HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Almerheri | John Thompson | Ms Rachel King | 1 | 53.5 | |
| 2 | Sharapova | Garry Frazer | Grant Buckley | 7 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Arrogante | Kristen Buchanan | Tommy Berry | 3 | 58.5 |
The Interest
A big win for ALMERHERI, getting closer to pace after drawing wide and getting back last start. Perhaps CARIF (5th 6L) is one worth noting from the back, he laid in and never really got going. ADAGIRL (7th 11.5L) keen in the lead and didn't recover well after the race.
Race 2 TAB REWARDS PLATE
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Classique Legend | Les Bridge | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Got Your Six | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Ms Rachel King | 6 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Full Recognition | Mark Newnham | Joshua Parr | 2 | 57.0 |
The Interest
An amazing win to CLASSIQUE LEGEND, the sectionals to close off were rapid (11.20 and 11.13 accelerating into 10.63 and 10.88) suggesting he's got a lot more to give too.
Race 3 EVENTS BY ATC HANDICAP
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Witness | Brad Widdup | Chris Williams | 4 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | I'm So Sweet | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Mossman Gorge | Matthew Dale | Billy Owen | 3 | 60.5 |
The Interest
ROYAL WITNESS an honest sprinter that got the job done. I'M SO SWEET can improve off the run (peaked late). CHEWBACCA (5th 5.9L) has apparently had some feet issues and pulled up 2/5 lame after the race.
Race 4 ANZ BLOODSTOCK NEWS HANDICAP
slow tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King Tomlola | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Joshua Parr | 3 | 61.0 | |
| 2 | Green Sweet | Danny Williams | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 60.5 | |
| 3 | Love Shack Baby | David Pfieffer | Jay Ford | 7 | 60.0 |
The Interest
KING TOMLOLA reeled off some big sectionals to power home from the box seat (11.90, 11.79, 11.47, 11.48), very rare to see a final 400m as quick as that, a result of the slow tempo. CALIBRATION (7th 4.3L) pulled up 2/5 lame. AHMAD (6th 4.2L) didn't seem to enjoy the sprint when stuck in-between horses,
Race 5 PRESS STATEMENT @ VINERY HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wine Bush | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 3 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Taikomochi | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Quayde Krogh | 2 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Desert Lord | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 1 | 58.0 |
The Interest
DESERT LORD up to his old tricks, far from the most genuine horses going around (can have issues jumping, might race keenly and some questions on how genuine he is in the finish). WAYANKA (6th 4.7L) wants 1400m at the most. ROYAL STAMP (4th 1.6L) ready for 1800m third-up now.
Race 6 BOWERMANS OFFICE FURNITURE HANDICAP
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eugene's Pick | Will Clarken & Niki O'Shea | Adam Hyeronimus | 10 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Laburnum | James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 5 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Romani Girl | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 9 | 58.5 |
The Interest
The money came, the ride was aggressive and EUGENE'S PICK just managed to get a cheap enough mid-race sectional or two to kick home well off the bend. ROMANI GIRL (3rd 0.7L) sprinted well from the back. ALNAAS (7th 2L) too far back to figure and RIGHTEOUSNESS (5th 1.5L) put in a nice enough run for a horse that doesn't really have a sprint off a steady tempo.
Race 7 AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB HANDICAP
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cuba | John Thompson | Billy Owen | 9 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Rock | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 5 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Kolding | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 58.0 |
The Interest
Tempo can make all the difference, CUBA a powerful horse with a big sprint and he was able to control the lead, kick and just hang on from a gallant ROCK running on from the back. KOLDING had no luck and may have won if he got clear. SERGEANT (8th 6L) badly held up too and a complete forgive. MY BLUE JEANS (6th 4.5L) pulled up 2/5 lame.