Yard to the Post | Tancred Stakes Day
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 30 March 2019
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A heavy downpour last night looked like it could stop racing at Rosehill Gardens today, but the meeting went ahead, and the HEAVY 10 turf had some gremlins in it early.
The first four races were won by horses on the pace; BELLEVUE HILL (1,400 metre Group 3 The Schweppervescence for two-year-olds), TAIKAMOCHI (2,000 metre Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes) and ANGEL OF TRUTH (2,000 metre Group 2 Tulloch Stakes for three-year-olds) all leading from start to finish before INVINCIBLE GEM (1,500 metre Group 2 Emancipation Stakes) fought on best from 2nd in the run.
It wasn't until the on-pacers went "mad" in-front that a swooper could get into the finish, Jason Coyle's mare SIREN'S FURY surging home late to win the 1,200 metre Star Kingdom Stakes after ESTIJAAB had set a rapid tempo in the lead.
The track then evened out for the rest of the day and we were treated to big wins from star filly VERRY ELLEEGANT (2,000 metre Group 1 Vinery Stakes) and the flying AVILIUS (2,400 metre Group 1 Tancred Stakes), both gallopers relishing the softer conditions, AVILIUS once again powering home best off a slower tempo.
A full race-by-race review can be found below.
Track Info
Rail | +6 metres |
Conditions | HEAVY 10 to HEAVY 9 |
Weather | FINE |
Bias | ON-PACE RAILS, then FAIR later once track chopped up on inside |
Race 1 THE SCHWEPPERVESCENCE
Tim Clark finds the fast lane early
fair tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
on-pace
,
rails in straight
Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bellevue Hill | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 7 | 58.0 | |
2 | Strasbourg | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 57.5 | |
3 | Fortress Command | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Brett Prebble | 2 | 56.0 |
In The Running
BELLEVUE HILL took up the running with DAWN TOO GOOD a touch keen on his outside and LA TENE three wide no cover. STRASBOURG in the box seat. A FAIR tempo with a LONG SPRINT home set up, the 2YOs tiring late in the testing conditions.
The Result
BELLEVUE HILL (1st) went clear and held them off easily down on the rails. STRASBOURG (2nd 2L) chased solidly and FORTRESS COMMAND (3rd 3L) closed off well late after getting held up, beating AUTOCRATIC (4th 3.5L) into a place.
The Interest
We didn't know strong inside and on-pace bias that existed until after a couple of these races, BELLEVUE HILL taking advantage to win. The leader was good, but perhaps don't be too harsh on horses like LA TENE (6th 7.1L), SEPORTO (7th 7.5L) and PERSAN (8th 7.6L), who were all out wider. ROME (10th 13.2L) really struggled in the conditions.
Race 2 BISLEY WORKWEAR NEVILLE SELLWOOD STAKES
Gai does it again from the front
slow tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
on-pace
,
rails in straight
Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Taikomochi | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Sam Clipperton | 6 | 55.0 | |
2 | Libran | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 55.5 | |
3 | Goathland | Kim Waugh | Blake Shinn | 4 | 55.0 |
In The Running
TAIKOMOCHI took up the running with MAIN STAG on his outside and GOATHLAND in the box seat, controlling a SLOW tempo with a LONG SPRINT home in the testing conditions. GOATHLAND blocked behind the leader most of the straight.
The Result
TAIKOMOCHI (1st) kicked on and held off LIBRAN (2nd 0.2L) who ran on gamely, the unlucky GOATHLAND (3rd 1.7L) not far away.
The Interest
While TAIKOMOCHI got the win on this occasion, horses to follow are probably LIBRAN (prefers dry) and GOATHLAND (no luck). The leader got all the favours with the ON-PACE and RAILS bias. This could turn out to be a poor form race.
Race 3 TAB TULLOCH STAKES
An angelic run for Corey Brown
slow tempo
Bias:
on-pace
,
rails in straight
Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Angel of Truth | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Corey Brown | 4 | 56.0 | |
2 | Madison County | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Tommy Berry | 10 | 56.0 | |
3 | Cossetot | James Cummings | Craig Williams | 5 | 56.0 |
In The Running
ANGEL OF TRUTH took up the running from FIRSTCLASS DREAMER and IN A TWINKLING, who moved up into the turn and put some pressure on, just a SLOW tempo overall with MADISON COUNTY near the back.
The Result
ANGEL OF TRUTH kicked on best to beat MADISON COUNTY (2nd 2L), who sprinted well out wider. COSSETOT (3rd 2.8L) fought on OK.
The Interest
The first two the best runs, ANGEL OF TRUTH getting the tempo and bias favours, but he did put 2L on them. MADISON COUNTY probably every bit as good as the winner running on out wider. Two Derby chances next week.
Race 4 JIM BEAM EMANCIPATION STAKES
A tough girl laps up the tough conditions
fair tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
on-pace
,
rails in straight
Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Invincible Gem | Kris Lees | Corey Brown | 8 | 56.0 | |
2 | Daysee Doom | Ron Quinton | Andrew Adkins | 5 | 58.0 | |
3 | Noire | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 1 | 56.0 |
In The Running
Some early pressure and DAYSEE DOOM took up the lead from INVINCIBLE GEM and DYSLEXIC in the box seat, a FAIR tempo with a LONG SPRINT home in the testing conditions.
The Result
INVINCIBLE GEM (1st) edged past DAYSEE DOOM (2nd 0.3L) with a gap back to NOIRE (3rd 2.3L) chasing home OK.
The Interest
The bias probably helped the on-pacers, but they did put a margin on the rest, INVINCIBLE GEM finally finding a race she could dominate from outside the lead - a position she loves. DYSLEXIC (5th 3.7L) held up a touch, her run ending the final 200m. PRINCESS POSH (6th 7L) didn't look comfortable and could be forgiven.
Race 5 E-GROUP SECURITY STAR KINGDOM STAKES
Too much pressure sets it up for a swooper
strong tempo
Bias:
on-pace
,
rails-3w in straight
Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Siren's Fury | Jason Coyle | Tim Clark | 3 | 53.0 | |
2 | Manuel | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Blake Shinn | 11 | 60.0 | |
3 | Ardrossan | Stephen Marsh | James McDonald | 8 | 55.0 |
In The Running
ESTIJAAB led at a STRONG tempo with pressure from MUSIC MAGNATE on her outside. FIERY HEIGHTS in the box seat and ARDROSSAN outside him, that group of four a margin in front of MANUEL and SIREN'S FURY chasing.
The Result
SIREN'S FURY (1st) swept over the top of a brave MANUEL (2nd 0.2L), who had hit the lead and ARDOSSAN (3rd 1.2L) fighting on well for a place, a margin back to the rest.
The Interest
The STRONG tempo and testing conditions set up well for the swooper SIREN'S FURY. MANUEL had a nice position in run too, ARDOSSAN the best of the four on-pacers that simply went too hard. ESTIJAAB (7th 12.1L) beaten and eased up the final 150m.
Race 6 VINERY STUD STAKES
Stop start tactics don't worry the favourite
steady tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Verry Elleegant | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 5 | 56.0 | |
2 | Frankely Awesome | Kris Lees | Jason Collett | 12 | 56.0 | |
3 | Aristia | Mathew Ellerton | Damian Lane | 10 | 56.0 |
In The Running
GREYSFUL GLAMOUR led from ALEXANDRIA on her outside in a strangely run race, some EARLY PRESSURE before slower mid-sections and a LONG SPRINT home as AUTUMN moved up from midfield and put the pressure on 600m from home.
The Result
VERRY ELLEEGANT (1st) came out wider, sprinted and stormed past to win. FRANKELY AWESOME (2nd 1.8L) ran on well from the back too and ARISTIA (3rd 4.1L) fought on solidly from midfield.
The Interest
VERRY ELLEEGANT is a star! Well, in the mud at least.. Her form over the last two starts has been almost unbeatable and all signs point to her winning the Oaks after settling better today. Just a slight question if the track is firm. FRANKLEY AWESOME very good too and ARISTIA gets a pass mark. NAKEETA JANE (4th 6.6L) and POHUTUKAWA (6th 9.1L) may want better tracks and back to 1600m. SCARLET DREAM (7th 9.2L) just plain today in the wet.
Race 7 KIA TANCRED STAKES
Godolphin horse-power blasts home again
slow tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Avilius | James Cummings | James McDonald | 7 | 59.0 | |
2 | Big Duke | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 9 | 59.0 | |
3 | Rondinella | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Sam Clipperton | 10 | 56.5 |
In The Running
ACE HIGH took up the running after no other horses wanted it, despite the riding announcement that it would look for cover. NETTOYER working up on it's outside and RONDINELLA pulling out 3W to move up mid-race. Only a SLOW tempo set up with a LONG SPRINT home.
The Result
AVILIUS (1st) sprinted up on the turn and powered clear, beating home BIG DUKE (2nd 2.3L) running on from the back and RONDINELLA (3rd 2.5L) keeping on well.
The Interest
As soon as the tempo backed off it was pretty much game over, AVILIUS much too brilliant for this field after winning the Ranvet over 2000m last week, not the best Tancred Stakes you have ever seen. BIG DUKE and RONDINELLA (prefers dry?) both pretty good too. Don't be too harsh on YOGI (5th 6.1L), who was back off the slow tempo and experimented by coming out very wide. ACE HIGH (12th 29L) should never have run in the mud. The track pretty FAIR by this stage of the day after the inside chopped out.
Race 8 PFD FOOD SERVICES DONCASTER PRELUDE
Waller sneaks one home at odds
steady tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mister Sea Wolf | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 8 | 59.0 | |
2 | Abdon | Chris Waller | Corey Brown | 1 | 53.5 | |
3 | Tom Melbourne | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 3 | 58.5 |
In The Running
MASK OF TIME took up the running with SIEGE OF QUEBEC on the outside, then TOM MELBOURNE and MISTER SEA WOLF just behind. A STEADY tempo with a LONG SPRINT home set up.
The Result
MISTER SEA WOLF (1st) kicked on well and just hung on from ABDON (2nd 0.2L) sustaining his run up the inside. TOM MELBOURNE (3rd 1.2L) held his ground and MASK OF TIME (4th 2.5L) battled on.
The Interest
Probably not the smartest move to lead on MASK OF TIME, a smaller horse that was left exposed as they powered home for a LONG SPRINT. MISTER SEA WOLF (backed from $11 into $8) primed up with a jump out down south and ABDON well-placed down in the weights on HEAVY ground, he did better today than he usually does second-up.
Race 9 THE CHAMPIONSHIPS ON SALE HANDICAP
In-form and ready to go through the grades
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Star of the Seas | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 11 | 55.0 | |
2 | Zourkhan | Luke Berger | James McDonald | 12 | 59.0 | |
3 | Special Missile | Richard & Will Freedman | Sam Weatherley | 4 | 61.0 |
In The Running
SPECIAL MISSILE took up the running at a FAIR tempo (on the steady side), MAHALANGUR moving up on his outside and WHO'S KNOCKING out 3W NC.
The Result
STAR OF THE SEAS (1st) came down the outside with stable-mate ZOURKHAN (2nd 0.3L) and fought on hard. A gap back to the leader SPECIAL MISSILE (3rd 2.8L).
The Interest
STAR OF THE SEAS in great form this prep and appears to be crying out for 1500m+ now, a horse that looks to have more upside given he finds the line so well. ZOURKHAN a genuine mudder and SPRING CHARLIE (4th 3.6L) never really in the hunt today after a slow jump (not pushed too much in straight).