Yard to the Post - Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 08 November 2014
It was a good old fashioned 'swoopers day' at Royal Randwick. The rail coming out further made some good fresh ground in the middle of the track accessible, while the turf towards the inside over the closing stages was clearly hard work.
From a punting perspective track bias is never favourable, but it did make for exciting racing including a finish in Race 8 that looked like we were on a heavy track at Port Macquarie. Enormous Honour (pictured above) stormed down the outside rail after Serg Lisnyy had delivered another kamikaze ride on Hirad in the lead.
Perhaps the highest standard race came earlier in the day when the impressive Godolphin galloper Hauraki beat Waller's Good Project in a three-year-old event that could prove to be a good form reference in the future. Good Project didn't have the best of luck and did well, although it was the way Hauraki picked up late that really impressed.
In other races the Valcot and Paris Match form-line stacked up with both winning at good odds, and Mine Two got the win over Godolphin in the first for Garry Frazer.
A race-by-race analysis of the day is provided from the mounting yard to the finish. The complete guide from your team at the track.
Track Info
| Rail | +11m 1000m to Winning Post, +9m Remainder |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | OFF-PACE* (swoopers advantaged) |
All The Race Finishes
Race 1 TAB BETTING SEASON PLATE
A young apprentice gets her win
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mine Two | Garry Frazer | Ms Claire Nutman | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Italy | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Sam Clipperton | 5 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Carriages | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Ms Winona Costin | 4 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
MINE TWO and ITALY were well in the yard with nice defined muscle. DOMANUS also paraded in good fashion along with CARRIAGES, who had strength for a youngster.
In The Running
DOMANUS and CARRIAGES took each other on in the lead setting an honest EVEN TEMPO. MINE TWO had a nice trail in behind.
The Result
MINE TWO (1st) loomed up and quickly put the race away. ITALY (2nd) worked home right to the line and CARRIAGES (3rd) stuck on ok.
The Interest
The experience of MINE TWO paid dividends. She didn't have the best of luck first up and did a great job last start, indicating a win like this might be on the cards. CARRIAGES and ITALY both showed enough to suggest they have the talent to win. ITALY will improve over longer distances. Follow MINE TWO and ITALY.
Race 2 2015 MEMBERSHIP ON SALE HANDICAP
A Godolphin star unveiled
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hauraki | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Sam Clipperton | 5 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Good Project | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Redoutable Heart | Chris Waller | Jim Cassidy | 2 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
POWERLINE, DEADSET and SANTUARIO were the best in the yard, but there weren't many knocks. CYCLONE paraded in good fashion, with strength and athleticism. PROXY was lighter and leaner than the others.
In The Running
DEADSET and SANTUARIO took up the running, setting an honest EVEN TEMPO. GOOD PROJECT was stuck wide with no cover and HAURAKI got back.
The Result
GOOD PROJECT (2nd) came on strongly, but HAURAKI (1st) was too good late. An impressive win.
The Interest
The first two across the line were the best performances. GOOD PROJECT is improving and after coming 2nd to WINE TALES, and another impressive galloper here, he is due to win one soon. HAURAKI is very smart and can be followed. A few disappointing performances on paper from some of the rest, but it could turn out to be a good form race. Follow GOOD PROJECT and HAURAKI.
Race 3 DRUMMOND GOLF HANDICAP
Strong form-lines stack up
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valcot | Greg Bennett | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Fare Well | Clarry Conners | Jim Cassidy | 7 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Fort Sumter | Pat Farrell | Jason Collett | 6 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
FARE WELL stood out nicely in the yard and had clearly done well since her trip to Melbourne. Most others in the yard looked OK, BONSAI and VALCOT having good muscle and strength.
In The Running
BONSAI went to the lead and set an EVEN TEMPO. FARE WELL jumped too well and ended up without cover outside the leader.
The Result
FARE WELL (2nd) cruised to the front, but VALCOT (1st) picked up strongly and ran her down.
The Interest
On a 'swoopers day' FARE WELL just got to the wrong spot after jumping very well from the gates. She still did well and the form-line through VALCOT is strong enough with PARIS MATCH winning later in the day. The margin the first two gallopers put on the rest of the field was very impressive and they can win more off-season races soon. Follow VALCOT and FARE WELL.
Race 4 RANVET SPRINT
Too big, too strong and too fast
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball of Muscle | Joseph Pride | Glyn Schofield | 7 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Floral Insight | Jim Delaney | James Innes Jnr | 6 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Qfighter | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
ALBERTO MAGIC looked very well again, but was just a smaller type. BALL OF MUSCLE looked a dominant type with size and strength. TAHITIAN BLACK and QFIGHTER just had a bit of condition. TURF HERO wasn't fit.
In The Running
BALL OF MUSCLE jumped best and got to the lead, setting an EVEN TEMPO. FLORAL INSIGHT got to an on pace position. TAHITIAN BLACK missed the start and went back.
The Result
BALL OF MUSCLE (1st) kept going and dominated. It was daylight second.
The Interest
ALBERTO MAGIC really does need to lead to be a winning hope. One to follow with caution now as he is a smaller galloper that may not be able to sustain a long campaign. The big and strong BALL OF MUSCLE can go on with it, he has supreme speed and strength. And boy can he jump the barriers! The punters must have been looking for angles that our analysts couldn't see as he drifted in the market. TAHITIAN BLACK was OK after not having the best of luck. Follow BALL OF MUSCLE.
Race 5 TIME TO SHOP AT TAB HANDICAP
Top speed is all you need
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amovatio | Chris Waller | Jim Cassidy | 8 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Mr One Eleven | Eric Musgrove | Taylor Marshall | 5 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Timeless Prince | Tony Newing | Joshua Parr | 2 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
SCORPIO QUEEN paraded in great fashion with a shine in her coat. AMOVATIO was in good shape, as was. MR ONE ELEVEN. DREAM FOLK was leaner and TIMELESS PRINCE was smaller than the rest. PLANET PURPLE was obviously a staying type.
In The Running
SCORPIO QUEEN got to the lead and set a SLOW TEMPO. TIMELESS PRINCE got the box seat and AMOVATIO was back and over-racing.
The Result
SCORPIO QUEEN (4th) looked home at the top of the straight, but the run just tapered. AMOVATIO (1st) got out late and sprinted best to just beat MR ONE ELEVEN (2nd), who did a good job, and TIMELESS PRINCE (3rd), who was honest as always.
The Interest
SCORPIO QUEEN seemed to lack the top speed needed to sprint away from them. Swoopers were advantaged on the day and she can do better with cover off an honest tempo. Perhaps a forgive even though it looked like all was in her favour? AMOVATIO was simply a class above, being only runner with a genuine sprint in the race was a big asset. The money came for MR ONE ELEVEN and the plonk went very close. Follow AMOVATIO.
Race 6 HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP
Cassidy finds the perfect spot
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paris Match | Anthony Cummings | Jim Cassidy | 6 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Peace Force | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Mr Lester Grace | 8 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Brook Road | Kris Lees | Koby Jennings | 3 | 63.0 |
In The Yard
BROOK ROAD was best in the yard, a classy type. PARIS MATCH also looked in good shape, along with PEACE FORCE. SENSUALISM had nice scope in her frame, while SHIGERU SENDAN was nice, but smaller than the rest.
In The Running
ALL CERISE was pushed forward to set a GOOD TEMPO. PEACE FORCE had to work up outside the lead, while PILLOW TALK was stuck wide near the pace with PARIS MATCH right behind her.
The Result
PARIS MATCH (1st) peeled to the outside and got the better of a brave PEACE FORCE (2nd). BROOK ROAD (3rd) loomed, but the weight got the better of her late.
The Interest
FIRST CLASS TICKET didn't get the most room over the closing stages and the racing didn't suit her and the ride on ALL CERISE was just too aggressive. You can forgive both. PEACE FORCE and PILLOW TALK are both going well enough to follow after stepping up against better gallopers here and doing well. BROOK ROAD was fine with the big weight, while PARIS MATCH was strong, but had the perfect spot in the run. What else can you do but win though? Perhaps a race that would have had a few different winners if you ran it a few times.Forgive ALL CERISE and FIRST CLASS TICKET.
Race 7 SHOP WITH THE TAB APP HANDICAP
The favourites get no luck
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plutorius | Jeremy Sylvester | Brenton Avdulla | 9 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Perplexity | Chris Waller | Joshua Parr | 7 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Dowdstown Charlie | Kim Waugh | Sam Clipperton | 2 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
VITELLO paraded on good fashion, nice and athletic. PERPLEXITY looked well, a nice neat frame. BARGE AND CHARGE was a bigger type. SO NOSTALGIC was fine. ZAYAM was ok, but perhaps wasn't as hard fit as others, as was RETORT COURTEOUS. CASINO DANCER was a little bit keen.
In The Running
VITELLO moved up and took the lead from ZAYAM, SO NOSTALGIC and LAURIE'S LOVE. An honest GOOD TEMPO was set up.
The Result
PLUTORIUS (1st) pulled out and finished best, from PERPLEXITY (2nd) and DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE (3rd) in a swoopers race. 5 never got clear.
The Interest
Perhaps the favourite, SO NOSTALGIC, didn't quite have the dash over this distance. It was a swoopers race though, so you could forgive VITELLO and SO NOSTALGIC. The punters must have known that VITELLO was going to give his stable-mate cover on a swoopers day as he drifted in the market and SO NOSTALGIC firmed. BARGE AND CHARGE was an obvious forgive run. The top few were just in the right spot. PLUTORIUS did show good fight though after not having much luck at previous start. Forgive VITELLO, BARGE AND CHARGE and SO NOSTALGIC.
Race 8 DECLARATION OF WAR @ COOLMORE HANDICAP
The swoopers flash down the outside rail
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enormous Honour | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 9 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Centre Pivot | Darren Weir | Jason Collett | 1 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Meticulously | Matthew Dale | Joshua Parr | 13 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
SINJOREN ok first up. SIR BIGGLESWORTH wasn't 100%. CAPTAIN SCOTT was in nice shape. LOFTY AMBITION was best, SKARSGARD, CENTRE PIVOT and GOD'S IN HIM were OK. METICULOUSLY had good depth and strength. MELTING MOMENT was very fit looking.
In The Running
A GOOD TEMPO was set up, with HIRAD pushing on from the outside and challenging SABINO SPEED. LOFT AMBITION got the trail off the leaders.
The Result
The swoopers dominated. ENORMOUS HONOUR (1st), CENTRE PIVOT (2nd), METICULOUSLY (3rd) and SMART MOOCHI (4th) all swept home.
The Interest
They went fast in this so it will be hard to weigh up the form of the on-pacers. Any galloper near the speed could be forgiven, including SABINO SPEED. LOFTY AMBITION unfortunately bled. ENORMOUS HONOUR was strongest on the line and he has some class about him so can be followed. The ride of Peter Wells on SMART MOOCHI was just a bit too patient. Today was that gallopers day and if he can't win in these conditions it is hard to see a victory coming elsewhere. GOD'S IN HIM was just held up at a critical moment. Follow ENORMOUS HONOUR. Forgive GOD'S IN HIM.