Yard to the Post | Kensington

Race Day: Kensington on Saturday, 17 August 2019


There’s no doubt that some punters tread carefully when betting at the Kensington track, Randwick’s inner ‘back-up’ course for the off-season, which has had a chequered past over the years.

But confidence should be increasing now. As it has for most of 2019, the surface played beautifully on a rare Saturday meeting ahead of Group One racing at Randwick next week.

The star of the day was undoubtably Godolphin’s three-year-old PANDEMIC (picture), who sprouted wings when clear over the final furlong to make a strong field of young sprinters look second-rate in Race 3.

There were impressive wins from two improving mares also, CONNEMARA breaking through in Race 2 after a run of seconds and GIRL TUESDAY continuing her return to form in Race 7.

Waterhouse and Bott’s WOLFE took one step towards the cups this Spring by taking out the Premier’s Cup Prelude over 1,800 metres first-up.        

And perhaps the most exciting finish of the day was between the brave ROYAL WITNESS and flashing GOD OF THUNDER over 1,000 metres in Race 4. ROYAL WITNESS hanging on by the barest of margins in track record time.    

A review of each race is provided below.



Track Info

RailTRUE
ConditionsGOOD 4
WeatherFINE
BiasFAIR

Race 1 TAB HIGHWAY CLASS 3 HANDICAP

The money is right in the opener

fair tempo
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 Toulon Brook Matthew Dale Anthony Cavallo 8 53.5
2 Zardoro Terry Robinson Sam Clipperton 16 58.0
3 Alcatran Dean Mirfin Glen Boss 1 57.0


In The Running

ALCATRAN took up the running at a FAIR tempo, I AM CAPTAIN working up 3W NC on the pace.

The Result

TOULON BROOK (1st) got through 2W from the box seat and drove home late for a nice win. ZARDORO (2nd 1L) ran on from the back as usual and ALCATRAN (3rd 1.2L) held on for a place. I AM CAPTAIN (4th 1.4L) and ELEGANT ELLEN (5th 1.5L) not far away in a bunched finish.

The Interest

TOULON BROOK came from Dubbo Class 1, was freshened-up and had clearly done well in the break, backed from $10 into $7.5 before a fairly dominant win in the end. He's a strong-looking son of Hinchinbrook that bounded through late with a few big strides. What can you say about ZARDORO (well back, ran on) and I AM CAPTAIN (stuck wide), their time will hopefully come soon after a run of solid efforts. AIRFREE (11th 8.6L) unfortunately bled.


Race 2 BOOK SPRING HOSPITALITY HANDICAP

Distance no worry for Bjorn Baker's girl

fair tempo
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 Connemara Bjorn Baker Nash Rawiller 3 58.5
2 See Me Exceed Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Jay Ford 6 57.0
3 Helga Les Bridge Chris Williams 4 57.0


In The Running

LEAMI ASTRAY led at a FAIR tempo (on steady side) from HELGA on her outside.

The Result

CONNEMARA (1st) powered home from just behind the leading group for a big win. SEE ME EXCEED (2nd 2.5L) ran on down the outside late to grab HELGA (3rd 2.6L) on the line.

The Interest

CONNEMARA is flying this prep and was far too good for these. One failure over 1300m put some doubt in punter's minds, but her finishing surge in recent starts over 1200m suggested she was a different horse this time in. SEE ME EXCEED ran well and lots of others were just plain around the tight track on firm ground. VELOCITA (10th 9.7L).


Race 3 EVEREST CARNIVAL HANDICAP

Godolphin finds yet another spring star

fair tempo
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 Pandemic James Cummings Tommy Berry 2 53.0
2 Maddi Rocks John O'Shea Ms Kathy O'Hara 10 52.0
3 Exotic Ruby Bjorn Baker Brenton Avdulla 1 53.5


In The Running

MAKING WHOOPEE moved up and led 2W with ALL CYLINDERS on the inside pushing up. ISKANDER out 3W NC in midfield.

The Result

PANDEMIC (1st) weaved clear and powered home for a dominant win, beating a very strong MADDI ROCKS (2nd 1.3L), who swept home from the back. EXOTIC RUBY (3rd 2.3L) held up slightly on the inside and fought on well.

The Interest

The form out of this race is certainly worth following, PANDEMIC a very impressive galloper with a beautiful action on his way to black-type races and MADDI ROCKS showing real strength too. EXOTIC RUBY and MAKING WHOOPEE (4th 3.7L) are no slouches for Anthony Cummings either, both capable of progressing up in distance. AUSSIE (10th 8.1L) trialled poorly, drifted in the market and plodded.


Race 4 ATC MEMBER TOURS HANDICAP

Rapid speed and a lot of heart

strong tempo
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 Royal Witness Brad Widdup Ms Rachel King 7 57.5
2 God of Thunder Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Brenton Avdulla 14 55.0
3 November Man Anthony Cummings Nash Rawiller 4 55.5


In The Running

DESIGNER MAID took up the running from ROYAL WITNESS at a STRONG tempo, WANNA GET A WHAT out 3W NC on the pace. MISS INVINCIBLE a touch keen inside horses behind the leaders.

The Result

ROYAL WITNESS (1st) fought very bravely and just held on from GOD OF THUNDER (2nd 0.1L) ducking and weaving up the inside from midfield. NOVEMBER MAN (3rd 0.9L) solid running on and MISS INVINCIBLE (4th 1.1L) not far away.

The Interest

They lit up the Kensington turf in this race. Some nice 1000m sprinters here and they all had their chance to win after a rapid tempo was set up and ROYAL WITNESS still got the job done. GOD OF THUNDER every bit as good as the winner first-up after having to work a touch finding a run. MISS INVINCIBLE a real 1000m type that can win again soon if they find the right race for her.


Race 5 EVENTS BY ATC HANDICAP

Strong maket moves command respect

slow tempo
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 Commander Stephen O'Halloran Nash Rawiller 7 58.0
2 Tour Down Under Robert Kingston Robbie Dolan 4 53.0
3 Flying Pierro Tony Rosolini Glyn Schofield 9 55.0


In The Running

SLOW BURN took up the running at a SLOW tempo only, COMMANDER moving up on her outside.

The Result

COMMANDER (1st) kicked on best to beat TOUR DOWN UNDER (2nd 0.8L) chasing solidly from midfield and FLYING PIERRO (3rd 0.9L) from the back. NOTIO (4th 1.3L) chasing in limited room.

The Interest

The money was right here, COMMANDER and TOUR DOWN UNDER both well backed before finding the right spots in the run and fighting on. NOTIO without much luck back on the inside (tightened, on heels 75m), but he does tend to get himself in those spots (can jump slow). WATCHDOG unfortunately bled for the second time and will now retire.


Race 6 PREMIER'S CUP PRELUDE

Waterhouse and Bott dominate from the front

slow tempo : long sprint

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 Wolfe Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 7 53.0
2 Stampede Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Adam Hyeronimus 3 63.0
3 So You Win Chris Waller James McDonald 1 56.5


In The Running

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott gallopers got control, STAMPEDE leading from WOLFE on his outside at just a SLOW tempo. They picked up early on the turn for a LONG SPRINT home.

The Result

WOLFE (1st) wore down STAMPEDE (2nd 0.8L) in the straight and SO YOU WIN (3rd 1.3L) ran on from midfield, but was safely held late. HIGH OPINION (4th 1.5L) and SAVACOOL (5th 1.7L) ran on from the back.

The Interest

He was the most progressive horse in the race and WOLFE delivered, getting a lovely spot on-pace before fighting off his stable-mate. Nice efforts from HIGH OPINION (flying) and SAVACOOL. Don't be too harsh on the one-paced grinders NEW TIPPERARY (7th 3.5L), GOODFELLA (8th 3.8L) and TESTASHADOW (9th 5.3L), who weren't suited in the sprint home on firm ground.


Race 7 SPRING PREVIEW HANDICAP

Back on track and heading for the spring

fair tempo
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 Girl Tuesday Clarry Conners Glen Boss 9 55.0
2 Bangkok Allan Denham Ms Rachel King 3 52.0
3 Cradle Mountain Clare Cunningham Jason Collett 2 56.0


In The Running

CRADLE MOUNTAIN rolled to the lead at a FAIR tempo (on strong side) with SPECIAL MISSILE on his outside. WREN'S DAY 3W NC midfield and SIR CHARLES ROAD out 4W NC early before slotting in for cover.

The Result

GIRL TUESDAY (1st) swept home from the back to beat BANGKOK (2nd 1.8L) chasing solidly from midfield and CRADLE MOUNTAIN (3rd 1.9L). FIRSTHAND (4th 2.1L) held his ground from the box seat.

The Interest

This may not be the best form race outside the winner, GIRL TUESDAY rounding them up easily in the end, a very promising mare with upside over a distance this Spring. Perhaps dry tracks are the key to her? BANGKOK solid and CRADLE MOUNTAIN bouncing back. FIRSTHAND every chance and deep in his prep. As for WREN'S DAY (6th 3.4L), he ran fairly, but well below market expectations. SEAWAY (11th 25.4L) pulled up with cardiac issues in the report.


Race 8 TAB HANDICAP

Vinnie travels to find his turf

steady tempo : long sprint
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 I Am Vinnie David & Coral Feek Jake Noonan 3 56.0
2 Thy Kingdom Come John Thompson James McDonald 1 60.0
3 Mapmaker Tim Martin Adam Hyeronimus 7 57.5


In The Running

SHOCK ALERT went to the lead and took control from THY KINGDOM COME moving through onto his outside. Just a STEADY tempo early, the James McDonald put the pressure on into the turn, forcing a LONG SPRINT home.

The Result

I AM VINNIE (1st) ran on best from the pack to catch a tiring THY KINGDOM COME (2nd 0.3L), who had got clear early in the straight before peaking. MAPMAKER (3rd 0.8L) and NICOCHET (4th 1.4L) chasing behind.

The Interest

Not the strongest race on paper and THY KINGDOM COME seemed to be destined to make it two from two at the Kenso 300m from home. The 60kg weight told late though and perhaps James Mac made his run a touch too early. I AM VINNIE a synthetic track specialist who had been running well in easier grade down south. His form ratings were fine and he proved the firm Kensington turf is more than suitable too at the odds of $61. VENEZUELA ($6.5 > $8.5) (9th 7.7L) out the back and should improve over distance on softer ground.


Race 9 WINTER RACING HANDICAP

Robbie Dolan now Sydney racing royalty

fair tempo
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 All Too Royal Ciaron Maher Robbie Dolan 14 59.5
2 Mister Songman Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Adam Hyeronimus 15 57.0
3 Laburnum James Cummings Tommy Berry 13 56.0

In The Running

The veteran sprinters NOBLE JOEY and ISORICH went to the lead with TELL ME moving up 3W NC. MISTER SONGMAN got a trail 3W WC near the pace.

The Result

ALL TOO ROYAL (1st) swept home from last to beat MISTER SONGMAN (2nd 1.3L), who fought on solidly after wobbling a touch around the tight turn. LABURUM (3rd 1.8L) ran on well and TELL ME (4th 2L) fought on solidly.

The Interest

ALL TOO ROYAL was a rock solid sprinter last campaign and it looks like he may have even improved during the break. A quiet ride out the back from Dolan, who won apprentice of the year in the week, meant he gave some very strong horses a start and a beating. MISTER SONGMAN did enough and should enjoy Randwick or Rosehill better next time (wobbled a touch on the turn) and LABURNUM ran well at the Kenso again. TELL ME very brave, she deserves to win one soon. CATESBY very unlucky (held up badly) and is worth following too.



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