Yard to the Post | San Domenico Stakes Day
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 31 August 2019
With the Everest Carnival looming large on the racing calendar, this is the time that new racing stars emerge, and we were lucky enough to witness one at Rosehill Gardens today.
The Hawkes-trained EXCEEDANCE produced stunning acceleration in wet conditions to win the feature San Domenico Stakes and announce himself as both a Golden Rose and Everest contender.
Godolphin's BIVOUAC had been sent out a short-price favourite following his impressive first-up win. In the parade you could tell it was race on though, BIVOUAC a tough wet track type, but it was EXCEEDANCE that bounced around the yard oozing class.
Mudlarks dominated most of the other races on the card, Waller's WU GOK winning the Premier's Cup and stable-mate ADANA finally breaking through in more suitable conditions.
The Ming Dynasty went the way of Kiwi raider QUICK THINKER, who surged home late to beat roughie ASPECT RATIO, who was heavily backed from 100/1 earlier in the week.
A full review from the yard to the post will be on-line Monday 12pm.
Track Info
| Rail | |
| Conditions | |
| Weather | |
| Bias |
Race 1 TAB HIGHWAY CLASS 2 HANDICAP
Blinkers on, Nash on, Winning
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assault'n'bathory | Danielle Seib | Nash Rawiller | 9 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Who's Shout | Norm Gardner | Brock Ryan | 17 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Girls Are Ready | Joe Cleary | Ms Jess Taylor | 6 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
No yard notes available.
In The Running
ASSAULT'N'BATHORY took up the running at a FAIR tempo and had most of them chasing on the turn. SCARLET MISSILE outside the leader and EUROSAY working up on the pace 3W NC. WHO’S SHOUT well back on the inside held up at a key moment as the leader kicked.
The Result
ASSAULT’N’BATHORY (1st) kicked clear and won well from an unlucky WHO'S SHOUT (2nd 2.8L), who charged late once clear. GIRLS ARE READY (3rd 3.8L) fought on OK with SCARLET MISSILE (4th 4.1L). ISADORA TWINKLE (5th 4.5L) running on quite well once it was all over.
The Interest
The blinkers went on ASSAULT’N’BATHORY and he got a deserved win after running a close 2nd in a Highway back in June (also on HEAVY). The run of WHO'S SHOUT every bit as good as the winner though, he arguably should have won if he got clear at the top of the straight. He only had fair form in Canberra last prep and may be ready to go on with it this time in. EUROSAY (13th 9.6L) worked hard out wide and was galloped on too.
Race 2 ATC MEMBER TOURS HANDICAP
The wetter the better for this winner
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wimlah | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 9 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Le Lude | John Thompson | Glen Boss | 7 | 52.0 | |
| 3 | Rossmay | Bryan Dais | Brock Ryan | 2 | 53.0 |
In The Yard
Most looked well, Les Bridge's pair of HELGA and SLOW BURN both heavier and more muscular than the others (risk at 1500m in wet?). LADY CUVEE has come back nicely, but has improvement to come.
In The Running
HELGA took up the running at a FAIR tempo with WIMLAH on the outside and SONG AND A PRAYER out 3W NC.
The Result
WIMLAH (1st) took over and was too strong, LE LUDE (2nd 1L) chasing strongly into a clear 2nd. ROSSMAY (3rd 4.3L) kept chasing up the inside a few lengths back to just grab THE PROMISE (4th 4.5L) for a place.
The Interest
WIMLAH returned to form here on a wet track following a plain run last start, she clearly relishes the conditions. LE LUDE honest again, the top two both looking very well in the yard. ROSSMAY only a tiny thing, but she is clearly genuine. LADY CUVEE (5th 5.8L) with some improvement to come this prep.
Race 3 EVEREST CARNIVAL HANDICAP
A stroke of luck can turn everything around
fair tempo
Bias:
2w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adana | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 2 | 53.5 | |
| 2 | Shock Alert | Bjorn Baker | Hugh Bowman | 10 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Weekend Affair | Jason Coyle | Glen Boss | 1 | 52.0 |
In The Yard
Most well in the yard, the veteran GOT UNDERS with a plainer coat. IRUKANDJI neat, strong with some loose muscle and doesn't look like a wet track type. CONARCHIE not 100% fit.
In The Running
CONARCHIE led at a FAIR tempo from THY KINGDOM COME on his outside with SHOCK ALERT striding up 3W NC.
The Result
ADANA (1st) peeled wider and chased down a brave SHOCK ALERT (2nd 0.4L), who moved up and kept fighting on. WEEKEND AFFAIR (3rd 2.9L) ran on OK from the back.
The Interest
He got conditions to suit here and a lovely ride from McEvoy gave ADANA every chance after some unlucky runs this prep on firm tracks. This was simply his race! SHOCK ALERT also very good, performing well on the wet for the first time in his career (profile update). IRUKANDJI (8th 6.1L) well-supported and looked in lovely condition in the yard so look out for him next time on drier conditions. The track starting to play to the outside now.
Race 4 NATHAN'S FAMOUS HANDICAP
Swoopers suited in a slog to the finish
strong tempo
Bias:
2w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mrs Madrid | Anthony Cummings | Glen Boss | 8 | 52.0 | |
| 2 | The Good Fight | Rachael Cunningham | Hugh Bowman | 14 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Costello | David Payne | Jason Collett | 4 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
MRS MADRID looked very well and relaxed. Both HEART OF GRACE and CONSTELLATIONS looking well too, but both became anxious while in the yard. MONEGAL just a plain type. Most others well.
In The Running
MONASTERIO came across from out wide and set a testing STRONG tempo, ZOFFANY'S LAD and MISSYBEEL working up to get near the pace. THE GOOD FIGHT 3W NC at the back outside MRS MADRID.
The Result
MRS MADRID came widest on the turn and ran on strongly with THE GOOD FIGHT (2nd 0.5L). COSTELLO (3rd 2L) very solid after having run on to hit the lead from midfield. HUMBOLT CURRENT (4th 2.8L) perhaps in lesser ground running on up the inside.
The Interest
MRS MADRID looked a picture in the yard, another Anthony Cummings galloper to have come to hand quickly this campaign. THE GOOD FIGHT very fit second-up too coming over from NZ. The STRONG tempo certainly helped the swoopers though, many gallopers struggling to the line after the testing tempo was set by MONASTERIO (5th 4L), including MISSYBEEL (failed to finish, cardica arryth.). COSTELLO very hard to beat next time back to drier ground. As for HEART OF GRACE (14th 70.1L), she looked very impressive when she first walked into the yard before becoming visibly anxious, not a good sign for a horse first-up after a long spell.
Race 5 SKY RACING ACTIVE SAN DOMENICO STAKES
Too much power from the Hawkes team
slow tempo
Bias:
2w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exceedance | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 1 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Bivouac | James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 5 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Anaheed | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tim Clark | 2 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
EXCEEDANCE a lovely type with some muscle and athleticism looking very well in the yard. BIVOUAC very fit, a tough defined type.
In The Running
ANAHEED took up the running at a SLOW tempo, BIVOUAC moving up outside the lead as ROYAL POPCORN struggled to get up to 3W NC under riding.
The Result
EXCEEDANCE (1st) peeled off the backs off the leaders and powered home best to beat BIVOUAC (2nd 2L) keeping on and ANAHEED (3rd 2.1L).
The Interest
EXCEEDANCE handled the wet just fine and we knew he had a rapid sprint finish, BIVOUAC nailed to the wet ground as the winner sprinted past. Don't be too harsh on BIVAOUC (likes the pressure on, may prefer cover too) and it was good to see ANAHEED return to form. Be careful backing EXCEEDANCE early in feature markets, he tends to miss the start, which is more costly in a bigger field. ROYAL POPCORN looked a level below in the yard and really shouldn't have been here. There are battlers and there are gallopers that just get in the way.
Race 6 IRON JACK PREMIER'S CUP
All the boxes ticked in the wet
slow tempo
Bias:
2w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wu Gok | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 1 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Come Play With Me | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 10 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Carzoff | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
Most looking well in the yard, DAGNY a more muscular type that could be a staying risk in the wet. GREY LION and MAWAANY MACHINE robust greys that may have some more fitness to come.
In The Running
WOLFE took up the running from COME PLAY WITH ME and they controlled a SLOW tempo. WOLFE coming wider on the turn, leaving an inside run for WU GOK to kick through.
The Result
WU GOK (1st) kicked up the inside and held off COME PLAY WITH ME (2nd 1L) fighting on. CARZOFF (3rd 3L) chased well from near the pace.
The Interest
A mud-lark with a low weight, solid form and the perfect position is always going to be hard to beat, WU GOK ticking a lot of boxes today. The big money in the race came for COME PLAY WITH ME, a horse to follow that may be a touch better on GOOD tracks. WOLFE (8th 10.2L) simply floundered in the wet.
Race 7 MING DYNASTY QUALITY
A tough fit Kiwi fights too hard
fair tempo
Bias:
2w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quick Thinker | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Hugh Bowman | 9 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Aspect Ratio | John Sargent | Andrew Adkins | 8 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Reformist | Edward Cummings | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 4 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
All horses looking OK in the yard, both Kiwis QUICK THINKER and RHAEGAR fit first-up in Australia. An even-looking field. ACADEMY maybe a touch keen.
In The Running
ACADEMY took up the running at a FAIR tempo from SAVOURY.
The Result
QUICK THINKER (1st) ran on best from the back to beat ASPECT RATIO (2nd 2L), who fought on well. REFORMIST (3rd 3.5L) fighting on out of the pack for a place.
The Interest
First time to a wet track coming from a weak form-line proved too much for SUBEDAR (5th 4.6L), who only ran on fairly, leaving it to the fit Kiwi QUICK THINKER to surge clear at the end. ASPECT RATIO very solid after getting backed from big odds. Form-lines from this race are to be monitored, it could be on the weaker side and the time was slow.
Race 8 TAB HANDICAP
Some greys do love to swim!
steady tempo
Bias:
2w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greyworm | Neville Boyle | Glen Boss | 6 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | You Make Me Smile | Jason Coyle | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 10 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Ranier | James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
RANIER with a touch of improvement still to come and SO TAKEN looking well when she first entered the yard, but she became a touch anxious towards the end. MISTER SONGMAN a big strong type. DESERT LORD well first-up and GREYWORM looking good.
In The Running
YOU MAKE ME SMILE took up the running from MISTER SONGMAN and got a cheap section or two mid-race (tempo: STEADY). HIGHLAND BEAT stuck wide midfield.
The Result
GREYWORM (1st) came wider from the box seat and chased down YOU MAKE ME SMILE (2nd), who had kicked well. RANIER (3rd) ran on up the inside, just edging out DESERT LORD (4th 1.9L) and SO TAKEN (5th 2L).
The Interest
GREYWORM had only been seen on a SOFT 5 before today and he clearly relished the conditions. As did YOU MAKE ME SMILE, who also enjoyed getting back to the Sydney way of going. RANIER (3rd 1.7L, improvement to come), DESERT LORD (4th 1.9L) and SO TAKEN (5th 2L, touch keen) all good enough to follow. MISTER SONGMAN (10th 12.5L) not handling the wet, his debut run on HEAVY fooling the market (didn't rate highly that day).
Race 9 AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB HANDICAP
Another promising Hawkes sprinter goes bang
fair tempo
Bias:
2w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | God of Thunder | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Brenton Avdulla | 13 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Black Magnum | Mark Newnham | Chris Williams | 14 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Spanish Dream | Paul & Martha Cave | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 10 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
The favourites GOD OF THUNDER (neat muscled), BLACK MAGNUM (defined muscular) and ROOSEVELT (big, strong, long-stride) paraded best. CONDEMNED not 100% fit and ISORICH big and heavy.
In The Running
ISORICH took up the running from SPANISH DREAM and BLACK MAGNUM out 3W NC. A FAIR tempo set up.
The Result
GOD OF THUNDER (1st) peeled off the back of BLACK MAGNUM (2nd 2L) and was much too good. SPANISH DREAM (3rd 6.3L) and ROOSEVELT (4th 6.4L) well back.
The Interest
GOD OF THUNDER could be a promising type, running well on both wet and dry this prep with a powerful turn-of-foot. As for ROOSEVELT, he's bigger and stronger now, he just might have fallen out of love with wet tracks? Either that or he's simply not genuine in tough high grade races.