Yard to the Post | Chelmsford Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 07 September 2019
Strong winds, firming Royal Randwick turf and an eight-metre rail position was the perfect recipe for track bias today, on-pace gallopers dominating most races across the card.
The feature race was taken out by one of those on-pacers in SAMADOUBT, who led all the way to beat a substandard Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes field by 3.3 lengths. It was a masterclass from jockey Tim Clark, who took his time to cross to the lead, held him together and sprinted home in rapid sectionals from the turn. The favourite AVILIUS was stuck three wide no cover back in the field and chased gamely into second against the pattern on the day.
Another leader DREAMFORCE dominated the next group feature too, booting clear to win the Tramway Stakes by 3 lengths on his way to the Epsom mile in a couple of weeks time.
The two most popular wins on the day were for different reasons; the heavily-backed LIBERTINI ($1.18 fav’) just getting the job done for the thousands that backed her in the Group 2 Furious Stakes, before the popular veteran REDZEL was cheered back to the winning stall despite sinking the favourite NATURE STRIP in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes.
A full review from the yard to the post will be on-line Monday 1pm.
Track Info
| Rail | +8m |
| Conditions | SOFT 5 to GOOD 4 (firm) |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | ON-PACE NEAR RAILS |
Race 1 STRAWBERRY HILL STUD HANDICAP
Too much dash from Waterhouse and Bott
slow tempo
Bias:
on-pace
,
rails-3w in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yao Dash | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Nash Rawiller | 7 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Funstar | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 6 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Emeralds | John Sargent | Robbie Dolan | 2 | 52.5 |
In The Yard
All horses well, PANDEMIC smaller and quite muscular, could he be a distance risk? EMERALDS with less muscle than most, a tough athletic type.
In The Running
YAO DASH controlled a SLOW tempo and they sprinted home rapidly with the wind.
The Result
YAO DASH (1st) held off a game FUNSTAR (2nd 0.5L), who kept chasing. EMERALDS (3rd 1.3L) stronger to the line up the inside than PANDEMIC (4th 2.8L).
The Interest
Wind, bias and tempos that were hard to read. This isn't an easy race day to analyse. YAO DASH strong here from the right spot in the run, a horse that doesn't have huge size and stature in the yard, but boy is he tough. On looks, more of a Guineas type than the Golden Rose, we will find out in time. FUNSTAR very good first-up and EMERALDS chased hard up the inside (big run, or right spot?). PANDEMIC could be an 1100m to 1200m horse on looks and this performance.
Race 2 TAB HIGHWAY CLASS 3 HANDICAP
The lady is lucky for once
fair tempo
Bias:
on-pace
,
rails-3w in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lady Demi | Terry Robinson | Brock Ryan | 15 | 53.5 | |
| 2 | Rioli | Alan Ryan | Adam Hyeronimus | 17 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Press Box | Dean Mirfin | Nash Rawiller | 10 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
Most well in the yard. EQUAL BALANCE, HIT THE TARGET and LESHRAC a bit unsettled in the wind. NICCONITA not quite fit yet (bit heavy, winter coat).
In The Running
LESHRAC took up the running from VACATE at a FAIR tempo. RIOLI jumped well and settled near the pace 3W NC. As the leaders tired, MAROKAWA and DENMISS were badly held up back on the inside. PRESS BOX held up near the pace too.
The Result
LADY DEMI (1st) found clear running out wider and chased hard to the line with a brave RIOLI (2nd 0.1L), who was out-bobbed by the barest of margins. PRESS BOX (3rd 1.1L) finished off once clear.
The Interest
LADY DEMI usually doesn't get the luck coming from the back and the inside bias was less than ideal today, but she got the right run while others found trouble for once. RIOLI (wide), PRESS BOX (tightened, held up), DENMISS (10th 4.5L) (badly held up) and MAROKAWA (12th 5.5L) (badly held up) all unlucky not to win. The fact that DENMISS and MAROKAWA were so unlucky confirmed the inside bias was there, both taking the inside route at big odds (>$10) in the market. HIT THE TARGET (4th 1.6L) just needs to settle down a bit, a horse with upside. BARBASS(13th 6.8L) pulled up with mucus in a scope.
Race 3 MIGHT AND POWER FOR CPA SPRINT
Speed, power and a big kick down-wind
fair tempo
Bias:
on-pace
,
rails-3w in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miss Invincible | Bjorn Baker | Nash Rawiller | 10 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Ballistica | Joseph Pride | Tim Clark | 9 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Jay Jay D'ar | Kevin Corstens | James McDonald | 4 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
BLEU ROCHE looked fine first-up. MISS INVINCIBLE well and BALLISTICA impressive, big and strong. ANNIE PRU (lacks muscle, unsettled) and OUR ROSEMAREE (plain type, winter coat) noticeably lesser than the rest. JAY JAY D'AR just a fair-looking horse, still a touch of winter coat.
In The Running
MISS INVINCIBLE took up the running and had control at a FAIR tempo given her high cruising speed.
The Result
MISS INVINCIBLE (1st) kicked and held on. BALLISTICA (2nd 1L) running on out wider after getting held up slightly, JAY JAY D'AR (3rd 1.1L) chasing up the inside.
The Interest
The form out of this race could be questionable. It seems BLEU ROCHE (4th 3.9L) and BARE NAKED LADY (5th 4L) didn't turn up and it was only the top three that put in any sort of performance. MISS INVINCIBLE going well this prep, the strong tail-wind perhaps helping given she tends to peak on her run over 1100m. BALLISTA going well too and JAY JAY D'AR will be better over 1200m+.
Race 4 SYDNEY MARKETS HANDICAP
Nash gets the revs up on this big sprinter
fair tempo
Bias:
on-pace
,
rails-3w in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baller | Tony Gollan | Nash Rawiller | 10 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Tarbert | John Shelton | Glen Boss | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Murillo | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tim Clark | 3 | 60.0 |
In The Yard
BALLER looked well, a strong tough-looking sprinter with more shine to his coat this time. MASTER ASH very fit first-up, just not as powerful as the others (needs further?). MAXBUX lacked the muscle of the others to sprint. EUGENE'S PICK OK with a winter coat still.
In The Running
NOBLE JOEY was urged to lead with BALLER moving up on his outside, a FAIR tempo set up. CONDOR stuck out 3W NC on the pace and ALL TOO FREE even wider out 4W NC. EUGENE'S PICK held up badly in the straight.
The Result
BALLER (1st) took over 300m out and broke clear for a big win. TARBERT (2nd 2L) ran on down the outside and MURILLO (3rd 2.3L) kicked on from near the pace. MASTER ASH (4th 2.5L) chasing up the inside in limited room.
The Interest
He had taken on Group-level sprinters first-up and probably improved since then, BALLER enjoying a more vigorous ride from Rawiller this time to win clearly well back in grade. EUGENE'S PICK (5th 3.8L) was unlucky down in the weights and may have gone close with clear running, at least deserving of a clear 2nd place. MASTER ASH a bit tight on the inside and he paraded like a horse that may want further this prep. ALL TOO FREE (11th 6.5L) very wide before knocking up.
Race 5 DARLEY FURIOUS STAKES
The boom filly gets pushed all the way
steady tempo
Bias:
on-pace
,
rails-3w in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Libertini | Anthony Cummings | Tommy Berry | 3 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Villami | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Tim Clark | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Let It Pour | Bjorn Baker | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
LIBERTINI (powerful), VILLAMI, LET IT POUR and PROBABEEL all well in the yard. DARLING POINT fine, but lacked power. BRIGHT RUBICK small and KIAMICHI not quite there in the coat yet.
In The Running
VILLAMI took up the running at a FAIR tempo (on steady side) with KIAMICHI on her outside and LIBERTINI trailing behind.
The Result
LIBERTINI (1st) picked up and ran down VILLAMI (2nd 0.2L), who kicked strongly. LE IT POUR (3rd 1.5L) and PROBABEEL (4th 1.6L) chased just behind with a massive gap to 5th.
The Interest
LIBERTINI had created headlines first-up when she destroyed a similar field. Was this a step back, or just a slight hiccup in the wind? Given she has looked so fit and well early in her campaign you worry her form may be regressing now. Her place in The Everest under question by owners following the race. VILLAMI did well with the bias on her side and PROBABEEL put in a very strong return, perhaps the horse to follow up to 1600m and beyond.
Race 6 FORUM CONCORDE STAKES
Punters cheer the return of "Big Red"
fair tempo
Bias:
on-pace
,
rails-3w in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redzel | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Pierata | Gregory Hickman | Tommy Berry | 5 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Graff | Danny O'Brien | Brenton Avdulla | 1 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
NATURE STRIP and GRAFF both monstrous horses with big power. REDZEL and PIERATA well. ZOUSTLE nicely-balanced and fit, but not as muscular as the class runners. SUNLIGHT visibly not fit yet.
In The Running
REDZEL took up the running at a FAIR tempo (on steady side) with ZOUSTYLE moving up on his outside. NATURE STRIP very keen behind them and moved up 3W NC on the turn.
The Result
REDZEL (1st) kept going to hold on from PIERATA (2nd 0.2L), who flew home from the back and GRAFF (3rd 1L) running on up the inside.
The Interest
"Big Red" is back! He got the right run given the track pattern, but PIERATA and GRAFF have G1 form and this was a hot field so it's hard to knock the winner. PIERATA the biggest run in the race though, flying home in 31.6 seconds for his final 600m and set-up for a big Spring, including The Everest. NATURE STRIP may never be ridden for cover again and SUNLIGHT strangely wasn't ready to go (not fit in yard, pulled up 1/5 lame). ZOUSTYLE looked like a boy against the men in the yard.
Race 7 BOB INGHAM CHELMSFORD STAKES
Don't doubt Bjorn Baker's new star
steady tempo
Bias:
on-pace
,
rails-3w in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samadoubt | Bjorn Baker | Tim Clark | 16 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Avilius | James Cummings | Kerrin McEvoy | 11 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Girl Tuesday | Clarry Conners | James McDonald | 2 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
Most well in the yard, AVILIUS fit and in shape. SAMADOUBT well and more powerful than most in the yard. ANGEL OF TRUTH and CON TE PARTIRO both a touch keen in the yard. BRIMHAM ROCKS not fit yet.
In The Running
SAMADOUBT came across to lead, got a cheap section mid-race and controlled a STEADY tempo (on slow side). ANGEL OF TRUTH moved up on-pace. AVILIUS stuck 3W NC no cover midfield and started a long run on the turn.
The Result
SAMADOUBT (1st) gave a big kick into the straight and won easily. AVILIUS (2nd 3.3L) running on, GIRL TUESDAY (3rd 3.4L) making ground and HARIPOUR (4th 3.5L) poking up the inside.
The Interest
What a procession. SAMADOUBT stacked them up mid-race and booted clear, the late scratching at the barrier of CON TE PARTIRO helping him get control on his own. He was clearly a more powerful horse than most in the yard and he sprinted home in sectionals they couldn't get close to. AVILIUS very good (wide, bias against) and GIRL TUESDAY solid, the late money suggesting she was clearly the pick of the Waller army (eight runners!). Waller stayers HARIPOUR, FINCHE (5th 4.3L), YOUNGSTAR (7th 4.8L) and BRIMHAM ROCKS (9th 5.9L) all showing enough ahead of their upcoming grand finals over further. SIR CHARLES ROAD (14th 8.9L) a sneaky run, no luck at the back. UNFORGOTTEN (10th 6.9L) very poor.
Race 8 HARVEY NORMAN TRAMWAY STAKES
Another dream run for the leaders
fair tempo
Bias:
on-pace
,
rails-3w in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dreamforce | John Thompson | Nash Rawiller | 9 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Te Akau Shark | Jamie Richards | James McDonald | 10 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Eckstein | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 3 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
Most well in the yard. ARCHEDEMUS not fit yet. INVINCIBLE GEM a bit plain looking and a touch of a winter coat still.
In The Running
DREAMFORCE took up the running at a FAIR tempo (on steady side) with INVINCIBLE GEM on his outside. KOLDING not getting much room in the straight. LE JUGE on heels mid-race with TE AKAU SHARK a touch keen in-front of him mid-race.
The Result
DREAMFORCE (1st) gave a big kick and went clear to win. TE AKAU SHARK (2nd 3L) chased well from midfield and ECKSTEIN (3rd 3.1L) fought on from near the pace.
The Interest
Another muscular leader, another winner, DREAMFORCE getting control and kicking home strongly with the wind. He's been progressing up through the grades steadily and could be ready to be a genuine Group 1 contender this time in. TE AKAU SHARK did enough and KOLDING (5th 3.5L) was an eye-catcher after getting held up most of the straight. PENSKE (9th 6L) pulled up lame.
Race 9 NEXON HANDICAP
The right position gets the win
fair tempo
Bias:
on-pace
,
rails-3w in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Articus | Kris Lees | Jason Collett | 7 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Scarlet Dream | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | James McDonald | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Sweet Deal | John Thompson | Nash Rawiller | 17 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
Most well, SWEET DEAL big and strong (distance risk?). RE EDIT robust and looks like a real stayer. SCARLET DREAM a nice strong type.
In The Running
SWEET DEAL came across to lead from SPECIAL MISSILE at a FAIR tempo (on steady side). CARIF stuck 3W NC midfield.
The Result
ARTICUS (1st) fought on best from behind the leaders, holding on from SCARLET DREAM (2nd 0.2L) closing hard late. SWEET DEAL (3rd 0.3L) grabbed late after kicking into the straight.
The Interest
SWEET DEAL had the right spot in the lead, but maybe found the 1500m a few metres too far. ARTICUS the horse on the spot back to an easier race. Horses to follow have to include SCARLET DREAM, along with MASTER SHUHOOD (5th 2.3L) and RE EDIT (6th 2.5L) up in distance. DEALMAKER (4th 2.1L) ran on nicely, but he's hard to catch.