Yard to the Post | Colgate Optic White Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 21 September 2019
A day of redemption for AVILIUS, Godolphin’s star galloper showing everyone his class winning the Group One Colgate Optic White Stakes.
Following two brave efforts chasing SAMADOUBT on firm tracks with some on-pace bias, he relished the softer ground at Royal Randwick and stormed home late to run down DREAMFORCE and go on to win by a widening 2.3 lengths. The veteran HAPPY CLAPPER honest back in 3rd, but it appears the old boy has lost his zest for racing now, or maybe he just misses the excitement of pushing Winx to her limits.
Earlier on the card, the Group Two Tea Rose for the fillies provided an exciting finish between Waller’s FUNSTAR, Anthony Cummings’ LIBERTINI and the Kiwi raider PROBABEEL, trained by Jamie Richards. The three crossed the line together, FUNSTAR getting her head down as PROBABEEL (2nd) rushed late and LIBERTINI (3rd) fought on.
And the Group Two Shorts over 1,100 metres, dubbed the ‘mini-Everest’, didn’t disappoint either despite more than half the field being scratched. PIERATA fought hard to beat CLASSIQUE LEGEND and REDZEL, only 0.8 of a length splitting the three star sprinters.
A full review from the yard to the post will be on-line Monday 1pm.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | SOFT 7 to SOFT 6 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | INSIDE 4-5 LANES |
Race 1 TAB COBCROFT TRUST HIGHWAY HANDICAP
Boss weaves through for an early win
strong tempo
Bias:
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| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marokawa | Rodney Northam | Glen Boss | 9 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Fair Dinkum | Ross Stitt | Andrew Adkins | 12 | 53.5 | |
| 3 | Caccini | Norm Gardner | Ms Jess Taylor | 4 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
No yard notes available.
In The Running
Some early pressure in this race. GENERAL SCARLET pushed on and led 2W with MAGIC SCENT on the inside. FEEL THE KNIGHT stuck 3W NC and MOSRAI out 4W NC on the pace.
The Result
MAROKAWA (1st) weaved through and ran down FAIR DINKUM (2nd 0.2L), who was strong from near the pace. CACCINI (3rd 1.5L) running on a touch wider out into the wind.
The Interest
A gusty day at Randwick with the inside lanes racing well. Boss produced a gem here on MAROKAWA from the back, both FAIR DINKUM (near strong speed) and CACCINI (looked like wind had some impact) running well too. Excuses for FEEL THE KNIGHT (wide, lame) (7th 4.2L) and MOSRAI (very wide) (9th 7.2L). DEVIATE a touch keen in the run, she's a filly that is hard to rely on these days.
Race 2 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP
A mighty kick and the race is over
fair tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cuba | John Thompson | Chris Williams | 8 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Super Star Bob | Matthew Dale | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Excelsior | Gwenda Markwell | Luke Currie | 2 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
CUBA strongly-built and quite heavy. CHALMERS a no-frills type that looked a bit plain. ROCK DOVE a robust stayer and not 100% fit yet. CISCO BAY on toes and looking fit enough first-up.
In The Running
CUBA took up the running and got rolling into the turn, setting up a FAIR tempo with a LONG SPRINT home. He broke 3L clear early in the straight. MASTER ASH outside the lead and under pressure on the turn, creating some traffic for EUGENE'S PICK on his back.
The Result
CUBA (1st) held on from SUPER STAR BOB (2nd 0.8L) running on from not far off the pace. EXCELSIOR (3rd 2.6L) held onto a place from the box seat as EUGENE'S PICK (4th 2.8L) chased solidly.
The Interest
John Thompson is going well and so is CUBA, a strongly-built gelding that didn't mind the testing conditions today, Chris Williams using his big early kick to good effect. EUGENE'S PICK (poor recovery) would have been closer if MASTER ASH (7th 6L) didn't give up so quickly. Interesting to see how much the inside bias impacted CONDOR (8th 6.1L) and FINAL AWARD (11th 6.4L) next time they go around. LISDOONVARNA (9th 6.2L) wide and pulled up lame. CISCO BAY (12th 9.7) pulled up with a poor recovery too.
Race 3 SHOOT OUT MILE
Melbourne raiders take the Sydney spoils
fair tempo
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Junipal | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 10 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Greysful Glamour | Mark Newnham | Tim Clark | 3 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Master Of Wine | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 7 | 53.0 |
In The Yard
DEALMAKER looked great in the yard. Most well though, MASTER OF WINE on his toes and revved up.
In The Running
GREYSFUL GLAMOUR jumped to a clear lead and set a FAIR tempo. PENSKE slightly held up early in the straight and DEALMAKER a long way back.
The Result
JUNIPAL (1st) came into the clear and ran on strongly to chase down GREYSFUL GLAMOUR (2nd 0.4L), who kept going in the lead. MASTER OF WINE (3rd 0.9L) right in the finish too and MILK MAN (4th 1.2L) just edged out.
The Interest
JUNIPAL was well-placed here coming from Melbourne and got the job done nicely, chasing down a brave GREYSFUL GLAMOUR, who is ready to go on with it now this prep. ALIFEROUS (5th 3.4L) travelled well in midfield and could have been one of the horses impacted by the wind, laying in once she was clear. DEALMAKER (6th 3.6L) was shining in the yard before producing a massive run from a long way back and MORE TO GAIN (8th 4.7L) did enough too, ready next time after jumping 1200m to 1600m for this race.
Race 4 DARLEY TEA ROSE STAKES
A grandstand finish gets the crowd cheering
steady tempo
Bias:
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| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Funstar | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Probabeel | Jamie Richards | Kerrin McEvoy | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Libertini | Anthony Cummings | Tommy Berry | 11 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
All horses looking well, LIBERTINI big and strong, just a bit quiet loping around the yard. FUNSTAR sightly anxious, but fine.
In The Running
ANAHEED took up the running at a STEADY tempo (mid-race slow down). LIBERTINI was on her outside and FUNSTAR moved up 3W as the pace slowed, ST COVET'S SPIRIT coming from a nice midfield spot to 4W NC after getting on heels.
The Result
FUNSTAR (1st) fought hard in a close tussle with LIBERTINI (3rd) and PROBABEEL (2nd 0.1L) weaved through and surged hard at them late. A gap back to EMERALDS (4th 2.8L) chasing from the back.
The Interest
What a finish! Three star fillies driving to the line in what turned out to be a sprint home. No love lost for LIBERTINI, perhaps more effective over 1200m on firm ground, or is she starting to taper this prep? Her last two parades have been 'quieter' than first-up when she dominated the yard. PROBABEEL produced stunning sectionals and will be even harder to beat over the 1600m of the Flight Stakes.
Race 5 BILL RITCHIE HANDICAP
A stone cold ride from Boss gets the win
strong tempo
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kolding | Chris Waller | Glen Boss | 10 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Fierce Impact | Matthew Smith | Nash Rawiller | 3 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Desert Lord | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 9 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
AVANTAGE hasn't grown much in height, a low strongly-built mare, perhaps not 100% fit? STAR OF THE SEAS looked perfect, a shining coat, loose walk and very fit. KOLDING also looking great. CASCADIAN OK, still a bit of a winter coat. TALLY not 100% fit yet.
In The Running
DESERT LORD rolled to the lead and set a STRONG tempo, AVANTAGE moving up on his outside. CASCADIAN slow to begin and out the back on the inside. TALLY stuck 3W NC in midfield. CASCADIAN (held up, tightened) found some traffic and STAR OF THE SEAS never got clear as AVANTAGE tired in-front of him.
The Result
KOLDING (1st) came widest and ran on to win, beating home FIERCE IMPACT (2nd), who had hit the lead briefly before peaking into the wind. DESERT LORD (3rd 2L) held onto a place as CASCADIAN (4th 2.8L) worked clear late.
The Interest
The inside ground seemed better on the day, but KOLDING still got the win swooping wider in a race that had a couple of hard luck stories. Surely FIERCE IMPACT resented the wind? Rawiller produced a lovely patient ride and dashed to the lead before peaking badly late. CASCADIAN also unlucky on a number of counts; slow to jump, held up and tightened, but he was in the right spot (back on inside off strong tempo) and maybe the last 100m could have been better once he was clear? STAR OF THE SEAS seems like he was travelling well enough to win and simply got a shot at them. TALLY (6th 3.6L) very solid given he was wide and not 100% fit in the yard.
Race 6 BOWERMANS OFFICE FURNITURE SHORTS
Hickman's warrior throws too many punches
fair tempo
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pierata | Gregory Hickman | Tommy Berry | 9 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Classique Legend | Les Bridge | Nash Rawiller | 4 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Redzel | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
PIERATA looked perfect, fit and well. CLASSIQUE LEGEND with some improvement to come, just a bit dusty in the coat and not 100% fit yet. All others OK, GRAFF a big powerful type that may like it drier.
In The Running
REDZEL took up the running at a FAIR tempo (on steady side, no early pressure).
The Result
PIERATA (1st) came 3W from just behind the leaders and was too strong late, beating CLASSIQUE LEGEND (2nd 0.5L), who challenged gamely from the box seat. REDZEL (3rd 0.8L) not far off.
The Interest
The 'mini-Everest' came down to a close finish as everyone expected, PIERATA too strong after looking perfect in the yard. CLASSIQUE LEGEND has improvement to come though and poses a big threat in The Everest, especially if the track is drier. GRAFF (4th 1.1L) not bad too considering firmer ground suits him also. Game on for the big race in a few weeks time!
Race 7 COLGATE OPTIC WHITE STAKES
The british-bred champ mows them down in the wet
steady tempo
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avilius | James Cummings | Kerrin McEvoy | 8 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Dreamforce | John Thompson | Nash Rawiller | 1 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Happy Clapper | Patrick Webster | Glen Boss | 4 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
AVILIUS in perfect shape, more shine to his coat now. SAMADOUBT the most muscular, the more testing conditions may not suit. VERRY ELLEEGANT and DANZDANZDANCE only light lean types that probably wanted it wetter.
In The Running
SAMADOUBT got an easy lead at a STEADY tempo, DREAMFORCE letting him go then moving up on his outside. VERRY ELLEEGANT keen pulling her way up on-pace.
The Result
AVILIUS (1st) came to the outside, sprinted and went clear for an easy win over DREAMFORCE (2nd 2.3L), who had kicked well before peaking late. HAPPY CLAPPER (3rd 3.6L), VERRY ELLEEGANT (4th 3.8L) and ANGEL OF TRUTH (5th 3.9L) all out-sprinted before keeping on late.
The Interest
He found his race today, AVILIUS much too classy on the softer ground, winning despite the STEADY tempo up-front. DREAMFORCE going very well and did about as much as he could on SOFT ground into a headwind. A few looking for further in behind, ANGEL OF TRUTH and VERRY ELLEEGANT very ready for 2000m now. HAPPY CLAPPER OK and could be worth another chance after getting out-sprinted on the soft ground. SAMADOUBT didn't get his firm track and on-pace bias this time.
Race 8 THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE KINGSTON TOWN STAKES
Melbourne Cup class shines through late
slow tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finche | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Stampede | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 14 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Carzoff | Chris Waller | Sam Clipperton | 17 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
STAMPEDE looked very well in the yard. SUPERNOVA fit and shining, but a touch anxious. BIG DUKE and COME PLAY WITH ME also looking good, along with mares GIRL TUESDAY and SCARLET DREAM. CARZOFF only light/lean and probably wanted it wetter.
In The Running
STAMPEDE took up the running and controlled a SLOW tempo with stablemate FABRIZIO on his outside. They kicked on into the turn for a LONG SPRINT home, but the damage was done, the backmarkers with no chance.
The Result
FINCHE (1st) chased down the leader STAMPEDE (2nd ) in an on-pace dominated race. CARZOFF (3rd 1.4L) sprinted well from near the pace.
The Interest
STAMPEDE and FINCHE both sustained a strong sprint home that meant nothing else could get close in this race, FINCHE showing his 3200m+ stamina as they hit the line. Big forgives to BIG DUKE (7th 3.8L), SCARLET DREAM (7th 3.8L) and GIRL TUESDAY (11th 5.6L) (blocked 100m), who were way back in the run. The fav' COME PLAY WITH ME (6th 2.8L) a touch slower to begin than usual and lost his on-pace spot. SUPERNOVA (10th 4.7L) a bit anxious in the yard and a touch wide on the track too (5W) so we could be forgiving also.
Race 9 E-GROUP SECURITY HANDICAP
Brock beats the champion jockey in the last
fair tempo
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sweet Scandal | Chris Waller | Brock Ryan | 14 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Improvement | Gary Portelli | James McDonald | 9 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Greyworm | Neville Boyle | Brenton Avdulla | 11 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
Most well in the yard, SUNCRAZE and STAR REFLECTION perhaps not quite as fit as SWEET SCANDAL (95% there) and DON'T GIVE A DAMN.
In The Running
PRIME CANDIDATE took up the running from GREYWORM at an honest FAIR tempo. IMPROVEMENT ducking in midfield for a bit of cover and SWEET SCANDAL stuck 3W NC.
The Result
SWEET SCANDAL (1st) knuckled down and chased hard in a close finish, driving to the line with IMPROVEMENT (2nd 0.2L) to edge out GREYWORM (3rd 0.4L) and PRIME CANDIDATE (4th 0.6L) late.
The Interest
No excuses here, SWEET SCANDAL sat wide and got the win, the 3kg claim for Brock Ryan making the difference in a close finish. Nice runs from a few, including STAR REFLECTION (6th 1.5L), who just peaked and will improve now 2nd-up. YOU MAKE ME SMILE (8th 4.2L) no chance once he didn't lead.