Yard to the Post | Spring Champion Day

Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 12 October 2019


High-class showdowns didn’t disappoint at Royal Randwick today, the betting market on the mark in the feature races.

In an exciting finish, the well-backed $1.9 fav’ SHADOW HERO (pic) kept lifting to win the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes. He beat home the impressive $3.3 second fav’ CASTELVECCHIO (2nd), who ran on hard out wide against the track pattern and 40/1 roughie BATTENBURG (3rd), who looked like the winner a furlong from home.

Market support focussed on the right horses in the Silver Eagle too, the prelude to the $7.5 million Golden Eagle in three weeks’ time. Melbourne raider and $3 fav’ THE INEVITABLE chased down the brave $3.3 second fav’ FASIKA in a close finish over 1,300 metres, putting a margin on $6.5 third fav’ MIZZY chasing in 3rd.

The other feature races were taken out by COLADA (Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes), COSMIC FORCE (Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes) and NETTOYER (Group 3 Angst Stakes).

A full review will be on-line Monday 6pm.



Track Info

Rail+6m
ConditionsGOOD 4 (firm track)
WeatherOVERCAST
BiasFAIR, near pace on inside slightly better

Race 1 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP

Too much class from an improving mare

fair tempo : early pressure
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 Emanuela Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich Nash Rawiller 12 56.0
2 But I Know Ross Stitt Andrew Adkins 13 53.0
3 Gunga Din Keith Dryden Glyn Schofield 11 53.5

In The Yard

No yard notes available for this race

In The Running

Some EARLY PRESSURE between the leaders and a FAIR tempo set up overall. EMBEZZLEMENT sped along early with a keen-going GUNGA DIN not far off and EMANUELA working to get on-pace. A few horses got shuffled back as the tempo evened out coming into the turn, including MY TAGASON back on the inside. TEXAS STORM was tightened out wider and got on heels rounding the turn.

The Result

EMANUELA (1st) fought hard to the line to beat BUT I KNOW (2nd 1.3L), who made a long run from the back and GUNGA DIN (3rd 1.5L).

The Interest

A strong win here for a progressive mare, EMANUELA making it three wins on the trot. She worked hard and was simply better than these. BUT I KNOW strong running on against the pattern on the day, she will be very hard to beat over 1800m+ next time. GUNGA DIN just a touch keen off a four week freshen. Excuses out the back to TEXAS STORM (8th 5.3L) (on heels, tightened) and GOTTA WANT IT (10th 8.9L) (stuck wide, lame). The leader EMBEZZLEMENT (11th 30.2L) unfortunately bled.


Race 2 HARROLDS HANDICAP

The Hawkes team masters a promising import

fair tempo
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 Master Of Wine Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Tim Clark 7 53.5
2 High Opinion Kris Lees Glen Boss 1 57.0
3 Re Edit Chris Waller Jay Ford 4 53.5

In The Yard

Most look fine, MILK MAN a lighter type that probably prefers wet and he was a touch anxious in the yard too. RE EDIT a touch tight in her walk, a worry given she drifted in the betting.

In The Running

SAYED went to the lead and rolled at an honest FAIR tempo with MILK MAN on his outside, MASTER OF WINE a touch slow to begin and quietly ridden at the back.

The Result

MASTER OF WINE (1st) sprinted up and exploded clear for an easy win. HIGH OPINION (2nd 4L) worked clear on the inside and fought on and RE EDIT (3rd 4.2L) finished off late after getting held up slightly.

The Interest

He was the most progressive horse in the field and MASTER OF WINE took the next step to win for the first time in Australia with ease. Judging by the strong performance, he seemed to enjoy the firm ground more than SOFT too. HIGH OPINION did well given he's a horse that prefer the edge off the track (SOFT 5 to SOFT 6) and RE EDIT continues to show staying promise. She has looked more robust this time in and ran well here despite a scratchy parade and late market drift.


Race 3 CERRONE HANDICAP

Nothing Grey about Avdulla's gun ride

steady tempo
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 Greyworm Neville Boyle Brenton Avdulla 3 58.0
2 Thy Kingdom Come John Thompson Tim Clark 5 54.5
3 Quackerjack Mark Newnham Joshua Parr 9 58.5

In The Yard

Most looked well, QUACKERJACK 90 to 95% fit in the yard. ASTERIUS quite well fresh, in good enough shape to perform. SURE KNEE one of the fittest and looking good first-up.

In The Running

YOU MAKE ME SMILE took the lead and surprisingly THY KINGDOM COME didn't pressure him, taking a spot a couple of pairs back 2W. That left the leader to control a STEADY tempo and kick for home on the turn with GREYWORM getting the perfect trail.

The Result

GREYWORM (1st) kicked on for a solid win, holding off THY KINGDOM COME (2nd 0.8L) and QUACKERJACK (3rd 1.3L). SURE KNEE (4th 2.1L) wound up late and YOU MAKE ME SMILE (5th 2.2L) was run down.

The Interest

This was an evenly-matched field on paper and in the end tempo and position in run made the difference. Late money for YOU MAKE ME SMILE suggested someone knew THEY KINGDOM COME wasn't going to pester him for the lead like many had on their Speed Maps. In the end GREYWORM lobbed into the perfect spot for Avdulla and YOU MAKE ME SMILE couldn't see out the 1400m despite some easy mid-race sections. Strong runs from Waller's SURE KNEE and ASTERIUS (7th 2.7L) (raced keenly at back). No knock on AQUA D'IVINA (9th 3.7L) (missed start), RANIER (10th 3.9L) or HOUSE OF CARTIER (11th 4.1L) either, all hitting the line OK in a slowly run race.


Race 4 YULONG AUSTRALIA STAN FOX STAKES

Dolan doesn't muck around in an open Group Two

fair tempo : long sprint
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 Colada Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou Robbie Dolan 3 56.5
2 Brandenburg John Sargent Glen Boss 8 56.5
3 Bottega Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou Joshua Parr 7 56.5

In The Yard

Most 3YOs looking very well, a promising bunch of gallopers. FASANO bigger and more plain-looking than the others. ROCK AMORE shining in the coat.

In The Running

COLADA took up the running and rolled at a FAIR tempo before ramping it up mid-race for a LONG SPRINT home. He caught the others napping and got a 4L break early in the straight. KOOWERUP was held up near the back 'til the 300m, both BRANDENBURG and BOTTEGA back with her.

The Result

COLADA (1st) held on from the late-finishing BRANDENBURG (2nd 2L), BOTTEGA (3rd 2.3L) and KOOWERUP (5th 2.6L). ROCK AMORE (4th 2.5L) battling on OK from near the pace.

The Interest

COLADA was hard-fit, back from the mile and was the right type on this hard racing surface. The aggressive ride was a smart tactic and luckily the three more favoured runners simply missed the boat on the turn. BRANDENBURG, BOTTEGA and KOOWERUP every bit as good as the winner, but the rides weren't.


Race 5 POLYTRACK ROMAN CONSUL STAKES

On-pacers are a superior Force

fair tempo
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 Cosmic Force Peter & Paul Snowden Tim Clark 7 56.5
2 Standout Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou Joshua Parr 2 56.5
3 Microphone James Cummings Nash Rawiller 6 56.5

In The Yard

MICROPHONE just about there fitness-wise first-up, but not totally focused in the yard calling out to the steward's grey mares. COSMIC FORCE very well. ACCESSION quite a nuggetty type that hasn't lengthened like this others from his 2YO year.

In The Running

COSMIC FORCE very well and took up the running at a FAIR tempo with DIRTY WORK moving up his outside. MICROPHONE just behind them 2W and HUMAN NATURE over-raced badly in the box seat.

The Result

COSMIC FORCE (1st) fought on strongly to beat home STANDOUT (2nd 1.3L) running on. MICROPHONE (3rd 1.8L) fought on OK.

The Interest

COSMIC FORCE is such a likeable horse, a sprinter that can roll forward and keep lifting. He may have preferred the wet today, but a touch of on-pace/inside bias made him very hard to run down. He could be a galloper that enjoys 1400m even more in time given his tough on-pace style. No love lost for MICROPHONE, who can improve off this, and STANDOUT was super solid as always. There was surprising money for TRUE DETECTIVE (6th 5L) ($7 to $5) off a plain run and trial.


Race 6 BENTLEY ANGST STAKES

Fast food fuels this in-form mare

fair tempo
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 Nettoyer Wendy Roche Glen Boss 3 56.0
2 Delectation Girl Matt Cumani Jason Collett 10 56.0
3 Amangiri Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Brenton Avdulla 7 54.0

In The Yard

Most mares looking well, AMANGIRI with just a touch of improvement to come in the coat. DELECTATION GIRL a toned balanced type that might enjoy the extra distance up to a mile.

In The Running

AMANGIRI took up the running and rolled at a FAIR tempo with ALL TOO SOON moving up on her outside. GRAND BOUQUET was pushed out wider near the back and NOIRE got back to last.

The Result

NETTOYER (1st) ran on best from midfield with DELECTATION GIRL (2nd 0.1L) slicing up the inside. AMANGARI (3rd 1.3L) well in-front of the chasing pack.

The Interest

Following a strong run out wide in the G1 Epsom last week, NETTOYER turned up in shape and got the job done here back in grade. Trained by the eccentric Wendy Roche, the win followed news that the 6YO mare enjoys "beer, champagne, pizza, ice blocks, chicken snitzel burgers' in-between races." Whatever it takes to make her back-up this well!! DELECTATION GIRL finally finding form up to a mile and the other classy horse in the race NOIRE (5th 4.5L) simply got way too far back on the firm ground. She maxes out at the mile too so making a long run from the back was always going to be hard. SO TAKEN (9th 10.1L) clearly didn't see out the mile.


Race 7 MOËT & CHANDON SPRING CHAMPION STAKES

Newnham's Hero claims his first Group One

steady tempo : long sprint
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 Shadow Hero Mark Newnham Joshua Parr 2 56.5
2 Castelvecchio Richard Litt Brenton Avdulla 7 56.5
3 Battenburg John Thompson Ms Rachel King 1 56.5

In The Yard

Almost all in good shape. QUICK THINKER a toned defined type that could be better in the wet.

In The Running

JUST THINKIN' took up the running at a STEADY tempo, just a touch keen with the blinkers on. RHAEGER over-raced badly outside the leader and BATTENBURG was in the box seat. SHADOW HERO midfield, a long way ahead of CASTELVECCHIO at the back. Tim Clark let JUST THINKIN' go 600m from home and he quickened rapidly, setting up a LONG SPRINT home.

The Result

SHADOW HERO (1st) kept lifting from midfield and was too strong late, beating home an impressive CASELVECCHIO (2nd 1L), who was pushed wide on the turn and ran on very well. BATTENBURG (3rd 1.1L) only beaten late after looking a big chance 150m from home. JUST THINKIN' (4th 1.3L) not far away.

The Interest

The way the track was playing today JUST THINKIN' was a huge chance today and perhaps the blinkers (raced a touch keen) and a slightly impatient ride (kicked for home early) cost him the G1. It was a better result for punters though, the best two horses getting to the front late after despised outsider BATTENBURG had looked a big chance. Derby fav' SHADOW HERO so strong to the line late and CASTELVECCHIO massive from an awkward spot back then wide on the turn. SHADOW HERO so hard to beat in the 2500m finale after once again showing his stamina late.


Race 8 SILVER EAGLE

An almost inevitable quinella again

fair tempo
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 The Inevitable John Keys Nash Rawiller 4 56.5
2 Fasika Joseph Pride Ms Rachel King 2 54.0
3 Mizzy Anthony Cummings Tim Clark 9 55.5

In The Yard

THE INEVITABLE a smaller horse shining in the yard. FASIKA with more size, a nicely-balanced type that could enjoy further. KAPAJACK not quite there in the coat yet first-up, some improvement to come.

In The Running

JONKER took up the running at an honest FAIR tempo with BUFFALO RIVER moving up on his outside. LEGEND OF CONDOR stuck wide midfield and pushed wider on the turn. BEHEMOTH missed the start and got back to last.

The Result

THE INEVITABLE (1st) came wider and ran on hard, beating a brave FASIKA (2nd 0.2L). A gap back to MIZZY (3rd 1.95L), MADAM ROUGE (4th 2.1L) and MILITARY ZONE (5th 2.3L).

The Interest

Two promising gallopers didn't dissapoint, THE INEVITABLE giving his absolute all after shining in the yard and FASIKA brave to the line once again. Perhaps the mare FASIKA the one with more upside third-up to the 1500m though. Hard to see any of those in behind turning it around in the Golden Eagle with even luck.


Race 9 DRINKWISE HANDICAP

From start to finish for a speedy fresh mare

strong tempo
Bias: Fair

Place Silk Horse Trainer Jockey Gate Kgs
1 Agent Pippa Kris Lees Ms Samantha Clenton 5 59.5
2 November Man Anthony Cummings Andrew Adkins 9 57.5
3 Miss Invincible Bjorn Baker Nash Rawiller 6 58.5

In The Yard

POISED TO STRIKE neat, fit and ready to go. INVICTUS SALUTE big, strong and not quite fit yet.

In The Running

AGENT PIPPA took up the running at a STRONG tempo with MISS INVINCIBLE on her outside, BOMBARDING out 3W NC and TRAUMATISED out 4W NC racing very keenly. POISED TO STRIKE never saw clear running from the turn.

The Result

AGENT PIPPA (1st) kept on going from NOVEMBER MAN (2nd) running on from the back and MISS INVINCIBLE (3rd 2L) not far away.

The Interest

AGENT PIPPA back to her best off a freshen, but there was a hard luck story here. Lachlan King failed to push clear at the key moment on POISED TO STRIKE and he was held up all the way down the straight. TRAUMATISED (8th 4.8L) pretty unlucky too after Williams couldn't hold him and he pulled his way up 4W NC on the STRONG tempo.



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