Yard to the Post | Everest Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 19 October 2019
Beautiful sunshine and a perfect Royal Randwick surface provided the ideal backdrop for Sydney’s biggest day of racing today.
Connections of YES YES YES (picture) would have been cheering well into the early hours after they erupted when their three-year-old colt won the $14 million feature. The son of Rubick not only earning the $6 million first prize, but also positioning himself as a sire of the future.
It would have been a very different set of emotions for the owners of CLASSIQUE LEGEND, the promising grey held up for most of the straight as the towering ALIZEE kept him locked up in midfield.
Race favourite SANTA ANA LANE was brave charging home in second after working to find a run at the top of the straight. The perfectly judged ride from Tim Clark on the leader NATURE STRIP suited YES YES YES’s blistering turn-of-foot more than SANTA’s strong finishing surge.
In other races, DEPRIVE stayed unbeaten at Randwick in the Sydney Stakes, HAPPY CLAPPER narrowly held on to win the Craven Plate and HUSH WRITER controlled the lead in the long-distance St Leger before sprinting clear.
See below for a full review, from the yard to the post.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 HARROLDS VICTORY VEIN PLATE
Boss stamps his authority over the favourite early
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Time Is Precious | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Glen Boss | 4 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Postcode | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 6 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Gravina | James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 5 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
TIME IS PRECIOUS with some athleticism, looking fit. TOMMY GOLD well and a touch more strength. POSTCODE fine.
In The Running
TIME IS PRECIOUS jumped well to take up the running from POSTCODE and TOMMY GOLD was stuck wide midfield. MURUNGAL was very keen out the back. GRAVINA not finding much room in the straight.
The Result
TIME IS PRECIOUS (1st) kicked and fought on well, holding off a brave POSTCODE (2nd 0.2L) and unlucky GRAVINA (3rd 1L), who only got clear late. TOMMY GOLD (4th 3L) sprinted up and peaked late after a wide run.
The Interest
She looked tough and genuine in her trials, TIME IS PRECIOUS simply too strong once she found the lead. POSTCODE (wants further now?) and GRAVINA both very good too, GRAVINA probably winning with even luck in the straight.
Race 2 TASK RETAIL TECHNOLOGY HANDICAP
Tommy takes control and gets the win
slow tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maid of Ore | Nick Olive | Tommy Berry | 2 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Angel Of Heaven | Kris Lees | Nash Rawiller | 5 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Fastnet Cyclone | Stuart Kendrick | Glen Boss | 7 | 53.0 |
In The Yard
Different sorts in the yard, MAID OF ORE and FASTNET CYCLONE heavier types than the rest.
In The Running
MAID OF ORE took the lead and controlled a SLOW tempo with JOHNNY VINKO on his outside then HUMBOLT CURRENT and ANGEL OF HEAVEN in behind them.
The Result
MAID OF ORE (1st) sprinted best and put a margin on ANGEL OF HEAVEN (2nd 1.5L), who fought on solidly. FASTNET CYCLONE (3rd 2L) sprinted well from midfield.
The Interest
A walk up-front for MAID OF ORE, who sprinted powerfully downwind for a nice win. ANGEL OF HEAVEN did about as much as she could, while JOHNNY VINKO (4th 3.2L) and HUMBOLT CURRENT (5th 4.5L) simply couldn't kick with them. Hard to knock LADY CUVEE (6th 6L) and DUCHESS OF LENNOX (7th 6.2L), who were back off the slow speed.
Race 3 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
A stronger attack on a drier track
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feel the Knight | Anthony Warren | Luke Currie | 10 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Lady Demi | Terry Robinson | Brock Ryan | 8 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Screen Shot | Cody Morgan | Adam Hyeronimus | 1 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
A few a touch hot in the yard, including CAN'T FIND SNIPPY fresh. LEGENDOFOZ a well-built type with improvement to come.
In The Running
SCREEN SHOT took up the running and rolled along at a STRONG tempo. DANZIBAR DANCER was 3W NC near the pace with CAN’T FIND SNIPPY 4W NC outside him. HIT THE TARGET 5W NC at the back and pushed wider on the turn.
The Result
FEEL THE KNIGHT (1st) pounced from near the pace and just held on from LADY DEMI (2nd 0.1L) running on late after getting the trail behind him. SCREEN SHOT (3rd 1.4L) next and IRISH SONGS (4th 1.7L) ran on OK.
The Interest
FEEL THE KNIGHT didn't quite let down on the SOFT 7 leading into this and was much more impressive back to a firm track. LADY DEMI beautifully ridden by Brock Ryan. Mentions to ZARDORO (6th 2.9L) (held up slightly) and GUMSHOE (9th 3.9L) (found line nicely). A few stuck wide, but none as unlucky as HIT THE TARGET (11th 5.6L) (stuck 5W, pushed wider turn).
Race 4 BISLEY WORKWEAR REGINALD ALLEN QUALITY
A tough win from a genuine filly
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Akari | Brad Widdup | Christian Reith | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Betcha Flying | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 13 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Mayaaseh | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
BETCHA FLYING a lovely type that parades like 1600m or further will suit. All fillies fine in the yard.
In The Running
STILL SINGLE was keen in the lead and went keenly, setting up an honest FAIR tempo with SPECIAL SNAP outside her and MAYAASEH getting the nice trail behind them. MADDI ROCKS wide no cover at the back.
The Result
AKARI (1st) ran on well from midfield to beat BETCHA FLYING (2nd 0.4L), who wound up strongly late and MAYAASEH (3rd 0.5L). A gap back to SPECIAL SNAP (4th 2.7L) and AVON RIVER (5th 2.8L).
The Interest
She has been so honest in all her runs and AKARI enjoyed the 1400m to win. BETCHA FLYING definitely the horse for the future, a lovely scopey type that has big upside over 1600m+. STILL SINGLE (8th 10.5L) ran herself into the ground on-pace.
Race 5 THE KOSCIUSZKO
Nash makes a lie of benchmark ratings with a strong win
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Handle the Truth | Keith Dryden | Nash Rawiller | 7 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Victorem | Jenny Graham | Tommy Berry | 5 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Bobbing | Bernie Kelly | Koby Jennings | 6 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
VICTOREM looked fit enough without shining in the yard. DON'T GIVE A DAMN, HANDLE THE TRUTH, STAR BOY, NOTATION and LUNA MIA all paraded well.
In The Running
DON't GIVE A DAMN took up the running at a STRONG tempo with NOTATION on his outside and STAR BOY out 3W NC. LUNA MIA in the box seat and was badly held up 'til the 50m. BELFLYER out 4W NC midfield.
The Result
HANDLE THE TRUTH (1st) fought on best from near the pace with VICTOREM (2nd 1L), BOBBING (3rd 1.1L) and NOBLE BOY (4th 2.5L) all running on.
The Interest
HANDLE THE TRUTH was up against it on benchmark ratings in this race, but he's progressive, parading well and got the job done nicely here. No love lost for VICTOREM (not quite at best?), BOBBING (big finish) and NOBLE BOY. STAR BOY (5th 2.5L) (stuck wide) and LUNA MIA (8th 4.2L) (badly held up) the unlucky runners. NOTATION (10th 6.4L) poor after going hard on-pace on a track that may have been a touch firm for her.
Race 6 CAMERA HOUSE SYDNEY STAKES
Six from six for the perfect Randwick horse
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deprive | James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 12 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Champagne Cuddles | Bjorn Baker | Nash Rawiller | 7 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Brutal | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 2 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
Most looking well in the yard, FIESTA fit fresh and HOME OF THE BRAVE still in good shape. BRUTAL better than first-up, but he parades like more of a 1400m to 1600m horse than a sprinter.
In The Running
HOME OF THE BRAVE took up the running at a FAIR tempo with SIR PLUSH on his outside then EASY EDDIE pushed 3W NC as BRUTAL worked off the rails. SANDBAR out in a hopeless position 4W NC.
The Result
DEPRIVE (1st) swept over the top to beat a brave CHAMPAGNE CUDDLES (2nd 0.2L) fighting on from midfield and BRUTAL (3rd 0.3L) right there too, the three of them crossing the line together, DEPRIVE shifting in on CHAMPAGNE CUDDLES slightly late.
The Interest
Three strong runs from three strong horses, DEPRIVE and CHAMPAGNE CUDDLES running well at Randwick as always, while BRUTAL was very good given he has the bigger target of the Golden Eagle over a more suitable 1500m on the horizon. DEPRIVE now an amazing six wins from six starts at this track. Honourable mentions to FIESTA flashing late (5th 2L) (held up 'til 200m), EASY EDDIE (7th 2.3L) (stuck wide) and BRAVE SONG (8th 4.1L) who never got clear. JONKER (10th 5L) perhaps a hidden unlucky run, badly tightened from the 300m and he should have finished closer.
Race 7 THE TAB EVEREST
The young gun swoops on Everest's peak
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yes Yes Yes | Chris Waller | Glen Boss | 9 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Santa Ana Lane | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Mark Zahra | 2 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Trekking | James Cummings | Joshua Parr | 5 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
Most star sprinters looking well in the yard. PIERATA still shining and CLASSIQUE LEGEND with noticeable improvement third-up. SANTA ANA LANE carried a touch of conditions and wasn't quite 100% in the coat, but looked fine.
In The Running
Tim Clark took his time coming across on NATURE STRIP from out wide, setting up a FAIR tempo overall. REDZEL outside the lead, SUNLIGHT in the box seat and ALIZEE out 3W midfield. IN HER TIME was pushed 3W at the 600m as ARCADIA QUEEN looked for room. YES YES YES and SANTA ANA LANE (worked off heels 300m) stalking out the back. CLASSIQUE LEGEND held up badly in the straight.
The Result
YES YES YES (1st) sprinted best from the back, beating a late-finishing SANTA ANA LANE (2nd 0.5L) and TREKKING (3rd 0.9L). NATURE STRIP (4th 1.3L) only run down over the final 100m.
The Interest
He's a dynamic young colt and the explosive sprint of YES YES YES was at its best today, Glenn Boss guiding him to the outside before he powered home best. The 3YO had come through the feature races against his own age-group and measured right up against our proven champs today. SANTA ANA LANE so brave and he would have gone very close if not for the momentary checking off heels at the 300m. CLASSIQUE LEGEND (6th 2.5L) the hard-luck story of the race, held up right to the 100m mark before finishing off well.
Race 8 YULONG AUSTRALIA CRAVEN PLATE
Happy days for a popular veteran
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Happy Clapper | Patrick Webster | Tommy Berry | 7 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Tally | James Cummings | Joshua Parr | 3 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Life Less Ordinary | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 5 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
All well in the yard, HAPPY CLAPPER in good shape and SAMADOUBT stronger than most others, the 2000m probably his furthest distance.
In The Running
HAPPY CLAPPER was wide midfield so pushed up and took over from STAMPEDE at the 1200m mark, setting a rolling FAIR tempo. SAMADOUBT shuffled back to midfield in the end. LIFE LESS ORDINARY blocked in the pack trying to make a run, only getting clear inside TALLY with 150m to go.
The Result
HAPPY CLAPPER kept rolling (1st) to old off TALLY (2nd 0.2L) running on and LIFE LESS ORDINARY (3rd 1.2L), who struggled to get clear in the straight.
The Interest
The old boy bounced back to get his twelfth win as a 9YO, Tommy Berry letting him roll and his class did the rest after Pat Webster brought him to the track in good order. LIFE LESS ORDINARY the unlucky runner in the race as Josh Parr on TALLY kept Bowman locked up until the 150m mark. SAMADOUBT (4th 1.4L) not bad given he couldn't lead and DANZDANZDANCE (5th 3.4L) showed enough at her first start for Waller, watch for her on a wet track soon.
Race 9 BENTLEY ST LEGER STAKES
Clarks lulls them to sleep and kicks clear
slow tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hush Writer | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 12 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Carif | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 5 | 53.5 | |
| 3 | Sir Charles Road | Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott | Andrew Adkins | 4 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
All looking fine in the yard, CARZOFF a lighter-framed type that would have preferred a wet track.
In The Running
HUSH WRITER took up the running and controlled a SLOW tempo from COME PLAY WITH ME on his outside and CARIF moving up 3W NC. SIR CHARLES ROAD and YOUNGSTAR had trouble getting clear early in the straight.
The Result
HUSH WRITER (1st) booted clear for a big win, beating the chasing pack easily, headed by CARIF (2nd 2.3L), SIR CHARLES ROAD (3rd 2.5L) and YOUNGSTAR (3rd 2.5L).
The Interest
It can be hard for jockeys to judge tempo on firm ground and everyone but Tim Clark got it very wrong here, HUSH WRITER left to the easiest of leads before sprinting clear on a more suitable dry track. Not much luck for YOUNGSTAR (held up 'til 150m) and SIR CHARLES ROAD (held up, tightened). No knocks on most though, only VALAC (11th 7.5L) running poorly in a race that was almost impossible for any horse at the back to win.
Race 10 THE STAR MILE
A promising galloper finally delivers down under
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cascadian | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 2 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Dealmaker | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Junipal | Ciaron Maher | Robbie Dolan | 9 | 53.5 |
In The Yard
CASCADIAN with some improvement in the yard and JUNIPAL looked fine after his G1 Epsom start. Most fine.
In The Running
PENSKE took control of a STEADY tempo with ARTICUS on his outside. RANIER was stuck 3W NC in midfield.
The Result
CASCADIAN (1st) ran on well from midfield to chase down DEALMAKER (2nd 0.1L), who had hit the lead and fought on well. JUNIPAL (3rd 0.5L) weaved to the outside and stormed home late, while RANIER (4th 1.1L) stuck on well. EMPEROR'S WAY (5th 1.9L) ran on nicely after getting held up.
The Interest
The top five all worth following here. CASCADIAN looking better in the yard now, DEALMAKER racing more genuinely every start, JUNIPAL very strong late, RANIER brave and EMPEROR'S WAY ready for 1800m+ now. Big money came for PENSKE (9th 5.1L) who only had fair form and didn't do much here, pulling up 1/5 lame in the Stewards' Report. The rides on the top two CASCADIAN (Schofield) and DEALMAKER (Avdulla) were perfect.