Yard to the Post - Kensington
Race Day: Kensington on Saturday, 22 November 2014
The track management team desperately tried to piece together Kensington during the week, but it didn't seem to have worked as clods of mud made as many headlines as the performances of the gallopers. The 'Kenso Kick' has reared it's head before, but this time the kick-back was even worse, the experiment of watering the track during the week seeming to fail.
It was a shame that so much attention was drawn away from the races themselves, as on reflection many of the better gallopers found their way to the front at the end. A progressive stayer took the next step, the Godolphin mare Terai winning over 2400 metres early in the day. And a veteran sprinter with problems finally found his favourite position in the last race, Sente De Noche burning them off along the rails.
A strong form-line stood up when both Resurrect and Medcaut saluted, the latter winning very impressively by a big margin. But the best win of the day, for both horse and punters, has to go to Skarsguard as he got backed heavily before destroying the field in Race 5.
A race-by-race analysis of the day is provided from the mounting yard to the finish. The complete guide from your team at the track.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | DEAD 4 (track watered during the week) |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | NO COVER PREFERRED (gallopers could win from front or back, no cover was an advantage due to kick-back) |
All The Race Finishes
Race 1 SURF MEETS THE TURF PLATE
Speed is all you need over 1000 metres
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aegean Sea | Danny O'Brien | Sam Clipperton | 8 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Denpurr | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tim Clark | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Chloe's Comet | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Glyn Schofield | 2 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
ITALY impressed in the yard, a nice shape to her frame and looking fit. AEGEAN SEA was more powerful though, real strength to it's frame. DENPURR looked relaxed and professional. DOMANUS was on it's toes, a well-balanced type without much power in the fore-quarter. ASPEN STAR a raw and strong looking type, standing out as a flashy chestnut. BILLY BIG BROWN needed some relaxing from it's strapper, getting a bit hot. BROTHER WIND a neat type of galloper without too much power (perhaps needs further?). CHLOE'S COMET didn't have much length in the frame, a compact type.
In The Running
Just before the start ASPEN STAR and NOT A CHERRY played up and both were scratched. ITALY also had to be scratched as a result. AEGEAN SEA jumped well to take up the lead and skipped along at a rolling EVEN TEMPO. DOMANUS got to outside the lead with favourite DENPURR jus behind.
The Result
AEGEAN SEA (1st) kept going strongly from DENPURR (2nd), who chased very gamely right to the line. CHLOE'S COMET stuck on ok for (3rd).
The Interest
The best two gallopers filled the first two places and both can be followed in the future. A very professional sprinting performance was put on by AEGEAN SEA. Equally, if not more, impressive was the attitude of DENPURR when chasing to the line. A great indicator of a proper racehorse. It was unfortunate that a few were scratched at the start. Follow AEGEN SEA and DENPURR.
Race 2 FIRST SO YOU THINK YEARLINGS @ 2015 SALES PLATE
A staying type finds her race
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terai | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Sam Clipperton | 4 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Lucky Lucky Lucky | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Tye Angland | 7 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Saigon Tea | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 6 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
TERAI a nice angular galloper with an efficient looking frame. LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY was well. SURPASS was also well in the yard, perhaps more shine in the coat than previous trips north. SAIGON TEA and REIGNING were ok, a pretty solid looking gallopers.
In The Running
MAJESTIC BEAST took up the lead and set an EVEN TEMPO, from SURPASS on the outside. TERAI was hustled early to take a spot just behind the pace.
The Result
TERAI (1st) pulled out and sustained a strong run to win, from LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY (2nd), who was good from the back. SAIGON TEA (3rd) just couldn't sprint with them after getting into the wrong spot.
The Interest
TERAI seems a progressive staying type that always looked like she had the efficiency in her frame to perform over this distance. You could imagine she will be suited in a bigger field with cover charging home down the outside. LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY is clearly racing very well, while SAIGON TEA did a pretty good job with her big weight. REIGNING is just a dour type these days, he travelled well to the turn before looking like he was going the wrong way on a travelator when they sprinted. There weren't any obvious horses that suffered from the Kenso Kick at this early stage of the day, but REIGNING and SAIGON TEA were in the spot that had most of it. Follow TERAI.
Race 3 FIRST SEPOYS AT NEXT YEAR'S SALES HANDICAP
On-pacers are a strong force
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peace Force | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | First Class Ticket | Allan Denham | Taylor Marshall | 7 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Made to Order | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tye Angland | 4 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
The mares paraded well. PEACE FORCE and MADE TO ORDER were the most impressive types, but CROOKED STICK was best in the yard, shining in the coat. There were no knock on most others apart from CASINO DANCER, which wasn't quite as impressive as the others. SHE'S A GIRL is a leaner athletic type.
In The Running
PEACE FORCE got the lead and set n EVEN TEMPO, from FIRST CLASS TICKET on her outside. MADE TO ORDER jumped well, but was restrained to near the back.
The Result
PEACE FORCE (1st) picked up well in the straight and held off FIRST CLASS TICKET (2nd). MADE TO ORDER (3rd) and CROOKED STICK (4th) were solid down the outside.
The Interest
The four best horses crossed the line in the first four places, but the margin may have been a bit unfair on MADE TO ORDER and CROOKED STICK. They are both racing gamely enough to follow up on. It looks like MADE TO ORDER prefers her home track of Rosehill though where she can really wind up on the dry hard surface. PEACE FORCE continues her strong form, but she will go up in the weights now, and FIRST CLASS TICKET remains one of the best place bets going around. A genuine on-pace runner that rarely wins, but always fights hard. SHE'S A GIRL could have been a victim of the Kenso Kick, or she may just not be going well enough. We will find out next time. Follow FIRST CLASS TICKET (for a place!).
Race 4 INGLIS PREMIER YEARLING SALE 1-4 MARCH 2015 HANDICAP
Waterhouse gets one on the board
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eisenhower | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Sam Clipperton | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Redoutable Heart | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Good Project | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
FEDERAL stood out in the yard as a grand muscular galloper. Waller runners GOOD PROJECT and REDOUTBLE HEART seemed to be progressing well this campaign, both looking very good in the yard with muscle in the fore-quarter. EISENHOWER was well-defined and fit at just it's second start. TESTASHADOW also a nice type, he just carried a little bit of condition first-up. MUSIC MAN was lighter and more athletic than others.
In The Running
EISENHOWER jumped very well and held the lead, setting an EVEN TEMPO, from REDOUTABLE HEART on his outside. GOOD PROJECT was stuck wide again near the pace.
The Result
EISENHOWER (1st) kept kicking to just beat REDOUTABLE HEART (2nd), who looked sure to get past early in the straight. GOOD PROJECT (3rd) once again fought on well. TESTASHADOW (4th) made good ground from the back.
The Interest
Hard to say if the track played the major factor in the result as all horses in the places are well-performed. EISENHOWER is a Waterhouse galloper that will inevitably get a bit further as he showed when kicked back to win. GOOD PROJECT was stuck wide and was very brave again, this time with big weight. He has form last preparation through TESTASHADOW, who did a good job today first-up. The Kenso Kick claimed CYCLONE and MUSIC MAN, both racing with their head to the side at times. Not happy racehorses! FEDERAL looks like a horse that just needs more time. Follow EISENHOWER, GOOD PROJECT and TESTASHADOW. Forgive MUSIC MAN and CYCLONE.
Race 5 COOLMORE HANDICAP
A big betting plunge hits the spot
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skarsgard | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | James McDonald | 9 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Surge Ahead | Vincent Malady | Jason Collett | 7 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Off the Rails | Bjorn Baker | Blake Shinn | 1 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
TURBULENT JET and OFF THE RAILS looked god in the yard. MAGIC DALLAS was well, an athletic type. SKARSGUARD was on his toes and ready to go. PERFECT WEAPON carried some condition first-up, just a touch of fitness to come. SURGE AHEAD was in ok shape first-up, he just didn't seem an obvious 1300m type, more of a middle-distance galloper. VALCOT was ok, but a bit unsettled.
In The Running
SKARSGUARD was stoked up to lead and set an EVEN TEMPO. SURGE AHEAD was wide near the pace, while MAGIC DALLAS jumped awkwardly and went right back.
The Result
SKARSGUARD (1st) kicked right away from them to win easily. SURGE AHEAD (2nd) was brave and OFF THE RAILS (3rd) got out late after being held up early in the straight.
The Interest
The application of Blinkers and an aggressive ride seemed to bring the best out of SKARSGUARD, who looks athletic type that enjoys rolling along. He was very heavily backed. SURGE AHEAD was impressive after travelling wide and he is sure to run some big races at Rosehill over 1900m to 2000m this Summer. Baker has OFF THE RAILS firing at the moment and this second strong run suggests that this campaign is going to be a big one for him too. The Kenso Kick claimed Turbulent Jet it seems, who never travelled well back on the inside, but otherwise the best three filled the places. MAGIC DALLAS chased genuinely again and is a great place bet next time he steps out in the right grade. Follow SKARSGUARD, SURGE AHEAD and OFF THE RAILS. Forgive TURBULENT JET.
Race 6 SWIM BETWEEN THE FLAGS HANDICAP
An early tussle leaves the swoopers to strike
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Resurrect | Matthew Dale | Glyn Schofield | 7 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Paris Match | Anthony Cummings | Joshua Parr | 2 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Slivovitz | Steven Noble | Tye Angland | 4 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
PARIS MATCH was the best in the yard, defined muscle and strength. PERPLEXITY had a nice shine on his coat. A few strapping types including RESURRECT, BARGE AND CHARGE and MR ONE ELEVEN. All were big, strong and looked good. DREAM FOLK lighter and more athletic. TENACITUS didn't have a lot of condition.
In The Running
A lot of early race tempo as the jockeys looked to get a clear run and no Kenso Kick. MR ONE ELEVEN and SIR BIGGLESWORTH chopped at each other in front, setting a GOOD TEMPO. BARGE AND CHARGE was also on the pace with a quite a wide run. SLIVOVITZ made an early move when the pace just slowed slightly after getting a nice trail early.
The Result
The leaders went too hard and RESURRECT (1st) stormed down the outside with PARIS MATCH (2nd). SLIVOVITZ (3rd) maintained his solid run.
The Interest
They just went too quickly in this one and BARGE AND CHARGE and MR ONE ELEVEN did a good enough job considering. RESURRECT is racing in great heart as well as PARIS MATCH, and they made sure they put a margin on the others after getting the perfect run. PARIS MATCH looked to be in a difficult spot after drawing on the inside with all the Kenso Kick, but she was well ridden and came to the outside. You could question if it is going to be the best form race going forward, perhaps the mare is the best way to go after she carried a big weight against the boys. She paraded well and she does have a good sprint on a better track. Follow PARIS MATCH. Forgive BARGE AND CHARGE.
Race 7 CHOOSE SEGENHOE HANDICAP
Solid form holds up on a shifty track
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medcaut | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Blake Shinn | 8 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Centre Pivot | Darren Weir | Jason Collett | 12 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Magical Stance | Ron Quinton | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
DRAGO and MEDCAUT looked the best in the yard, classy types. ENORMOUS HONOUR and GOD'S IN HIM paraded in good fashion, stronger types. There was no knock on METICULOUSLY and CENTRE PIVOT. SUNGUERA looked to be well-defined and fit, but not as strong as the others. RICHARD THE FIRST didn't quite have the size of others.
In The Running
MAGICAL STANCE broke well as usual, but PHRASES came across to take the lead, setting an EVEN TEMPO. METICULOUSLY worked up wide after jumping a bit sluggishly. SUNGUERA over-raced at the back.
The Result
MEDCAUT (1st) took the lead on the turn, edged wider and kicked right away, from CENTRE PIVOT (2nd), who chased gamely from the back. MAGICAL STACE (3rd) kept on and GOD'S IN HIM (4th) lifted late.
The Interest
The form-line through RESURRECT and this impressive looking Godolphin galloper put a clear margin on his competitors. It is hard to find an excuse, despite the shifty track. CENTRE PIVOT did well running on and he looks to be progressing well, not a bad looking type too. GOD'S IN HIM shows impressive resilience in his races and continues to lift to the line. A win won't be far away. The main victim of the Kenso Kick was ENORMOUS HONOUR perhaps, who was ridden like this wasn't his main aim. SUNGUERA also didn't enjoy it, but the margin makes it had to be too kind. METICULOUSLY had a tough run. Follow MEDCAUT. Forgive ENORMOUS HONOUR and METICULOUSLY.
Race 8 HUNTER VALLEY HORSE CAPITAL HANDICAP
The 'Mad Railer' gives them a kicking
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Senta de Noche | Kris Lees | Koby Jennings | 10 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Mohave | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 3 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Mr Jackman | Keith Dryden | Tye Angland | 2 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
Some nice sprinters in the yard. MR JACKMAN looked ready to go first-up and MOHAVE looked a classy type, but obviously didn't have the maturity of some of the others (just a three-year old). No knock on the Bjorn Baker gallopers BURBERO and ENCOSTANATI, along with SENTA DE NOCHE, who was quite relaxed for him.
In The Running
SENTA DE NOCHE showed the most speed and came across at his leisure, finding his preferred position on the rails. An EVEN TEMPO was set up.
The Result
SENTA DE NOCHE (1st) stayed glued to the inside and was simply too good, from MOHAVE (2nd) and MR JACKMAN (3rd), who were the best of the pack out in the middle of the track.
The Interest
Finally this problem galloper got a race that suited. He simply needs to find the rails to race his best and SENTA DE NOCHE showed what he can do. The best three horses filled the places and all can be followed with some confidence. MOHAVE may just be better back to his own age-group for now. MR JACKMAN looked well in the yard. Follow SENTA DE NOCHE (in the right race!), MOHAVE and MR JACKMAN.