Yard to the Post | Villiers Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 14 December 2019
Exciting finishes got the crowd cheering at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
In the Group 2 Villiers Stakes, QUACKERJACK (picture) fought back to beat a very game INVINCIBLE GEM over the Randwick mile to earn himself a well-deserved group-level win. Rachel King has a great affinity with the tough on-pacer, letting him stride to the lead and coaxing him to lift over the desperately close final strides.
A look back at QUACKERJACK’s form shows a second to Golden Eagle winner KOLDING at this track, form that no punter could have dreamt would be so strong in the future.
In the other feature races, MORTON’S FORK stepped up to 2,400 metres with success in the Listed Christmas Cup and SIGNORE FOX had to use all of of his big motor to get out of trouble and win the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap over 1,200 metres.
SIGNORE FOX got right back on the inside and reeled off the rapid closing sections of 10.77 and 11.09 to run down the roughie ORIENTAL RUNNER, who almost pinched the race after a cheap lead.
The track played well after renovations over the past two months, a firm surface that suited real dry track types with a turn-of-foot. Perhaps a slight preference to be cutting up the inside in the races that were run at an honest tempo.
A full review will be on-line Monday 5pm.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 (firm track times) |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR, inside playing well |
Race 1 UNSW HANDICAP
Position key in an evenly-matched mares race
strong tempo
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seasons | Kylie Gavenlock | Kerrin McEvoy | 10 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Misteed | Kim Waugh | Tommy Berry | 2 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Kylease | Steven O'Dea & Matthew Hoysted | Nash Rawiller | 3 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
TERMINOLOGY a big mare carrying some condition still. INSENSATA not far off fitness first-up. SEASONS and KYLEASE a touch warm, but OK.
In The Running
KYLEASE sped along at a STRONG tempo with CALL ME ROYAL tagging her and SEASONS getting the nice trail in behind. MISTEED near the back on the inside.
The Result
SEASONS (1st) ran down the on-pacers and MISTEED (2nd 0.2L) threaded up the inside and ran on well late. KYLEASE (3rd 0.5L) was tiring on the line and CALL ME ROYAL (4th 0.6L) kept on.
The Interest
They ran a blistering 1:08.67 on the firm track here, KYLEASE giving the top few a nice drag into the race and MISTEED took the favoured inside running to make ground. With only 3.1L back to the $101 pop CELTIC LOVE in 9th this was a typical mares race where the right spot/ride made all the difference, SEASONS bouncing off a poor first-up run to win. Given KYLEASE and MISTEED had run well at Kembla before this they could remain the two to follow, MISTEED with some upside this prep still.
Race 2 TAB HIGHWAY PLATE
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moore Euros | Luke Clarke | Robbie Dolan | 10 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Bombdiggity | Scott Collings | Hugh Bowman | 7 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Can't Find Snippy | Michelle Ritchie | Joshua Parr | 12 | 57.0 |
Race 3 CHRISTMAS CUP
An honest stayer gets his win
slow tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton's Fork | Lindsey Smith | Glen Boss | 5 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | High Bridge | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 9 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Miss Moana | John Sargent | Tim Clark | 8 | 53.0 |
In The Yard
MISS MOANA looked very well, not knocks in the yard though, all stayers looking fine.
In The Running
MISS MOANA led at a SLOW tempo early before CAPITAL GAIN whipped up from the back mid-race and ensured a LONG SPRINT home. MORTON'S FORK in midfield with HIGH BRIDGE behind him.
The Result
MORTON'S FORK (1st) ran on best to win clearly from HIGH BRIDGE (2nd 1.8L) running on OK down the outside and MISS MOANA (3rd 2.3L).
The Interest
MORTON'S FORK found some trouble behind ALWARD last start over 2000m, got a 4kg weight turnaround and handled the 2400m easily, which was the big question given he'd never tried the distance before. He deserved the win having run some strong races this prep without breaking through. HIGH BRIDGE and MISS MOANA very honest. ALWARD simply didn't stay the 2400m carrying 58kg and he did have plenty of favours when winning over 2000m last start.
Race 4 INGLIS NURSERY
Punters trust in the Snowdens and McEvoy
fair tempo
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wild Ruler | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Encountabull | John Sargent | James McDonald | 6 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Canadian Spice | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 8 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
A lot of these 2YOs parading well here. DISMISSAL a small type looking anxious in the yard and HOT SPRING GOLD a touch anxious too.
In The Running
DUBAI STAR worked up on the pace to lead 2W with ALREADY BLESSED on-pace on the rails. SPIRITUALITY left without cover 3W from mid-race and SPICY RESTAURANT out on a limb 4W NC. A FAIR tempo set up with WILD RULER getting a nice trail near pace on the rails and ENCOUNTABULL just outside him.
The Result
WILD RULER (1st) got the run through and fought on best from ENCOUTABULL (2nd 1L) chasing hard slightly wider on the track. CANADIAN SPICE (3rd 2.5L) followed WILD RULER through and ran on OK. SPIRITUALITY (4th 2.6L) loomed and just evened out late, pulling up with some vet issues.
The Interest
There was confidence in WILD RULER in the betting ring and Kerrin McEvoy gave him a peach to win well. ENCOUNTABULL very solid and may have gone close if he got he inside runs of the winner. SPIRITUALITY (2/5 lame, laceration) and DUBAI STAR (6th 2.9L) (worked early) both ran similar time in trials and put in nice efforts too. HOT SPRING GOLD (7th 3.1L) and DISMISSAL (8th 4.4L) didn't shine in the parade and both found the line quite well late.
Race 5 CES HANDICAP
Heading north and on the way up
fair tempo
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Superium | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Nash Rawiller | 2 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Embracer | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 7 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Splintex | Mark Newnham | Joshua Parr | 13 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
SPLINTEX shining in the coat and ready to go. Nice parades from SUPERIUM first-up, EMBRACER, EDISON, BRAZENPINE and SHERIFF too. NICCO LAD looks more of a 1300m+ type.
In The Running
MANSA MUSA crossed to lead from EMBRACER in the box seat and SPLINTEX moving up outside the lead. BRAZENPINE a touch keen and moving up 3W NC pushing SHERIFF 4W NC, SUPERIUM and NICCO LAD edging closer into the pack midfield on the turn as that happened.
The Result
SUPERIUM (1st) got clear and ran on best late from EMBRACER (2nd 0.3L) and SPLINTEX (3rd 0.5L). NICCO LAD (4th 1.1L) kept chasing not far behind.
The Interest
He's a big boy with lots of progression, SUPERIUM on his way to the Gold Coast Magic Millions with a nice win here, Nash producing the perfect ride to be right on their hammer at the top of the straight. Both EMBRACER and SPLINTEX very solid too along with the rest of the top six; NICCO LAD returning well, BRAZENPINE (5th 1.6L) with excuses and EDISON (6th 1.7L) a touch wide on the track chasing OK. There was a gap back to MANSA MUSA (7th 4L).
Race 6 FUGEN CONSTRUCTION RAZOR SHARP HANDICAP
A massive turn-of-foot gets the Fox out of a hole
fair tempo
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Signore Fox | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tommy Berry | 6 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Oriental Runner | Tony Sergi | Glen Boss | 2 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Glenall | John Ramsey | Kerrin McEvoy | 10 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
SIGNORE FOX and MULTAJA looked great in the yard, SIGNORE FOX with good muscle and power. FIRSTHAND and BOSS LANE with some improvement to come first-up.
In The Running
ORIENTAL RUNNER took over and controlled a FAIR tempo, that slackened to be on the steady side mid-race, the sprint only coming on once they hit the 400m mark. ALBUMIN outside the leader and IRITHEA out 3W NC. SIGNOERE FOX was well back on the inside.
The Result
SIGNORE FOX (1st) got to the outside and powered late in rapid sectionals to run down ORIENTAL RUNNER (2nd 0.1L), who had kicked well. In a bunched finish GLENALL (3rd 0.3L) was strong to the line and MULTAJA (4th 0.5L) ran on OK too. Only 2.4L back to PASSAGE OF TIME in 11th.
The Interest
The tempo was strange here, no pressure from the 600m to 400m left the sprint to come very late and thankfully for favourite backers the $51 shot ORIENTAL RUNNER did tire late. SIGNORE FOX is a muscular sprinter ideally suited to 1200m with a massive turn-of-foot, reeling off a 10.77 and 11.09 to arrive just in-time from an almost impossible spot. Hard to knock any of the others given the margins were so small. GLENALL found the line well and it was a nice return from IRITHEA (6th 0.7L) (stuck wide, vet: mild thumps).
Race 7 QUINCY SELTZER VILLIERS STAKES
Too tough, too strong, too brave
fair tempo
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quackerjack | Mark Newnham | Ms Rachel King | 11 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Invincible Gem | Kris Lees | Hugh Bowman | 2 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Sambro | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 1 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
All fine in the yard, all experienced gallopers. GOODFELLA and MUSHAIREB a bit moody, but fine.
In The Running
QUACKERJACK was allowed to stride forward and took up the running at a FAIR tempo. MUSHAIREB moved up outside the leader and pushed GOODFELLA 3W NC from the 800m mark. INVINCIBLE GEM not far away settling sixth back on the inside.
The Result
QUACKERJACK (1st) kicked and kept lifting to beat home INVINCIBLE GEM (2nd 0.1L) challenging up the inside and SAMBRO (3rd 0.3L) running on out wider. A gap back to GOODFELLA (4th 1.4L).
The Interest
He's tough, he's brave and Rachel King as a great affinity with him, QUACKERJACK allowed to find his rhythm in the lead and digging in when challenged. INVINCIBLE GEM back to her best with the perfect ride from Bowman and SAMBRO much better second-up after a poor return. GOODFELLA wide and did pretty well, a big bunched pack in behind, none of them with the class or brilliance to get into the finish. AQUA D'IVINA (9th 3L) should have been closer after getting chopped out on the inside and EL DORADO DREAMING (10th 3.2L) loomed before pulling up 2/5 lame after being galloped on.
Race 8 HEINEKEN 3 HANDICAP
Boss steers home another Waller miler
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matowi | Mitchell Beer | Glen Boss | 8 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Turnberry | Kris Lees | Robbie Dolan | 2 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Berdibek | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 11 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
MATOWI looked very well in the yard, shining in the coat. TURNBERRY, OUR WINNIE and CUTADEEL also looked good along with BERDIBEK, who was fit enough fresh. STROME OK, perhaps not quite striding out.
In The Running
KING TOMLOLA led from DYLAN'S ROMANCE at a STRONG tempo with MATOWI midfield on the inside.
The Result
MATOWI (1st) got through, hit the lead 200m and just held on from TURNBERRY (2nd 0.1L) sticking on from near pace and BERDIBEK (3rd 0.2L) running on.
The Interest
A nice ride from Boss got the job done here. There were strong runs from all of the top three, including BERDIBECK after he was heavily-backed from $9.5 into $5. CUTADEEL (4th 1.7L) not the biggest horse and may want 2000m or a wet track. STROME (7th 2.8L) a big girl that didn't see out the testing 1600m this time, many of her starts over the mile before had been in slowly-run races.
Race 9 TAB LONG MAY WE PLAY HANDICAP
There's Something Fast about this galloper
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Something Fast | Anthony Cummings | Jean Van Overmeire | 3 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Phaistos | James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 9 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Charretera | Peter & Paul Snowden | Joshua Parr | 17 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
PETRONIUS looked great, a flashy colt. ECHO JET, ESTEEM SPIRIT and CHARRETERA all looked well too. SOMETHING FAST strong and well, but just a bit hot.
In The Running
SOMETHING FAST took up the running at a FAIR tempo with ECHO JET on his outside and SUPER STAR BOB out 3W NC. CHARRETERA was out 4W NC in midfield.
The Result
SOMETHING FAST (1st) kicked and went clear for a dominant win. A big gap back to PHAISTOS (2nd 2.5L) chasing out of the pack and CHARRETERA (3rd 3.8L) running on despite the wide run.
The Interest
The top three clearly the best runs here, SOMETHING FAST warm in the yard and explosive on the track, a horse with upside if Cummings can keep him going. PHAISTOS ready for 1500m+ now and CHARRETERA was heavily backed ($8 to $5) before putting in a massive run. The colt PETRONIUS (6th 4.5L) just fair second-up.