Yard to the Post | Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 21 December 2019
A mid-afternoon change in the weather kept punters on their toes at Royal Randwick today, only a small crowd on course in hazy and warm conditions.
In the early races horses near the inside were suited, the Snowden two-year-old colt AIM charging through the ruck to score the most dominant of wins over 1,200 metres in the opening race and PASSAGE OF TIME leading all the way in the 1,400 metre December Handicap, hard against the inside.
The turning point came when the wind switched from a headwind to a strong tailwind halfway through the card, the impact on race patterns immediate.
SOPHIELLA won Race 6 over 1,000 metres after being quietly ridden at the back before swooping home best out wide. That was followed by ASHARANI (picture) (Race 7 over 1,400 metres) and TANIKO (Race 8 over 1,200 metres) running on from the back to win, TANIKO producing rapid sectionals as the stiff southerly lifted her home for an impressive win.
A full review from the yard to the post is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | +3 metres |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 (track firmed during afternoon) |
| Weather | OVERCAST, WIND CHANGES |
| Bias | NEAR RAILS (R1 - R5), FAIR (R6 - R9) |
Race 1 TAB VENUE MODE HANDICAP
The Snowdens Aim up at the big features now
strong tempo
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aim | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tommy Berry | 5 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Stellar Pauline | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 7 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Hinchbeast | Bjorn Baker | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
HINCHBEAST, AIM and STELLAR PAULINE paraded best, all looking strong and well. No knock on AEECEE POWER, but she doesn't have the muscle/power of the other sprinters. NAMAZU big and carrying some condition. THE BIG EASY light/lean and TITAN STAR a plain type in comparison.
In The Running
HINCHBEAST pushed on to lead from AEECEE POWER and NARVAEZ out 3W NC. AIM had the trail midfield on the rails with STELLAR PAULINE on his outside. A very STRONG tempo set up.
The Result
AIM (1st) worked clear up through the inside and surged right away for a massive win. STELLAR PAULINE (2nd 4L) ran into a clear 2nd and HINCHBEAST (3rd 7L) held on for 3rd. JEMSS (4th 7.2L) making some ground.
The Interest
The tempo was on and Snowden's duo showed some serious class here, AIM a horse on the rise that could be even better over 1400m+ and STELLAR PAULINE super honest and tough. They both paraded very well and can be followed into the feature races now. Don't put a line through HINCHBEAST, who had some pressure up-front and simply went much too fast. The fact that no other horse could get past HINCHBEAST (ran slow 12.1 seconds final 200m) doesn't reflect positively on the chasers. AEECEE POWER (6th 9.3L) had a gut-buster and NARVAEZ (7th 10.1L) wasn't too bad after a torrid run wide on-pace.
Race 2 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP
A flashy colt gets the silver service
fair tempo
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edison | Nick Ryan | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Above And Beyond | Gary Portelli | Chris Williams | 6 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Seles | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 1 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
The colts EDISON and TWENTYFOUR CARAT looked well, as did IN LIGHTEN ME, a very solidly-built mare. No knock CINQUEDEA, NAPOLEON SOLO and ABOVE AND BEYOND. IN GOOD HEALTH fine, but may be looking for further now. SELES with a touch of improvement to come. MUSUME only a light/lean type in comparison.
In The Running
MUSUME crossed and led at a FAIR tempo with ABOVE AND BEYOND moving up on the outside. EDISON in the box seat (a touch keen at times) with key threats CINQUEDEA at the back 3W NC and TWENTYFOUR CARAT midfield after a slowish jump.
The Result
EDISON (1st) wore down ABOVE AND BEYOND (2nd 0.1L) in a close finish with SELES (3rd 0.3L) running on from midfield. A gap back to IN LIGHTEN ME (4th 2.3L).
The Interest
EDISON had everything in his favour today and only just got the win. There's no doubt he has talent, but there remains some questions on how brave the colt is. ABOVE AND BEYOND and SELES both running very nice races. Forgive CINQUEDEA (6th 2.8L), who was stuck wide midfield. TWENTYFOUR CARAT (7th 3.8L) may have come to the end of his prep now after a tough run chasing Bandersnatch last start.
Race 3 TAB HIGHWAY CLASS 2 HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenspan | Kerry Parker | Billy Owen | 5 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Congregate | Craig Martin | Ms Rachel King | 11 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Hiroko | Terry Commerford | Robbie Dolan | 3 | 53.0 |
Race 4 BISLEY WORKWEAR HANDICAP
The French show their class in the staying race
strong tempo
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vadiyann | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 6 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Guise | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 5 | 53.5 | |
| 3 | House Of Cartier | John Sargent | Hugh Bowman | 9 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
All the stayers looked fine in the yard, VADIYANN in good shape fresh as you'd expect from the Waterhouse Bott yard.
In The Running
FUN FACT went to the lead and rolled along at a STRONG tempo with VADIYANN tucking in for cover and GUISE back on the rails behind them. DARK PEARL the first horse facing the breeze in the 2W line midfield. VADIYANN cruised up early in the straight.
The Result
VADIYANN (1st) hit the lead early in the straight and was left hanging, but managed to hold on from GUISE (2nd 0.2L) fighting on gamely. HOUSE OF CARTIER (3rd 1.2L) ran on OK and MASTER SHUHOOD (4th 1.4L) a touch better under the riding of James McDonald, but he did have his chance.
The Interest
VADIYANN had some nice form in France that translated well to Australia off a low mark of just 74. He'll get a penalty for today, but is worth following given he hit the lead so early in the straight first-up. GUISE very honest and some more softness in the track will only help. HOUSE OF CARTIER better and don't dismiss DARK PEARL, who once again was chasing with no cover and might be ready for a tilt at 2400m now.
Race 5 DECEMBER HANDICAP
Young Williams Times his run to perfection
fair tempo
Bias:
rails-3w
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Passage of Time | Joseph Pride | Chris Williams | 1 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Smartedge | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tommy Berry | 7 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Redouble | Bjorn Baker | Ms Samantha Clenton | 8 | 60.0 |
In The Yard
SMART MISSILE didn't look fit yet and was hot in the yard. NEW UNIVERSE with some improvement in fitness to come. Otherwise all looked fine, ROMAN SON in good shape first-up.
In The Running
PASSAGE OF TIME took up the running at a FAIR tempo (on the steady side). SMART MISSILE outside the lead and NEW UNIVERSE a bit keen out 3W NC near the pace.
The Result
PASSAGE OF TIME (1st) kicked and held on easily from SMARTEDGE (2nd 1.3L) and REDOUBLE (3rd 1.4L) running on.
The Interest
He was the horse suited on the day and he got the job done, PASSAGE OF TIME taking advantage of a nice Chris Williams ride in the lead. SMARTEDGE good too, swooping out wide not the pattern on the day. He'll take on the honest REDOUBLE in the Magic Millions Cup in a few weeks time. ROMAN SON (4th 3L) returned well, as did NEW UNIVERSE (5th 3.3L), who didn't get much luck here out wide. ASTERIUS (6th 4.2L) drifted in the market and did nothing, clearly not all well with him (nothing noted in Stewards' Report).
Race 6 SKY RACING ACTIVE HANDICAP
Consistency pays off in a close finish
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sophiella | Bjorn Baker | Jay Ford | 11 | 52.5 | |
| 2 | Gododdin | James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Zaniah | Kris Lees | Jason Collett | 9 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
RARE EPISODE looked great in the parade, but most did. REVENIRE perhaps not quite fit yet and SPIRITUAL PURSUIT just started to get anxious in the last two minutes of the parade.
In The Running
CLEAR THE BEACH took up the running with AND SO IT GOES on his outside and GODODDIN in the box seat. RARE EPISODE stuck out 3W NC. SOPHIELLA went back and took a trail 3W with cover near the back, BROKEN ARROWS behind her. SPIRITUAL PURSUIT was held together in midfield and raced keenly, continuing her mood from the yard.
The Result
SOPHIELLA (1st) ran on best down the outside to win, beating GODODDIN (2nd) fighting on up the inside and ZANIAH (3rd). CLEAR THE BEACH (4th) just tiring late.
The Interest
She has been a consistent performer of late and SOPHIELLA enjoyed the step back to 1000m, winning with a strong run down the outside which no other horses had managed on the day so far. The STRONG tempo definitely helped, but BROKEN ARROWS (5th 1.4L) had the chance to go past her and couldn't. RARE EPISODE (6th 1.5L) one to follow after a nice parade and a wide run on-speed. Forgive SPIRITUAL PURSUIT (7th 2.5L) too after an anxious parade and getting keen in the run.
Race 7 HEINEKEN 3 HANDICAP
Glen Boss throws some pie Nash Rawiller's way
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asharani | Kris Lees | James McDonald | 6 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Word for Word | Chris Waller | Nash Rawiller | 5 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Ondo Pasa | Stan Thomas | Ms Mikayla Weir | 4 | 52.5 |
In The Yard
WORD FOR WORD and HANDSPUN both paraded well. ASHARANI a big girl that was getting close to full fitness, but maybe not quite yet. MISSYBEEL pretty fit, just a bit dusty in the coat. TO YOUR HEALTH a bit hot and not really striding out.
In The Running
TO YOUR HEALTH led from ALISON OF TUFFY. WORD FOR WORD just behind them 2W with cover in what seemed like a good spot until Glen Boss came up 3W NC and locked him up on the inside. That gave ASHARANI a nice trail improving 3W with cover. A FAIR tempo set up with wind helping in the straight now.
The Result
ASHARANI (1st) ran on well down the outside to just edge out WORD FOR WORD (2nd 0.2L), who was tightened at the top of the straight but did get out in time to challenge. ONDO PASA (3rd 0.4L) squeezed up the inside and was right in the finish too. TO YOUR HEALTH (4th 1.7L) tired late after giving a kick.
The Interest
She's a lovely big mare with upside, ASHARANI perhaps with more progression this prep after a fair parade. She did get a couple of favours here too, WORD OF WORD tightened by PUMPKIN PIE (8th 6.2L) before fighting on gamely in the finish. ONDO PASA is simply flying and the market knew HANDSPUN (5th 2.2L) wasn't 100%, a big drift late before she ran an OK race midfield.
Race 8 RANVET HANDICAP
Godolphin puts up the spinnaker and gets the win
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taniko | James Cummings | Tommy Berry | 7 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Southern Lad | Danielle Seib | Nash Rawiller | 10 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Qiji Express | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Brock Ryan | 5 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
QIJI EXPRESS looked well in the yard, as did TANIKO, quite a muscular mare that had tightened up a touch from the first-up run. CHAUFFEUR and ENIGMAN also looked well. LOVE SHACK BABY not ready to go (some condition, coat) and ROYAL TUDOR carried a bit of condition first-up too.
In The Running
YULONG YUHENG rolled along at a FAIR tempo with SOUTHERN LAD on his outside. QIJI EXPRESS midfield and TANIKO held together out the back swinging widest on the turn. LOVE SHACK BABY and ROYAL TUDOR out wide no cover at the back. USAIN BOWLER given a strange ride back in between horses.
The Result
TANIKO (1st) ran on down the outside to catch a brave SOUTHERN LAD (2nd 0.5L). QIJI EXPRESS (3rd 1.3L) loomed and fought on solidly from midfield. ROMANI GIRL (4th 1.4L) ran on up the inside.
The Interest
The wind had switched from headwind to very strong tailwind by this stage of the day and TANIKO flew home with a wet sail to win. SOUTHERN LAD very brave on-pace and QIJI EXPRESS snuck into 3rd over ROMANI GIRL, who probably wants 1400m to find her best. Glen Boss guilty of an odd ride again, this time on USAIN BOWLER, jagging him back inside runners and he just battled home.
Race 9 HYLAND BOXING DAY SALE HANDICAP
Nash finds the gun run from barrier one
slow tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spencer | Bjorn Baker | Nash Rawiller | 1 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Pinup Miss | John Ramsey | Robbie Dolan | 4 | 52.5 | |
| 3 | Tahsin | John Bateman | Chris Williams | 9 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
All looking fine in the yard. BAANONE just light/lean at this stage of his prep. SOLO MISSION has improved second-up.
In The Running
The leaders TAHSIN and ARRAIGNMENT took up the running as that was their style, the headwind down the back straight meaning there was no pressure and only a SLOW tempo set up. SPENCER in the box seat and SOLO MISSION out 3W NC near the pace. PINUP MISS near the back quickening in to the race and ORCEIN back there too getting badly blocked in the straight.
The Result
SPENCER (1st) got clear and was strong to the line to win from a fast-finishing PINUP MISS (2nd 0.8L). TAHSIN (3rd 1.1L) and ARRAIGNNMENT (4th 1.3L) hanging on after a cheap run on-pace.
The Interest
Nash got this ride spot on after a couple of mistakes today. The SLOW tempo left him in the ideal position near pace with cover from the wind to pounce. PINUP MISS enormous from the back after getting well supported and ORCEIN (10th 5.8L) with no luck after drifting in the market late. ALMERHERI (8th 5.3L) finding the step up to 1600m second-up in this class too much perhaps.