Yard to the Post | Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 28 December 2019
Another day, another headwind at Royal Randwick, the strong breeze making the Royal Randwick straight feel just that little bit longer this afternoon.
It didn’t stop the leaders from winning though, the Waterhouse Bott sprinter EMBRACER (picture) holding on in a desperate finish over 1,200 metres as SUPERIUM rushed at him late. TONY’S REWARD and BIG PARADE all within a length of the winner too.
The feature Christmas Classic was dominated by Waller’s MADAM ROUGE after the favourite SIGNORE FOX peaked on his run as soon as his nose hit the stiff north-east wind. MADAM ROUGE settled wide no cover, looped the field and was still too strong, a victory that sets her up nicely for a tilt at the Magic Millions riches next start.
In other races the promising gallopers MR DEPENDABLE and SOMETHING FAST continued on their winning way, while LEVIATHAN also booked a ticket to the Magic Millions with a stylish win over 1,400 metres..
A full review is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | +9 metres |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 |
| Weather | FINE, warm, strong NE headwind developed |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 HYLAND BOXING DAY SALE HANDICAP
No love for punters in the first
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nitrous | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tommy Berry | 5 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Miss Canada | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Bartley | Peter & Paul Snowden | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
All horses looked fine in the yard, NITROUS a strong plain looking type and MISS CANADA only small, but bouncing around on her toes and handling it pretty well. BARTLEY very fit, a defined balanced frame.
In The Running
MISS CANADA took up the running from BELIEBER on her outside and BARTLEY back on the inside with NITROUS outside him. BARTLEY was badly held up in the straight behind the leader.
The Result
NITROUS (1st) came to the outside and ran on best to catch MISS CANADA (2nd) with BARTLEY (3rd) only getting out late.
The Interest
What a tragedy for those that backed BARTLEY (held up 'til 60m) here, he simply should have won. Not sure the form for the other three will stack up, BARTLEY clearly the one to follow going forward.
Race 2 MATT JONES - AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPION HANDICAP
King pushes clear and gets the win
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aquitaine | James Cummings | Ms Rachel King | 4 | 52.5 | |
| 2 | Switched | Brad Widdup | Christian Reith | 6 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Helga | Les Bridge | Chris Williams | 8 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
The fit horses KYLEASE, SWITCHED and AQUITAINE looked best, AQUITAINE a lovely big-striding type that should enjoy the 1200m for the first time. HELGA OK first-up, just a touch dusty in the coat with some improvement to come.
In The Running
KYLEASE took up the running without too much pressure at a FAIR tempo with SWITCHED on her outside. AQUITAINE in the box seat behind them with STELLA SEA SUN on her outside. AQUITAINE was held up 'til the 125m in the straight.
The Result
SWITCHED (2nd 0.1L) kicked past the leader and hit the lead, but AQUITAINE (1st) worked clear late and arrived just in time. HELGA (3rd 0.3L) ran on down the outside to just grab STELLA SEA SUN (4th 0.4L) for a place.
The Interest
AQUITAINE and SWITCHED came out of the same form-line and got the quinella here, the times suggesting their last run was only fair, but the 600m to 400m slow down fooled a lot of ratings analysts and they went around at decent odds. AQUITAINE a lovely big-striding type with more to come, King showing strength to get her clear just in time. HELGA and STELLA SEA SUN both worth following this prep after strong returns. KYLEASE (8th 7.9L) eased down and only plain today, nothing in the vet report either.
Race 3 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
strong tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fritz's Factor | Rodney Northam | Nash Rawiller | 14 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Magnarock | Stephen Jones | Shaun Guymer | 8 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Depth That Varies | Kristen Buchanan | Jay Ford | 10 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
A few looked well in the yard including FEEL THE KNIGHT, PRINCESS CORDELIA, MAGNAROCK and DEPTH THAT VARIES. FRITZ’S FACTOR fine, a more toned athletic type. SAFE LANDING big strong and maybe not 100% fit yet. ALTERNATIVE FACTS a nice type, just a touch flighty in the yard.
Race 4 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP
Waterhouse and Bott with a stayer on the rise
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mr Dependable | Dylan Dunn | Nash Rawiller | 4 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Rocha Clock | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Robbie Dolan | 1 | 52.5 | |
| 3 | Bigboyroy | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 2 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
ROCHA CLOCK looked well in the yard, as did BIGBOYROY. No knock CAPTAIN STARDUST, who might have a touch of improvement to come. ORCEIN and SECRETLY fine, as was MR DEPENDABLE, a smaller horse than many others. QUALITY APPROACH the only clear negative, hot and bothered first-up.
In The Running
BIGBOYROY took up the running at a FAIR tempo with MR DEPENDABLE on his outside. ROCHA CLOCK jumped better this time and found the box seat with CAPTAIN STARDUST on her outside. SECRETLY was slow to jump.
The Result
MR DEPENDABLE moved up and was too strong for ROCHA CLOCK (2nd 2.5L) chasing to just get past BIGBOYROY (3rd 2.6L). CAPTAIN STARDUST (4th 3.3L) not too far off.
The Interest
The most favoured runners found the top four spots and backers of ROCHA CLOCK would have been excited given she can miss the jump. In the end she was no match for MR DEPENDABLE though, a tough on-pacer going places for Waterhouse and Bott. CAPTAIN STARDUST can improve and BIGBOYROY honest as always. ORCEIN (7th 7.2L) wouldn't go straight for the apprentice and may need a break now.
Race 5 SKY RACING ACTIVE HANDICAP
Classy youngsters dominate down in the weights
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviathan | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tommy Berry | 3 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Bandersnatch | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Charretera | Peter & Paul Snowden | Ms Rachel King | 7 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
BANDERSNATCH impressed in the yard on his toes. LEVIATHAN also looking good, along with CHARRETERA and POETIC CHARMER. ONSLAUGHT and SONDELON both a touch hot. LAURE ME IN with some improvement to come in the yard.
In The Running
BANDERSNATCH was urged forward to take up the running at an honest FAIR tempo from POETIC CHARMER on his outside and SONDELON out 3W NC. LEVIATHAN found the box seat. SONDELON moved up outside the lead halfway through leaving GROUNDBREAK out 3W NC.
The Result
LEVIATHAN (1st) moved through and was too strong for BANDERSNATCH (2nd 1.3L) and CHARRETERA (3rd 1.5L) fighting on. LAURE ME IN (4th 2.3L) weaved through late and hit the line.
The Interest
The rolled along here and the class rose to the top, both 3YOs on the rise with low weights making them very hard to beat. CHARRETERA had form ratings that were just off them and ran very well following a peach from Rachel King. LAURE ME IN one for the future after having improvement to come in the yard.
Race 6 RANVET HANDICAP
Speed, power and the perfect on-pace ride
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Embracer | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tommy Berry | 1 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Superium | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Nash Rawiller | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Tony's Reward | Bjorn Baker | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
EMBRACER, RONSTAR, TONY'S REWARD and SUPERIUM looked the best in the yard. BIG PARADE looked fine, just a touch edgy in the wind. MANHATTAN MIST a big horse that will probably take some improvement from the run. DRACHENFELS a plain type with a dusty coat still.
In The Running
EMBRACER took up the running from BIG PARADE working up on his outside after being 3W early. TONY'S REWARD got a nice trail 2W WC and SUPERIUM was midfield on the inside and a touch tight. ISORICH stuck wide midfield and NICCO LAD was held up at the back.
The Result
EMBRACER (1st) kicked on to win, beating home SUPERIUM (2nd 0.2L) surging late when he was clear. TONY'S REWARD (3rd 0.6L) loomed up and fought on with BIG PARADE (4th 0.8L) never shirking his task.
The Interest
SUPERIUM just held up a touch here and he ran on well when clear, probably unlucky not to win, but it wouldn't have been by much even with clear air. EMBRACER flying this prep and Tommy Berry rating him perfectly, TONY'S REWARD getting a deserved placing after two unlucky runs and no love lost for BIG PARADE, who fought on after facing the breeze. NICCO LAD (10th 3.4L) was held up and unfortunately bled for the second time so will now be retired from racing.
Race 7 CHRISTMAS CLASSIC
Class defies a pretty poor ride
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madam Rouge | Chris Waller | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 8 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Glenall | John Ramsey | James Winks | 10 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Albumin | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Jay Ford | 6 | 53.0 |
In The Yard
SIGNORE FOX looked good again, a big muscular type, but he's only got a short dash so the headwind is some risk. MADAM ROUGE paraded well too, GLENALL the same as last time. No knocks apart from the old boy BOSS LANE with still some improvement to come.
In The Running
ORIENTAL RUNNER took the lead from ALBUMIN. MADAM ROUGE stuck 3W NC midfield with SIGNORE FOX behind her and GLENALL inside him 2W. GLENALL was tightened and held up a bit, while INSENSATA ran into traffic back on the inside. SIGNORE FOX was pushed out wider into the headwind early in the straight.
The Result
MADAM ROUGE (1st) sprinted up and went clear for an easy win from GLENALL (2nd 1.3L) running on late. Both ALBUMIN (3rd 1.7L) and ORIENTAL RUNNER (4th 2.1L) fought on to hold off SIGNORE FOX (5th 2.2L).
The Interest
MADAM ROUGE was way too classy for these, settling 3W NC and still dominating. INSENSATA very unlucky not to run a place and GLENALL could have gone close with clear running, but the best horse won, SIGNORE FOX not the type to be exposed to a headwind early, he tends to sprint and peak on his run.
Race 8 HEINEKEN 3 HANDICAP
Big, strong and too fast again.... just!
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Something Fast | Anthony Cummings | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Primitivo | Mick Bell | Nash Rawiller | 8 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Phaistos | James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 7 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
SOMETHING FAST looked great in the yard, big strong and better than last time when he was a touch hot before winning well. Most others fine too, including PHAISTOS. Most looking OK, DABIYR not far off fitness and TESTASHADOW just a bit dull in the coat off a freshen.
In The Running
SOMETHING FAST got control in the lead with SPENCER on his outside. A FAIR tempo noted on 1600m / 600m split, but no sectionals available.
The Result
SOMETHING FAST (1st) kicked 3L clear in the straight, but peaked on his run into the wind and only just hung on from a few chasers. PRIMITIVO (2nd 0.2L) sustained his run and surged late, MATOWI (3rd 0.4L) and PHAISTOS (3rd 0.4L), and TESTASHADOW (5th 0.5L) stuck on up the inside.
The Interest
He's a big impressive animal with a rapid sprint, but is SOMETHING FAST a miler? We will find out in time, the easy lead helped today and it might have been the wind slowing him down late. PRIMITIVO one to follow now over 1800m+ especially with any softness in the track. TESTASHADOW ran a big race fresh again, there's still some sprint in the old boys legs.
Race 9 TAB HANDICAP
A patient ride from young Owen pays off
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berdibek | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Billy Owen | 5 | 61.5 | |
| 2 | Impavido | Bjorn Baker | Jay Ford | 12 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Californiafirebird | Amy & Ash Yargi | Ms Cejay Graham | 6 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
BERDIBEK, MUSHAIREB, SOLO MISSION, TUNERO and RAQEEQ all looked good in the yard. MUSHAIREB fizzed up with the jockey on as usual and went out early. CHOCOLATIER anxious in the yard, covered in water for some reason.
In The Running
DYLAN'S ROMANCE was urged to the lead and set a STRONG tempo with CHOCOLATIER moving up on his outside and BOBBY DEE out 3W NC. BERDIBEK went back and was ridden patiently. MUSHAIREB near the pace on the inside and held up badly.
The Result
BERDBEK (1st) found room and ran on strongly, going clear of IMPAVIDO (2nd 1.8L) fighting on from midfield and CALIFORNIAFIREBIRD (3rd 2.8L) chasing up the inside after getting held up 'til the 200m.
The Interest
BERDIBEK was heavily-backed first-up and only just missed, this race setting up perfectly second-up with the tempo on. Billy Owen was very patient and the split came just at the right time. IMPAVIDO going well now and CALIFORNIAFIREBIRD was a touch unlucky. NATIONAL GUARD (7th 3.6L) held up in the straight, but he had his chance to get closer. BOBBY DEE (6th 3.3L) a nice effort wide on the hot speed and MUSHAIREB (10th 5.9L) a complete forgive and never clear.