Yard to the Post | Expressway Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 01 February 2020
Sydney’s sprinting ranks got even stronger today as STANDOUT resumed with a clear win in the Group Two Expressway Stakes.
Gerald Ryan’s warrior showed real determination last spring when he won three of his four starts and he’s raised the bar higher this campaign. A 1.5 length win over ALIZEE puts him only a length or two behind the big guns YES YES YES, BIVOUAC and EXCEEDANCE on recent performances, the stable now suggesting he might head to the Group One TJ Smith, a race that looks set to be dominated by the three-year-old crop.
In other races, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable kept their two-year-old juggernaut going with wins both the Widden (AWAY GAME) and Canonbury (PRAGUE). And promising types SUBPOENAED and SHE’S IDEEL won with ease in their respective races, SHE’S IDEEL a strong stayer that could even feature in the spring.
A full review is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | +3m |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 |
| Weather | FINE, NE headwind strengthening |
| Bias | FAIR, then OFF RAILS later in day |
Race 1 WIDDEN STAKES
A hard fit filly is too strong late
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Away Game | Ciaron Maher | Tom Marquand | 5 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Centimental | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Philizzy | Anthony Cummings | Christian Reith | 2 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
CENTIMENTAL looking well, some size to frame and may be suited over further. All others fine, AWAY GAME just a bit warm but looking like a bomb-proof 2YO type.
In The Running
AWAY GAME led them up with SEPTEMBER RUN never quite getting across 3W NC. PHILIZZY on heels early in the box seat as they found their spots.
The Result
AWAY GAME (1st) was too strong from CENTIMENTAL (2nd 2.3L) keeping on to the line late. PHILIZZY (3rd 2.5L) not far away.
The Interest
AWAY GAME simply too strong here, the classier 2YO with her fitness showing the last 200m in fair time (the colts were faster). CENTIMENTAL one to follow over further, a nice type that looks like she will get over ground. You could forgive SEPTEMBER RUN (4th 3L) after getting stuck wide. Interesting that IN FLANDERS came last, not helping the Golden Slipper chance Cellsabeel's form-line.
Race 2 IRON JACK CANONBURY STAKES
A firing two-year-old stable keeps the winners coming
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prague | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Tom Marquand | 5 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Global Quest | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Return With Honour | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Glyn Schofield | 3 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
GLOBAL QUEST looking well, a big and long type that should get over some ground. No knock NITROUS and PRAGUE. RETURN WITH HONOUR very heavy and suited back onto firm ground. GRAVINA hot and only small.
In The Running
NITROUS led them up from PRAGUE on the outside with GLOBAL QUEST trailing them and RETURN TO HONOUR in the box seat.
The Result
PRAGUE kicked on and was too strong from GLOBAL QUEST (2nd 1.8L) and RETURN WITH HONOUR (3rd 2.1L) chasing.
The Interest
His win at Canterbury was only OK in the ratings, but PRAGUE progressed today and ran sharp time putting him in contention for the 2YO features. GLOBAL QUEST couldn't sprint with him and was strong through the line like he was on debut.
Race 3 TAB HIGHWAY PLATE
fair tempo
: early pressure
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenspan | Kerry Parker | Ms Samantha Clenton | 5 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Alot to Hoffa | Ben Blay | Ms Mikayla Weir | 4 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Quick Spin | Justin W Stanley | Brock Ryan | 9 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
Many of them looking warm, but not too bad. Perhaps the best in the yard were QUICK SPIN, ALOT TO HOFFA, ZAROMATIC and DELAYED RESPONSE.
Race 4 50 YEARS ATC MEMBERS RECOGNITION
Class shines late as the mares swoop
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romani Girl | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 8 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Insensata | Jason Coyle | Hugh Bowman | 6 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Mongolian Wolf | Kris Lees | Nash Rawiller | 1 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
LOVE SHACK BABY a bit better in the coat, but still carrying some condition third-up. ROMANI GIRL and INSENSATA fine, INSENSATA a slight question at the 1500m given she's a more powerful type. ONSLAUGHT and NIGHT OF POWER pretty hot in the yard and not parading their best. The surprising one MONGOLIAN WOLF, who looked very well first-up.
In The Running
TURNBERRY pushed on and took up the running and set a FAIR tempo with LOVE SHACK BABY on his outside, a couple of steadier sections mid-race. INSENSATA got back with ROMANI GIRL following her.
The Result
ROMANI GIRL (1st) ran on with INSENSATA (2nd 0.2L) and was just a touch too strong. MONGOLIAN WOLF (3rd 0.7L) winding up late from the back not far away and NIGHT OF POWER (4th 1.2L) stuck on OK.
The Interest
ROMANI GIRL found a very suitable race here and got the win, a mare that will now be right up in the ratings and may have to go for black-type races. INSENSATA only just missing out and could be worth following in the right 1400m race next time, she is right on the verge of a win. NIGHT OF POWER another worth following up in distance off a better parade than today and MONGOLIAN WOLF is clearly set for a big prep.
Race 5 SKY RACING ACTIVE HANDICAP
Back with a bang and ready for the carnival
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Subpoenaed | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 3 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Rari | Scott Henley | Glen Boss | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Beaufort Park | Saab Hasan | Joshua Parr | 1 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
SUBPOENAED looked well first-up as did FASANO second-up. RARI a big long-striding type that was very fit, lacking a bit of condition deep in the prep. ECHO GEM more muscular than most and fine. DIO D'ORO a very one-paced type that needed it wetter.
In The Running
ECHO GEM led and RARI put the pressure on making sure of an honest rolling STRONG tempo (on fair side). BEAUFORT PARK held up in the box seat early in the straight as SUBPOENAED weaved clear from the back and made her run.
The Result
SUBPOENAED (1st) ran on best from an honest RARI (2nd 1.8L) and BEAUFORT PARK (3rd 2.6L) fighting on once clear with FASANO (4th 2.7L).
The Interest
It looked scary mid-race, but the tempo RARI set up was perfect for SUBPOENAED as she surged home best from the back. Onward and upwards to the carnival now. RARI honest and so was BEAUFORT PARK (held up) after being pretty well supported in betting (into $9.5). ECHO GEM (6th 9.6L) (poor recovery) couldn't handle the heat from RARI.
Race 6 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP
Sydney's new staying star wins easily
steady tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | She's Ideel | Ciaron Maher | Ms Rachel King | 5 | 52.0 | |
| 2 | Costello | David Payne | Glen Boss | 3 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Cinquedea | Michael Freedman | Hugh Bowman | 9 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
The parade very even, CINQUEDEA and BIRTH OF VENUS both looked well. Roughies DYLAN'S ROMANCE and SAVVY KEN both fine too. COSTELLO a touch warm. SHE'S IDEEL a nice strong Dundeel getting around the parade fine in the heat.
In The Running
DYLAN'S ROMANCE led from CINQUEDEA. ALL TOO SOON wide no cover midfield outside COSTELLO 2W and BIRTH OF VENUS on the rails. SHE'S IDEEL behind them. DYLAN'S ROMANCE controlled a STEADY tempo before quickening 700m out (LONG SPRINT).
The Result
SHE'S IDEEL (1st) came to the outside and sustained a long run to surge past latte. COSTELLO (2nd 1.5L) ran on to get past CINQUEDEA (3rd 1.6L), who had hit the lead. Both BIRTH OF VENUS (4th 3.1L) and DARK PEARL (5th 3.2L) wound up solidly.
The Interest
It's exciting when new progressive stayers come through the ranks and Bjorn Baker seems to have one here in SHE'S IDEEL. She's got real strength, can handle any conditions and looks even more suited to 2400m+ based on this win. A possible Cups horse? The owners can only dream! BIRTH OF VENUS and DARK PEARL want 2400m now. ALL TOO SOON (6th 3.4L) (stuck wide) and just wants a wet track.
Race 7 TAB EXPRESSWAY STAKES
Another young sprinter makes his mark
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Standout | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Tommy Berry | 7 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Alizee | James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 8 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | White Moss | Jason Coyle | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 1 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
ALIZEE a big powerful type looking fine, just a bit fizzy and on stirred up. IRITHEA, STANDOUT and WHITE MOSS all looked well. KOLDING pretty much there fitness wise, a touch of improvement to come.
In The Running
IRITHEA set an honest FAIR tempo with WHITE MOSS on her outside. STANDOUT midfield with KOLDING on his back and ALIZEE on the inside. As STANDOUT improved Boss was more focused on keeping ALIZEE on the rails than following him, which didn't work anyway as the big mare moved through to make her run.
The Result
STANDOUT (1st) got a break on them and sustained it, ALIZEE (2nd 1.5L) running on past WHITE MOSS (3rd 2L). KOLDING (4th 2.2L) chased home OK late.
The Interest
The 3YO form keeps looking stronger and stronger. After an impressive first prep STANDOUT had a little bit more to find here on ratings and he started off first-up with a bang, defying a betting drift to win ($6 to $7.5). He's a very likeable type, brave and always strong in the finish. ALIZEE and KOLDING were a long way back, but the honest tempo did given them their chance. Perhaps KOLDING would have run a place if Boss was more interested in trailing STANDOUT into the race than keeping ALIZEE on the rails.
Race 8 RANVET HANDICAP
'Swayback Jack' runs his last race
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Tudor | Rodney Ollerton | Ms Samantha Clenton | 9 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Esteem Spirit | Gwenda Markwell | Glen Boss | 7 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Levee Bank | Gratz Vella | Brock Ryan | 13 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
LEVEE BANK looked well in the yard in another even parade. MONSIEUR SISU pretty fit first-up. No knocks on any of them.
In The Running
ASSAULT’N’BATHORY led them up at an honest FAIR tempo. ROYAL TUDOR a touch keen at the back and pulled out wide no cover early on. RONSTAR fell in the run, checking LEVEE BANK slightly, who then followed ROYAL TUDOR. TONY'S REWARD midfield making a run when badly blocked at the 200m mark. MONSIEUR SISU not finding much room on the inside either.
The Result
ROYAL TUDOR (1st) was too strong to the line from ESTEEM SPIRIT (2nd 1.5L) and LEVEE BANK (3rd 1.7L) chasing out wider.
The Interest
A race that unfortunately 'Swayback Jack', or RONSTAR, didn't make it through. He clipped heels and fell, thankfully Tom Marquand all fine after what looked like a very awkward landing. ROYAL TUDOR showing his class back in this grade and we'll never know if TONY'S REWARD (10th 7.1L) stays the 1400m after getting chopped out at the 200m mark, the big ROYAL TUDOR a hard horse to move out of the way.
Race 9 HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP
Swoopers dominate the last of the day
strong tempo
Bias:
2w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roheryn | James Cummings | Kerrin McEvoy | 11 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Inanup | Bjorn Baker | Brock Ryan | 14 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Dawn Dawn | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 7 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
LABURNUM, INANUP, DAWN DAWN, RIVER BIRD and LASHES all looking well in the parade. CUBA with some condition first-up. ROYAL CELEBRATION a touch warm in the parade and will improve from the run.
In The Running
EMRACER rolled along in the lead at a STRONG tempo with LABURNUM outside him and a couple of lengths back to RIVER BIRD leading up the chasing pack. ROHERYN wide no cover at the back with INANUP last. LASHES a touch keen midfield. DAWN DAWN held up 'til the 200m coming wider and making her run.
The Result
ROHERYN (1st) sustained his run to hold off INANUP (2nd 0.1L) charging down the outside off the hot tempo with DAWN DAWN (3rd 0.4L) running on well too. A gap back to LASHES (4th 2.4L). ROYAL CELEBRATION (7th 3.9L) was held up badly 'til the 75m and hit the line late.
The Interest
The swoopers were suited here and ROHERYN clearly loves a dry track, getting the win despite a wide run. Maybe don't be too harsh on CUBA (6th 3.5L) (will be fitter) and RIVER BIRD (9th 4.8L) (near strong tempo, prefers wet). ROYAL CELEBRATION the very unlucky runner and is worth following to 1300m+ now.