Yard to the Post - Festival Stakes Day at Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 29 November 2014
Fine weather, a cool breeze and a fair track made for a great day of off-season racing at Rosehill Gardens. The card looked to be a good one when the fields came out on Wednesday and the on-track action didn't disappoint, a couple of close finishes adding to the excitement.
The Festival Stakes was taken out by the Chris Waller veteran I'm Imposing, who lapped up a Good Tempo once again to storm home and win. Waller's more favoured Strawberry Boy set the speed and was brave to the line. He's one to follow for the future, along with Generalife, who once again didn't get much luck.
The best performance if the day came in the Starlight Stakes. The popular North Queenslander Our Boy Malachi had too much speed and fight for a talented group of sprinters. A time of 1 minute and 2.9 seconds and a good margin to Dothraki in second suggests bigger things are in store.
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 | +6m (ENTIRE CIRCUIT) |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | NO BIAS |
All The Race Finishes
Race 1 TAB.COM.AU PLATE
"Another quality Godolphin youngster unveiled"
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sampeah | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Blake Shinn | 3 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Let's Make It Rain | Ron Quinton | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Right of Way | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Kerrin McEvoy | 2 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
RIGHT OF WAY was best, dominant looking. SAMPEAH looked neat and professional. LET'S MAKE IT RAIN is a neat speedster, KIWI BOSS was very nuggety. GUD ONYA didn't impress. RAGEESE was too keen
In The Running
KIWI BOSS sped to the lead and set an honest EVEN TEMPO. LET'S MAKE IT RAIN was just off the pace with RIGHT OF WAY and SAMPEAH towards the back.
The Result
SAMPEAH (1st) to the outside and sustained a good run to win. LET'S MAKE IT RAIN (2nd) stuck on, while the run of RIGHT OF WAY (3rd) tapered nearer the line.
The Interest
Concerns over the lack of stamina showed by RIGHT OF WAY. She is a powerful type that didn't show much fight. SAMPEAH was well backed and was simply too good for them. He seems right out of the box, a proper racehorse. A couple didn't have the best of luck, TRUST MY LUCK (looks a genuine type) slow to begin and finishing off OK, while RAGEESE seemed to have more than one thing against. He got keen in the yard before getting blocked in the run - expect big improvement next time. Follow SAMPEAH. Forgive RAGEESE.
Race 2 DE BORTOLI WINES HANDICAP
"Jet ready to fly first-up"
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrier Jet | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Dupe 'em | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 8 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | I Am Impressed | Mark Schmetzer | Sam Clipperton | 4 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
Interesting bunch. HARRIER JET looked well first up, but lacked power. Similar for QUEEN OF KARIBA. INVITATIONS looked a nice type, strong and robust, but got a bit hot. I AM IMPRESSED carried condition first-up, with much more fitness to come.
In The Running
LOCKROY used his superior speed to take over and set a GOOD TEMPO, from INVITATIONS, who worked up to sit on his outside. AEROBAR had jumped best and got the box seat. I AM IMPRESSED was slow and got back. HARRIER JET travelled ominously mid race.
The Result
HARRIER JET (1st) peeled out and surged home to win, from DUPE 'EM (2nd) and I AM IMPRESSED (3rd), who worked home down the outside. LOCKROY (4th) kept on ok.
The Interest
HARRIER JET was ready to go and an honest tempo and fair track were enough to show his class. Given he looked so fit, don't expect too much progression, but he was very good through the line. Real interest in I AM IMPRESSED this prep now after he missed the start and was clearly unfit. DUPE 'EM also did a good job first-up. INVITATIONS is a pretty bold galloper and may need to lead to do his best, he disappointed after getting hot in the yard. LOCKROY was fine and just would have liked a little less pressure. Follow I AM IMPRESSED and HARRIER JET.
Race 3 ASCEND SALES TROPHIES HANDICAP
"A bonny lass in career best form".
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dublin Lass | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 3 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Holy Delusions | Chris Waller | Mr Lester Grace | 1 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Mesmereyeser | Joseph Pride | Tim Clark | 4 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
MAMWAAZEL, DUBLIN LASS, VANILLA PRINCESS and COMMAND MORE all looked well in the yard. VANILLA PRINCESS is a bold strong leader, which track hasn't suited. BELANNORO didn't impress light/keen
In The Running
VANILLA PRINCESS moved up to the lead and set a STOP-START TEMPO, managing to get some cheap sectionals like she did last time. DUBLIN LASS took the box seat inside MAMWAAZEL. BELANNORO was keen and moved up to 2nd.
The Result
DUBLIN LASS (1st) found room up the inside and powered clear late. HOLY DELUSIONS (2nd) made a dash through the pack, from MESMEREYESER who made ground.
The Interest
DUBLIN LASS was impressive and all her form lines are stacking up. A nice type too. MAMWAAZEL was very disappointing, she really did race very flat after looking OK in the yard. HOLY DELUSIONS showed her acceleration and the track may not have favoured VANILLA PRINCESS. Forgive BELANNORO in a lower grade, she was in a right mood! MESMEREYESER can progress now and looks one to follow. Follow DUBLIN LASS and MESMEREYESER . Forgive BELANNORO (in easier grade).
Race 4 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
"Waller adds a speedster to his army."
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Religify | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 11 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Shiraz | Kim Waugh | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Inside Job | David Pfieffer | Brodie Loy | 7 | 62.5 |
In The Yard
INSIDE JOB, TUMULT and CATSEYE SURPRISE all looked well. COSMIC CAMEO had a nice shine in coat fresh. RED DYNAMITE and MISS ALIBI were a bit unsettled. COOLRING looked fit, but smaller than most.
In The Running
RELIGIFY worked across to the lead and set an EVEN TEMPO. COSMIC CAMEO was just in behind after showing early speed, from INSIDE JOB just off them.
The Result
RELIGIFY (1st) was much too strong, kicking away. SHIRAZ (2nd) made good ground just beating INSIDE JOB (3rd) on the line, who had loomed.
The Interest
RELIGIFY was simply too good, a smart sprinter with potential. The form could hold up here, meaning INSIDE JOB and SHIRAZ can be followed too, as long as they don't bump into RELIGIFY! CATSEYE SURPRISE didn't have the best of luck. Follow RELIGIFY and INSIDE JOB.
Race 5 ATC CUP
"A turn of foot is punting gold".
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malice | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Sam Clipperton | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Metaphorical | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Dwayne Dunn | 10 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Midsummer Sun | Sam Kavanagh | Tye Angland | 3 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
No standouts, gallopers at longer odds all look well. MALICE was the nicest type, well balanced and strong.
In The Running
METAPHORICAL took up the lead and set a SLOW TEMPO from PLANET PURPLE who pushed up after getting stuck wide. MALICE got the box seat inside PERMIT.
The Result
METAPHORICAL (2nd) gave a nice kick in the straight, but MALICE (1st) sprinted well to just get there. They put a gap on MIDSUMMER SUN (3rd) and BEYOND THANKFUL (4th).
The Interest
The acceleration of MALICE proved the difference, the fact that he caught METAPHORICAL when she ran 33.96 for the last 600m is impressive. The margin also looked good to 3rd, but MIDSUMMER SUN and BEYOND THANKFUL are dour types that just couldn't find the top speed needed. Forgive them both. Follow MALICE. Forgive MIDSUMMER SUN and BEYOND THANKFUL.
Race 6 FESTIVAL STAKES
"Good tempos suit a veteran nicely".
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I'm Imposing | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 6 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Estonian Princess | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Brenton Avdulla | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Strawberry Boy | Chris Waller | Joshua Parr | 9 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
MOURO, STRAWBERRY BOY, GENERALIFE all looked the best. HEART TESTA also looked good, but compact for 1500m. No knock MONTON. ESTONIAN PRINCESS looked a bit lean and a touch keen. MULTILATERAL had some condition.
In The Running
STRAWBERRY BOY rolled to the front and was hassled by the AOMEN, setting a GOOD TEMPO. HEART TESTA and MECIR settled just behind the leaders. GENERALIFE was slow and hustled forward.
The Result
GENERALIFE (4th) pulled out from midfield and loomed, but his run tapered. ESTONIAN PRINCESS (2nd) made a run and fought well. She couldn't hold off the late surge of I'M IMPOSING (1st) though. STRAWBERRY BOY (3rd) stuck on well.
The Interest
The record of I'M IMPOSING when the tempo is good over this distance range is impressive, always worth a bet if the odds are good. ESTONIAN PRINCESS was brave with the low weight, but the best runs were from GENERALIFE and STRAWBERRY BOY. Two smart gallopers that didn't have everything go their way. Follow GENERALIFE and STRAWBERRY BOY.
Race 7 STARLIGHT STAKES
"Win 15 is ever so sweet".
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Our Boy Malachi | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Dwayne Dunn | 12 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Dothraki | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 9 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Senta de Noche | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 8 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
STRAIGHT GOLD looked the best in the yard, shining and fit. DOTHRAKI and OUR BOY MALACHI looked well. LILLIBURLERO, CRADLE ME, SENTA DE NOCHE and FARE WELL no knock. AERONAUTICAL and HIGH ESTEEM had some condition.
In The Running
SENTA DE NOCHE came across and found the rails, his favourite spot, setting a strong EVEN TEMPO. OUR BOY MALACHI got outside the leader. LILLIBURLERO had no speed early and got back.
The Result
OUR BOY MALACHI (1st) loomed up and surged past SENTA DE NOCHE (3rd) and DOTHRAKI (2nd) chased home gamely just behind them.
The Interest
Well this North Queenslander is all class. He impressed in the yard and delivered in spades. The Hawkes team might have even got another length or two out of him. What a good string of sprinters they have! SENTA DE NOCHE found the rails and did well again, and DOTHRAKI was very solid. AERONAUTICAL and LILLIBURLERO are the improvers for the future, making more ground than others. Follow AERONAUTICAL, DOTHRAKI, LILLIBURLERO and OUR BOY MALACHI.
Race 8 IRRESISTIBLE POOLS & SPAS HANDICAP
"The mare bosses the boys".
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commanding Wit | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Amovatio | Chris Waller | Serg Lisnyy | 11 | 60.5 | |
| 3 | Biloxi | Rick Worthington | Glyn Schofield | 2 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
No standouts in the last. CHOICE BRO wasn't fit yet and KOROIBETE lacks power for this distance range.
In The Running
KING COBIA came across and led at an EVEN TEMPO. FIGHT TO THE LINE was outside the leader, while DREAM CHOICE and COMMANDING WIT got nice trails just off them.
The Result
COMMANDING WIT (1st) got to the outside and kicked away from AMOVATIO (2nd) who sprinted well from the back. BILOXI (3rd) was held up and worked through late. DREAM CHOICE loomed before his run ended.
The Interest
COMMANDING WIT was weighted to win and she did, a mate that at her best is just off black type level. The best two gallopers on the day filled the top two places and BILOXI is very honest. THE ALFONSO looked good, was well backed and got trapped wide. A forgive run. DREAM CHOICE doesn't seem to get this distance. Follow AMOVATIO and COMMANDING WIT. Forgive THE ALFONSO.