Yard to the Post | Chipping Norton Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 29 February 2020
The Kiwis came and conquered Royal Randwick today, both Group Ones taken out by raiders from across the ditch.
PROBABEEL zoomed home down the outside to win the Group One Surround Stakes, an effort repeated by the promising TE AKAU SHARK, who ran down fellow Kiwi VERRY ELLEEGANT in an exciting finish to the Group One Chipping Norton Stakes.
Those two favourites got the punters cheering, but the earlier races were harder to pick. The Golden Slipper picture became even murkier as HUNGRY HEART ($9.5) and MAMARAGAN ($19) won the Group Two lead-up races. Another group race upset going to DAWN DAWN ($13) after she arrived just in time to beat the brave favourite SWEET DEAL.
Glen Boss and James McDonald weren’t popular in most punters eyes when they engaged in a bumping duel in the Liverpool City Cup. Glen Boss tried to move the cruising CASCADIAN into the clear at the top of the straight when James McDonald used the brute strength of IMAGING to shove him back in a pocket, twice! Something we will hear more about from the Stewards’ room.
A full review of the racing action is provided below, from the yard to the post.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR, swoopers making ground |
Race 1 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Look Only | Fabian Azzopardi | Brock Ryan | 16 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | All In War | Matthew Dale | Robbie Dolan | 8 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Tango Stepz | Rodney Northam | Ms Rachel King | 2 | 55.5 |
The Interest
No review for this race available.
Race 2 DRINKWISE SWEET EMBRACE STAKES
Stamina wins the Sweet Embrace
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hungry Heart | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 10 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Stellar Pauline | Peter & Paul Snowden | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Dismissal | Gary Portelli | Ms Rachel King | 2 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
STELLAR PAULINE paraded best, strong and relaxed. A nice parade from QUEEN KAY who covers some ground. HARMONIUM just OK and TILIA ROSE carried some condition.
In The Running
STELLAR PAULINE jumped well and was left with no option but to work to the lead from HARMONIUM and BELLA NIPOTINA in the box seat. HUNGRY HEART out the back in last enjoying the STRONG tempo.
The Result
HUNGRY HEART (1st) ran over the top of a brave STELLAR PAULINE (2nd 0.8L) with a gap back to the pack led by DISMISSAL (3rd 3.1L).
The Interest
Two nice fillies and the tempo made all the difference to the result, STELLAR PAULINE perhaps jumping too well and working up on a STRONG tempo. HUNGRY HEART may not be a Golden Slipper filly, but she clearly a big chance in the 1400m Sires Produce and 1600m Champagne Stakes.
Race 3 SCHWEPPES SKYLINE STAKES
A strong debutante puts himself in the Slipper mix
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mamaragan | Nick Ryan | Blake Shinn | 7 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Osamu | Annabel Neasham | James McDonald | 8 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Aim | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 2 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
MAMARAGAN a nice type with sculpted muscle and a loose walk, just a bit fizzy in the yard. AIM and PRAGUE looked well. POSTCODE smaller than most and a touch warm, maybe more a 1400m+ type. ARGENTEUS making a fuss calling out at the start of the parade before settling down.
In The Running
POSTCODE jumped well and led at a STRONG tempo with MAMARAGAN on his outside. GORSHIN out very wide 4W NC hassling MISSION RIVER inside him, a touch keen with no cover 3W. ARGENTEUS held up back on the inside as PRAGUE laid in on him and AIM held up badly with some interference too.
The Result
MAMARAGAN (1st) kept going best to win from OSAMU (2nd 1.3L) running on well in clear room. AIM (3rd 2.1L) made strong ground late when clear.
The Interest
A lovely type, MAMARAGAN with sculpted muscle and a nice lose walk. He was a touch fizzy in the yard and should take some improvement from this run into the Golden Slipper. There were some unlucky runners though. AIM held up 'til about the 225m, ARGENTEUS (5th 3.1L) not getting a clear crack at a key moment and MISSION RIVER (8th 5.6L) (2/5 lame) a complete forgive after a wide run when hassled on the outside. A strange run from PRAGUE (6th 3.2L), who was laying in and may have come to the end of his prep. The Slipper picture remains wide open!
Race 4 LIVERPOOL CITY CUP
Jockeys turn to boxers in a messy sprint
slow tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quackerjack | Mark Newnham | Joshua Parr | 2 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Vegadaze | Anthony Cummings | Jean Van Overmeire | 6 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Rock | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 3 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
CASCADIAN looking very well this prep. I AM SUPERMAN also in shape, probably the best of the first-up gallopers. VEGADAZE fine, not quite the standout he was last start. A touch of improvement to come from QUACKERJACK, ROCK and IMAGING, who is quite a heavily-built galloper.
In The Running
VEGADAZE led and controlled a SLOW tempo from QUACKERJACK, CASCADIAN in the box seat and IMAGING in that group to. CASCADIAN and IMAGING had a fierce bumping duel at the 400m as Boss on CASCADIAN tried to push McDonald on IMAGING out of the way.
The Result
With interference behind the leaders kicked clear, QUACKERJACK (1st) just edging out VEGADAZE (2nd 0.1L) with a gap back to ROCK (3rd 2.4L) sneaking a place in-front of the pack.
The Interest
A non-event for he racing, but the main even if you came for a stoush. The two on-pacers got a picnic and the Boss/McDonald duel put the rest out of the race with their antics at the 400m mark. CASCADIAN (5th 2.7L) would have gone close to winning if he stayed to the inside and IMAGING (8th 4L) pulled up 2/5 lame. Almost every galloper ran OK or had excuses, the form hard to trust going forward. A positive sign for QUACKERJACK though given he did have a touch of improvement to come.
Race 5 GUY WALTER PROVEN THOROUGHBREDS STAKES
A little bit of luck gives Hawkes the win
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dawn Dawn | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Sweet Deal | John Thompson | Blake Shinn | 2 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Pohutukawa | James Cummings | James McDonald | 10 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
SWEET DEAL big, strong and well. Many of them in shape with hardly any knocks. POHUTUKAWA also an impressive type and SWEET SCANDAL was shining in the coat.
In The Running
SWEET DEAL was hassled in the lead by CON TE PARTIRO and a STRONG tempo set up. FIESTA just a touch wide near pace with SWEET SCANDAL 3W behind her, getting cover on the turn. DAWN DAWN and POHUTUKAWA out the back. NOIRE on the rails held up badly when she needed a run.
The Result
DAWN DAWN (1st) ran on well with POHUTUKAWA (3rd 0.2L), joining SWEET DEAL (2nd 0.1L) right on the post. A gap back to SWEET SCANDAL (4th 1.7L) and the unlucky NOIRE (5th 1.9L).
The Interest
There were two very unlucky horses in this race, SWEET DEAL attacked in the lead and NOIRE finally getting an honest tempo up-front, but getting hopelessly held up on the inside. Honest runs from DAWN DAWN and POHUTUKAWA who had the race set up well for them. SWEET SCANDAL going pretty well this prep and REELEM IN RUBY (7th 3.2L) had her chance.
Race 6 HEINEKEN 3 SURROUND STAKES
A classic finish between a classy group of fillies
steady tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Probabeel | Jamie Richards | Opie Bosson | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Funstar | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 14 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Xilong | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Glen Boss | 12 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
FLIT and PROBABEEL both looking fit and well. XILONG and FUNSTAR impressed too, a touch more improvement to come given they were first-up. No clear knocks, MISSILE MANTRA a fitter now.
In The Running
KIAMICHI led and instead of rolling along she set a STEADY tempo then kicked early for a LONG SPRINT home. XILONG outside the lead, FLIT stuck 3W NC near the pace with PROBABEEL a touch out-sprinted on her back. FUNSTAR back and she edged out wider on the turn.
The Result
PROBABEEL (1st) got to the outside and surged home hard late to beat FUNSTAR (2nd 0.2L) running on and XILONG (3rd 0.7L), who gave a good kick and tired late.
The Interest
The three best fillies all ran well, PROBABEEL coming into this hard fit, FUNSTAR producing a strong return and FLIT (6th 1.6L) stuck wide from the start. FLIT may have been better off if the leader (and stablemate) KIAMICHI rolled along, but she stacked them up then set off for a testing long sprint home. XILONG a nice type that will improve off this and MISSILE MANTRA (5th 1.4L) on the up now this prep too.
Race 7 TAB CHIPPING NORTON STAKES
Australia's best hunted down by a Kiwi shark
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Te Akau Shark | Jamie Richards | Opie Bosson | 13 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Verry Elleegant | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 9 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Fierce Impact | Matthew Smith | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
The classy runners looking well. AVILIUS with dapples, FIERCE IMPACT very fit and TE AKAU SHARK in great shape over from NZ. No knock DREAMFORCE and HAPPY CLAPPER too. VERRY ELLEEGANT fine, a light athletic type that usually enjoys wet tracks.
In The Running
DREAMFORCE took up the running with HAPPY CLAPPER on his outside and James McDonald getting VERRY ELLEGANT into a nice spot one-out one-back. A STEADY tempo set up with TE AKAU SHARK back in the field. FIERCE IMPACT in midfield.
The Result
TE AKAU SHARK (1st) launched down the outside to run down VERRY ELLEGANT (2nd 0.5L), who fought on very bravely. FIERCE IMPACT (3rd 1.8L) ran on solidly with AVILIUS (4th 2L). HAPPY CLAPPER (5th 2.1L) not far off.
The Interest
TE AKAU SHARK got the fair track he wanted, but he still had to overcome a steady tempo, reeling off a 10.93, 10.62, 11.04 finish to power home late. The top five all running good races and we can look forward to more battles between them over the Autumn. The mile is just a touch too far for DREAMFORCE (8th 4L) in this grade it seems.
Race 8 RANVET HANDICAP
A smart ride wins a slow staying race
slow tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Think It Over | Kerry Parker | Andrew Adkins | 8 | 52.0 | |
| 2 | Costello | David Payne | Glen Boss | 1 | 53.5 | |
| 3 | White Boots | Kim Waugh | Tommy Berry | 2 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
THINK IT OVER, COSTELLO and NIGHT OF POWER all a touch warm, but they can get like that. MONEGAL a touch anxious. All others fine.
In The Running
MOUNT TABORA took up the running and controlled a SLOW empo with MONSIEUR SISU right there on-pace. NIGHT OF POWER worked into a spot from a wider position. COSTELLO near the pace, WHITE BOOTS and THINK IT OVER back in the pack. Andrew Adkins noticed the lack of tempo and crept into the race on THINK IT OVER from the 900m.
The Result
THINK IT OVER (1st) ran on in a very close finish, just getting the better of COSTELLO (2nd 0.1L) and WHITE BOOTS (3rd 0.3L). MOUNT TABORA (4th 0.8L) and MONSIEUR SISU (5th 1L) peaking on their runs late after looking to have the race to themselves.
The Interest
If either MOUNT TABORA or MONSIEUR SISU had 2000m stamina they would have won this, and if Andrew Adkins didn't show some initiative THINK IT OVER wouldn't have. The lack of tempo was far from ideal for the real staying types ATTORNEY (8th 2.2L), CHAINS OF HONOUR (9th 2.4L) and ATTENTION RUN (11th 3.2L). WHITE BOOTS produced a nice run for the in-form Kim Waugh stable.
Race 9 QUINCY SELTZER HANDICAP
Kim Waugh's form is on the rise
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trumbull | Kim Waugh | James McDonald | 8 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Asharani | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Royal Celebration | Ron Quinton | Andrew Adkins | 2 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
SO TAKEN well fresh. Nice parades from ACCESSION, GOLDIFINCH, ROHERYN and YAMAZAKI too.
In The Running
GOLDFINCH controlled the lead at a STEADY tempo (but they did tire the final 200m) from ROMAN WOLF and ACCESSION in the box seat, the leading quickening into the home turn. TRUMBULL was 3W NC, with YAMAZAKI (4W NC) and JUVENTUS (5W NC) even wider near the back. SO TAKEN midfield with ASHARANI back in the pack.
The Result
TRUMBULL (1st) kicked on best for the win from ASHARANI (2nd 0.2L) running on hard late from the back. ROYAL CELEBRATION (3rd 1.5L) chased well from a tight spot and SO TAKEN (4th 1.6L) wasn't far off.
The Interest
Quite a good race on paper and TRUMBULL dashed home best, a progressive type that has come back better than ever. Forgive YAMAZAKI (6th 2.2L) and JUVENTUS (9th 3.1L) after the wide run. ROYAL CELEBRATION and ROHERYN (7th 2.3L) could have done with more tempo coming back from 1300m.