Yard to the Post | Championships Day One
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 04 April 2020
The theatre of Championship racing went ahead without an audience today, some of the world’s best gallopers clapped back into the winner’s stall by just a handful of stable staff and media.
That may have tempered the post-race celebrations, but the on-track action was as exciting as ever. An early morning downpour and strong headwind created testing conditions and the thoroughbreds were pushed to their limits across the ten-race card.
In the Group One TJ Smith over 1,200 metres, NATURE STRIP’s electric speed broke the hearts of those chasing from the back. The hulking Chris Waller-trained sprinter was kept relaxed by jockey James MacDonald for the first part of the race as he pushed up to lead. He tired late, but none of the chasers had the energy to catch him.
In the other Group Ones, KING’S LEGACY won the Sires’ and QUICK THINKER stayed on best for a narrow win in the Derby. It was the final feature that provided the most exciting finish though, NETTOYER swooping down the outside to win the Doncaster Mile at big odds. Post-race tears from jockey James Innes Jnr and excitement from trainer Wendy Roche after they both won their first Group Ones warmed the hearts of punters stuck at home around the country.
A full review will be on-line Monday 5pm.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | HEAVY 8 |
| Weather | FINE, swirling headwind |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 WIDDEN KINDERGARTEN STAKES
Way too tough in the mud
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doubtland | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Jerle | James Cummings | Ms Rachel King | 6 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Not an Option | Michael Moroney | Opie Bosson | 12 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
No yard notes available.
In The Running
NEVER NEVER NEVER led, HARMONIUM 2nd 2W, DAMAGED 3rd 3W NC. DOUBTLAND jumped slowish and back in the pack.
The Result
DOUBTLAND (1st) came wider and surged past for a big win. JERLE (2nd 4L) chased OK and NOT AN OPTION (3rd 4.5L) ran on down the outisde.
The Interest
The leaders went hard and the super tough colt DOUBTLAND put them to the sword. He has the ability to sustain a strong run right to the line, which will win him a lot of races. The time sharp enough to suggest he's a talented horse. DAMAGED (7th 11.9L) wide and slow to recover.
Race 2 QUINCY SELTZER CARBINE CLUB STAKES
Tim Clark controls, kicks and wins
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Entente | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Bottega | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Power Scheme | Tom Dabernig | Kerrin McEvoy | 8 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
No yard notes available.
In The Running
ENTENTE led, POWER SCHEME 2nd 2W, GRAND PIANO 3rd 2W, RELOADED 4th rails and BOTTEGA out the back. A FAIR tempo set up, on the steady side.
The Result
ENTENTE (1st) kicked well to win, just holding on from BOTTEGA (2nd 0.2L) running on. POWER SCHEME (3rd 1.7L) edged out GRAND PIANO (4th 1.8L) for a place ahead of a disappointing RELOADED (5th 3.1L).
The Interest
We've seen this headline before, Tim Clark timing his run to perfection on a Waterhouse Bott runner. Coming back from 1800m, ENTENTE proved he is an under-rated type when fit. BOTTEGA settling better back in the pack and finishing strongly this prep. Fav's GRAND PIANO and RELOADED just plain. KUBRICK (8th 5.5L) never asked on the wet track.
Race 3 NEWHAVEN PARK COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS FINAL
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gracie Belle | Matthew Dunn | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Al Mah Haha | Tash Burleigh | Sam Clipperton | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Plonka | Warren Gavenlock | Jason Collett | 12 | 56.0 |
Race 4 TAB ADRIAN KNOX STAKES
A huge talent in a pint-sized package
fair tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colette | James Cummings | James McDonald | 4 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Toffee Tongue | Chris Waller | Sam Clipperton | 2 | 53.5 | |
| 3 | Quintessa | Mark Newnham | Ms Rachel King | 8 | 53.5 |
In The Yard
No yard notes available.
In The Running
DOROTHY OF OZ led, ELISA CAROLINA worked up to 2nd 2W, QUINTESSA behind them in 3rd. COLETTE midfield and TOFFEE TONGUE back in the pack too. A FAIR tempo set up with DOROTHY OF OZ kicking early for a LONG SPRINT home.
The Result
COLETTE (1st) got clear and stormed past for a dominant win. TOFFEE TONGUE (2nd 2.8L) ran on well to get past QUINTESSA (3rd 3.6L) who had hit the lead 300m out.
The Interest
Wow. This filly isn't the biggest and she doesn't seem like an obvious stayer either, but all of that doesn't matter when she hits the track, COLETTE a huge talent that will challenge in the Oaks next week. TOFFEE TONGUE and STICK 'EM UP (5th 5.1L) decent Oaks trials without being in the same league. QUINTESSA so honest after her form-line had been stamped by Entente in the Carbine Club earlier in the day.
Race 5 SCHWEPPES CHAIRMAN'S QUALITY
A stout Irish-bred stays on best
fair tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raheen House | Kris Lees | Hugh Bowman | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Carif | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tim Clark | 5 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Mirage Dancer | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Opie Bosson | 14 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
No yard notes available.
In The Running
THINK IT OVER led, HOUSE OF CARTIER 2nd 2W, ANGEL OF TRUTH worked hard to a spot 3rd 2W, CARIF in midfield and RAHEEN HOUSE just behind midfield on the rails.
The Result
RAHEEN HOUSE (1st) wound up best to run down CARIF (2nd 1.3L). MIRAGE DANCER (3rd 1.7L) ran on and GALLIC CHIEFTAIN (4th 2.4L) kept chasing up the inside.
The Interest
A testing race in the mud and genuine stayer RAHEEN HOUSE had too much stamina. CARIF honest as always, MIRAGE DANCER impressed (better on dry), GALLIC CHIEFTAIN (4th 2.4L) found the line and ANGEL OF TRUTH (5th 3.3L) was brave after covering ground early. YOGI (6th 3.5L) did enough to be a chance in the Sydney Cup too.
Race 6 INGLIS SIRES'
Bowman threads the needle to land another G1
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King's Legacy | Peter & Paul Snowden | Hugh Bowman | 10 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Prague | Annabel Neasham | Brenton Avdulla | 15 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Mamaragan | Nick Ryan | Nash Rawiller | 2 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
No yard notes available.
In The Running
CULTURAL AMNESIA led at a STRONG tempo. PRAGUE 2nd 2W. PIONEER RIVER 3W NC in midfield. MAMARAGAN midfield, shuffled back and pushed wide on the home turn. KING'S LEGACY (inside) and OLE KIRK (outside) at the back running on.
The Result
KING'S LEGACY (1st) ran down a brave PRAGUE (2nd 0.5L), who had hit the lead 325m from home. MAMARAGAN (3rd 1.8L) running on well with OLE KIRK (4th 1.9L).
The Interest
The best run was probably MAMARAGAN after getting pushed wide on the turn, but PRAGUE was't far off after riding a STRONG tempo and hitting the lead too early. In the end a brilliant ride from Bowman got the job done on KING'S LEGACY, who progressed from his plain Golden Slipper run fresh. PIONEER RIVER (9th 11.4L) not asked much a the back after a wide run.
Race 7 BENTLEY AUSTRALIAN DERBY
The Kiwis take out the Derby again
fair tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quick Thinker | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Opie Bosson | 6 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Zebrowski | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Eric The Eel | Stuart Kendrick | Nash Rawiller | 11 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
No yard notes available.
In The Running
A rush for spots early. SACRAMENTO led, SHERWOOD FOREST worked hard to get on-pace with WARNING working also to get near the pace. QUICK THINKER behind 2W, ZEBROWSKI midfield on the rails.
The Result
QUICK THINKER (1st) moved up and fought hard with ZEBROWSKI (2nd 0.2L) in a arm-wrestle down the straight. ERIC THE EEL (3rd 1.5L) ran on well from the back with a gap back to SHADOW HERO (4th 7.5L).
The Interest
The Frank Packer form wins the Derby again. Murray Baker's QUICK THINKER and ZEBROWSKI were primed for this race and were simply too strong, both enjoying the testing conditions. ERIC THE EEL came from Qld form-lines and produced a mighty effort. SHADOW HERO doesn't like the wet, WARNING (6th 9L) laid in and looks flat, CASTELVECCHIO (9th 21.5L) (slow to recover) doesn't stay on heavy ground.
Race 8 TAB T J SMITH STAKES
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nature Strip | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 1 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Santa Ana Lane | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Tim Clark | 2 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Redzel | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 58.5 |
Race 9 THE STAR DONCASTER MILE
James Innes swoops to his first Group One
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nettoyer | Wendy Roche | James Innes Jnr | 10 | 51.5 | |
| 2 | Star of the Seas | Chris Waller | Sam Clipperton | 16 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Brandenburg | John Sargent | Glen Boss | 7 | 50.5 |
In The Yard
No yard notes available.
In The Running
The leaders went hard, QUACKERJACK (rails), HOMESMAN (3W NC) and IMAGING (2W NC) all pushing on to ensure a STRONG tempo. MELODY BELLE out 4W NC midfield with BRANDENBURG inside her. NETTOYER and STAR OF THE SEAS at the back.
The Result
NETTOYER (1st) swept over the top to beat STAR OF THE SEAS (2nd 0.5L) running on up the inside and BRANDENBURG (3rd 0.6L) fighting on. A brave MELODY BELLE (4th 1.4L) not far away.
The Interest
Wendy Roche and James Innes Jnr get their first G1 with NETTOYER! She was good late off the rapid tempo, those on-pace giving themselves no chance running hard into the wind. STAR OF THE SEAS got the inside runs and BRANDENBURG was brave, but MELODY BELLE was the run of the race after coursing out 4W the whole way. CASCADIAN (9th 3.4L) unlucky too and should have been right in the finish (blocked final 150m).
Race 10 DE BORTOLI WINES P J BELL STAKES
Class shows over the final furlong
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rubisaki | Patrick Payne | Nash Rawiller | 2 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Wayupinthesky | Peter & Paul Snowden | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Akari | Brad Widdup | Tim Clark | 4 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
No yard notes available.
In The Running
SANGRIA led at an honest FAIR to STRONG tempo. RUBISAKI back in the pack.
The Result
RUBISAKI (1st) weaved through and was too strong late, a dominant win. WAYUPINTHESKY (2nd 1.5L) chased well from a good position near pace and AKARI (3rd 2.3L) ran on OK.
The Interest
RUBISAKI was well weighted under the Set Weights conditions and won easily here. WAYUPINTHESKY going well this prep and AKARI ready for 1400m again now. Not much else to report, there were margins back to the rest.