Yard to the Post - Villiers Day at Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 13 December 2014
The Queenslanders hit Sydney's Group 2 Villiers Stakes with two promising gallopers and it was the Helen Page trained Rudy that took the spoils. He might have been less favoured than his fellow northener Sir Moments in the lead up, but confidence on track and a strong finish showed that he is a serious horse. One that won't find his best until he reaches 2000 metres too.
Another Queenslander, Our Boy Malachi, was every bit as impressive winning the Razor Sharp. A sprinter with that much power and acceleration doesn't come along that often. Along with Deep Field, the Hawkes team are spoilt with challengers to Terravista and Lankan Rupee come the Autumn.
Perhaps the best race of the day was the surprising 2400m Race 3. The mares Terai and Saigon Tea engaged in an epic battle down the length of the Royal Randwick straight. You can be sure Terai will only improve after getting a tough lesson from the Waller warrior.
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 | TRUE |
| Conditions | SOFT 7 to SOFT 5 (upgraded) |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | NO BIAS early, OFF RAILS late in day |
Race 1 TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP
'Swoopers start with a bang'.
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dupe 'em | Chris Waller | 6 | 56.0 | ||
| 2 | Minnesota | Gwenda Markwell | Taylor Marshall | 1 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Va Va Veni | Darryl Rolfe | 4 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
Horses presented well. LOCKROY looked the most powerful. FELINES, BOLD CIRCLE and DUPE 'EM looked well. MINNESOTA was fine too but had a bit less power.
In The Running
LOCKROY jumped best, but MINNESOTA and FELINES kicked up on the inside, setting an EVEN TEMPO. FELINES over-raced mid-race and DUPE 'EM got cover wide at the back..
The Result
DUPE 'EM (1st) swooped down the outside and caught MINNESOTA (2nd), who fought on well. VA VA VENI (3rd) was right on their heels.
The Interest
MINNESOTA was well backed and enjoyed the conditions, a tough neat galloper. DUPE 'EM is going well and can be followed up in trip. VA VA VENI was very solid. Hard to knock BOLD CIRCLE, who can improve, and LOCKROY, who can bounce back on a fast track. FELINES over-raced enough to give one more chance. Follow DUPE 'EM. Forgive FELINES.
Race 2 ALCONEX FIRE HANDICAP
'Waller thanks young Clenton for another winner'.
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beyond Thankful | Eric Musgrove | 4 | 61.5 | ||
| 2 | Plutorius | Jeremy Sylvester | 11 | 57.5 | ||
| 3 | Darci Magic | Paul Murray | Tim Clark | 2 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
RESURRECT and BARGE AND CHARGE paraded best, big strong and fit. BEYOND THANKFUL, PLUTORIUS, AKAMAS all looked ok. DARCI MAGIC and DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE lacked power, need strong tempo
In The Running
DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE pushed to the lead and set a STOP-START TEMPO. BARGE AND CHARGE moved up on the outside. BEYOND THANKFUL was just in behind and PLUTORIUS had a nice trail.
The Result
BEYOND THANKFUL (1st) moved up wide on the turn and just held off PLUTORIUS (2nd) who kept coming. DARCI MAGIC (3rd) stuck on gamely along the rails.
The Interest
BEYOND THANKFUL did the work and got the prize, he loves a bit if cut in the track and is very genuine when fit. PLUTORIUS was good, but had every chance. The big boys RESURRECT and BARGE AND CHARGE laboured a bit in the conditions. DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE is very dour.
Race 3 CHRISTMAS CUP
'The Tea is just too strong'.
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saigon Tea | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Terai | John O'Shea | James McDonald | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Metaphorical | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
METAPHORICAL looked nice and has power, suited if they go slow. TERAI is classy. LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY looked fine. WORLD WIDE and PLANET PURPLE also looked well, just a bit lean to sprint
In The Running
WORLD WIDE pushed to the front and set an honest EVEN TEMPO. PERMIT moved up the outside and METAPHORICAL got the box seat.
The Result
METAPHORICAL (3rd) tracked up OK, but SAIGON TEA (1st) and TERAI (2nd) cleared out for a titanic battle.
The Interest
What a race! Two very good mares. TERAI is a classy staying type that is still learning and can progress to a good level. She just couldn't outpoint the very genuine SAIGON TEA though today. SAIGON TEA could win over most distances, a great training effort from Waller. Follow SAIGON TEA and TERAI.
Race 4 INGLIS NURSERY
'Big, bold and just too strong'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Odyssey Moon | Robert Smerdon | Tye Angland | 16 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Kimberley Star | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 11 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Let's Make It Rain | Ron Quinton | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
Pretty well behaved youngsters. LET'S MAKE IT RAIN, DANE SLUGGER, HOT SNIPPETY and FASHION MODEL all impressed. ALBA GU BRATH, DOUBLE GOOD and KIMBERLEY STAR didn't seem the right types. KIMBERLEY STAR has a very big rear!
In The Running
LET'S MAKE IT RAIN, HOT SNIPPETY and DOMANUS all moved up and set a GOOD TEMPO. SWIFT REPLY tracked up out wide.
The Result
LET'S MAKE IT RAIN (3rd) burst through early in the straight. The strong youngsters ODYSSEY MOON (1st) and KIMBERLEY STAR (2nd) had too much power to the line.
The Interest
DANE SLUGGER finished just in behind them and can progress being a leaner type. Both ODYSSEY MOON and KIMBERLEY STAR have good power for youngsters, the KIMBERLEY STAR perhaps having more improvement. He is driven by a big motor! Follow KIMBERLEY STAR and DANE SLUGGER.
Race 5 THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS NSW RAZOR SHARP
A quick QLDer makes it sweet 16
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Our Boy Malachi | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | James McDonald | 3 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Dothraki | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 5 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Cradle Me | David Pfieffer | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
No knocks. DOTHRAKI and OUR BOY MALACHI impressed, OUR BOY MALACHI looked very powerful. HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME towered over them
In The Running
HOWMUCHDOYULOVEME railed and led OUR BOY MALACHI at a SLOW TEMPO with CRADLE ME taking the sit while DOTHRAKI posted 3W NC
The Result
OUR BOY MALACHI (1st) accelerated quickly to put away DOTHRAKI (2nd) who ranged up briefly while CRADLE ME (3rd) fought on well
The Interest
OUR BOY MALACHI displayed brilliant acceleration and turn of foot to drop DOTHRAKI with ease and won likes good horse running away. DOTHRAKI was game again and loomed briefly while HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME dropped out sharply to finish last behind a horse that was deeply out of form. Follow OUR BOY MALACHI
Race 6 INGLIS VILLIERS
'Queensland takes the main event'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rudy | Helen Page | Luke Tarrant | 6 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | I'm Imposing | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 12 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Strawberry Boy | Chris Waller | Jim Cassidy | 1 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
I'M IMPOSING, SIR MOMENTS and ESTONIAN PRINCESS all looked well in the yard. MONTON was a bit unsettled. MULTILATERAL seemed a bit solid for 1600m ROSE OF CHOICE looked lean and unsettled. RUDY, GENERAL GROOVE and KEEP COOL were all ok
In The Running
STRAWBERRY BOY rolled to the front an set an honest GOOD TEMPO. MONTON and ROSE OF CHOICE were on speed also, while KEEP COOL was wide with no cover.
The Result
RUDY (1st) wound up and got there, producing a finish just better than I'M IMPOSING (2nd). ESTONIAN PRINCESS (3rd) boxed on and beat STRAWBERRY BOY (4th) for the remaining place.
The Interest
RUDY is shaping up as a nice galloper and he will get further. STRAWBERRY BOY was brave once again and he deserves a win soon. SCREAM MACHINE showed a return to some form. SIR MOMENTS perhaps didn't handle the tough Randwick straight. Forgive KEEP COOL in an easier grade. Follow STRAWBERRY BOY and RUDY.
Race 7 TAB REWARDS PLATE
'A ball of cash for punters'.
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball of Muscle | Joseph Pride | Glyn Schofield | 7 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Miniature | John O'Shea | Blake Shinn | 10 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Holder Sunset | Anthony Cummings | Jason Collett | 2 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
No knocks. BALL OF MUSCLE looked well, MINIATURE seemed fit and ready. HOLDER SUNSET was fit, but bigger boys to contend with. REIGNS ABOVE looked good and strong
In The Running
BALL OF MUSCLE moved up and led out wide setting an EVEN TEMPO, from HOLDER SUNSET nearer the inside. MASTER GAZE was wide on the pace. QUELL was out wider outside the pack.
The Result
BALL OF MUSCLE (1st) maintained his speed to win, from MINIATURE (2nd), which made ground nearer the inside. HOLDER SUNSET (3rd) held on for a place.
The Interest
The two best horses took the top two places. BALL OF MUSCLE just had too much speed this time, but MINIATURE was very good. Not much else too report. Follow BALL OF MUSCLE and MINIATURE.
Race 8 ATC AUTUMN HOSPITALITY ON SALE HANDICAP
'A big kick puts the last to bed'.
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peace Force | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Brenton Avdulla | 11 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Mamwaazel | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Hugh Bowman | 8 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Whitten's Delight | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Matthew Neilson | 4 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
DUBLIN LASS, PEACE FORCE and UNEQUIVOCAL looked the best in the yard, nice types. CROOKED STICK looked well, but lighter and athletic. WHITTEN'S DELIGHT was solid, some condition still.
In The Running
PEACE FORCE moved up to lead and set a SLOW TEMPO, from MAMWAAZEL just outside her. DUBLIN LASS couldn't get cover and was stuck wide. CROOKED STICK and UNEQUIVOCAL got well back.
The Result
DUBLIN LASS (1st) travelled well and then gave a big kick to put the race away. MAMWAAZEL (2nd) stuck on ok and WHITTEN'S DELIGHT (3rd) made solid ground.
The Interest
The drying track and easy tempo left this strong mare to an away win. DUBLN LASS just needs cover for a short sprint, she didn't get that today. WHITTEN'S DELIGHT and UNEQUIVOCAL chased home well and can be followed. CROOKED STICK was OK from the back. Follow PEACE FORCE, WHITTEN'S DELIGHT and UNEQUIVOCAL.