Yard to the Post - Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 10 January 2015
A small Royal Randwick crowd hardly murmured during a day of disappointing small fields. While the race club couldn't do much about the drain on talent caused by the Gosford and Gold Coast meetings, the situation wasn't helped by a race schedule that demoted better events in the search for turnover. Races 1 and 3 were two of the highest quality races of the day, but were shuffled out of the feature positions due to having only 5 and 6 acceptances.
There was some excitement through. Two well-backed Waller runners, The Alfonso and Diametric, hit the line together in Race 6 (picture above). The latter winning in a long and controversial protest.
A horse that Waller has always had an opinion of, Diametric showed big improvement from a disappointing first preparation in Australia.
In other races, the very tough Timeless Prince got a well-deserved win in Race 4, while the impressive-looking Inside Job was beautifully ridden by young hoop Brodie Loy to win Race 7.
The day started with a dominant win by She's Clean and a promising debut from Waterhouse youngster Flamboyant Lass, a speedster that has the conformation to succeed over 1,200 metres and beyond. Could Gai have unveiled her Slipper runner?
A race-by-race review is provided from the mounting yard to the post. The complete guide from your team at the track.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | OVERCAST / FINE / WARM |
| Bias | OFF RAILS |
All The Race Finishes
Race 1 TAB PLACE MULTI HANDICAP
'The mare shows them a clean pair of heels.'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | She's Clean | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Boomwaa | Henry Dwyer | Sam Clipperton | 6 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Pythagorean | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
All horses ok in the yard, TESTARHYTHM has perhaps less muscle these days. EIGELSTEIN looked fit enough, BOOMWAA was a bit hot
In The Running
BOOMWAA rolled to the front and set a FAIR TEMPO, from PYTHAGOREAN outside the lead, who raced a bit keenly.
The Result
SHE'S CLEAN (1st) tracked up in the centre of the track and sprinted clear, from BOOMWAA (2nd), who was well beaten. PYTHAGOREAN (3rd) hung on for a place.
The Interest
She was simply too good. End of story. It still seems that 1400m is a little short of the best distance of PYTHAGOREAN. BOOMWAA did well enough, you don't often see a leader win in a time of 1:21, he can win again soon. Follow SHE'S CLEAN.
Race 2 HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP
'Speed and class from a Waterhouse youngster.'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flamboyant Lass | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Paul King | 4 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Counterattack | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 1 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Stravigo | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 8 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
COUNTERATTACK and UPSTART were a standout in the yard, strong youngsters. STRAVIGO is much better now. ENTRANCING looked well,a bit leaner. MATERNAL wasn't 100% fit
In The Running
FLAMBOYANT LASS sped to the lead and set a FAIR TEMPO, from STRAVIGO and COUNTERATTACK. UPSTART and ENTRANCING were sluggish to begin.
The Result
FLAMBOYANT LASS (1st) kept going at a great speed to win from COUNTERATTACK (2nd) and STRAVIGO (3rd) stuck on ok, while ENTRANCING (4th) made ground.
The Interest
Another girl who was just too classy. She is quite an elegant type and there is no reason why she can't get 1200m. COUNTERATTACK can progress over further and ENTRANCING was good to the line. STRAVIGO had to do some early work. Follow FLAMBOYANT LASS.
Race 3 DRUMMOND GOLF HANDICAP
'Power and speed is all you need.'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kaepernick | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Blake Shinn | 5 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Meursault | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Sam Clipperton | 3 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Inz'n'out | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Taylor Marshall | 6 | 60.0 |
In The Yard
INZ'N'OUT, KAEPERNICK and VANDEMONIAN were standouts in the yard. DUPE'EM and MEURSAULT looked well. ADJECTIV E lacks power for this distance
In The Running
INZ'N'OUT jumped well and rolled to the lead from MYBOYGUY and MEURSAULT, setting a FAIR TEMPO. DUPE'EM was slow to begin, but improved to midfield. ADJECTIVE restrained this time. INZ'N'OUT was just a bit keen in the run.
The Result
KAEPERNICK (1st) came to the outside and stormed home with good speed. MEURSAULT (2nd) stuck on very gamely, from INZ'N'OUT (3rd).
The Interest
A possible good form race here. KAEPERNICK is a nice type and showed his best, they won't be taking him up to 1400m again any time soon. INZ'N'OUT and MEURSAULT are classy too. INZ'N'OUT just didn't quite settle with the kid on-board. Follow INZ'N'OUT, MEURSAULT and KAEPERNICK.
Race 4 J.B. (BARRY) MAHER MEMORIAL HANDICAP
'The little battler does the job.'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timeless Prince | Tony Newing | Ms Samantha Clenton | 4 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Smart Moochi | Jason Coyle | Jason Collett | 7 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Chestnut Road | David Pfieffer | Tye Angland | 1 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
PERFECT WEAPON and QUEENIAN paraded well, SMART MOOCHI looked ok. CHESTNUT ROAD wasn't 100% fit.
In The Running
QUEENIAN was stoked up and rolled to the lead, setting a FAIR TEMPO from PERFECT WEAPON on his outside. TARANGOWER was wide early and worked forward. SMART MOOCHI had no early speed.
The Result
TIMELESS PRINCE (1st) and SMART MOOCHI (2nd) came to the outside and fought on best, from CHESTNUT ROAD (3rd) who kept on.
The Interest
Smaller gallopers TIMELESS PRINCE and SMART MOOCHI need conditions to suit in Saturday grade, they both enjoyed the small field and low quality of this event. It only helped that they got to the better part of the track too. Ironically they had run home together (last and second-last) at Goulburn a few weeks ago. They are nothing if not reliable! CHESTNUT ROAD has more improvement to come. TARANGOWER had no luck and tired badly. Risky form to follow. No follows or forgives.
Race 5 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
'Hanging tough in a blanket finish.'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Il Mio Destino | Kim Waugh | Taylor Marshall | 6 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Oh My Papa | Greg Bennett | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 9 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Miss Ready | Luke Pepper | Tye Angland | 7 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
MEDUSA'S MISS and IL MIO DESTINO were the best in the yard, power to run good time. HOLY DELUSIONS looked ok, along with FRILL SEEKING, who might want further. HOYBELL looked fit enough. MIELLO looked poor
In The Running
CAPROSSA strode across to lead from IL MIO DESTINO outside of her. HOYBELL was slow and got back. FRILL SEEKING was stuck wide.
The Result
IL MIO DESTINO (1st) kept on solidly and just held on, from OH MY PAPA (2nd) and MISS READY (3rd). HOLY DELUSIONS simply never got a run.
The Interest
A blanket finish, the form in this one looks very shaky. HOLY DELUSIONS looked the class galloper and simply never got a run. IL MIO DESTINO was tough and honest, but she is no world beater. MEDUSA'S MISS had her chance. Forgive HOLY DELUSIONS and FRILL SEEKING.
Race 6 DECLARATION OF WAR @ COOLMORE PLATE
'A protest turns the result.'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diametric | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 8 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | The Alfonso | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 2 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Sense of Occasion | Kris Lees | Brodie Loy | 4 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
THE ALFONSO was the best in the yard, DRAGO, SENSE OF OCCASION and DIAMETRIC are all leggy types, fit enough. GOSH looked well first-up, but smaller
In The Running
KURTLEY went to the lead and set a FAIR TEMPO, from LAIDBACK LARRY on his outside. DRAGO and GOSH were slow to begin, but DRAGO managed to scoot up the rails to the box seat.
The Result
THE ALFONSO (2nd) peeled out from the perfect trail, picked up to the lead and just hung on, but lost in protest from DIAMETRIC (1st), who was blocked until late. SENSE OF OCCASION (3rd) made ground down the outside.
The Interest
THE ALFONSO did the job it seemed, a controversial protest, but no denying DIAMETRIC was the best run. He was more relaxed in the yard, a horse with strength and athleticism that can progress - if his manners stay good. SENSE OF OCCASION bounced back. GOSH needs further. Follow DIAMETRIC.
Race 7 JAMES BOAG'S PREMIUM HANDICAP
'Brodie keeps the rhythm going.'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inside Job | David Pfieffer | Brodie Loy | 5 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Nuclear Class | Tas Morton | Ms Samantha Clenton | 2 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Thermal Current | Mathew Ellerton | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
INSIDE JOB looked the best in the yard, but 1000m horse? THERMAL CURRENT and FLORAL INSIGHT were also a standout. NUCLEAR CLASS looked fit and ready, but smaller
In The Running
QUELL sped to the lead and set a STRONG TEMPO, from NUCLEAR CLASS who got a nice trail and INSIDE JOB a few lengths behind. AGENT was a bit slow and got back.
The Result
NUCLEAR CLASS (2nd) took over early in the straight, but was no match for INSIDE JOB (1st), who kept lifting. THERMAL CURRENT (3rd) and AGENT (4th) ran on late.
The Interest
QUELL bolted in this one and made it a real drag race. No doubting INSIDE JOB is going well and he's even better over 1100m. THERMAL CURRENT is very genuine and always tries. AGENT was well graded and NUCLEAR CLASS had the perfect run. THE PEAK didn't look strong in the yard, a bit of a worry after a break. Follow INSIDE JOB.
Race 8 TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP
'A bit of class wins the last.'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Esteem | Stuart Webb | Koby Jennings | 8 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Unique | Kris Lees | Ms Samantha Clenton | 2 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Sasenkile | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Serg Lisnyy | 4 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
Many horses looked ok, especially the favoured ones GREAT ESTEEM, UNIQUE and EMERALD CITY. DELIBERATE looked ok, as did NADACHEVA, but a bit leaner.
In The Running
GREAT ESTEEM took up the lead and set a STEADY TEMPO, from BARGE AND CHARGE, EMERALD CITY and UNIQUE. NADACHEVA was stuck wide with no cover.
The Result
GREAT ESTEEM kept lifting and hung on, to beat UNIQUE (2nd), who chased honestly, and SASENKILE (3rd), who ducked back to the inside.
The Interest
GREAT ESTEEM just seemed to have a touch of class about him in a very even race, it was a good effort despite getting an easy lead. SASENKILE was the next best run maybe, he just didn't need to go back to the inside - lesser ground. You had to be impressed by Diamondsinthenight. A very 'nuggetty' stayer that is racing in great heart. EMERALD CITY seemed a bit dour, it could be time for a big step up in distance. Follow GREAT ESTEEM. Forgive NADACHEVA, SASENKILE and DIAMONDSINTHENIGHT.