Yard to the Post - Australia Day Cup at Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 24 January 2015
The class of James McDonald shone brightly on a sunny day at Randwick. The skilled New Zealand hoop rode four winners, including the feature Carrington Stakes on the very genuine Ninth Legion (picture above).
The Hawkes stable presented the horse with improvement to come, but a strong speed set by Snowden's towering sprinter That's A Good Idea suited nicely - he simply strolled past in the straight to win by a widening margin.
In the staying event of the day, it was mixed emotions for Gai Waterhouse as a big betting plunge came off on Danas Best when he dashed clear in the straight. The unfortunate news that he had bled for the second time and won't race again soured an otherwise exciting moment for the big group of owners.
A race by race review is provided from the yard to the post. The complete guide from your team at the track.
Track Info
| Rail | +8m |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE & SUNNY |
| Bias | FAIR |
All The Race Finishes
Race 1 TAB PLACE MULTI PLATE
'Godolphin leads from the front.'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haptic | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 3 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Counterattack | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Sebring Sun | Darren Weir | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
Most youngsters looked OK. BANNATYNE is just a touch smaller, but fine. STREET RAPPER was a little keen. HAPTIC had a nice shine to coat. (as published @TheRaceGuide on Twitter)
In The Running
HAPTIC came across to lead from IRVINE, SEBRING SUN and COUNTERATTACK, who got the trail in the box seat. BANNATYNE went back. A FAIR TEMPO was set up.
The Result
HAPTIC (1st) picked up nicely in the straight, from COUNTERATTACK (2nd), who chased him through. There was a gap to SEBRING SUN (3rd).
The Interest
More Royal Blue domination, the Slipper just might be an ocean of Godolphin's silks! COUNTERATTACK is a nice horse too and the form from his previous race should stack up. SEBRING SUN was just OK, while STREET RAPPER and BANNATYNE worked to the line solidly out wider. BANNATYNE was only here for practice today, one to keep an eye on. Follow COUNTERATTACK and HAPTIC.
Race 2 HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP
'Flashes of talent from a filly on the rise.'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marple Miss | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 7 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Coolcraft | Gwenda Markwell | Kerrin McEvoy | 8 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Meursault | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 5 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
Nice horses in the yard.MEURSAULT looked classy, MARPLE MISS is also a nice type and looked well. COOLCRAFT and CHOICE WE HAD looked ok, just a tiny bit hot. KIPLING solid, is 1400m ok?
In The Running
MARPLE MISS jumped well and took the box seat. STREEFRAGETTE pushed forward and led from COOLCRAFT, who raced forward today. MEURSAULT was shuffled back to last. STREEFRAGETTE increased the speed on the turn. Overall, a FAIR TEMPO was set up.
The Result
STREEFRAGETTE quickened into the straight and then tired. MARPLE MISS (1st) and COOLCRAFT (2nd) maintained a strong run. MEURSAULT (3rd) worked home from the back.
The Interest
The top three are all smart horses that can race well in better company than this. MARPLE MISS paraded in great style, she has a touch of class, as does MEURSAULT. KIPLING and CHOICE WE HAD just might be shorter course types. A poor ride on STREEFRAGETTE, it seems the horse only has a short sprint. Follow MEURSAULT, COOLCRAFT and MARPLE MISS.
Race 3 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
'Kavanagh's crew marches on.'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centre Pivot | Darren Weir | James McDonald | 6 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Sasenkile | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Serg Lisnyy | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Proper Madam | Joseph Pride | Glyn Schofield | 2 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
CENTRE PIVOT and MARY LOU paraded well and both have strength in frame. SENSE OF OCCASION looked well, just very lean. PROPER MADAM is smaller
In The Running
MARENOSTRO went forward from SENSE OF OCCASION, who sat on his outside. A STEADY TEMPO was set up. SINJOREN and MARY LOU were just in behind.
The Result
CENTRE PIVOT (1st) peeled to the outside early and sustained a strong surge. SASENKILE (2nd) and PROPER MADAM (3rd) finished well down the outside. None of the on-pacers could give a kick.
The Interest
CENTRE PIVOT was simply too good for these He can continue to progress, but he wasn't as dominant as you might have expected given everything went his way. Kavanagh stated that 2000m is next on the agenda for the solidly-built 4yo - it will be interesting to see how he goes. SENSE OF OCCASION is a bit "on and off" at the moment, don't be surprised if he bounces back (again!). MARY LOU had every chance. PROPER MADAM and SASENKILE could sneak up over 2000m next start, they both are more "Efficient" than the winner and hit the line well. Follow CENTRE PIVOT..
Race 4 ASCEND SALES TROPHIES HANDICAP
'A battling trainer beats the northern raider.'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tahitian Black | David Pfieffer | Hugh Bowman | 5 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Inside Job | David Pfieffer | Brodie Loy | 6 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Plateau Gold | Quinton Scott | Ms Kasie Stanley | 2 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
All sprinters looked OK in the yard. INSIDE JOB still has the shine in his coat. PLATEAU GOLD was powerful, just a bit hot.
In The Running
QUELL took up the lead wider from PLATEAU GOLD on the rails. NUCLEAR CLASS strode up three wide on the pace. A FAIR TEMPO was set up.
The Result
INSIDE JOB (2nd) tracked up nicely and hit the lead, but TAHITIAN BLACK (1st) sustained his speed down the outside to win on the line. PLATEAU GOLD (3rd) stuck on nearer the inside.
The Interest
It may not have been the highest rating sprint contest, but it was a great tussle between two stable-mates. TAHITIAN BLACK deserved the win. PLATEAU GOLD was well backed and just couldn't hold them off. Perhaps INSIDE JOB remains the one to follow up to 1100m next time. Follow INSIDE JOB.
Race 5 JAMES BOAG'S PREMIUM HANDICAP
'A strong speed brings the class to the top.'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mihiri | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | James McDonald | 9 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Role Model | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Miss Tenpins | Bjorn Baker | Brodie Loy | 5 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
Nice mares, including JUST A BLUR, IL MIO DESTINO, MIHIRI, HOYBELL, MISS TENPINS and MEDUSA'S MISS. ROLE MODEL and BLUE EYES need further? RARE FRAGRANCE was carrying some condition
In The Running
ROLE MODEL rolled to the front and set a FAIR TEMPO, trying to break the hearts of the sprinters stepping up the speed from mid-race. IL MIO DESTINO was on her outside, while MISS TENPINS, MEDUSA'S MISS and MIHIRI were just off the pace. MISS TENPINS over-raced in the run after getting close to the heels of IL MIO DESTINO.
The Result
MIHIRI (1st) pulled out and maintained her run, from ROLE MODEL (2nd), who fought on well. MISS TENPINS (3rd) kept on strongly.
The Interest
They race good time in this one! ROLE MODEL was brave in the lead and will improve over longer distances. She showed real toughness today. MIHIRI is a lovely type and must have a touch of class to win in 1:09.21. MISS TENPINS is going well, as are most of the Bjorn Baker runners! RARE FRAGRANCE has a lot of improvement to come and she had Vet issues after the race. Follow ROLE MODEL, MIHIRI and MISS TENPINS.
Race 6 VILI'S PIES AUSTRALIA DAY CUP
'A Waterhouse plunge takes the riches.'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danas Best | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tommy Berry | 5 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Permit | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Oriental Lady | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
ORIENTAL LADY was ready and looked very well. PERMIT, MULTILATERAL, DANAS BEST and GHOST PROTOCOL no knock. CASINO DANCER and OFF THE RAILS are too powerful for this trip?
In The Running
DANAS BEST rolled to the front and set a STEADY TEMPO, from PERMIT, MUILTILATERAL, ORIENTAL LADY and GHOST PROTOCOL. ORIENTAL LADY made a mid-race move to sit outside the leader.
The Result
DANAS BEST kicked and surged clear to win, from PERMIT and ORIENTAL LADY, who stayed on solidly a few lengths behind.
The Interest
There were two nice stayers in this race. DANAS BEST was dominant and can be followed next start, as can ORIENTAL LADY, who lacked the power to sprint home in the fast surface. OFF THE RAILS is going well too and can win (perhaps back to 2000m?). GHOST PROTOCOL did OK given the conditions weren't ideal. Unfortunately DANAS BEST bled after the race (second time) and will now be banned from racing. Follow ORIENTAL LADY.
Race 7 CARRINGTON STAKES
'Best horse and best jockey is a potent mix.'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ninth Legion | Peter Robl | James McDonald | 1 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | That's a Good Idea | Peter & Paul Snowden | Hugh Bowman | 10 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Haussmann | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Sam Clipperton | 8 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
Interesting horses. Sprinters HEART TESTA and THAT'S A GOOD IDEA both looked very well. HAUSSMANN and SCREAM MACHINE were in good shape. NINTH LEGION 90% fit, PAEDEROS looked ok, but not most impressive
In The Running
THAT'S A GOOD IDEA had to work to the front and set a STRONG TEMPO, from SPURTONIC and HIGH ESTEEM just off him.
The Result
NINTH LEGION (1st) snuck up the inside and simply stayed on best. THAT'S A GOOD IDEA (2nd) held in from HAUSSMANN (3rd) and MIGHTY LUCKY (4th).
The Interest
A strange betting plunge on PAEDEROS in this race. He was fit, but a pretty plain type really. NINTH LEGION had too much class and enjoyed the speed, a very genuine horse that sometimes lacks a turn of foot. HAUSSMANN and MIGHTY LUCKY were both very honest. Keep an eye out for HEART TESTA back to 1200m, he's looking great, and same for THAT'S A GOOD IDEA. SCREAM MACHINE and SPURTONIC were disappointing, both leaner types that might have not enjoyed the very firm track. Follow NINTH LEGION.
Race 8 TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP
'Zin Zan and Shinn get it made to order.'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zin Zan Eddie | Matthew Smith | Blake Shinn | 8 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Harrier Jet | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Chestnut Road | David Pfieffer | Tommy Berry | 15 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
A few looked well, SHIRAZ and HARRIER JET looked nice, but not dominant. ABSALON, GOLDSTONE, PERFECT WEAPON, ZIN ZAN EDDIE and FORGET all looked well. TIMELESS PRINCE is nice, but lacks power
In The Running
SHIRAZ worked forward and set a FAIR TEMPO from FAUSTUS and GOLDSTONE, who was stuck wide on the pace. ZIN ZAN EDDIE jumped fast and got the box seat. FORGET checked PERFECT WEAPON early in the race, setting off a chain reaction that pushed HARRIER JET and ABSOLON wide.
The Result
ZIN ZAN EDDIE (1st) got a run up the inside and got the win from HARRIER JET (2nd) who made a strong run. CHESTNUT ROAD (3rd) finished off from the back just beating GOLDSTONE (4th) and SHIRAZ (5th). CLEANSING ALE was held up in the straight.
The Interest
A messy race! Avdulla wasn't quite clear of PERFECT WEAPON when he came across early on FORGET and a few unlucky runs was the result. ZIN ZAN EDDIE got all the luck, but it was GOLDSTONE (stuck wide) and HARRIER JET that might have been the best runs. SHIRAZ, ZIN ZAN EDDIE and HARRIER JET came through the same form line - you can probably stick with them next time. CLEANSING ALE had no luck in the straight, he might have got close to being in the finish. Forgive HARRIER JET, GOLDSTONE, CLEANSING ALE, PERFECT WEAPON and ABSOLON.