Yard to the Post - Expressway Stakes at Rosehill
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 31 January 2015
Waller's army landed a cruel late blow to Gai Waterhouse's tough sprinter Driefontein as Weary (picture above) stormed home to win the Expressway Stakes over 1,200 metres. The mare looked like the winner until the last 20 metres, when the superior stamina of the Waller miler really kicked in.
It was a race that signalled the end of the off-season in Sydney. As soon as the impressive-looking Boban, Beaten Up and Panzer Division walked into the parade ring, you could sense the Carnival wasn't far away. February sees the running of the Apollo Stakes, Silver Slipper and Chipping Norton, before the racing really hots up over the Easter period.
Two black-type two-year-old races gave us a chance to see some impressive trials ahead of the Golden Slipper. Both Vancouver (1st in Canonbury) and Lake Geneva (2nd in Widden) stood out as youngsters to follow in the coming weeks.
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 | TRUE |
| Conditions | SOFT 6 to SOFT 5 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | OFF RAILS |
All The Race Finishes
Race 1 CANONBURY STAKES
"A big surge from the big colt"
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vancouver | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tommy Berry | 4 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Outreach | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Chamarel | Darren Weir | James McDonald | 5 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
Nice youngsters. MAWAHIBB looked strong and impressive. OUTREACH looked compact and powerful. VANCOUVER, CHAMAREL and ULSTER are all nice types too, CHAMAREL is more athletic than the others.
In The Running
ULSTER was slowish. OUTREACH went forward to lead, setting a FAIR TEMPO, from CHAMAREL and MAWAHIBB. ULSTER strode up out wide mid-race.
The Result
VANCOUVER (1st) surged home from the back to catch OUTREACH (2nd), who have a decent kick. CHAMAREL (3rd) and MAWAHIBB (4th) kept on a couple of lengths behind.
The Interest
VANCOUVER is a really strong colt, a typical Waterhouse galloper. If the Slipper is run on a Soft track, this win bodes well for his chances. OUTREACH was good too. Perhaps MAWAHIBB didn't handle the wet? He impressed enough in the yard to suggest he has talent. Follow VANCOUVER and OUTREACH. Forgive ULSTER.
Race 2 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
"Baker's hot run continues"
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coolring | Joe Cleary | James McDonald | 2 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Timeless Prince | Tony Newing | Ms Samantha Clenton | 3 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Countryman | Michael Kent | Tye Angland | 5 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
GREATWOOD looked fit and well fresh. Both COOLRING and COUNTRYMAN looked good. EIGELSTEIN also ok, TIMELESS PRINCE and DEFINE lacked power the power of others (leaner types).
In The Running
SPACECRAFT came across to lead, from GREATWOOD, COUNTRYMAN and COOLRING. DEFINE was stuck wide and strode up out wide. Only a SLOW TEMPO was set up.
The Result
COOLRING (1st) peeled out and sprinted best to beat TIMELESS PRINCE (2nd) and COUNTRYMAN (3rd), who both ran on late after being held up.
The Interest
This was a dawdle! The right horses filled the placings, but it could have been in a different order. TIMELESS PRINCE and COUNTRYMAN didn't have much luck trying to run on after COOLRING stole a march. YOU'LL NEVER seems like he might need a break now, he's looking more dour every start. GREATWOOD was a market drifter and disappointed. Follow COOLRING and COUNTRYMAN.
Race 3 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP
"Winona takes control and the win"
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mardi | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Ms Winona Costin | 4 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Adorabeel | Joseph Pride | Blake Shinn | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Holy Delusions | Chris Waller | Ms Samantha Clenton | 7 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
MISS READY, ADORABEEL, HOLY DELUSIONS and MAGNOLIA LANE all looked well in the yard PALAZZO PUBBLICO looked nice, but a bit keen. MARDI was unsettled (note: MARDI often parades poorly - a note will be made when she next races).
In The Running
MARDI took the lead and set a STEADY TEMPO. PALAZZO PUBBLICO settled outside the leader, with ADORABEEL in the box seat and HOLY DELUSIONS out wide.
The Result
MARDI (1st) ramped up the speed from the 500m and kept going, fighting off a game challenge from ADORABEEL (2nd). HOLY DELUSIONS (3rd) picked up OK and kept on.
The Interest
The top two had form around each other and proved to be too classy. MARDI paraded poorly, but she often does, and was always going to be hard to beat after getting a soft lead. PALAZZO PUBBLICO might need less distance and a drier track. HOLY DELUSIONS is racing gamely too and can win if she finds the right race. Follow MARDI and ADORABEEL.
Race 4 WIDDEN STAKES
"A flashing Firework flies home"
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fireworks | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Brenton Avdulla | 7 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Lake Geneva | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Dwayne Dunn | 10 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Igraine | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 2 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
An open race, nice fillies. GIULETTA and MICUCCI paraded best, LAKE GENEVA looked nice with power. ENTRANCING, IGRAINE and TEMPT ME NOT also looked good.
In The Running
GIULETTA rolled forward and set a FAIR TEMPO, from PIERRETTE and IGRAINE. LAKE GENEVA was wide with no cover. MICUCCI went right back.
The Result
FIREWORKS (1st) swept home down the outside to beat LAKE GENEVA (2nd), who fought on and IGRAINE (3rd).
The Interest
It looked an open race on paper and that's the way it turned out. FIREWORKS did well in a close finish. GIULETTA was just average, she might need a hard track to do her best. LAKE GENEVA was very good after racing wide, she is a strongly built sprinter that could be even better on a dry track? MICUCCI ran on well, she has some presence in the yard. IGRAINE is a nice athletic type, he might be a Sires Produce hope. Follow LAKE GENEVA.
Race 5 TAB PLACE MULTI HANDICAP
"The favourite delivers, just!"
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sarajevo | Kris Lees | James McDonald | 4 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Sworn to Silence | Joseph Pride | Sam Clipperton | 10 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Anyaas | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Tye Angland | 8 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
SARAJEVO looked well with good power. ZESTFUL is a lovely type. TETSUKO, MR BOGART, EYRE and SWORN TO SILENCE were all fine. MR BOGART is a huge, heavy galloper. ANYAAS was unsettled.
In The Running
ZESTFUL and TETSUKO strode clear at a STRONG TEMPO, from EYRE and MR BOGART.
The Result
SARAJEVO (1st) got to the outside and ran on best from SWORN TO SILENCE (2nd), who made ground, and ANYAAS (3rd).
The Interest
The strong speed meant the horses at the back got the favours. SARAJEVO got the prize, but perhaps he could have been a bit more impressive? TETSUKO was OK on a hot speed, she is an under-rated sprinter. SWORN TO SILENCE seems a nice type, she took a big jump today. Follow SARAJEVO and SWORN TO SILENCE. Forgive TETSUKO.
Race 6 EXPRESSWAY STAKES
"The tough grey wears them down"
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weary | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 4 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Driefontein | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Blake Shinn | 5 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Territory | Jarrod Austin | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
PANZER DIVISION looked well first-up, BOBAN, BAGMAN, THAT'S A GOOD IDEA, TERRITORY, THERMAL CURRENT and. DRIEFONTEIN all no knock. MALAVIO was a bit unsettled. BEATEN UP looked very well, but needs further .
In The Running
DRIEFONTEIN pushed up and led the lead, setting a FAIR TEMPO. THERMAL CURRENT was just outside and THAT'S A GOOD IDEA got stuck out wide. BOBAN was slow and got back, while BAGMAN jumped very awkwardly.
The Result
DRIEFONTEIN (2nd) kicked, but was run down late by WEARY (1st), who hit the line late very late. TERRITORY (3rd) kept on and PANZER DIVISION (4th) made ground down the outside.
The Interest
With TERRITORY getting a place at Weight For Age, perhaps the form is only OK for future reference. DRIEFONTEIN was brave and oh so close if you backed her! Such a tough mare. BOBAN was worrying, he didn't seem to be genuine chasing out wider.BEATEN UP, BAGMAN and PANZER DIVISION seem ready for a good prep. BEATEN UP in particular looked great in the yard. Follow BEATEN UP, WEARY, BAGMAN and PANZER DIVISION.
Race 7 TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP
"The light weight chance stays on best"
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sasenkile | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Serg Lisnyy | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Georgey Aeroplane | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 9 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Dream Folk | Gregory Hickman | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 3 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
No knocks in the yard. ORION LOVE has travelled well. CHOICE BRO had the most power if a slow tempo, but is he a 2000m type? GEORGEY AEROPLANE looked a bit hot, but he always does.
In The Running
ORION LOVE rolled to the lead and set a FAIR TEMPO, from CHOICE BRO on her outside. They rolled along at a good clip in the early stages of the race, ensuring a good staying test.
The Result
GEORGEY AEROPLANE (2nd) moved to the lead, but SASENKILE (1st) stayed on strongly late. DREAM FOLK (3rd) kept on just in behind. There were big margins at the finish.
The Interest
A good honest tempo means the form should hold up. GEORGEY AEROPLANE and SASENKILE can race well again after clearly being the better horses on the day. DREAM FOLK has steadily improved this preparation. They won't be trying CHOICE BRO over 2000m again after he knocked up badly. GOSH drifted in the market and was disappointing, she looked like a pony taking on the big boys. Follow GEORGEY AEROPLANE and SASENKILE.
Race 8 BOB ROWLES TRIBUTE
"Big, bold and never in doubt"
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford Poet | Kim Waugh | Blake Shinn | 6 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Lorna May | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Magic Dallas | Jason Coyle | Tye Angland | 12 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
LORNA MAY was the best in the yard, along with OXFORD POET. ALIAS was a bit keen and hot. MAGIC DALLAS looked very well too.
In The Running
OXFORD POET strode to the lead, from NOTHING LIKE LUCA, ALIAS and LORNA MAY. The leaders enjoyed a soft first half of the race, setting up a STEADY TEMPO.
The Result
OXFORD POET (1st) ramped it up on the turn and kept rolling to win easily, from LORNA MAY (2nd), who stuck on out wide. MAGIC DALLAS (3rd) made ground through the pack.
The Interest
It was the perfect race for OXFORD POET and once ALIAS started to sweat up in the yard, his competition was limited. Another 1200m race at Rosehill would suit nicely. LORNA MAY was OK, but she races best fresh. MAGIC DALLAS was honest as always and BLACK REVOLVER can improve now. Follow OXFORD POET and BLACK REVOLVER.