Yard to the Post @ Randwick Guineas Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 07 March 2015
The excitement started early when Gai Waterhouse's powerful colt Vancouver produced a dazzling display to send an ominous warning to the other Golden Slipper contenders. He beat the cream of the Hawke's and Godolphin stables by a widening margin, running a time that hasn't been matched by a youngster this year.
Royal Randwick shone in the afternoon sunshine and the bigger races produced even more excitement later in the day. Hallowed Crown kept his title as the best three-year-old in the land, adding the Randwick Guineas to his Golden Rose victory in the Spring.
Another warrior won the other Group One, the Canterbury Stakes. Cosmic Endeavour held off Catkins in a race where the mares were too fast for the boys.
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 | +3m ENTIRE CIRCUIT |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 (upgraded to GOOD 3) |
| Weather | FINE & SUNNY |
| Bias | FAIR |
All The Race Finishes
Race 1 GUINNESS REISLING STAKES
A regal filly ready for the Slipper
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Blake Shinn | 3 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Ottoman | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 7 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Fireworks | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
OTTOMAN was more relaxed this time and good in the coat, a classic looking filly. ENGLISH presented well and PERIGNON also looked well, a more athletic type with some strength in the shoulder. Most fillies behaved OK.
In The Running
TIBROGARGAN MISS showed early speed to take up the lead with GIULIETTA just behind the lead. MINE TWO was restrained to the back this time. STAY WITH ME over-raced in midfield (+ can race keenly) and moved up before the turn. OTTOMAN also joined in wider out.
The Result
ENGLISH (1st) got a trail behind OTTOMAN (2nd), peeled out and was too strong. FIREWORKS (3rd) made up late ground and the run of STAY WITH ME ended over the last furlong.
The Interest
Gai has brought this one on the seen late! ENGLISH raced professionally, relaxing in the run before finishing genuinely to the line. The other good runs in the race were pretty easy to spot. OTTOMAN stuck on after making a long searching run, while STAY WITH ME was just asked to do to much. She over-raced badly though, something to note for the future. FIREWORKS made up late ground as she does, a really reliable type who always puts in. Follow ENGLISH and OTTOMAN. Forgive STAY WITH ME.
Race 2 UNSW TODMAN STAKES
Waterhouse's big 'brute' beats them up
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vancouver | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tommy Berry | 3 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Furnaces | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 2 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Headwater | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Blake Shinn | 5 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
HEADWATER and VANCOUVER looked very relaxed and ready to go. VOILIER'S coat was shining. MISHANI HONCHO lacked the power of others, a much leaner type.
In The Running
FURNACES led out from VANCOUVER at a FAIR TEMPO. It was a strange ride on HEADWATER, the jockey trying to find cover before getting stuck three wide on the pace. note: VANCOUVER went through the barriers and was vetted - passed fit to run
The Result
FURNACES (2nd) gave a kick, but VANCOUVER (1st) sustained a strong surge and cleared out, winning in very fast time. HEADWATER (3rd) wasn't pushed hard.
The Interest
VANCOUVER is one hell of a horse. His small weakness may be a slight lack of a 'turn-of-foot', which the Analyst Team was worried about in the small field. That didn't matter though when FURNACES rolled along. We saw what the big 'brute' could do in a pressure race, a really classy colt that has 'Triple Crown' written all over him. HEADWATER had some excuses getting trapped wide, but it's hard to see him making up that margin in a couple of weeks. The time 1 minute 8.83 seconds was 10+ lengths faster than the fillies! Follow VANCOUVER. Forgive HEADWATER.
Race 3 WENONA GIRL HANDICAP
The southern sprinters take the spoils
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Griante | David Brideoake & Matt Jenkins | Hugh Bowman | 11 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | I Love It | John Salanitri | Blake Shinn | 5 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Slots | Grant Marshall | 4 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
The mares all OK. BROOK ROAD is a balanced galloper with well-defined muscle. GRIANTE a strong type with the power to sprint. FINE BUBBLES was looking nice after a break.
In The Running
JUST A GIRL jumped brilliantly and led out at a FAIR TEMPO, without too much pressure. GRIANTE was stuck wide mid-race and had to move up outside the leader, with SLOTS in the box seat. MINEKO was stuck three wide on the pace and BROOK ROAD was four wide in midfield. KRISTY LEE got right back.
The Result
GRIANTE (1st) gave a kick from on the pace and broke away from ILOVEIT (2nd) who ran on from midfield. SLOTS (3rd) boxed on to score a place. MIHIRI (7th) didn't find much space and had to hook wide, while KRISTY LEE (10th) ran into a few dead ends along the inside.
The Interest
The Victorians came and conquered today, two strong sprinters with a good turn-of-foot. Hugh Bowman got GRIANTE into the race early after getting stuck wide, which turned out to be a race winning move. ILOVEIT worked home nicely enough, not able to quite sprint on the drier track. You could forgive BROOK ROAD (very wide) and MIHIRI (didn't find much room). SLOTS produced a massive run at 200/1! Forgive BROOK ROAD and MIHIRI.
Race 4 GIRVAN WAUGH PARTNERS' RANDWICK CITY STAKES
The battler does it again!
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phrases | Bindi Cheers | 11 | 54.0 | ||
| 2 | Self Sense | David Brideoake & Matt Jenkins | Tye Angland | 10 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Pajaro | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tommy Berry | 9 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
OUR VOODOO PRINCE looked nice, but is his heart still in it? SELF SENSE more of a shine to his coat that the last trip to Sydney. MAYGROVE and TREMEC are tough types. DIAMETRIC was a little stirred up as normal.
In The Running
BLACK JAG was slow out and hustled up to take the lead, setting a rolling FAIR TEMPO. SELF SENSE was first restrained, but couldn't find cover, so had to work forward to sit outside the leader. PROJECTILE and PHRASES were just off the pace.
The Result
SELF SENSE (2nd) moved up and took the lead, but PHRASES (1st) fought hard and lunged late. There was a gap back to PAJARO (3rd).
The Interest
PHRASES enjoyed the even rolling speed set by BLACK JAG and showed the fight and determination we know he has. He keeps going around at big odds! The run of the race was SELF SENSE though, who looked the winner and did a great job after getting stuck wide early. MAYGROVE made enough ground over 2000m, while BLACK JAG wasn't helped by a slow jump. DIAMETRIC was weak at the end and GRAND MARSHALL never really flattened out - Jimmy 'The Pumper' Cassidy just giving him a few taps. Follow SELF SENSE.
Race 5 ASPIRATION QUALITY
The swoopers take the cash
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adorabeel | Joseph Pride | Sam Clipperton | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Entertains | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Intimate Moment | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 7 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
SOLICIT is big and strong. ADORABEEL and LORNA MAY looked fit after a few recent runs. MARDI and ROLE MODEL were plainer looking tough types. INTIMATE MOMENT has scope to her frame, but was a little soft.
In The Running
SOLICIT was keen early and set a STRONG TEMPO, rolling along quickly mid-race. LORNA MAY worked forward. MARDI and ROLE MODEL were behind the leaders.
The Result
ADORABEEL (1st) and TELEPATHIC (4th) peeled out and loomed on the turn, with ADORABEEL fighting on best. ENTERTAINS (2nd) with INTIMATE MOMENT (3rd) came off the back of those two and made late ground. MARDI (9th) was blocked on the turn, but was under pressure at the time.
The Interest
ADORABEEL is a lovely looking type and her fitness paid big dividends in this testing race. SOLICIT set a very tough ask for the field, running along at quick sectionals. TELEPATHIC couldn't keep going over the last 200m after looming to win. ENTERTAINS and INTIMATE MOMENT had nice runs off the pace and did well. ROLE MODEL was brave after racing near the speed and MARDI didn't have much luck. SOLICIT pulled up a long last. Forgive ROLE MODEL and MARDI.
Race 6 GIRVAN WAUGH RANDWICK GUINEAS
The best three-year-old keeps his Crown
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hallowed Crown | Bart & James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Sweynesse | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 8 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Shooting to Win | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 2 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
Quality aplenty in the yard. SWEYNESSE's coat gleaming, the professional HALLOWED CROWN relaxed and the big strong SHOOTING TO WIN fitter second-up.
In The Running
SHOOTING TO WIN led out at a FAIR TEMPO from HALLOWED CROWN with RHODIN DRIVE and SWORN TO SILENCE in behind. SWEYNESSE was shuffled back to last before cutting the corner on the turn and quickening through.
The Result
SHOOTING TO WIN (3rd) cruised to the 300m and SWEYNESSE (2nd) moved up ominously nearer the inside, but HALLOWED CROWN responded to riding, lifting right to the line to beat off the other two.
The Interest
The best three-year-olds put on a great spectacle, albeit the small field size. HALLOWED CROWN cemented his position as the nation's best for his age as he savaged the line, out-fighting two very good colts. SHOOTING TO WIN didn't seem to respond to the urgings of Shinn in the closing stages, a horse that might have a bit more in the locker (he will need it!). SWEYNESSE was right in the mix - he'll now step up to 2000m and be very hard to beat. Follow HALLOWED CROWN, SHOOTING TO WIN and SWEYNESSE.
Race 7 CANTERBURY STAKES
The two mares are too fast and too fit
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cosmic Endeavour | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | James McDonald | 1 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Catkins | Chris Waller | Jim Cassidy | 3 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Criterion | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
COSMIC ENDEAVOUR big, strong, relaxed and fit in the yard. CATKINS held condition OK. HOOKED was fit enough, a more athletic type of galloper.
In The Running
COSMIC ENDEAVOUR railed up to lead out from TIGER TEES, with HOOKED and CATKINS in behind. CRITERION was slowly away and hustled into midfield - he over-raced a bit after that.
The Result
COSMIC ENDEAVOUR (1st) put the race away at the top of the straight, sprinting clear (she did tire late). CATKINS (2nd) was under pressure early in the straight, before closing late, and CRITERION (3rd) ran on nearer the inside.
The Interest
The mares were sent out the favourites and didn't disappoint. On the quick backup, COSMIC ENDEAVOUR was simply too powerful, sprinting clear to win in track record time! She has all the ingredients of a serious weight-for-age performer. It wasn't a surprise to see CRITERION and HOOKED run well, two classy gallopers that were fit in the yard. Waller left a lot more improvement in ROYAL DESCENT and SACRED FALLS, he would have been hoping his popular grey CATKINS could get the prize - she remains a length or so off winning at Group 1 level. TIGER TEES trialled poorly and dropped out, he hasn't come back. Follow COSMIC ENDEAVOUR, CRITERION and HOOKED.
Race 8 HYLAND RACE COLOURS CHALLENGE STAKES
A bonny mare has too much dash
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miracles of Life | Peter & Paul Snowden | 1 | 56.5 | ||
| 2 | Va Pensiero | Jason Coyle | Jason Collett | 8 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Rubick | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
FAMOUS SEAMUS is looked dominant in the yard, bigger and stronger than most. KNOYDART, VA PENSIERO, RUBICK and MIRACLES OF LIFE were all ready to run a race first-up.
In The Running
It was competitive early. NUCLEAR CLASS sped through to hold out RAIN AFFAIR. VA PENSIERO settled in behind them after jumping best, while RUBICK was in a tight spot behind the leader. MIRACLES OF LIFE had a perfect trail midfield. The pack behind her couldn't keep up early as a STRONG TEMPO was set up.
The Result
MIRACLES OF LIFE (1st) pulled out, sprinted and went straight past. VA PENSIERO (2nd) fought on and held off RUBICK (3rd), who was badly held up until the 200m, costing him any chance.
The Interest
A few runs to look at closely in this one. MIRACLES OF LIFE is a strong, genuine and speedy sprinter that ended up winning by a big margin. She's a serious sprint contender, especially when it's dry over 1000m to 1100m. The hard luck tale of the race was RUBICK, who couldn't muster early to lead (often a bit slow to jump), but could have been right in the finish if he wasn't stuck behind the leaders - some chatter on-line about Kerrin McEvoy being at fault - that was far from the case. The other good runs were from KNOYDART and FAMOUS SEAMOUS, both ready to shine over a bit further. Follow MIRACLES OF LIFE, KNOYDART and FAMOUS SEAMOUS. Forgive RUBICK.
Race 9 XIRRUS FIREBALL STAKES
Waterhouse ends with a bang
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nayeli | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 3 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Peeping | Ron Quinton | Sam Clipperton | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Kuro | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Hugh Bowman | 6 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
KURO strong, well put together and ready to run well. MUSIC MAGNATE was on his toes, a more athletic type of sprinter. SULTRY FEELING relaxed and professional looking in the yard.
In The Running
A bit tactical in the run. ONEMOREZETA and PEEPING took up the running, while SULTRY FEELING moved up three wide and FINE MIST out four wide. Despite a few horses being stuck wide, there wasn't much pressure and a STEADY TEMPO was set up.
The Result
PEEPING (2nd) moved up and battled with ONEMOREZETA (4th). NAYELI (1st) got the inside split and sprinted through to get the prize. KURO (3rd) pushed into the clear and chased home genuinely.
The Interest
A big clump at the finish suggests it wasn't a genuinely run race. NAYELI has enough speed and power in her frame to produce a sprint, the steadier tempo allowing her to show her key feature. The test will be now if she can reproduce that effort in a higher pressure race. KURO did enough without being impressive. PEEPING is clearly a serious talent that can sneak into an easier race than this and win (still low down in ratings). MUSIC MAGNATE made some ground out wide and FINE MIST didn't do much after racing wide throughout. Follow PEEPING. Forgive FINE MIST.