Yard to the Post @ The Championships Day One
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Monday, 06 April 2015
The much awaited Day One of The Championships didn't disappoint after the drama of Saturday's torrential rain.
A delay to Easter Monday proved to be a winning move, with the sun shining on the track for the early part of the day. A few showers in the afternoon didn't dampen the excitement as the feature Championship races delivered memorable finishes.
The flashing grey sprinter CHAUTAUQUA (picture above) arrived with inches to spare in the Group One TJ Smith, flying late from what looked like a hopeless position on the turn. In a country that prides itself on sprinting power, he stamped himself as the best speedster in the land.
In the Doncaster, KERMADEC finally had a stroke of luck and showed his class to win clearly. He was precariously placed as an Emergency until just before the final field was announced at 7:30am, when a tactical scratching from his trainer Chris Waller ensured a last-minute start.
The other Group Ones, the Derby and Sires, saw MONGOLIAN KHAN and PRIDE OF DUBAI use their superior stamina to outfight the other gallopers to the line.
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 | SLOW to HEAVY conditions |
| Weather | SUNNY, then OVERCAST & SHOWERS |
| Bias | OFF RAILS & ON-PACE early in the day |
Race 1 WIDDEN KINDERGARTEN STAKES
Godolphin gets on the front foot early
fair tempo
Bias:
on-pace
,
off-rails in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Furnaces | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 7 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Regatta Rebel | Peter & Paul Snowden | Joao Moreira | 8 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Redzel | Peter & Paul Snowden | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
All youngsters looking quite well in the yard and relaxed. SOOBOOG strong with a nice shine to coat, as did TEMPT ME NOT. FURNACES very well again after the Golden Slipper run. No real knocks, LOCAL AFFAIR perhaps lacking power of others.
In The Running
REDZEL took up the lead from REGATTA REBEL, with FURNACES and MAGIC DIAMOND in behind. SOOBOOG was a little keen inside runners at the back, not travelling well. METEORA MISS raced a bit 'fresh' and hung out.
The Result
FURNACES (1st) tracked up wide and finished best, to overcome REGATTA REBEL (2nd). REDZEL (3rd) stuck on and held off MAGIC DIAMOND (4th) for a place.
The Interest
The leaders got into their rhythm and dominated here, with FURNACES showing his class. The top 5 were all pretty good, with METEORA MISS running on nicely into 5th. MAGIC DIAMOND proved she is really genuine, chasing hard to the line - a great horse for an each-way bet next time. REGATTA REBEL and REDZEL have clear promise. TEMPT ME NOT isn't the most genuine, she wasn't 'up for it' racing inside horses in the wet - don't dismiss her. SOOBOOG didn't like the wet.
Race 2 THE DAILY TELEGRAPH CARBINE CLUB STAKES
Moody and McEvoy take control
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hi World | Kane Harris | Kerrin McEvoy | 8 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Farolitos | James Cummings | James McDonald | 9 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Inauguration | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
A good group of strong horses in the yard. DIAMOND VALORES and WASHINGTON HEIGHTS impressive types. HI WORLD nice robust build and on his toes ready to go. INAUGURATION a leaner staying type that was fit enough. SUPARA very fit for Waterhouse.
In The Running
HI WORLD took up the lead with FAROLITOS, with SUPARA and DIAMOND VALORES in behind. WASHINGTON HEIGHTS missed the start and went back. A STEADY TEMPO was set up and DIAMOND VALORES raced a bit keenly.
The Result
HI WORLD (1st) picked up into the straight and held off FAROLITOS (2nd). INAUGURATION (3rd) chased home OK a few lengths behind them.
The Interest
They only set a gentle speed in this, but the margins at the end were big enough to suggest the top two deserved to fight it out. INAUGURATION made ground and shapes as a good Queensland Derby chance - being able to handle the mud is a big tick up there. DIAMOND VALORES raced keenly and did himself no favours. WASHINGTON HEIGHTS just isn't genuine, he didn't go a yard! The owners have a big call to make for the impressive son of Commands, a gelding could be on the cards. SWORN TO SILENCE didn't handle the wet. Follow INAUGURATION.
Race 3 SCHWEPPES CHAIRMAN'S HANDICAP
A tough grinder gets the job done
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tremec | Eric Musgrove | Brenton Avdulla | 10 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Sir John Hawkwood | John Thompson | Glen Boss | 9 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Grand Marshal | Chris Waller | Joao Moreira | 3 | 53.0 |
In The Yard
SCRATCHY BOTTOM, DISCLAIMER and SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD looked well in the yard, smaller types. SCRATCHY BOTTOM had progressed well since her last start. QUEENSTOWN a big and strong mare looked good. TREMEC a tough grinder and GRAND MARSHALL (more athletic) was also OK.
In The Running
PHRASES jumped well, but QUEENSTOWN and TREMEC came across to take up the lead, the latter getting pushed to go forward. A FAIR TEMPO was set up. GRAND MARSHALL and DISCLAIMER were both in tricky spots on the rails, while SCRATCHY BOTTOM was out the back.
The Result
TREMEC (1st) took over into the straight and just kept going, holding off SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD (2nd), who ran on well. GRAND MARSHAL (3rd) and SCRATCHY BOTTOM (4th) made ground from the back. There was a big gap back to the rest.
The Interest
The first four over the line dominated, with the ON-PACE bias playing to TREMEC in this one. He's a big grinding type that loved the conditions. The other three were all good, SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD enjoying the wet track best. GRAND MARSHALL and SCRATCHY BOTTOM could count themselves a bit unlucky, on a drier track with less bias they probably would have fought it out. Follow SCRATCHY BOTTOM and GRAND MARSHALL.
Race 4 COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
The big Country prize heads north!
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Artlee | Rebecca Dunn | Mitchell Bell | 22 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Tarangower | Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | Joao Moreira | 19 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Voodoo Lad | Ciaron Maher | James McDonald | 16 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
Most country gallopers well behaved, a few standing out as nicer types, including VOODOO LAD, TARANGOWER, ARTLEE, LOVED UP and JUST A BLUR. Some others a bit leaner and lacked the power to get into the race.
In The Running
DANE DE LAGO was slow as usual. SHEZA GYPSY and REDWOLF had the most early speed and set up a FAIR TEMPO, from ARTLEE three-wide on the pace and VOODOO LAD just behind him. WITHOUT A SHADOW and LOVED UP were keen racing wider midfield.
The Result
ARTLEE (1st) sprinted clear at the top of the straight for a big win. TARANGOWER (2nd) made ground out of the pack nearer the inside and VOODOO LAD (3rd) held his ground. LOVED UP, WITHOUT A SHADOW and YET TOBE CONVINCED fought on solidly from back in the field.
The Interest
Well the Tamworth heat was the form reference, but it wasn't the winner of that race VOODOO LAD (very well backed here) that got the prize. ARTLEE was super impressive, skipping clear from the pack. The ON-PACE bias didn't help horses like LOVED UP, WITHOUT A SHADOW and YET TOBE CONVINCED, they were all a touch unlucky. VOODOO LAD had every chance. Follow ARTLEE. Forgive LOVED UP, WITHOUT A SHADOW and YET TOBE CONVINCED.
Race 5 DILMAH TEA P J BELL STAKES
A canny plan from the Queenslanders
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miss Cover Girl | Darren Weir | Glen Boss | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Peeping | Ron Quinton | Sam Clipperton | 11 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Matilija | Anthony & Sam Freedman | James McDonald | 7 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
Most fillies looked well in the yard, with PEEPING once again standing out. MATILIJA had a bit more muscle on her frame than others, the wet track a possible risk.
In The Running
MISS COVER GIRL was urged to go forward and took the lead from PEEPING on her outside and PITTSBURGH FLYER in the box seat. KIND HEART jumped well and was restrained, she pulled for reign out wide off a STEADY TEMPO.
The Result
MISS COVER GIRL (1st) got going on the turn and held off a challenge from PEEPING (2nd). MATILIJA (3rd) stoked up and fought on after having a bumping duel with SULTRY FEELING (4th), who was the worse off.
The Interest
A tough one to analyse with the ON-PACE bias playing havoc in an evenly matched mares race. Hard on punters for backmarker MISS COVER GIRL to go forward this time, she was backed and the stable knew what they were doing. The only disappointing horse was PITTSBURGH FLYER. SULTRY FEELING and KIND HEART didn't have much luck. Forgive SULTRY FEELING and KIND HEART.
Race 6 INGLIS SIRES
Real pride from father and son
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pride of Dubai | Peter & Paul Snowden | Hugh Bowman | 6 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Odyssey Moon | Robert Smerdon | Damien Oliver | 5 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Rageese | Darren Weir | Dwayne Dunn | 10 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
PRIDE OF DUBAI a nice big type that looked well in the yard. PASADENA GIRL was just a bit keen, while QUEEN OF WANDS a plainer type compared to the rest. ALWAYS ALLISON nice, but a bit heavier and more powerful, the 1400m on the wet a risk. ENGLISH got a bit hot down to the start.
In The Running
A tactical affair given the ON-PACE bias. ALWAYS ALLISON was pushed to the lead, from ENGLISH, who raced up on her outside. PRIDE OF DUBAI pushed forward three-wide with no cover. ODYSSEY MOON tracked up even wider with TARQUIN stuck off the track. READY FOR VICTORY over-raced in a tight spot. PASADENA GIRL was last.
The Result
PRIDE OF DUBAI (1st) kept lifting and held off RAGESSE, who followed him through the pack, and ODYSSEY MOON, who kept fighting on. PASADENA GIRL (4th) ran on late from the back.
The Interest
Lots of question marks in a race where most horses did find their usual running positions, but you can be pretty sure the class rose to the top. PRIDE OF DUBAI is a serious youngster, with scope to be a star. Peter and Paul Snowden trained him to perfection after a long break since the Blue Diamond. The other good runs came from PASADENA GIRL, who got way back, and TARQUIN, who never found cover. The Godolphin horse shapes as one of only a few that could challenge the winner in the Champagne over 1600m. ODYSSEY MOON is bomb-proof, but he may have reached the end of his preparation. ENGLISH and READY FOR VICTORY were too 'fizzy', they both could be forgiven for dropping out. Follow PRIDE OF DUBAI.
Race 7 BMW AUSTRALIAN DERBY
Pure Kiwi stamina in the three-year-old Classic
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mongolian Khan | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Opie Bosson | 1 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Hauraki | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 9 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Volkstok'n'barrell | Danny O'Brien | Craig Williams | 5 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
PREFERMENT looked well, a bigger balanced type that was unproven in the wet. MONGOLIAN KHAN a leaner/efficient type that loves the mud. VOLKSTOK'NBARRELL has good muscle and was well, and the other favourite HAURAKI a more elegant type.
In The Running
A tactical Derby. HAMPTON COURT and BROGUE went forward, from VOLKSTOK'N"BARREL and MONGOLIAN KHAN. PREFERMENT was restrained to the back. OMERUS was stuck wide. The pace was SLOW early and RULING DYNASTY went up to put pressure on from mid-race, making it a FAIR TEMPO overall.
The Result
VOLKSTOK'N"BARREL (3rd) cruised up to the lead on the turn, but MONGOLIAN KHAN (1st) kept lifting and stayed on best late. HAURAKI (2nd) followed VOLKSTOK'N"BARREL through and stayed on up the inside. OMEROS sprinted quickly to join in, but was erratic out wider and his run ended.
The Interest
PREFERMENT isn't a wet tracker... enough said about that. The Kiwi MONGOLIAN KHAN was the right type though, a leaner efficient stayer that kept lifting on the wet track. The last 200m was pure stamina after VOLKSTOK'NBARRELL had loomed on the turn ominously. HAURAKI was good and a couple of others made some ground too. A big watch on OMEROS in the future, he's got talent, but no brains! Follow VOLKSTOK'NBARRELL.
Race 8 DARLEY T J SMITH STAKES
Boom! The big grey arrives in time
fair tempo
Bias:
on-pace
,
off-rails in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chautauqua | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 9 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Lord of the Sky | Robbie Laing | Damien Oliver | 7 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Terravista | Joseph Pride | Hugh Bowman | 10 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
TERRAVISTA shone in the yard, power and strength. LANKAN RUPEE was well, as was FAMOUS SEAMOUS, FONTELINA and LORD OF THE SKY. CHAUTAUQUA was well, but didn't have the heavy power and muscle of others.
In The Running
RAIN AFFAIR showed speed to lead at a FAIR TEMPO. LANKAN RUPEE jumped well, but was restrained to the box seat. LORD OF THE SKY moved up on the outside of the leader. TERRAVISTA was stuck wide with no cover. CHAUTAUQUA went right out the back.
The Result
LORD OF THE SKY (2nd) came wider and cruised to the lead, but CHAUTAUQUA flew down the outside late in a thrilling finish. TERRAVISTA (3rd) sprinted up into the race, but his run ended.
The Interest
CHAUTAUQUA is a sprinting superstar! He was in a hopeless position on the turn and produced one of the most dazzling finishes you will ever see in the TJ Smith. LORD OF THE SKY had the race parcelled up, he relished the wet track and put in a huge run. TERRAVISTA was good after being stuck wide, he sprinted well but his run can end sometimes as it did here. LANKAN RUPEE isn't the same horse he was last year after the recent injury. Follow CHAUTAUQUA.
Race 9 THE STAR 150TH DONCASTER MILE
It's Waller's Doncaster again
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kermadec | Chris Waller | Glen Boss | 19 | 50.0 | |
| 2 | Real Impact | Noriyuki Hori | James McDonald | 21 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Royal Descent | Chris Waller | Joao Moreira | 18 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
Most horses well, WORLD ACE looked better this time and ROYAL DESCENT shone in the yard. No knock on REAL IMPACT, SACRED FALLS and KERMADEC. HOOKED and SWEYNESSE were nice elegant athletic types that didn't look like wet trackers.
In The Running
NINTH LEGION took up the lead from HOOKED, who put the pressure on and set a FAIR TEMPO. REAL IMPACT strode up wider and RUDY was pushed forward into the box seat.
The Result
KERMADEC (1st) surged through the pack and cleared out for a big win. REAL IMPACT (2nd) was brave hanging on, while ROYAL DESCENT (3rd) ran on honestly again. RUDY (4th) was solid from the box seat and PORNICHET (5th) chased home well.
The Interest
A lot of interest in this winner. Tactical scratchings got him into the field at the last minute (officially in the field on the deadline!) and boy did he deserve his place, dominating the field and powering away right to the line. The Queen Elizabeth next week could be well within his reach based on this win. REAL IMPACT showed his class despite the wet track and ROYAL DESCENT was honest again, she deserves another Group 1. ARABIAN GOLD was good from the pack, while WORLD ACE and HALLOWED CROWN had a bumping duel out wider. Follow KERMADEC and REAL IMPACT. Forgive WORLD ACE and HALLOWED CROWN.
Race 10 TAB ADRIAN KNOX STAKES
Hugh Bowman steals the last
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Candelara | Tim Martin | Hugh Bowman | 6 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Rustic Melody | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Maastricht | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Dwayne Dunn | 13 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
WINE TALES shone in the yard, but a more powerful type that was a risk at 2000m. Promising stayers JOYFUL JOURNEY and RUSTIC MELODY also impressed. ZARZALI just a small type in comparison to the rest.
In The Running
LA STUPENDA and MAASTRICHT took up the running and set a STEADY speed early. CANDELARA was behind them and Hugh Bowman decided to take off early, stringing the field out from before the turn. ABDUCTION was slow and went back. JOYFUL JOURNEY was wide.
The Result
CANDELARA (1st) kept going for a big win. holding off MAASTRICHT (3rd). RUSTIC MELODY (2nd) kept lifting from just behind them.
The Interest
Hughie Bowman take a bow, he stole this race with an early run to the line. CANDELARA is a tough filly that ploughed through the mud. MAASTRICHT had every chance. The two that could be sneaky outside chances for the Oaks are RUSTIC MELODY and GUST OF WIND, they hit the line much harder than any of the others. ABDUCTION and WINE TALES will be better on a firm track over 1600m. Follow RUSTIC MELODY and GUST OF WIND.