Yard to the Post @ Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 25 April 2015
Dour and tough horses came to the fore in testing conditions on a well-used Royal Randwick track.
None more-so than the mudlark DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE (picture), who swept home down the outside rail to hit the lead 50 metres from home in an exciting finish.
He was well-backed to take the prize and punters learnt their lesson by plonking it all on DARCI MAGIC in the next race. Another lean and tough type, he repeated the dose to sweep home in similar fashion.
Earlier in the day MAJOR MAJOR won by a huge margin over 2,400 metres after missing the start hopelessly, and Godolphin unveiled another smart youngster in PAINTED FIRETAIL, who will now be aimed at Scone's upcoming two-day Carnival.
The day was cut short by Sydney's freak storms which hit hard after Race 7. Stewards had an easy decision to abandon Race 8 as hail covered an already heavily-worn track.
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 | +12 metres |
| Conditions | HEAVY 8 to SOFT 7 |
| Weather | FINE before late storm |
| Bias | OUT-WIDE |
Race 1 ANZAC DAY HANDICAP
Godolphin takes flight again
fair tempo
Bias:
out-wide
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Painted Firetail | John O'Shea | James McDonald | 11 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Stravigo | Peter & Paul Snowden | Sam Clipperton | 1 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Dane Slugger | Bjorn Baker | Brodie Loy | 4 | 57.5 |
Painted Firetail flew down the outside to win
In The Yard
STRAVIGO and CONCUBINE stood out in the yard as strong muscular types. No knocks on others, apart from FUN MANAGER, who looked a bit plain.
In The Running
PAINTED FIRETAIL jumped well, but was restrained. STRAVIGO sped forward to lead from CONCUBINE, with LINDWALL and FUN MANAGER out very wide. DANE SLUGGEER was patiently ridden at the back. A FAIR TEMPO was set up.
The Result
STRAVIGO (2nd) kicked into the straight, but PAINTED FIRETAIL (1st) swept past for a good win. DANE SLUGGER (3rd) made lade ground to beat home CONCUBINE (4th). COYS (5th) ran home OK too.
The Interest
PAINTED FIRETAIL (an Australian bird) trialled well into this, a sleek Lonhro filly that had no problem with the wet. She found the better ground and was dominant in the end. STRAVIGO might be a touch better on a dry track and the impressive-looking CONCUBINE will definitely be better on the dry. DANE SLUGGER and COYS are athletic types suited up to 1200m to 1400m in their coming races. Follow PAINTED FIRETAIL, STRAVIGO and CONCUBINE.
Race 2 FIRST AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE HANDICAP
The fillies dominate a tiny field
fair tempo
Bias:
out-wide
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tree of Jesse | James Cummings | Tim Clark | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Berry Delicious | Jason Coyle | Jason Collett | 5 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Manhattan Island | Kevin Moses | Sam Clipperton | 1 | 54.0 |
Tree of Jesse cleared out to win by a big margin
In The Yard
Interesting race, power horses are CONFEDERATE and MANHATTAN ISLAND. The fillies are genuine chasers, but smaller. All OK in the yard, with TREE OF JESSE a bit better than BERRY DELICIOUS first-up.
In The Running
MANHATTAN ISLAND was a bit awkward, before speeding through to lead, racing a bit keenly. CONFEDERATE raced outside the leader with the two fillies behind. A FAIR TEMPO was set up.
The Result
MANHATTAN ISLAND (3rd) broke clear early in the straight, only for TREE OF JESSE (1st) to sweep past for a big win. BERRY DELICIOUS (2nd) worked home OK.
The Interest
TREE OF JESSE is a neat and genuine type that charged clear in the testing conditions. CONFEDERATE was very disappointing, another Waterhouse runner 'hitting the wall' early in their preparation, while BERRY DELICIOUS was just OK and will be better over further. MANHATTAN ISLAND has buckets of talent and could be one for the future - once he learns what he's doing out there! Follow TREE OF JESSE and MANHATTAN ISLAND.
Race 3 HMAS SYDNEY HANDICAP
The Major steps up on ANZAC Day
strong tempo
Bias:
out-wide
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Major Major | Gregory Hickman | Brodie Loy | 11 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Four Carat | Eric Musgrove | Tommy Berry | 6 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Soviet Courage | Chris Waller | Joshua Parr | 5 | 55.5 |
It was Major Major first and daylight second
In The Yard
FOUR CARAT and WAZN looked fit and well, SOVIET COURAGE also looked good. WHITE DOVE impressed, she is a classic type, a bit keen. DOUKHAN is big and a bit lanky.
In The Running
MAJESTIC BEAST crossed to lead WAZN, rolling along at a STRONG TEMPO, with mares WHITE DOVE and SALFORD ART in behind. MAJOR MAJOR missed the start 3L and got back.
The Result
WHITE DOVE (4th) quickly issued a challenge topping the rise, but then MAJOR MAJOR (1st) swooped and the race was all over in a flash. FOUR CARAT (2nd) and SOVIET COURAGE (3rd) ran on steadily down the outside.
The Interest
MAJOR MAJOR went down 8kg on his last start and ran away winning by 7 1/2 lengths in an impressive performance. On his best ratings he was very well-placed, but lots of doubt on him stepping up from 1600m to 2400m with a poor winning strike-rate - there shouldn't have been though! Waller's pair FOUR CARAT and SOVIET COURAGE ground home down the outside, they are very dour types. The other impressive run was from WHITE DOVE, who carried a big weight and hit the lead very early in the straight - she's a lovely type. MAJESTIC BEAST knocked up to finish last after going too quickly in the lead. Follow MAJOR MAJOR and WHITE DOVE.
Race 4 GALLIPOLI HANDICAP
A Swift finish from another smart filly
fair tempo
Bias:
out-wide
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swift Lady | John Sargent | Brodie Loy | 2 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Sadler's Lake | Robert Smerdon | Tommy Berry | 7 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Swing Sensation | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Sam Clipperton | 6 | 54.0 |
Swift Lady got to the better ground and raced past
In The Yard
SADLER’S LAKE looked the best in the yard, SWIFT LADY leaner - both well. PUZZLING WONDER was very unsettled. MAN OF DISTINCTION looked well, but powerful - 1600m could be a risk?
In The Running
SWING SENSATION led out at a FAIR TEMPO, from PUZZLING WONDER, with MAN OF DISTINCTION and SADLER’S LAKE in behind. SWIFT LADY was restrained early.
The Result
SWIFT LADY (1st) and SADLER’S LAKE (2nd) both ranged up and cleared out from SWING SENSATION (3rd).
The Interest
John Sargent has another impressive filly on his hands as SWIFT LADY raced away running down the middle of the track. SADLER’S LAKE ranged up, but the 7kg weight difference told the story in the end. The first two were much too good. SWING SENSATION battled away OK after leading, a much better run after Taylor Marshall rode the galloper poorly at the start prior. The word on MAN OF DISTINCTION was he didn't enjoy racing inside horses and might need the blinkers back on - he's a powerful type that didn't stay the 1600m too. Follow SWIFT LADY and SADLER’S LAKE. Forgive PUZZLING WONDER (very unsettled in the yard).
Race 5 AUSTRALIAN FLYING CORPS HANDICAP
Baker's stable sparkles again
fair tempo
Bias:
out-wide
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quartzite | Bjorn Baker | Christian Reith | 4 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Wonderbolt | Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones | Jason Collett | 5 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Craiglea Cruz | Brenden Mackay | James Orman | 9 | 54.5 |
Quartzite was too fast and won well
In The Yard
MINIATURE, RELIGIFY and WONDERBOLT all well in the yard, with WONDERBOLT a nice powerful type. TEXAN LAD and FORT SUMTER didn't impress compared to the others.
In The Running
CRAFTINESS and WONDERBOLT were slow to begin. CRAIGLEA CRUZ led off the rails from QUARTZITE on his inside and FORT SUMTER out wider. A FAIR TEMPO was set-up.
The Result
QUARTZITE (1st) tracked up nicely, came wider and powered away. WONDERBOLT (2nd) ran on out wide and CRAIGLEA CRUZ (3rd) fought on to hold off MINIATURE (4th), who's short sprint ended.
The Interest
Baker does it again! QUARTZITE is powered type that had won easily over 900m - he proved a wet track and 1,000m is even better for a galloper that has had soundness issues in the past. WONDERBOLT was slow to begin, but had every chance down the outside in the best ground. Forgive RELIGIFY (missed the start and huge market-drifter!) and FLORAL INSIGHT, they were both steered up the inside in the worst ground. The well-backed MARWOOD also came up the inside, but he was very soft on the line back in last. MINIATURE again showed her short sprint and was held on the line. Follow QUARTZITE. Forgive RELIGIFY and FLORAL INSIGHT.
Race 6 BATTLE OF THE DARDANELLES HANDICAP
Dour sprinters grind home best
strong tempo
Bias:
out-wide
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dowdstown Charlie | Kim Waugh | Ms Winona Costin | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Hollywood Bound | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 13 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Drago | Anthony Cummings | Jason Collett | 3 | 56.5 |
Dowdstown Charlie wound up from last for a rare win
In The Yard
Even field in the yard, FRESPANOL fit and tough. LAOHU more powerful than most.
In The Running
LAOHU led out at a STRONG TEMPO, from LOUD DEBATE. CHOICE LARGA got the box seat, while PERFECT WEAPON raced wide with no cover. ABBASSO, DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE and DRAGO were slow out.
The Result
DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE (1st) relished the STRONG TEMPO and the wet track to finish best down the outside rail from HOLLYWOOD BOUND (2nd), who had kicked clear. DRAGO (3rd) ran on well too, with a big gap back to the others.
The Interest
Two much-maligned and very dour types put in rare strong finishes in Saturday grade. DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE and DRAGO are lean, one-paced and loved every bit of the STRONG TEMPO and heavy track. Poor little HOLLYWOOD BOUND was unlucky, he skipped clear at the top of the straight, only to have the 'grinders' wear him down. Don't be too harsh on LAOHU and PERFECT WEAPON, who stuck on from on-pace. FRESPANOL was honest as always. Follow HOLLYWOOD BOUND. Forgive LAOHU and PERFECT WEAPON.
Race 7 THE LAST POST HANDICAP
A Magic finish as the storm looms
strong tempo
Bias:
out-wide
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darci Magic | Paul Murray | Tim Clark | 11 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Sense of Occasion | Kris Lees | Joshua Parr | 8 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Intimate Moment | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 6 | 59.0 |
Darci Magic skipped through the mud
In The Yard
Classy mares INTIMATE MOMENT and TELEPATHIC have more strength than most. ANY DAY WILL DO more relaxed - a towering mare with strength too. SENSE OF OCCASSION and DARCI MAGIC both looked good - leaner types suited to the tough conditions
In The Running
ANY DAY WILL DO jumped best and rolled along at a STRONG TEMPO, with BLACK JAG on her outside. SENSE OF OCCASSION was stuck wide with no cover, giving a trail to DARCI MAGIC behind him.
The Result
DARCI MAGIC (1st) got to the outside rail and swept past SENSE OF OCCASION (2nd), who had kicked nicely early in the straight. INTIMATE MOMENT (3rd) ran on solidly with TELEPATHIC (4th) nearer the inside.
The Interest
The lean and tough types DARCI MAGIC and SENSE OF OCCASION lapped up the wet, with DARCI MAGIC finishing the best on the outside rail after getting the better trail. INTIMATE MOMENT and TELEPATHIC are both classy stronger mares that just didn't handle the wet conditions as well. The first four all did a good job and BLACK JAG showed he has hit form again in 5th. Follow DARCI MAGIC and SENSE OF OCCASION in the wet and over further, INTIMATE MOMENT and TELEPATHIC back to the dry, and BLACK JAG up in distance next start.
Race 8 THE BLUEBIRD NURSES HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|
Race abandoned due to storm