Yard to the Post @ Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 09 May 2015
The sun shone on Rosehill Gardens for a bumper 10 race card, with black-type features highlighting the day.
Two Group 3 races were won in contrasting style, the classy mare SOLICIT sneaking home in the Darley Crown, while NAJOOM streaked clear of the field in the Guineas.
Waterhouse's three-year-old daughter of Northern Meteor has shown stunning improvement this campaign. She paraded beautifully and a trip to Queensland for the Carnival is well within her reach.
A huge betting plunge came off when SILVERBALL (picture) won the Listed Lord Mayor's Cup by a good margin. He's another import that Waller seems destined to transform from 'benchmark' horse to a Group-level winner.
A race-by-race review, from the yard to the post, is provided below. The complete guide from your team at the track.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | SLOW 7 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | NONE |
Race 1 WILLIAM HILL SUPPORTING SPORTING CHANCE HANDICAP
A bright start for Ryan and Avdulla
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skyclad | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Brenton Avdulla | 13 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Lycia | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Brodie Loy | 11 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Backstab | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Joshua Parr | 8 | 56.0 |
Skyclad led and sprinted to win
In The Yard
2yos all well behaved. REINCARNATE looked big and strong, ENCOSTA LINE, STRAVIGO and DUVET all looked well. LYCIA is surprisingly small.
In The Running
SKYCLAD jumped better this time and showed speed to lead, before Avdulla controlled the mid-race sections. Overall a FAIR TEMPO was set up. LYCIA and SAVANNAH ROSE were stuck wide.
The Result
SKYCLAD (1st) gave a strong kick in the straight, from LYCIA (2nd), who chased gamely, and BACKSTAB (3rd), who made ground up the inside.
The Interest
Strong, fast and dominant. Ryan likes this horse and the owners were the only ones in the stand, so he must have given the tip! Avdulla put the icing on the cake with a perfect front-running ride. LYCIA is only small, but she chased very gamely, a tough little filly suited to wet tracks. STRAVIGO had every possible chance and did nothing. ENCOSTA LINE is one to watch next start onto a drier track, he's only got a short sprint and found a little bit of traffic at the back. Follow SKYCLAD.
Race 2 POWER ACCESS HANDICAP
Clark saves every inch to win
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | High Midnight | James Cummings | Tim Clark | 4 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Rustic Melody | Kris Lees | Koby Jennings | 1 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Redoutable Heart | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 2 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
RUSTIC MELODY is quite lean now. HIGH MIDNIGHT and INVINZABEEL both looked well. MAN OF DISTINCTION is too powerful for this distance?
In The Running
ONE TOUCH rolled to the lead at a FAIR TEMPO from MAN OF DISTINCTION. HIGH MIDNIGHT got the box seat in behind and INVINZABEEL was just on his outside. ARIGOLD took off early out wide before the turn.
The Result
INVINZABEEL (4th) moved up on the turn, but he couldn't hold off the strong surge of HIGH MIDNIGHT (1st) up the inside and RUSTIC MELODY (2nd), who stayed on late. REDOUTABLE HEART (3rd) made ground out of the pack. ARIGOLD couldn't lift late (5th)
The Interest
A canny ride from Tim Clark might have made the difference here; the top two were the best stayers. RUSTIC MELODY is quite lean now and will enjoy a wet track if she goes north for the Oaks. They are riding INVINZABEEL very aggressively - don't give up on him. The well-backed roughie ARIGOLD was ridden aggressively from the back - they were clearly on! It didn't work out this time though. MAN OF DISTINCTION is struggling to stay at the moment, he might need a shorter trip. Follow RUSTIC MELODY and HIGH MIDNIGHT.
Race 3 REXEL HANDICAP
Arrived in the nick of time
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kaepernick | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Jay Ford | 8 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Berry Delicious | Jason Coyle | Jason Collett | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Good Project | Chris Waller | Brodie Loy | 5 | 58.5 |
Kaepernick produced a rapid sprint finish
In The Yard
MOHAVE, KAEPERNICK, MR MANHATTAN, TREE OF JESSE and LIBERTY ISLAND looked the best in the yard. KAEPERNICK was most powerful, but is wet ok?
In The Running
MR MANHATTAN and MOHAVE rolled along at a FAIR TEMPO, ramping it up from the turn. GOOD PROJECT got a nice trail behind the leaders and KAEPERNICK went out the back.
The Result
KAEPERNICK (1st) sprinted down the outside to beat GOOD PROJECT (2nd - dead heat), who fought on, and BERRY DELICIOUS (2nd - dead heat), who closed late.
The Interest
He's a good sprinter with more power than most of these, KAEPERNICK will be even better on a dry track. A very even bunch apart from him, with a few runs to follow. GOOD PROJECT and LIBERTY ISLAND did enough first-up, the latter only given a 'warm-up run' here. TREE OF JESSE and BERRY DELICIOUS are ready for further now. Don't be too harsh on MOHAVE, he could show up on a drier track next start. Follow KAEPERNICK
Race 4 KEN CALLANDER FELLOWSHIP HANDICAP
A little rocket beats the big jet
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alberto Magic | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Jason Collett | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Turbulent Jet | Lee & Cherie Curtis | Ms Winona Costin | 11 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Earnest Ernest | Joseph Pride | Brodie Loy | 8 | 56.5 |
Alberto Magic streaked clear in the straight
In The Yard
SENTA DE NOCHE and RELIGIFY were clear standouts; ALBERTO MAGIC also looked well but bit smaller. EARNEST ERNEST and HANDSOME TYCOON the only other powerful horses. MARWOOD looked OK.
In The Running
SENTA DE NOCHE sped to the lead and rolled along at a STRONG TEMPO, stretching the field out. ALBERTO MAGIC and RELIGIFY got a nice trail on behind.
The Result
SENTA DE NOCHE (4th), sped along into the straight, but ALBERTO MAGIC (1st) picked up and sprinted to the lead, from TURBULENT JET (2nd) and EARNEST ERNEST (3rd).
The Interest
A smart ride on ALBERTO MAGIC to let the speed horse SENTA DE NOCHE get across and save his energy. SENTA DE NOCHE was bold and can run well over 1100m on a drier track soon. RELIGIFY isn't as good this preparation. The big-striding TURBULENT JET made a great return after vet issues last preparation, he loves the big Rosehill course. EARNEST ERNEST was good from the back, but only marginally ahead of a big clump of them. Follow SENTA DE NOCHE and ALBERTO MAGIC
Race 5 WILSON ASSET MANAGEMENT HANDICAP
Lady luck plays her part
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sense And Reason | Robert & Luke Price | Jason Collett | 12 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Fiftyshadesofgrey | Marc Conners | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 11 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Bonete | Joseph Pride | Tim Clark | 10 | 54.0 |
Sense And Reason swept past the unlucky Bonete
In The Yard
SHORT SHIFT and BONETE powerful, both well. No knock HOLY DELUSIONS, MINEKO and SLOTS. VILLA SPLENDIDO and MATIGNON didn’t impress.
In The Running
BONETE took up the lead with SHORT SHIFT, but they were hassled by a loose horse that dumped the rider at the start (MATIGNON). CROOKED STICK got tied up with MATIGNON at the start and lost 6 lengths.
The Result
BONETE (3rd) travelled ok, but still had MATIGNON laying in on her. In the end she couldn't hold off swoopers SENSE AND REASON (1st) and FIFTYSHADESOFGREY (2nd).
The Interest
Well, well, well. If you backed the BONETE you had every right to be angry. But that's horseracing as they say! The swoopers grabbed a disappointing group of sprinters otherwise. HOLY DELUSIONS was poor after having every chance, while SLOTS and MATIGNON didn't do much either. SENSE AND REASON can progress now over further. Follow SENSE AND REASON. Forgive BONETE, MATIGNON and CROOKED STICK.
Race 6 ONE SOLUTIONS HANDICAP
Hot speed and a big result
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | You'll Never | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 11 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | San Diego | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Sam Clipperton | 4 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Lunar Rise | John Sargent | Jeff Penza | 3 | 54.0 |
You'll Never swept down the outside
In The Yard
Favourites CRAFTINESS and BOOMWAA both strong/well. MAHICAN also looked good, but leaner. AMOVATIO and MEDCAULT muscle to sprint. LAURIE’S LOVE didn’t impress.
In The Running
RAIN AFFAIR went out at a rapid speed, leading clearly from BOOMWAA and CRAFTINESS at a (very) STRONG TEMPO. MAHICAN was stuck three-wide giving a trail to YOU'LL NEVER. CRAFTINESS started to struggle from the turn.
The Result
RAIN AFFAIR (4th) tired late and YOU’LL NEVER (1st) stormed down the outside. SAN DIEGO (2nd) ran on too with LUNAR RISE fighting on.
The Interest
Wow! They went hard and CRAFTINESS couldn't hack it! He may get 1350m in the future, but 59kg and a rapid speed were too much. They were all very tired over the last 200m, half the field laying in and struggling to stay straight. YOU’LL NEVER and SAN DIEGO can sustain their runs and the race worked out perfectly for them, the Waller galloper having just a touch more speed in his legs. It's good to see LUNAR RISE back in form. AMOVATIO didn't have much luck early in the straight. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 7 THE 2015 DARLEY CROWN
The class rises to the top, just!
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Solicit | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Tim Clark | 3 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Peace Force | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Brenton Avdulla | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Calming Influence | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 4 | 56.0 |
Solicit snuck through late to win
In The Yard
BELLE DE COEUR looked very well in the yard, PERON and MAMWAAZEL also looked good. MY SABEEL plain, but always is. VERGARA has power, but a wet track is a risk.
In The Running
CALMING INFLUENCE took up ten running and set a FAIR TEMPO, without too much pressure. MAMWAAZEL settled outside the leader with PERON striding up out wide.
The Result
A crowded finish, SOLICIT (1st) sneaking through late to beat PEACE FORCE (2nd) and CALMING INFLUENCE (3rd), who gave a kick early in the straight.
The Interest
Mares races can often throw up a crowded finish, but thankfully the class (and best horse) rose to the top. SOLICIT is a smart mare that deserved the win, Gerald Ryan getting her back on track after a last start failure. MY SABEEL had no luck, getting stuck in behind the pack, while BELL DE COEUR bled for the second time and incurred a mandatory life-time ban from racing. Follow SOLICIT. Forgive MY SABEEL and BELLE DE COEUR (last race here though).
Race 8 FUJITSU AIR LORD MAYORS CUP
A big betting plunge takes the riches
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silverball | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 15 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Sense of Occasion | Kris Lees | Tim Clark | 12 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Destiny's Kiss | Joseph Pride | Jim Cassidy | 5 | 57.0 |
Siverball was much too strong on the line
In The Yard
BAGMAN, ECUADOR, COUNT OF LIMONADE, SILVERBALL, INTIMATE MOMENT, SENSE OF OCCASION and MARTIAN all looked well, but SINGING FLAME stands out. PLANET PURPLE is very lean.
In The Running
ECUADOR rolled to the lead and set a FAIR TEMPO, from PHRASES on his outside. SENSE OF OCCASION and SINGING FLAME got a nice trail behind the leaders.
The Result
SILVERBALL (1st) tracked up under a hard-hold and surged clear, beating home SENSE OF OCCASION (2nd), who fought on. DESTINY’S KISS (3rd) ran on well.
The Interest
Big money came for this Waller galloper coming back to Sydney and he dominated. This was a big win and Avdulla's first-pump suggests it was a popular one for the stable to. Wet trackers SENSE OF OCCASION and DESTINY’S KISS put in solid runs. Good old PLANET PURPLE stuck on and is ready for 2400m now. ECUADOR knock-up late in the race after trying to step up to 2000m second-up - bold move from Gai that didn't work out. Follow SILVERBALL.
Race 9 BLACKTOWN WORKERS HAWKESBURY GUINEAS
A new star goes boom!
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Najoom | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Federal | James Cummings | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Bachman | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Jason Collett | 1 | 58.0 |
Najoom streaked clear of Federal (in royal blue)
In The Yard
Favourites FEDERAL and NAJOOM both looked very well, most were fine though. ANYAAS was just a touch unsettled, as Vandyke horses often are.
In The Running
NAJOOM took up the running and set a STEADY TEMPO, with EISENHOWER over-racing on her outside and FINAL DECISION three-wide with no cover. FEDERAL had a trail three-wide. ZIZUMBA took charge of the rider and drifted right off the track.
The Result
NAJOOM (1st) sprinted clear of the pack to beat FEDERAL (2nd), who quickened OK down the outside. BACHMAN (3rd) made ground from the back.
The Interest
Boom! A new start is born with NAJOOM putting a margin on a decent group of gallopers. FEDERAL was good again and BACHMAN is racing in fine form, hitting the line again late. PRESS REPORT was very poor, had a poor post race recovery and is now off to the spelling paddock. Follow NAJOOM and BACHMAN. Forgive ZIZUMBA (once he's learnt what he's doing!)
Race 10 BLACKWOODS.COM.AU HANDICAP
An Adelaide raider passes his exam
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Time to Test | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Koby Jennings | 13 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Mr One Eleven | Eric Musgrove | Jay Ford | 9 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Role Model | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 18 | 60.0 |
Time to Test sustained a strong run to win
In The Yard
Big field! Most OK, SONG AND LAUGHTER looked a bit hot. TIME TO TEST nice and well up from Adelaide. HOLLYWOOD BOUND, ROLE MODEL and CHOICE LARGA all looked good. ABBASSO was scratched at the barrier.
In The Running
CHOICE LARGA went to the lead, from JUST A BLUR, who over-raced on his outside. LOUD DEBATE was three-wide with no cover and TIME TO TEST was four-wide. LIVE FOR TODAY jumped awkwardly back along he inside.
The Result
TIME TO TEST (1st) moved up out wide and sustained a strong surge to the line, holding off a late challenge from MR ONE ELEVEN (2nd), who ran on late. ROLE MODEL (3rd) toughed it out just behind them.
The Interest
He's an up-and-coming 1600m+ type that had won first-up over 1200m in Adelaide - it all pointed towards TIME TO TEST when he strolled into the yard looking so good. He had a really tough run here though so check the yard again before his next start. MR ONE ELEVEN enjoyed the big Rosehill track and returned in great fashion, while ROLE MODEL was brave with her big weight. Not sure about the riding tactics on JUST A BLUR, she knocked-up badly after racing on the pace. QUICK STRIKE did about as much as he could after being restrained to the back. COMMISSION didn't have much luck back in the pack. Follow TIME TO TEST and ROLE MODEL. Forgive COMMISSION.