Yard to the Post @ Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 23 May 2015
Jo Pride is a trainer well-renowned for his stable of talented sprinters, but he doesn't usually visit the winners stall when the trips get longer.
That made today's Listed feature over 2,400 metres a unique occasion, the dominant Waller stable fielding despised outsiders while Pride saddled up favourites SENSE OF OCCASION and DESTINY'S KISS.
Waller made a bold bid as OUR VOODOO PRINCE loomed on the turn, but SENSE OF OCCASION (picture) quickly put the race to bed with a dazzling sprint, overcoming SINGING FLAME, who kept lifting to the line.
The Royal Randwick track played perfectly after torrential rain, some of the jockeys getting caught looking for better ground out wider despite the inside ground being fine.
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 | +3 metres |
| Conditions | HEAVY 10 to 9 |
| Weather | FINE and COOL |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 FRESH FOR KIDS PLATE
Lucky Parr finds a charmed passage
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coys | Richard & Will Freedman | Joshua Parr | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | So Willie | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 9 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Skyclad | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Brenton Avdulla | 11 | 57.5 |
Coys surged through nearer the inside
In The Yard
SKYCLAD was the standout. LIBIDOSUN, SO WILLIE and READY ALREADY are all neat types that could suit the track. SAVANNAH ROSE is very light and lean. MY COLLEAGUE is a solidly-built type.
In The Running
MY COLLEAGUE took up the lead from SKYCLAD and READY ALREADY out three-wide, setting a FAIR TEMPO. ALWAYS SACRED got the box seat. O'REILLY'S ANGEL over-raced out the back.
The Result
COYS (1st) stoked up and surged through nearer the inside, holding off SO WILLIE (2nd), who charged late down the outside. SKYCLAD (3rd) fought on.
The Interest
This was a close contest in the betting with a bit of depth, expect the form to hold up - the top five COYS, SO WILLIE, SKYCLAD, ALWAYS SACRED and MY COLLEAGUE all got clear of the rest. Josh Parr found the best ground, even though he didn't mean to! Most jockeys figured out wider was going to be better. That makes the effort of SUPER WILLIE look even better, he charged home out wider. MY COLLEAGUE is very tough and hasn't reached peak fitness yet. Follow COYS, SO WILLIE, SKYCLAD, ALWAYS SACRED and MY COLLEAGUE.
Race 2 YOUR LOCAL GREENGROCER HANDICAP
A sit-and-sprint goes to a nippy filly
slow tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tree of Jesse | James Cummings | Tim Clark | 5 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Eisenhower | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Joshua Parr | 7 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Berry Delicious | Jason Coyle | Jason Collett | 3 | 54.5 |
Tree of Jesse was suited on the heavy track
In The Yard
EISENHOWER looked well in the yard. BETTER NOT BLUE stood out and BERRY DELICIOUS looked better now, an athletic type. No knock DUPE ‘EM or TREE OF JESSE, who is a smaller 'nippy' type.
In The Running
EISENHOWER took the lead in the small field and set a SLOW TEMPO, from HIGH ABOVE on his outside. TREE OF JESSE got the box seat and BETTER NOT BLUE was outside her - he over-raced a bit at the start.
The Result
TREE OF JESSE (1st) sprinted up inside EISENHOWER (2nd), who gave a kick. BERRY DELICIOUS (3rd) made late ground.
The Interest
The speed was slow here and TREE OF JESSE showed her good sprint on a wet track to dart through. The form with BERRY DELICIOUS held up, who was the next best run in the race. BETTER NOT BLUE could only hold his ground in the sprint home and DUPE 'EM was out-sped in the run to the line, don't be too harsh on them. EISENHOWER's 2nd placing doesn't mean he handles wet tracks, he was hardly tested in the lead. Follow BERRY DELICIOUS and TREE OF JESSE.
Race 3 ARDROSSAN BATLOW APPLES HANDICAP
Clark's riding still on a high
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | High Midnight | James Cummings | Tim Clark | 14 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Rye | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 7 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Heavy | Ciaron Maher | Brenton Avdulla | 9 | 55.5 |
High Midnight got the better of Rye
In The Yard
SEBRINA and HIGH MIDNIGHT both looked well, while REAPER looked like wet tracker - light and lean. HEAVY very heavy-set and ONE TOUCH didn't impress.
In The Running
A few of the horses at the bottom of the weights set a rolling FAIR TEMPO, including ONE TOUCH, APPELLO and SWING SENSATION. SEBRINA was in behind horses and always in trouble.
The Result
HIGH MIDNIGHT (1st) surged through the pack with RYE (2nd) and just outfought him late. HEAVY (3rd) made ground down the outside. SEBRINA (4th) powered the last 50m once she was out
The Interest
The class rose to the top, with SEBRINA and HIGH MIDNIGHT both putting in the best efforts. If you backed SEBRINA then horseracing owes you one, Brodie couldn't get out of his own way. The class of Clark showed again on HIGH MIDNIGHT. RYE was good and HEAVY is a heavy-set type that handled the tough Randwick track well. It didn't look like REAPER or SWING SENSATION stayed the 2000m - they need shorter. Follow HIGH MIDNIGHT and HEAVY. Forgive SEBRINA.
Race 4 TOYOTA MATERIAL HANDLING (AUSTRALIA) HANDICAP
Jimmy does it again!
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beyond Thankful | Eric Musgrove | Jim Cassidy | 7 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Mirage | Darren Weir | Joshua Parr | 1 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Keep Cool | Joseph Pride | Jay Ford | 4 | 59.0 |
Cassidy guided Beyond Thankful up the rails
In The Yard
BOSS LANE was the best in the yard from BEAUTY’S BEAST and LAURIE’S LOVE. MIRAGE looked only fair, a touch edgy.
In The Running
MIRAGE led from BEAUTY’S BEAST and set a FAIR TEMPO. The well backed PAEDEROS was wide at the back.
The Result
MIRAGE (2nd) gave a good kick in the straight, but drifted out badly late. BEYOND THANKFUL (1st) darted up the inside and KEEP COOL (2nd) fought on ok.
The Interest
Lots of market drifters and the usual betting plunge on PAEDEROS, the stable just keeps coming for him and losing! MIRAGE clearly the best horse in the race and also the most unreliable, he's been wayward his last two starts now, it looks like he threw this one away. BEYOND THANKFUL simply the best wet tracker with the canniest rider - Jimmy loves steering them up the rails while the other jockeys get too tricky out wider. Follow MIRAGE.
Race 5 GET WELL GLENN HANDICAP
Too much power from Hawkes
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | God's in Him | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Brenton Avdulla | 7 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Charles in Charge | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Ms Winona Costin | 2 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Grande Punto | Allan Denham | Tim Clark | 11 | 57.0 |
God's In Him sprinted to catch Charles In Charge
In The Yard
FORGET and GOD’S IN HIM both looked well first up, the latter a powerful type that might be a risk on the very heavy. CHARLES IN CHARGE also looked well.
In The Running
CHARLES IN CHARGE strode clear from the pack mid-race to set up a big break, ensuring a STRONG TEMPO. FORGET was back a few lengths off the leader with LOCEANO. METICULOUSLY was a bit wide.
The Result
GOD’S IN HIM (1st) picked up and sprinted to join CHARLES IN CHARGE (2nd) and they duelled over the last 100m. GRANDE PUNTO (3rd) made ground late.
The Interest
A bold, and smart, ride on CHARLES IN CHARGE with so many horses not at peak fitness. The track was drying out by now though and GOD’S IN HIM got enough grip to show his devastating sprint. FORGET drifted worryingly in the market, while METICULOUSLY never got into the race and might be better up to 1400m on a drier track next start. Follow GOD’S IN HIM.
Race 6 SYDNEY MARKETS LTD MCKELL CUP
Pride's young stayer delivers
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sense of Occasion | Kris Lees | Tim Clark | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Singing Flame | Kevin Moses | Danny Beasley | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Our Voodoo Prince | Darren Weir | Joshua Parr | 5 | 55.5 |
Sense of Occasion dashed to the lead
In The Yard
All stayers presented fit and well. Favourites were in good shape, DESTINY'S KISS a smaller type and SENSE OF OCCASION more athletic.
In The Running
SINGING FLAME set a STEADY TEMPO in the lead, not getting any pressure mid-race. SENSE OF OCCASION was just behind the leaders with cover.
The Result
SENSE OF OCCASION (1st) sprinted past early in the straight, from SINGING FLAME (2nd) who never gave up and OUR VOODOO PRINCE (3rd) who put in a short sprint.
The Interest
The up-and-coming stayers weighted well were the best chances in this and they dominated. In the end, SINGING FLAME would have preferred more tempo to hold off the closing sprint of the winner. OUR VOODOO PRINCE sprinted nicely as he does, the STEADY TEMPO suited him. DESTINY’S KISS made ground and MAJOR MAJOR was one-paced. BAGMAN wasn't too bad. Follow SENSE OF OCCASION and SINGING FLAME.
Race 7 SYDNEY MARKETS FOUNDATION HANDICAP
Collett cruises to back-to-back wins
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alberto Magic | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Jason Collett | 7 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Howmuchdoyouloveme | Con Karakatsanis | Ms Winona Costin | 12 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Wouldnt It Be Nice | Paul Perry | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 3 | 55.0 |
Alberto Magic was much too good
In The Yard
HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME stood out in the yard. No other knocks, ALIAS perhaps 90% fit. HOLDER SUNSET small and speedy
In The Running
HOLDER SUNSET sped along in the lead, from HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME outside her at a FAIR TEMPO. ALBERTO MAGIC was just behind the leaders and a little keen in the run. ALIAS was wide and EARNEST ERNEST out the back.
The Result
ALBERTO MAGIC (1st) picked up and sprinted past HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME. WOULDN'T IT BE NICE chased home along the inside. SEE THE WORLD made late ground.
The Interest
The form of a few of these was poor on paper and ALBERTO MAGIC won with ease for the second time in a row. HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME, WOULDN'T IT BE NICE and SEE THE WORLD were all OK, while ALIAS and EARNEST ERNEST probably weren't suited on a heavy Randwick. The way the favourite strode clear at the end, he made the rest look second-rate. Follow ALBERTO MAGIC.
Race 8 SAVE OUR SONS HANDICAP
Waller presents the class runner to win
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berrimilla | Chris Waller | Jim Cassidy | 9 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Song And Laughter | Richard Litt | Tim Clark | 3 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Wings | Tash Burleigh | Ms Winona Costin | 4 | 55.0 |
Berrimilla sustained a strong run to the line
In The Yard
BERRIMILLA, WINGS and JOADJA all looked well on the yard, but an even bunch. SONG AND LAUGHTER in good shape, but a bit keen.
In The Running
VILLA SPLENDIDO went to the lead and set a FAIR TEMPO, from FLORAL GOLD on her outside. KARAKUCHI was out wider.
The Result
SONG AND LAUGHTER (2nd) moved to the lead up the inside from midfield, but couldn't hold out BERRIMILLA (1st), who was strong to the line. There was a big gap back to WINGS (3rd), who ran on.
The Interest
After only one trial, there were questions over whether BERRIMILLA was ready, but as soon as she walked into the yard it was clear all was in order. She is a classy mare at best that sustains a strong run to the line. SONG AND LAUGHTER was brave and the form should hold up given the margin. WINGS, COPY (found to be lame) and KARAKUCHI (wide run) all did enough to suggest they could run well next time. Follow BERRIMILLA and SONG AND LAUGHTER. Forgive COPY and KARAKUCHI.