Yard to the Post @ Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 13 June 2015
Another wet track after little rain in Sydney had the punters scratching their heads as the sun shone at Rosehill Gardens on a quiet Winter's day.
With no feature race on the card, the most exciting finish was the win of REIGNING in the Schweppes Handicap over 2,000 metres. He got the better of stable-mate BAGMAN in the final strides, both of them coming from last on the turn after veteran grey PHRASES set a testing speed up front.
UK import ROCKALONG was another swooper to salute the judge in the TAB Place Multi Handicap. The lightly-raced gelding hit the line hard and is well-placed to progress through the grades this Winter.
Earlier, BROOK ROAD (pictured) returned in emphatic style winning the Cellarbrations Handicap with ease. She was the good news story in a race that was sadly the last for brave country sprinter NUCLEAR CLASS.
A strong OFF RAILS bias suited horses swooping down the outside and for the most part jockeys handled the conditions well.
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 | SOFT 6 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | OFF-RAILS |
Race 1 TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP
The Royal Blue takes 2yo honours again
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shards | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Sam Clipperton | 4 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Quick Ransom | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Meri Rani | Peter & Paul Snowden | Ms Winona Costin | 9 | 54.5 |
Shards pushed forward and was too good
In The Yard
SHARDS and QUICK RANSOM looking well, both nice balanced types. SO WILLIE has toned muscle, not the most powerful. WE’RE SURE an athletic type that may not be suited at Rosehill. No knock others.
In The Running
STRATHAIRD jumped nicely from the inside to lead SHARDS at a FAIR TEMPO. BUBBLEBERRY and QUICK RANSOM were in behind. MERI RANI raced wide without cover. SO WILLIE missed start (1L) and moved up the inside.
The Result
SHARDS (1st) hit the lead at the 200m and pulled out plenty to hold off the challenge of QUICK RANSOM (2nd). MERI RANI (3rd) stuck on well.
The Interest
A confident ride by Sam Clipperton ensured there were no excuses for SHARDS as he lifted late to win and was strong on the line. He showed his 2nd to Press Statement was not fluke and he could have more to give over further. QUICK RANSOM also has lots of promise, he raced a little greenly in the straight and chased well. The best of Snowden's three, MERI RANI, was trapped wide throughout and was strong on the line. She has a lovely long stride and already looks like an Oaks type!. SO WILLIE was in the worst ground on the inside, while Snowden's other two INVOLVING and WE’RE SURE hit the line OK. Follow SHARDS. Forgive MERI RANI and SO WILLIE.
Race 2 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS HANDICAP
Hawkes unlocks the key to their sprinters
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lockroy | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 9 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Well Hardley Ever | Clarry Conners | Danny Beasley | 4 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Kipling | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 6 | 55.0 |
Lockroy flashed home down the outside
In The Yard
GRUNDERZEIT and SKRIPCHENKO both looking well in the yard and KIPLING looked fitter. BETTER NOT BLUE was slightly on his toes, as he often is.
In The Running
KLAMMER jumped nicely from GRUNDERZEIT which was ridden forward and set a FAIR TEMPO. STIMULI raced keenly in behind with WELL HARDLEY EVER on its inside. BETTER NOT BLUE missed start (1L). LOCKROY was restrained to the back.
The Result
LOCKROY (1st) sprinted down the outside to grab WELL HARDLEY EVER (2nd), who had given a kick. KIPLING (3rd) fought on for a place. INTEREST
The Interest
'Deja vu' for the Hawkes boys, a keen-going galloper responding to a quiet ride to get the win. Just like Kaepernick, LOCKROY has a dazzling sprint and he showed that today. WELL HARDLEY EVER also has a nice turn-of-foot and found the cover he needs for a much better run. KIPLING had some excuses, a consistent type destined for another solid campaign. BETTER NOT BLUE (keen and 1200m too short?) and SKRIPCHENKO (a bit keen and raced in the worst ground) are both better than this. Forgive BETTER NOT BLUE (over further and better tempo).
Race 3 MORE THAN READY @ VINERY HANDICAP
A big betting plunge hits the mark
steady tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Final Decision | Jason Coyle | Tye Angland | 9 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Eisenhower | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Joshua Parr | 2 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Double Happy | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 5 | 54.5 |
Final Decision surged through the pack to win
In The Yard
EISENHOWER a big strong type that looks well. FINAL DECISION also nice and ready to go. LIKE XENA on toes exiting yard.
In The Running
PONCHERELLO was urged along to lead EISENHOWER at a STEADY TEMPO. They started their sprint home from the 600m, putting a couple of lengths on the pack led by MAKEADANE and AMMIRATA. DUPE EM missed the start (1L) and went back along the inside.
The Result
EISENHOWER (2nd) sustained his sprint, but Tye Angland got the split on FINAL DECISION (1st) and surged through the pack. DOUBLE HAPPY (3rd) edged out AMMIRATA (4th).
The Interest
Tye Angland didn’t panic when baulked for a run on FINAL DECISION at the top of the straight, then weaved between runners to gun down the strong Waterhouse gelding EISENHOWER. The runner-up has shown the ability to sustain a long sprint at his last few starts, but still hasn't been tested with a genuine tempo. Not many excuses for others, both DOUBLE HAPPY and AMMIRATA were solid out wider, while DUPE 'EM and MAKEADANE were nearer the inside (worst ground). Leading in the blinkers on a wet track didn't suit PONCHERELLO, he put in a few false strides and stopped. Follow FINAL DECISION.
Race 4 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
Moody's rogue tamed by Sam
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mirage | Darren Weir | Sam Clipperton | 8 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Beauty's Beast | Danny O'Brien | Ms Winona Costin | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | You'll Never | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 3 | 59.0 |
Clipperton guided Mirage to a safe win
In The Yard
YOU’LL NEVER and EIGELSTEIN both well and HAUSSMANN fitter into this. MIGHTY LUCKY tall, angular and very fit. MIRAGE on toes exiting yard. KING COBIA ready, but a nuggetty type not suited to Rosehill.
In The Running
BEAUTY’S BEAST crossed and led MIRAGE who took the sit and a FAIR TEMPO was set up. KING COBIA travelled well in behind inside MIGHTY LUCKY. KEEP COOL missed start (1LL and went back.
The Result
MIRAGE (1st) wore down BEAUTY’S BEAST (2nd) in a leader dominated race, while YOU’LL NEVER (3rd) ran on up the inside in-front of a bunched pack.
The Interest
He was the fav' and got the perfect trail, but don't underestimate how hard it is for this rogue to win! Jockey Sam Clipperton stuck with hands-and-heels mostly, he let MIRAGE eyeball the leader then gave him a few well-judged left hand taps with the whip. It was enough to overcome the well-backed BEAUTY's BEAST and most importantly kept him on a straight The run of BEAUTY’S BEAST along the inside (worst ground) was very good, he must have turned the corner since his last start failure and enjoyed free-striding in the lead. YOU’LL NEVER did enough with his big weight, Waller might even sneak him into Weigh-for-Age grade one-day at this rate. Follow MIRAGE, BEAUTY'S BEAST and YOU'LL NEVER.
Race 5 CELLARBRATIONS HANDICAP
A promising mare bounces back to form
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brook Road | Kris Lees | Blake Shinn | 5 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Wonderbolt | Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones | Brenton Avdulla | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Kristy Lee | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 8 | 58.0 |
Brook Road was too classy first-up
In The Yard
STRATURBO forward enough fresh. NUCLEAR CLASS a neat sprinting type, looking fair first-up. SENTA DE NOCHE the most powerful. BROOK ROAD and WONDERBOLT both relaxed.
In The Running
NUCLEAR CLASS jumped quickly and kept SENTA DE NOCHE off the rails at a FAIR TEMPO as STRATURBO worked to get across from LYRIC. WONDERBOLT was caught a little wide in the early stages. BROOK ROAD had a nice trail wider in the better ground.
The Result
BROOK ROAD (1st) swept to the lead, with WONDERBOLT (2nd) giving chase to the line. KRISTY LEE (3rd) ran on from last.
The Interest
BROOK ROAD settled beautifully off the speed and was always in clear running in the straight and was simply too good. She has returned in great order and should find some nice races over the Winter. WONDERBOLT followed the winner everywhere and ran on well too, but didn't hit the line as gamely as KRISTY LEE, who really did flash home. Poor old SENTA DE NOCHE is running around with an OFF RAILS bias every week, forgive him (..again). Unfortunately NUCLEAR CLASS pulled up distressed and suffered a catastrophic collapse back in the yard. Follow BROOK ROAD and KRISTY LEE. Forgive SENTA DE NOCHE.
Race 6 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP
Waller reigns on Waterhouse's parade
strong tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reigning | Eric Musgrove | Brenton Avdulla | 11 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Bagman | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 5 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Dream Folk | Gregory Hickman | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 54.0 |
Reigning and Bagman ran on to catch Ecuador late
In The Yard
ECUADOR looked well again and TRADE COMMISSIONER had come up from Melbourne in good shape, but no obvious knocks.
In The Running
PHRASES pinged the gates and rolled along at a STRONG TEMPO, with MR ONE ELEVEN outside the leader and ECUADOR taking the trail. MISSVONN was caught wide without cover.
The Result
BAGMAN (2nd) sprinted down the outside to catch ECUADOR (4th), but their runs tapered late and REIGNING (1st) arrived in time. DREAM FOLK (3rd) ran on with the winner in a close finish. INTEREST
The Interest
The first three over the line were the back three rounding the turn and it was REIGNING who finished the best out wide. The winner took a while to find space on the turn and deserved the win. BAGMAN showed his class, putting a few lengths on the other backmarkers early in the straight, but he lacked the stamina to close it out. DREAM FOLK relished the tempo and bias, he ran out of his skin. ECUADOR (tough on-pace run) and MISSVONN (stuck wide) both did a great job. The latter is showing a lot of staying promise. A strange ride on PHRASES, but then Lisnyy can be over-aggressive at times. MR ONE ELEVEN simply couldn't keep up. Follow REIGNING, BAGMAN and ECUADOR (back to 1800m?). Forgive MISSVONN.
Race 7 TAB PLACE MULTI HANDICAP
Rocking through the grades this Winter
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rockalong | Paul Perry | Thomas Huet | 9 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Grande Punto | Allan Denham | Jason Collett | 1 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Moral Victory | Tim Martin | Tim Clark | 3 | 54.5 |
Rockalong hit the line best down the outside
In The Yard
AUSSIES LOVE SPORT strong and well first-up for the new trainer. ROCKALONG fit now. MORAL VICTORY and ABBASSO relaxed. PUNCH YOUR WEIGHT woolly in coat still.
In The Running
MORAL VICTORY jumped best to lead AUSSIES LOVE SPORT which crossed from out wide. A FAIR TEMPO was set up. SINJOREN and GRANDE PUNTO took the trail. LUNAR RISE was caught wide without cover.
The Result
Another swooper in ROCKALONG (1st) finished over the top of GRANDE PUNTO (2nd), who pushed his way off the fence. MORAL VICTORY (3rd) boxing on well after kicking into the straight.
The Interest
UK Import ROCKALONG used the outside ground to his advantage and rocketed home to win his first race in Australia in impressive fashion. He will be better out to a mile and beyond and will pay to follow over the Winter months. GRANDE PUNTO usually loves sprinting up the rails but had to ease wider to find the better ground and his run was full of merit. MORAL VICTORY looked home half way up the straight and did well nearer the inside. LUNAR RISE kept on off the wide run, while BASCULE (last) isn't racing well and might be better suited to Randwick (lacks power to sprint). Follow ROCKALONG. Forgive LUNAR RISE.
Race 8 HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP
A flashy grey thunders home
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fiftyshadesofgrey | Marc Conners | Jason Collett | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Two Blue | Kristen Buchanan | Paul King | 1 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Floral Gold | Bob Milligan | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 12 | 54.0 |
Fiftyshadesofgrey flew late down the outside
In The Yard
BREAKFAST IN BED and PICKABEE forward enough in condition. AEROBAR and AMAZON relaxed. FIFTYSHADESOFGREY a little flighty in the yard.
In The Running
TWO BLUE jumped best to lead at a FAIR TEMPO from AEROBAR which crossed easily from out wide. MYSTERY FLIGHT had the trail behind, with BREAKFAST IN BED on her outside. CATSEYE SURPRISE was caught wide without cover.
The Result
Paul King kicked for home at the top of the straight on TWO BLUE (2nd) only for the heavily backed favourite FIFTYSHADESOFGREY (1st) to get up in the final bound out wide with FLORAL GOLD (3rd) keeping on to the line after racing wide with cover.
The Interest
FIFTYSHADESOFGREY was unlucky here on Monday and got the cash on the quick back-up. She's got a dazzling sprint that's exciting to watch! Paul King looked home on the super-genuine TWO BLUE, who did a great job nearer the inside. Not for the first time today, Schofield took the inside route on HOLY DELUSIONS. She did well in the muddy chopped up ground. AEROBAR only grinds away in her races and needs the right conditions to win. With only 1.9 lengths between the top eight and the time not that great, the form could be a bit shaky. Follow FIFTYSHADESOFGREY and TWO BLUE. Forgive CATSEYE SURPRISE.