Yard to the Post @ Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 20 June 2015
It didn't look like Royal Randwick would go ahead as torrential rain soaked Sydney right up until Friday evening.
But 'headquarters' has been holding up to the cold weather this season and a small crowd gathered for the Winter Stakes meeting on a sunny afternoon.
The feature race was won by the wet track specialist TIMELESS PRINCE, ridden by talented young hoop Winona Costin. She was canny enough to work out that the inside ground was getting 'chopped up' late in the day, steering BERRY DELICIOUS down a similar path to win Race 5 and COSMIC CAMEO into second in Race 7.
Earlier in the day, the promising GOD'S IN HIM dominated the Theatre of the Horse before out-fighting LUNAR RISE to claim back-to-back wins this campaign.
See below for a full race-by-race review, from the yard to the post. The complete guide from your team at the track.
Track Info
| Rail | +9m |
| Conditions | HEAVY 10 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | OFF RAILS (Races 5 to 8) |
Race 1 TAB PLACE MULTI PLATE
Parr takes luck out of the equation
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Backstab | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Joshua Parr | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Libidosun | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Stalwart | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Sam Clipperton | 9 | 56.0 |
Backstab led from start to finish
In The Yard
BACKSTAB looked well with solid muscle to frame. LIBIDOSUN a bit leaner and was keen in the yard, throwing Collett off. DARK STEEL also looked good.
In The Running
BACKSTAB jumped well and took up the running, from PRECOCIOUS, who moved up to second. SARGEANT DOAKES was stuck wide with no cover and STALWART drifted back to last.
The Result
BACKSTAB (1st) fought on to hold off LIBIDOSON (2nd), who challenged from the box seat. STALWART (3rd) picked up and chased from the back, but was held on the line.
The Interest
BACKSTAB reversed the order of his quinella with LIBIDOSUN this time, the two of them filling the top spots again. He didn't get much luck at Warwick Farm and Josh Parr made sure there was no chance of getting blocked this time. Expect the form from the race to be solid, STALWART and DARK STEEL put a gap on the others. Waterhouse's DARK STEEL has hit a wet track at his two starts after some impressive track gallop reports, he could be one to watch on a drier surface next time. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 2 ALL TOO HARD @ VINERY HANDICAP
Class rises to the top in the mud
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | God's in Him | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Sam Clipperton | 5 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Lunar Rise | John Sargent | Jason Collett | 3 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | I'm in the Money | Jeff Englebrecht | Ms Winona Costin | 1 | 54.0 |
God's In Him and Lunar Rise broke clear from the pack
In The Yard
GOD'S IN HIM a clear standout in the yard and LUNAR RISE also looked well. I"M IN THE MONEY a much leaner type that could 'skip' through the wet.
In The Running
I'M IN THE MONEY took up the running from KAYPERS on her outside, setting a FAIR TEMPO.
The Result
LUNAR RISE (2nd) tracked up and took over, but GOD'S IN HIM (1st) ran on best late. They put a gap on I'M IN THE MONEY (3rd), who kept on.
The Interest
This would have been the quinella on a FIRM 1 or HEAVY 10. GOD'S IN HIM and LUNAR RISE were superior animals in the yard and both can be followed next start. The Hawkes-trained GOD'S IN HIM is a lightly-raced 5yo with more to give and LUNAR RISE is getting back to his best after a failed stint in Hong Kong. Follow GOD'S IN HIM and LUNAR RISE.
Race 3 TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP
Waller stamina pays dividends
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soviet Courage | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 11 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Shubawi | Emma Murphy | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 7 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Husson Choice | David Vandyke | Joshua Parr | 5 | 58.0 |
Soviet Courage was too strong in a long-distance slog
In The Yard
HUSSON'S CHOICE paraded best, looking strong and robust in the yard. The leaner types PLANET PURPLE and SHABAWI also looked well. CARRY ON SINGING didn't impress.
In The Running
MISTER IMPATIENCE rolled forward to take the lead from PLANET PURPLE, who was stuck wide early. SOVIET COURAGE got the box seat. A FAIR TEMPO was set up.
The Result
SOVIET COURAGE (1st) pushed into the clear and was strong to the line, beating off the challenge of SHABAWI (2nd), who had loomed on the turn. HUSSON'S CHOICE (3rd) stoked up late.
The Interest
SOVIET COURAGE and last-start Wagga Wagga winner SHABAWI had a weight advantage on the field and the Waller stayer just had too much stamina in the end. The Moroney stable gave Brodie Loy a hard time for not setting a more testing tempo on disappointing favourite MISTER IMPATIENCE... a harsh assessment given the horse was beaten 8 lengths! He was on his way to Queensland, but the plans might change after this plodding run. It was a 'rookie' ride by Koby Jennings on PLANET PURPLE, who was somehow stuck wide twice. He heads to the paddock now. Overall, not much form to get excited about for the future.
Race 4 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS HANDICAP
A Powerful surge up the inside
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electric Power | Kris Lees | Sam Clipperton | 3 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Berrimilla | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Sense And Reason | Robert & Luke Price | Jason Collett | 11 | 58.5 |
Electric Power maintained a long run and cleared out
In The Yard
BERRIMILLA paraded well along with many of the other mares. SENSE AND REASON an athletic type with a good sprint. CAPROSSA not a 1400m type. MARDI was fit enough first-up.
In The Running
MARDI jumped well and found the rails, while WRITTEN pushed forward and led on her outside. MY SABEEL worked clear from the box seat pushing CAPROSSA three-wide. A STEADY TEMPO was set up.
The Result
ELECTRIC POWER (1st) stoked up nearer the inside and was too strong late for SENSE AND REASON (3rd), who had sprinted quickly to join in. BERRIMILLA (2nd) sustained her run down the outside.
The Interest
The two best wet-trackers filled the top two places, ELECTRIC POWER with a touch more dash over 1300m. They are both mares that can sustain a long run to the line, while SENSE AND REASON is blessed with a rapid turn-of-foot. She couldn't keep the run going on the HEAVY track and is one to follow back on a drier surface. BERRIMILLA needs 1400m to 1500m next time. Don't be too harsh on MARDI, it was a difficult assignment first-up. Follow ELECTRIC POWER, BERRIMILLA (up in distance) and SENSE AND REASON (on drier).
Race 5 ATC HERITAGE SOCIETY 5TH ANNIVERSARY HANDICAP
Costin produces a sweet ride
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berry Delicious | Jason Coyle | Ms Winona Costin | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Elle Lou | Chris Waller | Jay Ford | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Disgraceful | Dale Riley | Christian Reith | 8 | 54.5 |
Berry Delicious swept down the outside
In The Yard
SCRATCH ME LUCKY, SAVOUREUX and most others parade well. ALEGRIA the most impressive type, big, strong and well-balanced.
In The Running
SCRATCH ME LUCKY and AVONACO jumped well enough to make DISGRACEFUL have to be urged to the lead. TREE OF JESSE worked up on his outside and a FAIR TEMPO was set up. BERRY DELICIOUS went back and hooked wider on the turn.
The Result
DISGRACEFUL (3rd) fought off the other on-pacers, but BERRY DELICIOUS (1st) swept down the outside. ELLE LOU (2nd) also ran on.
The Interest
BERRY DELICIOUS isn't the most powerful short-course galloper but she is very game and deserved this win after great form all preparation. Costin steered her into slightly better ground out wide as an OFF RAILS bias developed. ELLE LOU handled the wet conditions and DISGRACEFUL put in a solid run. It was a shame to see SCRATCH ME LUCKY perform so poorly and SAVOUREUX was only fair and might need to step back to 1200m. As James Cummings said before the race, TREE OF JESSE was "flat". ALEGRIA had a small beak before this third-up 1400m run, she's ready for a big run over the mile next start. Follow BERRY DELICIOUS and ALEGRIA (over further).
Race 6 WINTER DASH
The little Prince skips through the wet
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timeless Prince | Tony Newing | Ms Winona Costin | 8 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Alias | Daniel Bowman | Jay Ford | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | See the World | Joseph Pride | Joshua Parr | 10 | 58.5 |
Timeless Prince ran down the speedy leaders
In The Yard
SEE THE WORLD, ZARATONE and WOULDN'T IT BE NICE all well in the yard. TIMELESS PRINCE looked OK and enjoys the HEAVY, but he's only a lean type that lacks the power for this distance.
In The Running
ZARATONE had the most early speed and led at a FAIR TEMPO from ALIAS on his outside.
The Result
ALIAS (2nd) wore down ZARATONE (4th), but TIMELESS PRINCE (1st) swept down the outside late. SEE THE WORLD (3rd) ran on to grab a place after getting way back.
The Interest
Well.. a more unlikely 1200m feature race winner you won't see. The lean, but very genuine, TIMELESS PRINCE relishes the wet and he was simply too strong on the line. He's one to follow on wet tracks over 1400m to 1600m this campaign, a trip to Qld is now on the cards. A very strange run from WOULDN'T IT BE NICE, who loomed to win, but his run really plateaued. Post-race checks found nothing wrong. ZARATONE couldn't finish off the mud and SEE THE WORLD is getting way too far back this preparation - the blinkers might go on next start. Follow TIMELESS PRINCE.
Race 7 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
Young apprentices fight to the line
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aroused | Allan Denham | Koby Jennings | 2 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Cosmic Cameo | Gary Portelli | Ms Winona Costin | 13 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Kokomo | Paul Perry | Thomas Huet | 12 | 53.5 |
Aroused held off Cosmic Cameo in a close finish
In The Yard
BONETE looked good after a visit to Queensland. Most other sprinters well, the tough sprinter MISS ALIBI always looks a little "woolly" in the coat.
In The Running
DESTINY RISING led from ONE DIRECTION, HOLDER SUNSET (three-wide) and COSMIC CAMEO (four-wide). AROUSED had the trail in behind.
The Result
AROUSED (1st) moved through and fought on best, from COSMIC CAMEO (2nd), who sustained his run out wider. KOKOMO (3rd) swept down the outside.
The Interest
The two best runs came from the top two. AROUSED is a very tough and genuine on-pace sprinter, he had a nice run through while COSMIC CAMEO was tracking up wider with no cover. KOKOMO was well-backed and suited swooping out wider. BONETE and MISS ALIBI were inconvenienced as ONE DIRECTION dropped back. BONETE could have finished a closer, however she still seems to be better suited on-pace over 1100m to 1200m, a little compact speedster that likes finding the rails.... similar to HOLDER SUNSET, who might be at the end of her preparation without ever being placed in a race she could win. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 8 RANVET HANDICAP
'Old form' throws the punters off
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pajaro | Peter & Paul Snowden | Joshua Parr | 3 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Georgey Aeroplane | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Casino Dancer | Mike Van Gestel | Serg Lisnyy | 12 | 54.0 |
Pajaro ploughed through the wet to win
In The Yard
Waterhouse gallopers PAJARO and ROLE MODEL both paraded well, MAGIC HURRICANE still a touch more improvement to come. GEORGEY AEROPLANE light, lean and loves the wet.
In The Running
PYTHAGOREAN went to the lead from ROLE MODEL and set a solid tempo early before easing slightly. A FAIR TEMPO was set up overall. The pack bunched on the turn, with VERGARA, LAURIE'S LOVE, KEEP COOL and MAGIC HURRICANE out very wide. GEORGEY AEROPLANE saved ground up the inside.
The Result
PAJARO (1st) and GEORGEY AEROPLANE (2nd) surged through the pack, putting a big margin on the rest of the field, led by CASINO DANCER (3rd), who ran on. MAGIC HURRICANE (4th) fought on.
The Interest
A few Analysts had PAJARO as a dry tracker after a few NZ failures, but that was before Gai turned him into the brave galloper he is today. GEORGEY AEROPLANE found ideal conditions second-up (he was stuck on the inside though) and the two of them staged an exciting tussle. Expect the form to stack up if both gallopers pull up OK. CASINO DANCER, as always, was honest. The ride on MAGIC HURRICANE won't go into Brodie Loy's scrapbook. Others of note are HOLLYWOOD BOUND, who doesn't see out a testing mile, and VERGARA, who needs it drier (why wasn't she scratched?). Follow PAJARO and GEORGEY AEROPLANE. Forgive MAGIC HURRICANE.