Race Day Review - June Stakes Day at Royal Randwick

Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 07 June 2014

Track Info

All The Race Finishes

Race 1 GOLDEN ROSE NOMS CLOSE JUNE 10 PLATE

Smart rides are in fashion in the first

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Inz'n'out	Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou	Brenton Avdulla	5	56.0
2		Bayrock	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Adam Hyeronimus	7	54.0
3		Coolcraft	Gwenda Markwell	Tim Clark	6	56.0

Inz'n'out got into a good spot, then sprinted well to win

In The Yard

SUN FORCE looked well in the yard, taller than most, with nice scope to his frame. BAYROCK also paraded in nice fashion and it was noted that MEGA D'ORO was a neat and compact type in comparison to the rest. Overall, a bunch of well behaved youngsters.

In The Running

MEGA D'ORO missed that start slightly and ended up at the back. BAYROCK jumped quickly and moved to the lead, before taking control and dominating a SLOW TEMPO, with INZ'N'OUT sitting up in second place. SUN FORCE sat just behind the leaders and over-raced slightly, so he moved up three wide early and loomed on the turn.

The Result

The leaders gave a kick when asked and left the rest of the field in their wake, with INZ'N'OUT (1st) maintaining a good sprint, from BAYROCK (2nd) who pinched a small break early in the straight. COOLCRAFT (3rd) ran on solidly right to the line.

The Interest

A bit of a tricky race to read, with a slow tempo and wet track making the form not the most reliable perhaps. Both BAYROCK and INZ'N'OUT put in very professional displays and it was quite impressive that the two of them could put a margin on the rest, given the race wasn't run quickly. A note goes in the book that both can accelerate in the wet. The leggy and athletic COOLCRAFT was well fancied in the market and did chase reasonably well, and it is hard to be too negative on STATTON and SUN FORCE also. SUN FORCE can potentially get further in the future based on type and STATTON was more athletic and lacked the power for a sprint home. Going to be bold and say follow COOLCRAFT, based on trial performances also.

Race 2 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP

An up-and-coming mare flies past her rivals

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Saigon Tea	Chris Waller	Jim Cassidy	7	54.0
2		Casino Dancer	Mike Van Gestel	Ms Winona Costin	2	58.0
3		Street Spirit	Mick Smith	Ms Kathy O'Hara	3	54.0

The well-fancied Saigon Tea streaked away to win

In The Yard

CROOKED STICK, although a leaner type, paraded in immaculate fashion. Favourite SAIGON TEA looked in good order and MY HIGHLIGHT was well in the yard, but it was noted that she is a stronger type that does not look like a classic stayer.

In The Running

STREET SPIRIT moved forward and controlled the race at a STOP-START TEMPO, in which she rolled along fairly and then pushed on from the 1000m mark, opening up by a few lengths. CASINO DANCER moved up to second, while CROOKED STICK wasn't the quickest to begin and ended up midfield on the rails, with the favourite SAIGON TEA behind. On the turn, CROOKED STICK moved through and gave a nice trail to SAIGON TEA as they chased after the leader.

The Result

SAIGON TEA (1st) eased wider once she was in space and simply stayed on better than her rivals, from CASINO DANCER (2nd), who kept on well in second. STREET SPIRIT (3rd) maintained her early run fairly well to finish clearly in front of the chasing pack.

The Interest

SAIGON TEA isn't the biggest horse in the world, but Waller can keep them racing in good heart. It would have been a big decision for the stable to push on with this race and it will be interesting to see where she goes next, and how she pulls up. The performance was dominant and the margin could have easily been greater if she was asked. The rest of the field have a lot of question marks on them, with CASINO DANCER surely nearing the end of her prep and SAIL not genuine in her races. Perhaps an interesting runner would be MY HIGHLIGHT back to a more suitable distance. She looked in good shape and ran ok. Follow SAIGON TEA.

Race 3 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP

Small, rugged and just too fast

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Rugged Cross	Darren Weir	Jason Collett	1	55.0
2		Commission	James Cummings	Taylor Marshall	9	54.0
3		Said Com	Chris Waller	John Kissick	2	60.0

Rugged Cross nipped home best in the wet

In The Yard

RUGGED CROSS paraded well, as did COMMISSION who has plenty of strength. MISS VENUS carried condition in the yard.

In The Running

COMMISSION led by default at a VERY SLOW TEMPO, with no others keen to challenge. SAID COM was restrained behind the leader, and RUGGED CROSS was at the rear in the compact field. COMMISSION only sprinted at the 450m mark and he pinched a couple of lengths on the chasing pack.

The Result

The small RUGGED CROSS (1st) nipped to the outside and accelerated quickly in the wet to win, from COMMISSION (2nd) who maintained his run solidly to the line. SAID COM (3rd) was just too good late for MISS VENUS (4th) in a crowded finish.

The Interest

The tempo didn't help, but RUGGED CROSS wasn't any more than three lengths off the leader at the top of the straight. A small horse, it seems he needs the wet conditions to bring him into contention against the better Sydney grades. The small field also suited, as he is a horse that can get bumped around in his races, as he did last start. MISS VENUS did very well considering she had so much condition in the yard. The Les Bridge stable is in form currently, so definitely one to follow. Follow RUGGED CROSS and MISS VENUS.

Race 4 CELLARBRATIONS HANDICAP

Ms Meech gets a first class passage

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		In a Knot	David Vandyke	Ms Linda Meech	2	55.0
2		Choice Larga	Damien Lane	Ms Kathy O'Hara	5	56.5
3		Dowdstown Charlie	Kim Waugh	Jeff Lloyd	4	54.0

In A Knot got all the breaks to win well

In The Yard

There were no real standouts in the yard. ABBASSO was in good order, while PITCREW was fit enough, but didn't have the strength of others. CHOICE LARGA was perhaps the pick in the yard, presenting very well with a nice glow to the coat. It was noted that IN A KNOT had good strength in the forequarter.

In The Running

PITCREW and VASHKA jumped well and set up an honest rolling EVEN TEMPO in-front. ABBASSO jostled with SKARSGARD mid-race to try and get in a position, but ended up three wide with no cover. VASHKA raced a bit keenly at times and IN A KNOT snuck up the inside into the straight when the leaders angled wider, while SKARSGARD and DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE were both blocked for runs in the straight.

The Result

IN A KNOT (1st) continued his run to finish off best, from CHOICE LARGA (2nd), who kept out of trouble and ran on well down the outside. DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE (3rd), just beat home SKARSGARD (4th) and ABBASSO (5th) for the remaining place, running home well once he was in the clear.

The Interest

An honest tempo this time, but half the field gets put into the forgive file after a action packed little race. DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE was blocked for a run, along with SKARSGARD, and both could have gone close if the breaks went their way. ABBASSO just used up too much petrol mid-race, especially given his big weight. And even VASHKA could have some excuses after racing keenly on the wet track. It was a shame to see the little battler PITCREW barrier trial poorly, parade poorly and then be the first beaten. IN A KNOT had the luxury of the best run in the race as the other jockeys looked for better ground wider, that didn't turn out to be any advantage. Forgive DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE (in the wet again), SKARSGARD and ABBASSO.

Race 5 STAYERS CUP

Taylor tears away on a tough english stayer

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Destiny's Kiss	Joseph Pride	Joshua Parr	3	59.0
2		Astro Avalanche	Sam Kavanagh	Taylor Marshall	9	54.0
3		Vatuvei	Ciaron Maher	Ms Linda Meech	6	55.0

Destiny's Kiss just ran down the tearaway leader late

In The Yard

The stayers presented as an even bunch, with SECESSIO and VATUVEI in good shape. PLATINUM JACK paraded well, a bigger type than most of the field, which overall was a group of quite small horses. The was no knock on WAZN and VATUVEI and even WILD EYES looked like a nice type, despite the poor record.

In The Running

ASTRO AVALANCHE was ridden early and raced keenly, quickly established a huge lead going 15L clear at the winning post and some 40-50 lengths (or about 100m!) clear at the 1200m. The field all settled well with WAZN AND VATUVEI doing the chasing at the front of the pack from the 700m . PLATINUM JACK and SECESSIO were a bit slow to jump and ended up back in the pack.

The Result

DESTINY'S KISS (1st) threaded through the pack and set off after the leader on his own at the top of the straight, only just getting there from ASTRO AVALANCHE (2nd), who almost hung on. VATUVEI (3rd) stayed on honestly for the other placing.

The Interest

DESTINY'S KISS did well to get there, but the run with the most interest is that of ASTRO AVALANCHE. He had been in terrible form to date in Australia, but the brave tactics seemed to bring out a different horse. He isn't the biggest type in the yard and clearly the marathon trips are his preference. It is just shame there aren't any of them around. After Madam Nash led up at a fast tempo last time, DESTINY'S KISS, WAZN and SECESSIO had to put in tough performances once again. Big risks on many of them not bouncing back, so check the yard and betting next time out. VATUVEI stayed on well after doing the chasing, and also needs a marathon trip. Interestingly, WILD EYES ran well after parading in great fashion at big odds. Follow DESINTY'S KISS, SECESSIO (this was simply too far) and ASTRO AVALANCHE.

Race 6 JUNE STAKES

The feature event is over in a flash

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Avoid Lightning	Les Bridge	Tim Clark	2	59.0
2		Zaratone	Bjorn Baker	Ms Kathy O'Hara	10	58.5
3		Kneeling	Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman	Ms Linda Meech	12	54.0

Avoid Lightning sped right away from her rivals

In The Yard

A strong group of horses presented in yard, with AVOID LIGHTNING and KNEELING standing out, from UNANIMOUSLY and HURRARA. THE PEAK lacked the strength of the other, short-course types.

In The Running

ZARATONE only jumped ok, then scooted through to lead and set up an EVEN TEMPO, from HIDDEN WARRIOR, who jumped well and moved across to second. TERRITORY was a bit slow and went back with BARBED and THE PEAK. AVOID LIGHTNING had a nice run on the rails in midfield, and plenty of space opened up as the pack drifted wider into the straight.

The Result

ZARATONE (2nd) gave a kick in the straight, but was no match for AVOID LIGHTNING (1st), who burst through and scored easily. KNEELING (3rd) kept on well down the outside to get a place.

The Interest

She looks great and is racing even better. AVOID LIGHTNING has now stamped herself as a serious carnival contender. It was great to see ZARATONE return to form, although he was advantaged by the field drifting wider to chase, when the rails was racing ok. KNEELING likes wet tracks and ran accordingly, and you can make a case for following THE PEAK (this was too short and finished well), HIDDEN WARRIOR (dry track at Rosehill much better), TERRITORY (ran on well) and UNANIMOUSLY (bit keen in-between horses mid-race, and not suited to Randwick). Follow AVOID LIGHTNING.

Race 7 TAB IPHONE APP HANDICAP

Snowden commands attention as a stand alone trainer

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Commanding Wit	Peter & Paul Snowden	Joshua Parr	7	55.0
2		Tralfaz	Gary Portelli	Sam Clipperton	12	56.0
3		Specific Choice	Cody Morgan	Tim Clark	1	55.5

Commanding Wit maintained her speed to win

In The Yard

A well presented group in the yard. TRALFAZ and SPECIFIC CHOICE stood out, with no knock on BECKON. FANCY DRESS carried a bit of condition and RASTRO didn't look as fit as the others, although it was noted that he is a burly sort of horse.

In The Running

BECKON jumped well and moved to the lead, with TRALFAZ outside him in second. They only set a steady speed early, but overall the race was run at an EVEN TEMPO. SPECIFIC CHOICE settled at the rear of the field with FANCY DRESS, while BERMUDA BLU and RASTRO were both wider in the three wide line.

The Result

COMMANDING WIT (1st) balanced up and finished to well to just claim TRALFAZ (2nd), who had kicked to the lead in the straight. SPECIFIC CHOICE (3rd) ran on solidly from the back and hit the line late.

The Interest

The first three cleared out here, therefore the form should be ok. FANCY DRESS got blocked and should have finished closer, so perhaps the first three horses and her are the ones to focus on in the future. TRALFAZ appears better suited to 1100m and did well to almost pinch the race, while SPECIFIC CHOICE and FANCY DRESS are both better suited over longer distances. The latter also had some improvement to come in the yard. COMMANDING WIT did a good job, but was the most well suited in the race, while RASTRO disappointed after being well backed. He is a burly type better suited to a less challenging track. Follow SPECIFIC CHOICE and FANCY DRESS (over 1400m to 1600m) and TRALFAZ (over 1000m to 1100m).

Race 8 THERACES.COM.AU HANDICAP

Some Waller class wins the last

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Eigelstein	Chris Waller	Jim Cassidy	2	59.0
2		Disciple	Sean Casey	Joshua Parr	11	55.5
3		Fulgur	Steven Pateman	Serg Lisnyy	7	57.5

Eigelstein just had too much acceleration

In The Yard

No standouts in the yard, with FULGUR perhaps the best of an even bunch. FROZEN ROPE only looked ok in comparison to some more well-defined types, and MULAQUEN didn't impress in comparison to his short-course rivals.

In The Running

LOOT'N'RUN led as expected and John Kissick controlled a SLOW TEMPO. Perhaps too slow as the horse pulled and was keen in the run. FULGUR moved up on his outside and EIGELSTEIN raced behind the leaders in the box seat, with FROZEN ROPE at the tail. LOOT'N'RUN was only let down for a sprint at the top of the straight, and by that stage DISCIPLE was looming three wide.

The Result

EIGELSTIEN (1st) found lots of room to move and sprinted best off the slow pace, from DISCIPLE (2nd), who maintained his early run for home. FULGAR (3rd) only just kept on better than LOOT'N'RUN (4th) late for the remaining place.

The Interest

EIGELSTEIN is in great form and was cruising as the others were ridden around the turn. He was suited by a sit and sprint however, and given that he will go up in the weights now, the next win will be tougher. FULGUR was absolutely flat out and his little legs couldn't take him any faster, so his run was ok. Interestingly, they didn't use LOOT'N'RUN's best asset today, the ability to put two lengths on them around the turn. MULAQEN put in a solid hit-out and will be suited back at Rosehill over 1800m - 2000m next start. FROZEN ROPE was disappointing, but he is better on a flatter track like Rosehill. No follows or forgives. You could make a case for the top five next start if the conditions are right.