Yard to the Post @ Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 04 July 2015
The track held a few tricks at Rosehill Gardens today, horses railing up the inside preferred in most events.
Five of the eight races were won by horses hard against the inside and the day's feature event was no exception. Race 6, the Listed Civic Stakes, was taken out by Godolphin's HAUSSMANN (picture), who out-fought one of Sydney's toughest mares TWO BLUE in an epic tussle down the straight.
The exciting finish was small reward for favourite backers who had to endure Blake Shinn's three-wide run on DOTHRAKI.
Shinn also had a difficult time finding the right run on BROOK ROAD, but he made up for it in the last race. HOLLYWOOD BOUND streaked down the middle of the track to win at good odds.
Judging by the money in the bookies ring, the win of Waller's consistent gelding came as no surprise to the stable.
A full race-by-race review is now on-line.
Track Info
| Rail | +8 metres |
| Conditions | HEAVY 8 |
| Weather | FINE and COOL |
| Bias | NEAR RAILS (Races 3 to 8) |
Race 1 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS HANDICAP
Fitness kicks in for a strong win
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surfin' Safari | Paul Perry | Thomas Huet | 10 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Vanbrugh | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 6 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Stalwart | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Tim Clark | 9 | 56.0 |
Surfin' Safari kept liting under pressure
In The Yard
First-up horses good size and scope, LETS MAKE IT RAIN and VANBURGH. SURFIN' SAFARI a flashy type looking very fit.
In The Running
LETS MAKE IT RAIN led from HAIL THE CHIEF on his outside and SURFIN' SAFARI out wider with no cover. Only a STEADY TEMPO was set up. VANBURGH got the trail on the back on SURFIN' SAFARI.
The Result
SURFIN' SAFARI (1st) was steered around the bend and kept lifting to hold off VANBURGH (2nd), who made good ground. STALWART (3rd) ran on late down the outside.
The Interest
The top three were the best runs, especially when you consider the ground nearer the rails was just as good (there was a NEAR RAILS bias later on). SURFIN' SAFARI is awkward around a turn and Huet did a good job to steer him around and let his fitness kick in late. He showed how genuine he is on a wet track. VANBURGH is probably the best horse in the race, he'll improve more after this fresh run. ACHILLES TWO was green in the straight and can improve. Follow SURFIN' SAFARI, VANBURGH and STALWART.
Race 2 TAB PLACE MULTI HANDICAP
Tactics change and Waller wins
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir Mako | Chris Waller | Tim Clark | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Beyond Thankful | Eric Musgrove | Rory Hutchings | 9 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Reigning | Eric Musgrove | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 57.0 |
Sir Mako stayed on strongly at the end
In The Yard
Even bunch in the yard, CASINO DANCER tardy looking as usual, LUCKY LAGO looks like a middle-distance type, REIGNING solid. KEEP COOL solid-set much better suited to Rosehill, GEORGEY not too keen.
In The Running
BEYOND THANKFUL was urged to a clear lead and rolled along a couple of lengths in front of KEEP COOL, and there was a gap back to GEORGEY AEROPLANE and LUCKY LAGO, who led the pack.
The Result
BEYOND THANKFUL (2nd) drifted wider kept toughing it out on-pace, but was caught late by SIR MAKO (1st), who stayed on nearer the inside. REIGNING (3rd) and GHOST PROTOCOL (4th) also ran on at the end.
The Interest
Waller stated that BEYOND THANKFUL would lead, but at a STRONG TEMPO? His bold tactics made a big difference. It was evenly matched on paper and in the end the 'types' that relish an honest speed thrived. SIR MAKO, REIGNING and GHOST PROTOCOL can all get further, but they are no world beaters. A NEAR RAILS bias was developing, so SIR MAKO and GHOST PROTOCOL were especially advantaged. Don't be too harsh on GEORGEY AEROPLANE or the mare LUCKY LAGO, although she needs a win soon desperately. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 3 MORE THAN READY @ VINERY HANDICAP
Courage wins in a long-distance slog
fair tempo
Bias:
on-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soviet Courage | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 1 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Der Meister | Paul Perry | Thomas Huet | 3 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Vysotsky | Brett Scott | Danny Beasley | 5 | 54.0 |
Soviet Courage came away from the pack with Der Meister
In The Yard
MR STEAL looks well on the back-up, NAPOLEAN a leaner type. MISSVONN also leaner, but she seems OK. No knock most others. GOLDONI 'no-frills', bit of a winter coat, and ALROUZ "woolly" both didn't impress.
In The Running
MR STEAL took up the running and set a rolling FAIR TEMPO, from ALROUZ and SPACE in the box seat. SOVIET COURAGE and DER MEISTER had a trail up the inside. MISSVONN moved up into the race on the turn as MR STEAL got rolling.
The Result
MR STEAL (4th) fought hard, but was no match for SOVIET COURAGE (1st) and DER MEISTER (2nd), who surged through up the inside. VYSOTSKY (3rd) ran on up the inside late.
The Interest
MR STEAL and the NEAR RAILS bias made it a tough ask for any horses coming wider on the turn, especially MISSVONN (..hard to forgive her again!), but in the end the margin was to big SOVIET COURAGE and DER MEISTER. They are both stayers on the improve. A big move for SPACE (40/1 into 12/1) wasn't too far off, he finished 5th. Well done to the Brett Scott stable, VYSOTSKY got the perfect inside run at 100/1 and scored a place. Some others really struggled. Follow SOVIET COURAGE and DER MEISTER. Forgive MISSVONN.
Race 4 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
All the way for Avdulla
fair tempo
Bias:
on-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Land Grant | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 13 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Elle Lou | Chris Waller | Christian Reith | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Alegria | Darren Beadman | Hugh Bowman | 9 | 56.0 |
Land Grant went forward and kept lifting
In The Yard
DUCCIO toned type, fit enough, FINAL DECISION and ALEGRIA both big and impressive, LAND GRANT suited by extra distance, a staying type with scope.
In The Running
LAND GRANT jumped best and took the lead from AVONACO, who moved up on the outside. A FAIR TEMPO was set up. CISCO KID got the trail behind them and DUCCIO was stuck wide with no cover in midfield. ALEGRIA drifted right back.
The Result
LAND GRANT (1st) kept lifting, from ELLE LOU (2nd), who chased hard after getting a good run up the inside. ALEGRIA (3rd) flew down the outside late.
The Interest
The two best horses in this race are LAND GRANT and ALEGRIA, two very different types that can progress over further. No-one missed ALEGRIA's fast finishing effort so hard to see her being any value next start, but it was super impressive, making ground against the NEAR RAILS bias. ELLE LOU was very game and respect to DUCCIO, who stayed on well and could show up next start if he gets an on-pace run. DISGRACEFUL was poor and probably didn't stay the 1500m. Follow LAND GRANT and ALEGRIA. Forgive DUCCIO.
Race 5 RUBEN GUTHRIE IN CINEMAS JULY 16 HANDICAP
Reith Holds on for an upset
fair tempo
Bias:
on-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hard to Hold | Bjorn Baker | Christian Reith | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Fiftyshadesofgrey | Marc Conners | Jason Collett | 12 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Miniature | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Ms Winona Costin | 5 | 58.5 |
Hard to Hold found the rails and was never headed
In The Yard
Closely matched mares race. PRIVATE SECRETARY powerful and well, SENSE AND REASON athletic, nice shine, COMMANDING WIT fit enough.
In The Running
HARD TO HOLD came across to lead from MINIATURE and set a FAIR TEMPO. FOOTY FAN got the box seat and KOKOMO got back and wide racing keenly.
The Result
HARD TO HOLD (1st) stuck to the rails and gave a good kick to beat home FIFTYSHADESOFGREY (2nd), who flew late. The run of MINUATURE (3rd) ended late.
The Interest
HARD TO HOLD can lay in sometimes, she enjoyed the NEAR RAILS BIAS that developed late in the day to score a good win. FIFTYSHADESOFGREY was the run of the race, her form stacked up through TWO BLUE and she is flying at the moment. The others are an even bunch, SENSE AND REASON just can't get any luck, she was cruising on the turn before coming to the outside - not the place to be! Don't be too harsh on KOKOMO, nothing much went right. COMMANDING WIT did enough and ELECTRIC POWER probably needs further. PRIVATE SECRETARY lacked her zip and might be close to the end of her prep. Follow FIFTYSHADESOFGREY. Forgive SENSE AND REASON.
Race 6 CIVIC STAKES
A good ol' fashioned two-horse war
fair tempo
Bias:
on-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haussmann | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Christian Reith | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Two Blue | Kristen Buchanan | Ms Winona Costin | 14 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | See the World | Joseph Pride | Hugh Bowman | 8 | 57.0 |
Haussmann out-fought Two Blue down the straight
In The Yard
DOTHRAKI and ESTONIAN PRINCESS had shine to their coat down from Queensland. SEE THE WORLD fit, HAUSSMAN and ROYAL ISLAND both robust.
In The Running
TWO BLUE came across and set a FAIR TEMPO, from DANCES ON STARS on her outside and HAUSSMANN behind in the box seat. DOTHRAKI was stuck wide. SEE THE WORLD and RUGGED CROSS got back.
The Result
HAUSSMANN (1st) squeezed up the inside of TWO BLUE (2nd) as the two of them cam away from the pack. SEE THE WORLD (3rd) ran on with RUGGED CROSS (4th) to grab DOTHRAKI (5th), who couldn't sustain his run.
The Interest
The top five were probably the best group, with luck in running playing it's part. HAUSSMANN won his last race in similar fashion last December, coming off the heels of Champagne Cath on that occasion. TWO BLUE is very brave and racing right at her peak, she loves the Winter months! DOTHRAKI was unlucky out wide... it seems Shinn could have tried to push forward instead of 'hanging around'. SEE THE WORLD and RUGGED CROSS did about as much as they could from the back. Forgive DOTHRAKI.
Race 7 TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP
Cheers to McEvoy's talented sprinter
fair tempo
Bias:
on-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shiraz | Kim Waugh | Jason Collett | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Zaratone | Bjorn Baker | Ms Rachael Murray | 3 | 61.5 | |
| 2 | Casual Choice | Joseph Pride | Glyn Schofield | 2 | 54.5 |
Shiraz sprinted nicely fresh to win
In The Yard
BROOK ROAD and SHIRAZ well, not most powerful though. ZARATONE and DECISION TIME more power. STRATURBO and SKIP TOWN solid and fit in the yard.
In The Running
ZARATONE went to the lead and set a FAIR TEMPO, from STRATURBO on his outside and DECISION TIME behind in the box seat. HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME strode up three wide with no cover. SHIRAZ was midfield on the rails and BROOK ROAD went back.
The Result
SHIRAZ (1st) got into the clear and sprinted past ZARATONE (2nd), who kept going OK. CASUAL CHOICE (3rd) and BREAKFAST IN BED (4th) ran on nearer the inside.
The Interest
It looked like SHIRAZ might relish the wet and he sure did, an impressive sprint sent him sailing to a big first-up win. The NEAR RAILS bias helped ZARATONE, BREAKFAST IN BED and CASUAL CHOICE. Expect CASUAL CHOICE to have the most improvement out of those three. BROOK ROAD was a touch wider and had the BIAS against, but she was only fair in the end. A next start of 1200m to 1300m will suit much better. HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME wasn't bad after the wide run. MOUNT NEBO came very wide and didn't do much, he's a compact horse that prefers Randwick to Rosehill. Follow SHIRAZ and CASUAL CHOICE. Forgive HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME.
Race 8 CELLARBRATIONS HANDICAP
Shinn makes amends in the last
fair tempo
Bias:
on-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hollywood Bound | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 14 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Great Esteem | Stuart Webb | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Marenostro | Gayna Williams | Tye Angland | 6 | 55.5 |
Hollywood Bound was well-backed before a big win
In The Yard
EISENHOWER big solid type, MORAL VICTORY suited to 1500m. HOLLYWOOD BOUND not the biggest, but a tough type. GREAT ESTEEM leggy and one-paced, needs an honest tempo.
In The Running
OFF THE RAILS pushed forward to lead, there was a bit of early pressure, but a FAIR TEMPO was set overall. EISENHOWER strode up on his outside. GREAT ESTEEM got the box seat and MORAL VICTORY was right there too, pushing up after a slowish jump. GRANDE PUNTO strode up wide with no cover, giving HOLLYWOOD BOUND a trail.
The Result
MORAL VICTORY (8th) moved up three wide, but HOLLWOOD BOUND (1st) came to the outside and dashed to the lead. GREAT ESTEEM (2nd) and MARENOSTRO (3rd) found some trouble at the 300m before both stayed on, just beating home a brave GRANDE PUNTO (4th).
The Interest
The horses near the inside couldn't go on with it and HOLLYWOOD BOUND score a deserved Saturday win. He relished stepping back to 1500m (doesn't quite get a testing mile) and did the job in style after getting well-backed in the last minutes before jump-time. Both GREAT ESTEEM ad MARENOSTRO lost some momentum, horses that could race well over 1800m and beyond. The big powerful GRANDE PUNTO loves Rosehill and put in another massive run. MORAL VICTORY didn't handle the HEAVY, while EISENHOWER tends to give up as soon as he's beaten. Forgive GRANDE PUNTO.