Yard to the Post @ Canterbury
Race Day: Canterbury Park on Saturday, 25 July 2015
A crisp and clear Winter's day provided a beautiful backdrop to a Saturday of competitive racing at Canterbury.
Ex-jockey Ron Quinton plotted a successful raid on an off-season sprint. BOSS LANE (photo) turned up in perfect order after a short break and led all the way, piloted by one of many Quinton pupils, Sam Clipperton.
The most impressive performance of the day came from BROOK ROAD, who stormed past the tiring speedsters KENCELLA and ZARATONE to post a big win in the July Sprint. Bjorn Baker's BURBERO snuck home for second, despite looking "wooly" in the yard. A horse to look out for in the early Spring Carnival features.
In other races, punters were disappointed when heavily supported favourites WAY WE GO (stuck wide) and ECHO GAL (didn't find the lead) couldn't get into the placings.
A full yard-to-the post review will be online Sunday 9am.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | HEAVY 8 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | NO BIAS |
Race 1 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS HANDICAP
Quinton and Clipperton start the day well
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Let's Make It Rain | Ron Quinton | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Tatoosh | Will Clarken & Niki O'Shea | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Inner Circle | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 1 | 58.0 |
Let's Make it Rain was given a perfect ride
In The Yard
Class horses are VANBRUGH and INNER CIRCLE, with more muscle than most. INNER CIRCLE looked 90% fit, VANBRUGH in better shape. No knock others, TATOOSH a leaner type that might need a STRONG TEMPO.
In The Running
TURBO MISS was a bit awkward to jump, but strode up and set a STRONG TEMPO, from LET’S MAKE IT RAIN, who took the trail. VANBRUGH was left without cover and wasn't travelling that well on the turn.
The Result
LET’S MAKE IT RAIN (1st) cruised up and had a good kick, holding off TATOOSH (2nd), who ran on down the outside. INNER CIRCLE (3rd) kept on up the inside.
The Interest
A big market drift for INNER CIRCLE (he wasn't quite ready yet), and the question marks on VANBRUGH around the tight track, left the door open and LET’S MAKE IT RAIN took advantage, a solid performance. TATOOSH enjoyed the strong speed; he's no world beater though. Expect VANBRUGH and INNER CIRCLE to do better next time. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 2 TAB PLACE MULTI HANDICAP
Costin and her filly out-tough the boys
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seeking Asylum | Gary Portelli | Ms Winona Costin | 4 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Balboa Park | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Kerrin McEvoy | 7 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Prince Roo | Stephen Schofield | Ms Jess Taylor | 3 | 56.0 |
Seeking Asylum arrived just in time in a tight finish
In The Yard
FASHION SNIPTZ and I BOUGHT A HORSE scope in frame for 1550m, leaner and more athletic types. Most favourites looked well, 2yos well-presented in the yard.
In The Running
PRINCE ROO took up the running from I BOUGHT A HORSE, setting up a FAIR TEMPO. BALBOA PARK was wide early then dropped in for a nice trail.
The Result
BALBOA PARK (2nd) loomed up and got the better of PRINCE ROO (3rd), who kept kicking. They were both beaten in a very tight finish by SEEKING ASYLUM (1st), who drove through late.
The Interest
Not a lot between these, a bunch of very game youngsters. Perhaps BALBOA PARK didn't quite get the 1550m. He's probably the most talented prospect in the race. Daughter of Sebring SEEKING ASYLUM is a real little cracker, a proper racehorse using every bit of talent she has! Stewards questioned jockey of 4th-placed JOUEUR Glyn Schofield about why he got so far back. He's a horse that is yet to be placed, but will be soon. Follow BALBOA PARK, SEEKING ASYLUM and JOUEUR.
Race 3 MORE THAN READY @ VINERY HANDICAP
Waller's mudlark gets the job done
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beyond Thankful | Eric Musgrove | Hugh Bowman | 8 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Casino Dancer | Mike Van Gestel | Ms Winona Costin | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Tradtri | Robert & Luke Price | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 7 | 54.0 |
Beyond Thankful beat home Casino Dancer in the heavy conditions
In The Yard
All three Waller runners looked well, SIR MAKO and BEYOND THANKFUL in particular, but DANCHAI always looks tough and dour.
In The Running
TRADTRI controlled the mid-race sections, then headed for home early, setting a STEADY TEMPO overall. BEYOND THANKFUL got the nice trail.
The Result
BEYOND THANKFUL (1st) moved up and fought on best, from CASINO DANCER (2nd), who ran on gamely. TRADTRI (3rd) held on for a place. SIR MAKO (4th) couldn't sustain his finish.
The Interest
Proof that Waller can keep his horses in form for a long time and CASINO DANCER is just a marvel (..that rarely wins). These two got the quinella in a race last December and the form-line stacked up! SIR MAKO had the bias and tempo in his favour last start and was found out this time - the tight track didn't suit either. DANCHAI was soft in the market and plodded. Kathy gave Bong Bong Cup winner TRADTRI a peach again. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 4 THE JULY SPRINT
A classy mare bounces back
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brook Road | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Burbero | Bjorn Baker | Brodie Loy | 3 | 60.5 | |
| 3 | Kencella | Joseph Pride | James McDonald | 4 | 55.0 |
Brook Road swept home off the strong speed
In The Yard
BURBERO was still "looking a bit hairy" first-up (jockey Brodie Loy's description of the horse). KENCELLA was a bit keen in the yard, fit enough though. BROOK ROAD (more athletic), ZARATONE and JUDICIAL ROCK all looked well.
In The Running
KENCELLA showed too much speed early for ZARATONE and they ran along at a STRONG TEMPO with DECISION TIME chasing a few lengths behind.
The Result
BROOK ROAD (1st) tracked up nearer the inside and surged to a big win. BURBERO (2nd) made ground late up the inside and just caught KENCELLA (3rd) on the line.
The Interest
Only one horse in this race in the end. ZARATONE couldn't find the lead, BURBERO wasn't ready yet and KENCELLA just isn't at his best (maybe a drier track at Rosehill will be better for him?). BROOK ROAD can improve up to 1200m+ now after bouncing back from a second-up 'blip' last time. Poor old DECISION TIME hasn't had a good prep, he pulled up with a poor recovery. Follow BROOK ROAD.
Race 5 BLEDISLOE CUP FESTIVAL HANDICAP
No luck for favourite backers to start the quaddie
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burnt Bridges | Kris Lees | Hugh Bowman | 13 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Grunderzeit | James Cummings | James McDonald | 8 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Roaring to Win | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tim Clark | 1 | 55.5 |
Burnt Bridges stormed down the middle to win
In The Yard
GRUNDERZEIT looked well after a freshen. GLOBAL DOMINATION, WAY WE GO and ROARING TO WIN were ready to run a big race, all muscular, compact and fit.
In The Running
GLOBAL DOMINATION led from GRUNDERZEIT, CONARCHIE and ROARING TO WIN at a FAIR TEMPO. The favourite WAY WE GO was stuck wide with no cover.
The Result
GRUNDERZEIT (2nd) just got the better of GLOBAL DOMINATION, but BURNT BRIDGES (1st) stormed down the outside late. ROARING TO WIN (3rd) fought on well.
The Interest
WAY WE GO just didn't have the luck, a big risk of that happening since he had the wide draw. The word was he was going to Hong Kong if he won, it will be interesting to see what happens now. All honours to BURNT BRIDGES though after a soft win in the end. He shapes as a horse that could get a mile or further, one to follow for sure. GRUNDERZEIT looked like he might win, the big weight didn't make it easy. TESTASHADOW did enough first-up after getting pushed wide by the winner on the turn. Follow BURNT BRIDGES. Forgive WAY WE GO.
Race 6 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
A track specialist takes the spoils
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boss Lane | Ron Quinton | Sam Clipperton | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Kristy Lee | Chris Waller | Nash Rawiller | 2 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Coolring | Joe Cleary | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 59.5 |
Boss Lane kicked off the bend and held on
In The Yard
BOSS LANE looked well. All horses looked OK, FORGET perhaps the best. COOLRING is only small with big weight.
In The Running
BOSS LANE worked across and took up the running at an honest FAIR TEMPO. COOLRING got the box seat.
The Result
BOSS LANE (1st) drove clear on the turn and just hung on late, from KRISTY LEE (2nd), who flew home late. COOLRING (3rd) was only ok and FORGET (4th) ran on late.
The Interest
The top four dominated, all solid off-season sprinters. BOSS LANE loves the track and was spot on for today, Clipperton was smart to find the rails, he managed to get a couple of lengths break on the turn. KRISTY LEE is flying, as is FORGET, who was perhaps too patiently ridden today. He wobbled on the turn too. COOLRING is only small; the big weights will make it hard for him to win. Follow BOSS LANE, KRISTY LEE and FORGET.
Race 7 JIMMY WOOD MEMORIAL HANDICAP
McDonald pounces as others tire
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miniature | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 5 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Awasita | Kris Lees | Kerrin McEvoy | 9 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Hard to Hold | Bjorn Baker | Hugh Bowman | 2 | 56.0 |
Miniature ran on best in a close finish
In The Yard
DEFINE is light and lean, 1100m too short. Huge power in MINIATURE's frame. ECHO GAL looked strong, compact and ready to go
In The Running
MISS TENPINS surged up the inside and set a STRONG TEMPO, from IL MIO DESTINO on her outside. ECHO GAL was a bit keen in-between horses and MINIATURE was out a bit wide.
The Result
MINIATURE (1st) ran on best to just beat AWASITA (2nd), who challenged gamely. HARD TO HOLD (3rd)
The Interest
A very clumped finish. MISS TENPINS and IL MIO DESTINO made each other work in the lead on a testing track, a very strange ride by Avdulla on the leader, and ECHO GAL didn't find her rhythm (likes to be on-pace). That left the other four to take the places. MINIATURE is a classy horse at best and she did the job nicely, despite a wider run (she had cover). AWASITA was probably worth a 'forgive' after only one bad run. DEFINE just needs further. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 8 TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP
Bowman makes a rare mistake
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foreign Prince | David Payne | Ms Jess Taylor | 6 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Great Esteem | Stuart Webb | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Keepit to Yourself | Jim & Greg Lee | Danny Beasley | 8 | 54.0 |
Foreign Prince kept rolling as Great Esteem went wider
In The Yard
The top three all looked well, HOLLYWOOD BOUND, GREAT ESTEEM and FOREIGN PRINCE. GREAT ESTEEM just needs a STRONG TEMPO, bit leaner.
In The Running
FOREIGN PRINCE rolled to the lead and set a FAIR TEMPO, from I'M IN THE MONEY on his outside and GREAT ESTEEM in the box seat. HOLLYWOOD BOUND had to take off early from the back.
The Result
FOREIGN PRINCE (1st) got a nice break off the turn, beating home GREAT ESTEEM (2nd) and HOLLYWOOD BOUND (4th), who's run ended late. KEEPIT TO YOURSELF (4th) ran on late.
The Interest
FOREIGN PRINCE was very well placed on his best and did the job, a horse much better suited away from Rosehill. Bowman should have followed the winner through on the turn nearer the inside, a rare mistake from him. In the end, GREAT ESTEEM ended up running 'cover' for the winner, pushing HOLLYWOOD BOUND wider on the turn. HOLLYWOOD BOUND doesn't quite stay a genuine mile. Follow FOREIGN PRINCE, GREAT ESTEEM and HOLLYWOOD BOUND (back to 1500m).