Yard to the Post @ Warwick Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 22 August 2015
It was redemption day for the much-loved mare ROYAL DESCENT as she put a series of second-placings behind her to break through with an emphatic win in the Warwick Stakes.
Bowman gave her the perfect trail behind Waterhouse's boom horse PORNICHET and she did the rest, surging clear over the final 200 metres to stride 1 1/2 lengths clear.
The runs of PORNICHET and KERMADEC (5th) both had plenty of merit, good signs for an exciting series of clashes leading in to the Cox Plate. It wasn't all good news though, the brave BURBERO broke down at the home turn, a distressing moment for young trainer Bjorn Baker and connections.
In earlier races, Gai Waterhouse made her mark on the three-year-old fillies class this year with a dominant quinella in the Silver Shadow Stakes (1,200 metres), SPEAK FONDLY leading all the way to beat the fast finishing KIMBERLEY STAR.
And the well-backed FELL SWOOP stamped himself as a horse to follow over the Spring Carnival by winning his second race in a row, beating Bjorn Baker's MUSIC MAGNATE into second. It was a win that sent the bookies reeling half way through the day.
A race-by-race review, from the yard to the post, is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | +6 metres |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR (slight on-pace) |
Race 1 UP AND COMING STAKES
Godolphin shines in the first
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shards | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | James McDonald | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Voilier | Gary Nickson | Blake Shinn | 2 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Sebring Sun | Darren Weir | Hugh Bowman | 5 | 58.0 |
Shards was too strong for Voilier at the finish
In The Yard
SHARDS well first-up, SEBRING SUN and LAND'S END had nice power. CANNYESCENT looked fine. TATOOSH much leaner.
In The Running
INNER CIRCLE went out to a clear lead from VOILIER and SHARDS, the field getting strung out mid-race. SEBRING SUN was slow and got well back with CANNYESCENT. CANNYESCENT didn't find much room early in the straight and SEBRING SUN started a long run down the outside. A FAIR tempo was set-up overall.
The Result
VOILIER (2nd) moved up and took the lead, but SHARDS (1st) kept coming and wore him down. The run of SEBRING SUN (3rd) just peaked late. Time: 1 minute 16.31 seconds (34.54 for the last 600m).
The Interest
The less said about O'Shea stating INNER CIRCLE "wouldn't lead" the better. The honest tempo suited VOILIER and SHARDS perfectly, both genuine types that were too good over 1300m. SEBRING SUN looks like a sprinter and races like it too, he quickened well, but couldn't sustain his effort. The Golden Rose over 1400m seems out of his reach now. CANNYESCENT is a nice type, a softer track will suit better next time. Follow VOILIER, SHARDS, SEBRING SUN (back to 1200m) and CANNYESCENT.
Race 2 TOY SHOW QUALITY
Class counts when the weights are even
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amicus | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 7 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Echo Gal | Chris Waller | Tim Clark | 4 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Wine Tales | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 9 | 57.5 |
Amicus found clear running and scored a close win
In The Yard
Most mares looked well, ECHO GAL and WINE TALES muscular/ready to go. AMICUS fit enough, KRISTY LEE good power.
In The Running
IL MIO DESTINO came across, but couldn't cross TWO BLUE and they challenged each other in the lead. ECHO GAL had the drop on them just behind. An honest FAIR tempo was set up.
The Result
AMICUS (1st) ran on best down the outside to catch ECHO GAL (2nd). WINE TALES (3rd) made good ground up the inside after threading through the pack. Time: 1 minute 15.62 seconds (34.56 for the last 600m).
The Interest
The best three mares over a sprint distance dominated in the finish, AMICUS and ECHO GAL finding clear room, while WINE TALES was cluttered up on the rails. The set weights conditions favoured AMICUS this time. Looking forward, there's no doubt that AMICUS and WINE TALES have the most progression for Waller, nice types with a big hand to play over the Spring. MAASTRICHT did more that enough first-up. KRISTY LEE doesn't seem suited on a seven-day backup and TWO BLUE is a wet tracker. Follow AMICUS, WINE TALES and MAASTRICHT.
Race 3 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
A big betting plunge hits the mark
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fell Swoop | Matthew Dale | Blake Shinn | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Music Magnate | Bjorn Baker | Brenton Avdulla | 10 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Grand Condor | Steve Hodge | Serg Lisnyy | 6 | 55.0 |
Fell Swoop surged to the lead and held on
In The Yard
FELL SWOOP looked very well, but WONDERBOLT, STRATURBO and LUCKY METEOR also impressed. MUSIC MAGNATE didn't seem like a 1000m type and looked a bit "woolly".
In The Running
LUCKY METEOR came across to lead, from STRATURBO, GRAND CONDOR and FELL SWOOP, and got them rolling along at a STRONG tempo. MUSIC MAGNATE was stuck wide back near the tail.
The Result
FELL SWOOP (1st) strode past in the straight for an easy win, beating home MUSIC MAGNATE (2nd), who was game to the line. GRAND CONDOR (3rd) fought on up the inside. Time: 56.79 seconds (33.66 for the last 600m).
The Interest
All the focus on the top two here. FELL SWOOP is a very talented sprinter, but the run of MUSIC MAGNATE was every bit as impressive. He looks like a type better suited over 1400m+ on a softish track so this effort was very promising. Backed from $2.50 well into odds on, the bookies were reeling after the win of FELL SWOOP. Follow FELL SWOOP and MUSIC MAGNATE.
Race 4 COOLMORE SILVER SHADOW STAKES
Speed and power is all you need
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Speak Fondly | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Kimberley Star | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 5 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Lake Geneva | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 3 | 54.0 |
Speak Fondly led from start 'til finish
In The Yard
SPEAK FONDLY looked strong and well, good turn-of-foot. KANGARILLA JOY, KIMBERLEY STAR and LAKE GENEVA all looked good too.
In The Running
SPEAK FONDLY took up the running from KANGARILLA JOY, while KIMBERLEY STAR was taken back in the field. A FAIR tempo was set up.
The Result
SPEAK FONDLY (1st) gave a good kick and held off KIMBERLEY STAR (2nd), who surged down the outside late. LAKE GENEVA (3rd) fought on ok. Time: 1 minute 9.47 seconds (34.04 for the last 600m).
The Interest
Waterhouse's duo were way too good for these. SPEAK FONDLY had the speed and the fitness of KIMBERLEY STAR was showing late. It wasn't a bad run from LAKE GENEVA, but it was a long way off a Golden Slipper placing! Follow SPEAK FONDLY and KIMBERLEY STAR.
Race 5 THE MOSTYN COPPER GROUP HANDICAP
Waugh's warriors keep on winning
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forget | Kim Waugh | Blake Shinn | 2 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Bold Circle | David Payne | Glen Boss | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Kurtley | Leon Davies | Ms Samantha Clenton | 9 | 59.0 |
Forget dived late to beat Bold Circle
In The Yard
FORGET, BOLD CIRCLE, BRING A RING all looked well in the yard, ready to go SASENKILE didn't impress, a leaner type.
In The Running
Pressure in this race, MARSEILLE ROULETTE leading from HIMALAYA DREAM, EL SASSO and KURTLEY. HARRY HOTSPUR was slower than he usually is and got well back. A STRONG tempo was set up.
The Result
FORGET (1st) and BOLD CIRCLE (2nd) ran on together from midfield in a close finish, from KURTLEY (3rd) and EL SASSO (4th), who fought on. Time: 1 minute 21.72 seconds (35.44 for the last 600m).
The Interest
They went hard in this, the time almost as fast as the Warwick Stakes! Good runs came from the top four, along with SPY DECODER and BRING A RING, who just found a testing 1400m beyond her. SASENKILE made late ground in a race that was too short for him. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 6 PRO-RIDE WARWICK STAKES
Sweet redemption for a popular warhorse
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Descent | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Pornichet | Ciaron Maher | Blake Shinn | 10 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Messene | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Jay Ford | 1 | 59.0 |
Royal Descent was too strong for Pornichet
In The Yard
KERMADEC, ROYAL DESCENT, COMPLACENT and PORNICHET all looked fine in the yard for the feature
In The Running
ZARATONE led from PORNICHET, who worked across from the outside. MESSENE took the box seat with ROYAL DESCENT on his outside. KERMADEC was slowish, before sneaking up into midfield. BURBERO unfortunately broke down, taking COMPLACENT off the track. A FAIR tempo was set up.
The Result
PORNICHET (2nd) quickened to take the lead, but ROYAL DESCENT (1st) came off his back and was much too strong late. MESSENE (3rd) stuck on in a bunch that included the fast finishing KERMADEC (5th).Time: 1 minute 21.57 seconds (34.71 for the last 600m).
The Interest
Finally!! It's been a long time since her last win and ROYAL DESCENT deserved this one. PORNICHET just couldn't sustain his run after working early and KERMADEC got a touch out of his ground. They are the class horses of the race. Horrible news for the Baker stable with BURBERO breaking down, thoughts with all involved. The form line from his last win suggests this could have been one of his finest moments. Follow ROYAL DESCENT, PORNICHET and KERMADEC.
Race 7 SKY THOROUGHBRED CENTRAL SHOW COUNTY QUALITY
Far from retirement time for this veteran
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Decision Time | Clarry Conners | Christian Reith | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Boss Lane | Ron Quinton | Tim Clark | 3 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Vashka | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Tommy Berry | 1 | 54.0 |
Decision Time led all the way for a well-deserved win
In The Yard
BOSS LANE looked very fit, VASHKA 95% fit, both present OK. WOULDN'T IT BE NICE is leaner, needs tempo
In The Running
DECISION TIME took up the running, from VASHKA, BOSS LANE and HEART TESTA. HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME was a bit wider out in midfield.
The Result
DECISION TIME (1st) kept going to hold off a whole bunch of them, led by BOSS LANE (2nd), VASHKA (3rd) and HEART TESTA (4th). Time: 1 minute 9.05 seconds (34.35 for the last 600m).
The Interest
There wasn't much between these on paper and it proved that way on the track, DECISION TIME taking his opportunity to grab a win. Trainer Clarry Conners was brought to tears, it's been a long time between drinks! The best runs came from AOMEN and BEST CASE from the back, they're both possible Carnival contenders. AOMEN was way further back than he usually is... Follow AOMEN and BEST CASE.
Race 8 RANDWICK CITY MAYOR'S CUP
The 'Pumper' is last man standing
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loophole | Chris Waller | Jim Cassidy | 9 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Artibai | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Scottish Border | Garry Frazer | Kerrin McEvoy | 7 | 56.5 |
Loophole made use of a nice on-pace trail
In The Yard
ZAYAM a clear standout on looks in the yard, CHASTENED also looked well, she'd love a STRONG tempo
In The Running
Lots of pressure here, TRADTRI went to the lead and ZAYAM had to do a lot of work to get on-pace. CHASTENED found he box seat, from LOOPHOLE on her outside.
The Result
LOOPHOLE (1st) moved up quickly to take over and sustained a margin, from ARTIBAL (2nd), who was held up slightly early in the straight. SCOTTISH BORDER (3rd) and DREAM FOLK (4th) stayed on down the outside. Time: 2 minutes 2.33 seconds (36.19 for the last 600m).
The Interest
Waller is a master in these middle-distance races and he did the job with help from 'Pumper' Cassidy. ARTIBAL didn't have much luck, he may have gone close with he same run as the winner. CASINO DANCER simply doesn't stay a genuine 2000m (her run ended late again). She's such an honest mare, the stable surely has to step back in distance now. CHASTENED was badly crowded for room and ZAYAM had to do early work in the pace, you could be forgiving on them. Forgive ARTIBAI, CHASTENED and ZAYAM.