Yard to the Post @ Run to the Rose Day
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 29 August 2015
The quality of racing really heated up at Rosehill Gardens for Run to the Rose Day as we edged closer to the official start of the Spring.
All the talk two weeks ago was about the strength of Winter form-lines as Waller's JAPONISME took out the San Domenico Stakes, but that was before Godolphin brought their "A Team" to the track.
O'Shea's big muscular colts EXOSPHERE (1st) and HOLLER (3rd) broke away from the pack with Waller's Group One winning PRESS STATEMENT (2nd) to dominate the feature race. It's a trifecta that could be the benchmark for three-year-old form moving forward.
It wasn't Godolphin's only win over Waller on the day. Up-and-coming stayer MAGIC HURRICANE just beat SILVERBALL to win the Premier's Cup, the two surging clear from KAPOUR over the final furlong.
In other races, SULTRY FEELING made a successful return to the track and WUDANG MOUNTAIN showed enough stamina to suggest he could be a hope in the middle-distance three-year-old features.
A full yard-to-the post review is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | SOFT 6 to SOFT 5 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR (slight off rails) |
Race 1 ALL TOO HARD @ VINERY HANDICAP
Waller followers have their Hearts broken
slow tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emerald City | David Vandyke | Jason Collett | 7 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Defrost My Heart | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Napoleon | Jarrod Austin | Tommy Berry | 5 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
An even staying race to start off, DEFROST MY HEART can quicken, a good quality to have in the small field.
In The Running
DEFROST MY HEART took up the running from EMERALD CITY on her outside. LUCKY LIAISON and SOVIET COURAGE were just behind them and no pressure was applied, ensuring a SLOW tempo.
The Result
DEFROST MY HEART (2nd) quickened early in the straight and pinched a break, but EMERALD CITY (1st) sustained his chase and got there. NAPOLEON (3rd) picked up OK down the outside a few lengths behind.
The Interest
A farcically run race, DEFROST MY HEART (nice turn-of-foot for a stayer) looked home and hosed, but EMERALD CITY is a very genuine chaser. No proof if EMERALD CITY stays a genuine 2400m based on this though, it was far from a test of stamina. SOVIET COURAGE a touch disappointing, his form-lines are looking shaky and he didn't enjoy the SLOW tempo. NAPOLEON did well. He's an improving type that could be even better next prep. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 2 TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP
Class counts in a blanket finish
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centre Pivot | Darren Weir | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Foreign Prince | David Payne | Tommy Berry | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Hollywood Bound | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 3 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
No knocks in the yard, all looked well and fit. Just THUNDER LADY may need further. CENTRE PIVOT is a classy type, ADORABEEL looked sleek and balanced, prefers honest tempo
In The Running
FOREIGN PRINCE took up the running, from ADORABEEL on his outside, who went forward today after jumping well. MARENOSTRO and CENTRE PIVOT were in behind them and a STEADY tempo was set up.
The Result
CENTRE PIVOT (1st) pulled to the outside and sprinted up nicely to catch FOREIGN PRINCE (2nd), who kept lifting on the inside. HOLLYWOOD BOUND (3rd) made ground from the back, while MARENOSTRO (4th) couldn't find much space nearer the inside.
The Interest
Not much between these on paper and that's the way it played out. Most ran OK, apart from ADORABEEL, who may not be up to her best this preparation. We knew CENTRE PIVOT had a good turn-of-foot from his last start and he showed that again. He paraded beautifully and could show up in a good race over the Spring. MARENOSTRO didn't get the luck he needed. Forgive MARENOSTRO.
Race 3 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS HANDICAP
Stamina counts in an energy-sapping sprint
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wudang Mountain | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Let's Make It Rain | Ron Quinton | Sam Clipperton | 5 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | River Wild | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 8 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
RIVER WILD is a classy type, DEVIL HAWK, LET'S MAKE IT RAIN and JADEER also stood out. WUDANG MOUNTAIN is a strapping type, just a touch keen
In The Running
SALERNO went to the lead and RIVER WILD worked up on his outside, they ensured a STRONG TEMPO was set up.
The Result
LET'S MAKE IT RAIN (2nd) quickened down the outside, but WUDANG MOUNTAIN (1st) kept lifting through the pack. RIVER WILD (3rd) stuck on after working early.
The Interest
A good honest tempo meant we saw the best three gallopers rise to the top. WUDANG MOUNTAIN had everything made to order and did the job, a horse that has the scope to aim towards a Spring Champion and even Derby later on (1400m probably short of best). The run of RIVER WILD was also really brave after working hard early. He's a classy type with lots of promise. DEVIL HAWK was disappointing. He's still got a lot to learn. Follow RIVER WILD and WUDANG MOUNTAIN.
Race 4 PREMIER'S CUP
Godolphin class flashes straight past
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Hurricane | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Sam Clipperton | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Silverball | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 6 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Kapour | Ciaron Maher | Tim Clark | 2 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
Both BEYOND THANKFUL (tough) and SPURTONIC (free-striding) looked well in the yard. MAGIC HURRICANE still has some condition, but a nice shine to his coat. SILVERBALL is getting fitter
In The Running
BRIGANTIN took up the running from KAPOUR and rolled along early before backing off the tempo mid-race. Overall a STEADY tempo was set up.
The Result
SILVERBALL (2nd) pulled to the outside and ran on strongly, but MAGIC HURRICANE (1st) came off his back and sprinted past for a close win. KAPOUR (3rd) fought on OK a few lengths behind.
The Interest
The class rose to the top here, SILVERBALL and MAGIC HURRICANE are both promising gallopers that can figure over the Carnival. It looks like MAGIC HURRICANE is a nice 'Rosehill type', so expect his ratings to be slightly higher at the Western Sydney track. KAPOUR did a good job over a distance short of his best. Don't be surprised if this is a good form race for the future. Follow MAGIC HURRICANE, SILVERBALL and KAPOUR (over further).
Race 5 MTA NSW RUN TO THE ROSE
Big Blue power too much for Waller
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exosphere | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Sam Clipperton | 5 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Press Statement | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 7 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Holler | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Christian Reith | 6 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
Waller's horses looked fitter than Godolphin's, but the "big blues" have big power
In The Running
REDZEL led up from HOLLER, JAPONISME and PRESS STATEMENT, setting a FAIR tempo overall.
The Result
HOLLER (3rd) picked up nicely, but PRESS STATEMENT (2nd) ran on well down the outside and EXOSPHERE (1st) surged past late for a good win.
The Interest
EXOSPHERE has the ability to produce a big finishing surge, a 'strong-engined' type that isn't an obvious sprinter. If he can stay 1600m, he could be one serious horse. We already know PRESS STATEMENT is Group One quality. It turns out JAPONISME isn't, well not over 1200m anyway. Follow PRESS STATEMENT and EXOSPHERE.
Race 6 TAB PLACE MULTI HANDICAP
That winning Feeling for the Cummings clan
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sultry Feeling | James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 9 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Freeze the Charges | Jason Coyle | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 4 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Felines | Kris Lees | Jim Cassidy | 1 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
MIHIRI, AWASITA and FELINES stood out in the yard. They looked strong and well. FREEZE THE CHARGES was a bit hot in the yard. SULTRY FEELING wasn't bad first-up. SUPARA is only lean
In The Running
FREEZE THE CHARGES rolled to the front from ABSOLUTE EMPRESS, AWASITA and FELINES, setting an honest FAIR tempo. THE BROWN ONE and MIHIRI were stuck wider out. SULTRY FEELING settled towards the back.
The Result
A packed finish, apart from SULTRY FEELING (1st), who ran on and strode clear late. FREEZE THE CHARGES and FELINES fought on nearer the inside from a wall of horses. SEBRINA was held up late and PRESS REPORT didn't find much room either.
The Interest
Well at least the winner was impressive...! The rest all finished within a couple of lengths of each other. Perhaps SEBRINA is the other classy type for the future, she was warming up late over a distance that was far too short for her. Follow SULTRY FEELING and SEBRINA.
Race 7 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP
The mare beats up on the boys
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berrimilla | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | The Waco Kid | Paul St Vincent | Sam Clipperton | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Passionflower | David Vandyke | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 14 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
BERRIMILLA, SABINO SPEED and MONTIRO all looked good, no knock HIS MAJESTY and PASSIONFLOWER. DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE is very plain and SHIGERU SENDAN is very small
In The Running
PASSIONFLOWER strode over to lead and set a good STRONG tempo, from SABINO SPEED, HIS MAJESTY and FUERZA.
The Result
BERRIMILLA (1st) surged through up the inside and THE WACO KID (2nd) quickened nicely from the back with her. They got clear of PASSIONFLOWER (3rd) who kept on OK. The favourite, HIS MAJESTY, shortened stride and dropped back, not looking well.
The Interest
We await the Stewards' Report to see what happened with HIS MAJESTY - it seems he bled. The class of BERRIMILLA was too much despite the big weight, she relished the STRONG speed, a horse with a great SURGE over this distance. A big week-long betting plunge on the THE WACO KID was so close. Forgive HIS MAJESTY.
Race 8 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
Big 'Inzi' gets the crowd to their feet
slow tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inz'n'out | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Joshua Parr | 4 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Wild 'n' Famous | Peter & Paul Snowden | Ms Winona Costin | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Turbulent Jet | Lee & Cherie Curtis | Tye Angland | 2 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
Not many knocks in the yard, DREAM CHOICE looked well, along with INZ'N'OUT. WILD 'N' FAMOUS was ready to go
In The Running
INZ 'N' OUT took up the running from DREAM CHOICE on his outside and they dominated a SLOW tempo.
The Result
INZ 'N' OUT (1st) kicked right away from them, breaking clear from WILD 'N' FAMOUS (2nd), who fought on gamely. TURBULENT JET (3rd) made good ground from the back.
The Interest
INZ 'N' OUT is the right horse to jump on the back of as he progresses through the benchmark grades. He controlled this race and was never in doubt, getting some big cheers from the crowd. A big tick for TURBULENT JET, who once again finished hard. He loves his home track and is sure to win one soon. WILD 'N' FAMOUS was very fit first-up and put in his usual honest run. Don't be too harsh on some of the gallopers that got right back, but you can be disappointed in SNIPPETS LAND, who trialled poorly and ran poorly too. Follow INZ 'N' OUT and TURBULENT JET.