Race Day Review - Saturday Racing at Royal Randwick

Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 21 June 2014

Track Info

All The Race Finishes

Race 1 TAB EARLY QUADDIE PLATE

Rising talent kicks off the day

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Delectation	Chris Waller	Tye Angland	2	56.0
2		Proactive	Peter & Paul Snowden	Joshua Parr	4	56.0
3		Statton	Shawn Mathrick	Kerrin McEvoy	1	56.0

Delectation and Proactive looked promising in the first

In The Yard

DELECTATION and STATTON were the best in the yard. DELECTATION had huge muscle bulk in comparison to the others. PROACTIVE was a nice athletic type that looked like a longer distance would suit and URATTA BELLE looked well, but lacked the power of the other runners.

In The Running

DELECTATION jumped ok and over-raced as he edged to the lead, controlling a SLOW TEMPO. SWING SENSATION got to a position outside the lead after a quick jump, while VA VA VENI also over-raced under restraint just behind the pace. The tempo gradually increased around the home turn and PROACTIVE swung wide from the back to make and early run.

The Result

DELECTATION (1st) picked up in the straight and just held off PROACTIVE (2nd) late, who continued his run down the outside and hit the line hard. STATTON (3rd) kept on strongly late to take the final placing, although there was a big gap to the first two.

The Interest

DELECTACTION and PROACTIVE are two classy two year olds in this event that are both worth following. DELECTATION definitely had more up his sleeve and looked to be coasting in front, while PROACTIVE had the 1200m and SLOW TEMPO against him. No doubt both are good enough for much better races. It is difficult to be too harsh on the rest given the slow tempo. VA VA VENI looked more like a keen short-course sprinter before the race and he may be suited better back to 1000m after he over-raced badly here when restrained. SWING SENSATION had every chance and was disappointing. The horses with scope may be the first starters, BREWERY and FINAL DECISION, who both put in honest first-up runs. Follow DELECTACTION and PROACTIVE.

Race 2 INSTAGRAM @ATC_RACES HANDICAP

A tricky mare takes the prize

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Kristy Lee	Chris Waller	Tye Angland	4	56.0
2		Cradle Me	David Pfieffer	Sam Clipperton	2	60.0
3		Commanding Wit	Peter & Paul Snowden	Joshua Parr	6	56.5

Kristy Lee layed in badly but still won

In The Yard

KRISTY LEE looked the best in the yard, with a healthy shine to her coat and stronger muscle than most. CAPITAL COMMANDER was fit enough first-up and CRADLE ME looked as per usual, a 'nuggety' type. COMMANDING WIT was fit and perhaps had lightened off a bit after recent racing. ROLL THE BONES just hasn't looked as well this preparation and MY SABEEL lacked muscle definition in comparison to the rest.

In The Running

CAPITAL COMMANDER and EL OF A TIME jumped best and rolled to the front setting an EVEN TEMPO. BERMUDA BLUE was stuck wide and drifted back to the tail of the field with no cover. CRADLE ME settled on the rails midfield and edged wider on the home turn (pushing MY SABEEL out very wide) and KRISTY LEE settled at the back and followed CRADLE ME in the run home. The field packed early in the straight and at that time COMMANDING WIT moved up to challenge from an on-pace position. FINE BUBBLES was blocked in behind the leaders at the 250m.

The Result

KRISTY LEE (1st) came to the outside and sustained a strong sprint to beat CRADLE ME (2nd), who had got the better of COMMANDING WIT (3rd) early in the straight.

The Interest

The two best horses here filled the top two places and it looks as though the winner is both (1) up to her old tricks, and (2) in career best form. She layed in quite badly in the run home and Angland was simply steering her from a collision with CRADLE ME, rather than riding her. She hit the line hard. CRADLE ME did very well for a horse that wasn't perfectly suited to the conditions. A race back at Rosehill soon might see her claim yet another win this campaign. FINE BUBBLES (blocked for a run) and BERMUDA BLU (stuck wide) both finished honestly and could be followed in 1400m races soon. Follow KRISTY LEE and CRADLE ME (at Rosehill again).

Race 3 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP

The big 'Texan' takes control

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Texan Lad	James Berry	Serg Lisnyy	5	59.0
2		Miss Alibi	John McNair	Jeff Lloyd	3	53.0
3		Mount Nebo	Allan Denham	Mr Lester Grace	2	60.0

Texan Lad showed speed to lead all the way

In The Yard

BILOXI, STRATURBO and WONDERBOLT all looked well, while MOUNT NEBO was ok. MISS ALIBI didn’t parade well, looking lean and lighter than the rest. TEXAN LAD was a bigger type, but lacked the muscle definition and fitness of others. KANJISTAR was fit enough first-up, a stocky and strong-set sprinter.

In The Running

TEXAN LAD went to the lead and found a good rhythm, setting up a rolling EVEN TEMPO. STRATURBO jumped quickly and found the spot outside the leader in second, while MISS ALIBI got the box seat. MOUNT NEBO jumped ok and then was restrained to near the back. WONDERBOLT over-raced inside horses mid-race.

The Result

TEXAN LAD (1st) cornered well and sped away to claim the win, holding off MISS ALIBI (2nd) late, who chased hard right to the line. MOUNT NEBO (3rd) ran on and pushed through a tight gap to grab a place.

The Interest

TEXAN LAD put on a performance of great natural seed to get control and over the 1000m it was always going to be difficult to catch him. He is racing in great heart, but will reach a handicap level that makes it harder to win in town in the future. It is not always easy to analyse these types of races and the best runs may not be obvious on paper. WONDERBOLT was up to tricks again and didn't race 100% genuinely. He seemed a more athletic type than most of the others in this race and a longer distance could suit. The problem being that as the trips get longer, he will probably over-race even more. MISS ALIBI didn't look good in the yard, but she showed heart again and tried her little heart out. The nippy MOUNT NEBO was much better suited to Randwick and showed he can navigate the tough course better than most. STRATURBO perhaps felt his weight in the straight, a sign that the handicap level achieved after last campaign will cause difficulties for Portelli this time in. KANJISTAR could be the one with the most interest for the future. He was only let down at the 250m and is a better horse when he gets control. No Follows or Forgives.

Race 4 HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP

A classy filly sprints best

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Sugar Rush	Archie Alexander	Joshua Parr	3	56.5
2		In a Knot	David Vandyke	Mr Lester Grace	9	57.0
3		Maddhal	Joseph Pride	Ben Vassallo	5	55.5

Sugar Rush got very tired late, but hung on

In The Yard

SUGAR RUSH was a clear standout in the yard, a strong and muscular filly with a nice frame. AGADIR was fine, but lacked the power of the other runners - a leaner type. SINJOREN, MADDHAL and CHOICE LARGA all looked in good shape.

In The Running

SUGAR RUSH took control of the race early and set an EVEN TEMPO, from MADDHAL, who worked up into second. AGADIR got into a position just behind the leaders and over-raced slightly, while CHOICE LARGA never quite got into a settling position towards the rear.

The Result

SUGAR RUSH (1st) sprinted well early in the straight to get a clear lead and looked like she was going to win easily before getting very tried late. IN A KNOT (2nd) ran on nicely nearer the inside to almost get there, from MADDHAL (3rd) and ABBASSO (4th), who both kept on solidly.

The Interest

SUGAR RUSH looked the classiest animal in the yard and seemed like she was going to win clearly before getting tired late. Her first-up win was a tough one and now that she is deep into her campaign there might not be much left in the tank. IN A KNOT found a nice passage up the inside to almost get there, and that is two starts in a row now in which he has found the inside run. ABBASSO (felt his big weight late) and MADDHAL both look like tough and genuine types that will continue to run well. AGADIR didn't impress in the yard and was disappointing, while CHOICE LARGA's mind wasn't on the job, although he did have all the favours at his previous start so this grade might be a level above him for now. Follow ABBASSO and MADDHAL.

Race 5 TAB QUADDIE HANDICAP

A mare from 'Wagga' outstays the city slickers

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Jo Jo Girl	Tim Donnelly	Brenton Avdulla	2	54.0
2		Saghann	Chris Waller	Tye Angland	11	56.5
3		Major Major	Gregory Hickman	Kerrin McEvoy	10	54.0

Jo Jo Girl showed great stamina to win

In The Yard

A few looked good, including SOMMERNACHTSTRAUM, TONOPAH, SAGHANN and DOUBLE EAGLE. It was noted that DOUBLE EAGLE didn't look to have the robust build of some of the other stayers, a leaner and more athletic type. CARRY ON SINGING didn't impress and PUMP IT was clearly out of his grade. The NZ mare ENJAY was a staying type and MAJOR MAJOR seemed stronger this campaign than last time in.

In The Running

SIR BIGGLESWORTH moved to the front and set a GOOD TEMPO, from PHRASES who rolled along in clear space in second. STRIKE ME LUCKY pushed on to settle in 3rd after working out wide early. SIR BIGGLESWORTH increased the tempo from the 1000m and most of the pack was chasing by the 800m, which made it a true staying contest. SAGHANN, JO JO GIRL, ENJAY and MAJOR MAJOR tracked into the race as others struggled.

The Result

JO JO GIRL (1st) maintained a strong run home to win easily, from SAGHANN (2nd) and MAJOR MAJOR (3rd), who both stayed on solidly to the line.

The Interest

The instructions were clearly to set a good tempo on SIR BIGGLESWORTH, but the way he was ridden with 59kg was beyond what most horses could have coped with [raced keenly in Stewards report]. His run was quite good and if he can show up again after such a tough effort, he could be worth following. The other strong on-pace run came from STRIKE ME LUCKY after he worked hard early in the run to find spot. He has been putting in some good performances lately and the key seems to be getting him into clear running room. The strong tempo made sure that the stamina of TONOPAH was tested, and the exam was failed as he had nothing to give when asked at the home turn. The winner on the other hand (JO JO GIRL) stayed on very well and was full of running on the line. Her form leading into the race and this performance suggest she is a horse that could get even further in the future - a true stayer. SAGHANN, ENJAY and MAJOR MAJOR all put in solid runs, especially the latter given he had to circle the field on the home turn. The standard of the race wasn't high, but if they can find a similar grade - Follow JO JO GIRL (over long distances) and MAJOR MAJOR. Forgive SIR BIGGLESWORTH and STRIKE ME LUCKY.

Race 6 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS HANDICAP

A strong surge from a beautiful galloper

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Black Jag	Chris Waller	Serg Lisnyy	2	54.0
2		Sabor a Triunfo	Darren Weir	Joshua Parr	3	56.5
3		Disciple	Sean Casey	Tye Angland	8	58.0

Black Jag was simply in a different race with 51kg

In The Yard

DARCI BE GOOD, TRANSONIC, RUGGED CROSS and BLACK JAG paraded best. SABOR A TRIUNFO looked a tall and efficient staying type, while OUR DESERT WARRIOR paraded poorly with a dull coat.

In The Running

BLACK JAG rolled to the front and ran along freely, setting an honest EVEN TEMPO. LASER FLASH worked up outside the lead and never found his rhythm. TRANSONIC also seemed to be a bit outpaced over this distance, getting urged along mid-race. RUGGED CROSS went back under restraint and DISCIPLE jumped awkwardly to end up at the rear.

The Result

BLACK JAG (1st) cornered well and kicked into the straight to win clearly, from SABOR A TRIUNFO (2nd), who stayed on solidly near the rails. DISCIPLE (3rd) ran on from the back to claim the remaining place.

The Interest

At the weight scale BLACK JAG was simply too good. He has some muscle to his frame which enables more speed, especially when compared to a solid mare like TRANSONIC. The 'in-form' horses most suited at the distance were simply not good enough, with RUGGED CROSS needing a wet track in this grade (small and tough, but lacks speed) and DISCIPLE only even to the line. SABOR A TRIUNFO is clearly a staying type and did well to get into second. OUR DESERT WARRIOR unfortunately looks like he has had enough and DARCI BE GOOD struggled under the big weight. Follow BLACK JAG and SABOR A TRIUNFO.

Race 7 THERACES.COM.AU HANDICAP

'You'll never walk alone' with Waller

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		You'll Never	Chris Waller	Tye Angland	7	55.5
2		Reigning	Eric Musgrove	Serg Lisnyy	11	55.5
3		Longshoreman	Tony & Calvin McEvoy	Sam Clipperton	8	58.5

You'll Never got the win at his favourite distance

In The Yard

MULTILATERAL returned looking well first-up, but carried condition. LANDING looked fit enough. LONGSHOREMAN, SIR BERUS and SPECIFIC CHOICE paraded best, and there no knock on YOU’LL NEVER. KNOT OUT was the only one who paraded poorly.

In The Running

EYE STRIKER jumped fast to find the front and CORRYVECKAN pushed on to sit outside in second. The two of them slowed the tempo early and DOUBLE HALO (who was stuck wide) took advantage to roll on to the lead, which set up a STOP-START TEMPO. A few horses over-raced and got onto heels when the pace slowed, including IMPERIL, SIR BERUS and to a lesser degree, YOU'LL NEVER.

The Result

YOU'LL NEVER (1st) came to the outside in the straight and sustained a strong run home, from REIGNING (2nd) who powered late from the back. LONGSHOREMAN (3rd) battled on bravely for a place. SIR BERUS (5th) stayed to the inside and didn't find much room in the run home.

The Interest

The money came from YOU'LL NEVER and SIR BERUS and arguably they both put in the best runs of the race. YOU'LL NEVER's campaign has been very patient one given the horse is much better suited at this distance range and he had been running at the sprint trips previously. He clearly was targeted at this event - a track that suits on the seven day back up. SIR BERUS didn't have much luck and probably would have been in the finish if things went his way. Both REIGNING and MULTILATERAL returned in good order and can be followed over the longer trips in the future. IMPERIL showed a bit of fight after over-racing and perhaps still has some gas in the tank for a suitable race at Rosehill soon. Unfortunately, LANDING didn't show any fight when asked despite parading ok. Follow REIGNING, MULTILATERAL and YOU'LL NEVER. Forgive IMPERIL (at Rosehill) and SIR BERUS (not at Rosehill).

Race 8 WINTER DASH

Grace and power wins the last

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Oakfield Commands	Todd Howlett	Mr Lester Grace	2	54.0
2		Zaratone	Bjorn Baker	Ms Kathy O'Hara	13	59.0
3		Testarhythm	Benjamin Smith	Brenton Avdulla	12	57.5

Lester Grace gave Oakfield Commands the perfect ride to win

In The Yard

A very good looking and even bunch in this race. MIC MAC, THE PEAK and RECOINAGE perhaps lacked the power of the others.

In The Running

ZARATONE jumped better this time and rolled to the front, setting up what was a GOOD TEMPO for a 1200m race. BIG BONANZA was stuck wide early and rolled forward to be outside the lead, but never quite found his rhythm. UNANIMOUSLY also covered some ground near the pace and RECOINAGE was stuck very wide midfield.

The Result

OAKFIELD COMMANDS (1st) kept on near the inside as others tired and grabbed the lead late from ZARATONE (2nd), who was brave in defeat. TESTARHYTHM (3rd) worked through the pack and wound up well.

The Interest

ZARATONE is back in form and he did a mighty job to almost win the race after carving out solid sectionals on a deteriorating track. The speedy grey set the race up for the winner OAKFIELD COMMANDS (carried 7kg less), who is a tough and resilient sprinter (if not brilliant) and his athleticism got him home after Lester Grace gave him the perfect ride. It seems TESTARHYTHM and HIDDEN KISSES have both come back in good order and can be followed with some confidence in the future. The favourite TERRITORY was a bit disappointing and perhaps he lacked some fitness after visibly tiring in the last 100m. RECOINAGE was very brave again after being stuck wide, and while she might be coming to the end of her preparation, it would be very interesting to see her up to 1400m (won at 1300m a few runs back). UNANIMOUSLY wasn't suited chasing the speed with no cover at a track he has never performed that well at. Interestingly, both of the ex-Darren Smith gallopers ran strongly with their new stables. Follow ZARATONE, TESTARHYTHYM and HIDDEN KISSES. Forgive UNANIMOUSLY (different track) and RECOINAGE (up to 1400m maybe).