Yard to the Post @ Golden Rose Day
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 12 September 2015
The sun was shining for the first Sydney Spring Group 1, a big crowd in attendance to watch the 'stallion-making' Golden Rose. Global breeding and racing operation Godolphin saddled up three runners in the $1 million feature and it was their muscular Lonhro colt EXOSPHERE that cruised to victory in race record time. It was a win that gives him a ticket straight to stud once he retires.
Outside of the impressive performance of the winner, the main talking point of the race was the ride of Tye Angland on PRESS STATEMENT, which saw parts of the crowd turn on the experienced hoop. Moments of indecision, coupled with limited racing room, left Tye in the wake of the winner just as the sprint went on.
In the other features, Sydney's glamour mare CATKINS was much too strong for her opposition, careering away in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes, while WINX produced one of the runs of the day coming from well back on the turn to win the Theo Marks first-up.
The track was firm and fair, some good form to follow as we head deeper into the Spring.
A full yard-to-the-post review will be available on-line tomorrow at 9am.
Track Info
| Rail | +2 metres |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | SUNNY |
| Bias | FAIR (some jockeys scouting off rails) |
Race 1 RANVET HANDICAP
Favourite punters off to a winning start
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Herne's Oak | Bjorn Baker | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Dance of Heroes | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 3 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Karigara | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 4 | 54.0 |
Brenton Avdulla gets the best out of HERNE'S OAK close to the line
In The Yard
Not much between these on looks, HERNE'S OAK is a genuine, consistent type. PIAMIMI has some power to drive a finishing sprint. KARIGARA was getting a little hot in the conditions
In The Running
In a slight change of tactic, KARIGARA took up the running from MARENOSTRO at a STEADY to SLOW tempo. SLIVOVITZ was slow to begin, then started a move at the 1,000m wide without cover. Scherzoso was slow to begin.
The Result
After racing tightly for most of the straight, Brenton Avdulla pushed HERNE'S OAK (1st) out to the line to get the better of DANCE OF HEROES (2nd) who sustained a long run to the line. Early leader KARIGARA (3rd) stuck on well along the rail, while PIAMIMI (4th) got home nicely from the back
The Interest
HERNE'S OAK drew softly and relaxed well, however still needed a great ride from Brenton Avdulla to get home over the concluding stages in a driving finish. The gelding responds well to Avdulla, having won all four wins with him aboard. He attacked the line best over the concluding stages and showed fight to the line, two impressive qualities. DANCE OF HEROES had the winner in a pocket for most of the early straight after sustaining a long run and was game to the line. KARIGARA stuck on after leading, and was still there at the end. PIAMIMI showed her ability to quicken from the back and got home well. No follows or forvives.
Race 2 SKY THOROUGHBRED CENTRAL KINGSTON TOWN STAKES
Avdulla makes it an early double
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silverball | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Maurus | John Thompson | Jason Collett | 2 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Foundry | Terry Kelly | James McDonald | 1 | 57.0 |
Silverball sprinted best to win
In The Yard
SILVERBALL is getting fitter again third-up. FOUNDRY up from Melbourne, looked robust. KINGDOMS is a handsome type, but not always the most genuine.
In The Running
KING KINSHASA worked across and raced ahead of SKYLINE BLUSH, however got a breather mid race, setting a FAIR TEMPO. KINGDOMS travelled nicely in behind the speed, as did FOUNDRY who took a sit on the fence.
The Result
SILVERBALL (1st) peeled wide on the turn and under hard riding, finished best down the middle. MAURUS (2nd) followed the winner everywhere and finished well, ahead of FOUNDRY (3rd) who stuck on well along the fence.
The Interest
SILVERBALL looked set to peak third-up at his pet distance, and did just that as Brenton Avdulla pushed out at the top of the straight to run home well, earning him an early riding double. They sprinted home hard in this, with MAURUS also running home well after settling toward the rear. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be showing signs of colic. FOUNDRY appreciated a sharp rise in distance jumping from 1,500 metres to 2,000 metres and will benefit from the run, while KINGDOMS was hard ridden into the straight and didn’t respond. Early leader KING KINSHASA stuck on ok while SKYLINE BLUSH dropped out from on pace.
Race 3 TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP
This Grey mare appreciated a step up in distance
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Something Secret | Jason Coyle | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 10 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Sweet Fire | Darren Weir | Tye Angland | 9 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Muy Bien | James Cummings | Tommy Berry | 8 | 54.0 |
SOMETHING SECRET was ridden a treat by Kathy O'Hara
In The Yard
NAZCA and LADY MACAN are a touch leaner, may lack the sprint needed on this track ARTISTRY's coat was shining, LAUCALA has more development to come
In The Running
ROCKOLICIOUS was ridden across from an outside gate then took a sit in behind DANISH TWIST and PASSIONFLOWER, who pushed on at a STRONG TEMPO. ARTISTRY overraced in the early stages.SWEET FIRE overraced in the early stages when being restrained to find cover. SEBRINA raced wide without cover.
The Result
Kathy O’Hara pushed SOMETHING SECRET (1st) out to the middle of the track and ran on strongly from the 200m to defeat a wall of horses including SWEET FIRE (2nd) which flashed home out wide, and MUY BIEN (3rd) which worked home along the inside.
The Interest
A bigger track and a step up in distance was the winning recipe in class record time for SOMETHING SECRET who was ridden a treat to win in class record time. A host of these finished off their races well including SWEET FIRE and ARTISTRY out wide. They were the best of the closers, with NAZCA and LAUCALA also just in behind. DANISH TWIST stuck on ok after leading, while ROCKOLICIOUS weakened out after racing on pace. It was a very clumped finish!
Race 4 MACK TRUCKS HANDICAP
Recent Brisbane winter racing shone through
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Good Project | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Inz'n'out | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Joshua Parr | 5 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Music Magnate | Bjorn Baker | Brenton Avdulla | 8 | 57.5 |
GOOD PROJECT was strong to the line
In The Yard
MUSIC MAGNATE, has a nice scope to frame, an athletic type suited to an honest tempo. Some feeling the warm conditions including SLATE ON EDGE, MUSIC MAGNATE and ANYAAS. HAVANA's coat was shining. SULTRY FEELING has come on in coat
In The Running
As advised in a change of tactics, HAVANA worked across from an outside gate, however was kept wide without cover as PRINCEFAMOUS and SLATE ON EDGE got up on his inside and set a FAIR TEMPO. MAGIC DALLAS was slowish out of the barriers.
The Result
GOOD PROJECT (1st) pushed off the rails at the top of the straight and took control from the 250m, repelling the challenge of INZ'N'OUT (2nd). MUSIC MAGNATE (3rd) seemed to lack power at the finish and couldn’t close the gap on the others.
The Interest
James McDonald gave GOOD PROJECT the best run in transit and the horse did the rest, proving too strong on the line in class record time. His recent barrier trial win proved he had some fitness on his side after coming back from a Brisbane winter campaign. INZ'N'OUT also had a great run in behind the speed, however was not in his customary leading role and may have found the Strong tempo and fast track not to his liking. MUSIC MAGNATE was hooked wide and worked home ok down the middle, and may have peaked on his run. SULTRY FEELING was hampered for a run until the 200m and stormed home on the back of the placegetters. Forgive HAVANA and SULTRY FEELING.
Race 5 IRRESISTIBLE POOLS SHERACO STAKES
Sydney's darling does it again
fair tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catkins | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 6 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Echo Gal | Chris Waller | Tim Clark | 5 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Bounding | Peter & Paul Snowden | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 59.0 |
Catkins makes it win number 9 at Rosehill
In The Yard
BOUNDING is a classy mare, nice muscle coverage. PEEPING looked neat and professional, MIHIRI is quite a nice type. CATKINS looked professional.
In The Running
ECHO GAL jumped best and FINE MIST crossed from the outside to sit on the pace. BOUNDING and PEEPING enjoyed a nice sit in behind.
The Result
ECHO GAL (2nd) slipped away in the straight before CATKINS (1st) hooked widest and thundered home sweeping straight past BOUNDING (3rd) up the middle of the track
The Interest
CATKINS reassured the racing world that she is the darling of Sydney racing, and won the Group 2 in emphatic style. James McDonald rode a patient ride and the mare did the rest, powering home for win number 16 from 35 starts (including 9 wins at Rosehill). This was another Waller runner who had the benefit of a winter Brisbane campaign. ECHO GAL enjoyed the drop back in distance and relished the dry track as she kept on from the lead. BOUNDING jumped well in the red, and failed to finish off as favourite backers would have hoped. SLIGHTLY SWEET turned in the eye-catching run of the race, rattling home late from last and can be followed over longer. PEEPING never looked comfortable and displayed cardiac arrhythmia. Follow CATKINS and SLIGHTLY SWEET.
Race 6 DE BORTOLI WINES GOLDEN ROSE STAKES
This son of Lonhro may join dad at stud
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exosphere | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 2 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Speak Fondly | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Brett Prebble | 4 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Sebring Sun | Darren Weir | Jim Cassidy | 7 | 56.5 |
Exosphere put the Golden Rose to bed in a flash
In The Yard
PRESS STATEMENT's coat was shining in the yard, a classy type. SHARDS also looked well. EXOSPHERE is an interesting type, thick through the middle, and not much fore-quarter power, dry track?
In The Running
SPEAK FONDLY got up inside of HOLLER and set a STEADY TEMPO, keeping LET'S MAKE IT RAIN wide without cover. The favourites PRESS STATEMENT and EXOSPHERE settled in behind the speed.
The Result
The gap appeared for EXOSPHERE (1st), and he charged through at the 250m and drew clear to the line defeating SPEAK FONDLY (2nd) which stuck on well against the boys. SEBRING SUN (3rd) ran on strongly down the middle from last.
The Interest
Most of the interest will surround the ride of Tye Angland on PRESS STATEMENT, however it was EXOSPHERE that stamped his authority on the race, running away with it in race record time. The only slight query was his ability to quicken on the dry surface, but that he did in style. Gai's filly SPEAK FONDLY can hold her head high with a good on pace effort, albeit off a moderate tempo. SEBRING SUN managed to quicken well off the tempo, and rattled home down the middle. 1 was closing late on the heels of the place getters, however was not helped by the ride of Tye Angland, who pushed out before cutting back inside. Follow EXOSPHERE and SPEAK FONDLY (back to own sex).
Race 7 THEO MARKS STAKES
This Waller mare has a barnstorming finish
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winx | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 11 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Sons of John | Jason Attard & Lucy Keegan-Attard | Jeff Penza | 7 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Ninth Legion | Peter Robl | Tye Angland | 1 | 57.0 |
Winx gets there in the last stride
In The Yard
VASHKA is a free-striding type suited up to 1300m AOMEN looked strong and speedy. The ol' boy DECISION TIME still has his shine in the yard as does MESSENE.
In The Running
STRAWBERRY BOY rolled forward from DECISION TIME which crossed from a wide barrier to lead at a FAIR TEMPO. MESSENE and NINTH LEGION settled in behind the speed. VASHKA and HEART TESTA raced wide without cover.
The Result
STRAWBERRY BOY (4th) led for all bar the final few strides and kicked in the straight with NINTH LEGION (3rd) before SONS OF JOHN (2nd), and then WINX (1st) both issued their challenges, with the latter finishing best out wide coming from last on the turn.
The Interest
What a performance from WINX! She came from a seemingly impossible position back last on the turn, however the last 50m just had to be seen to be believed. She has a great will to win and attacks the line with vigour. SONS OF JOHN pushed out at the 200m mark and hit the front in the final few strides, only to see the winner get up on the line. STRAWBERRY BOY set the pace first-up, and will take benefit from the run. FAMOUS SEAMUS had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the straight. Follow the first five over the line.
Race 8 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP
The front runners controlled the race up front
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | God's in Him | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 13 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Nevagotavote | Jason Deamer | Ms Samantha Clenton | 3 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Berrimilla | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 2 | 60.0 |
GOD'S IN HIM got the bob in on the line
In The Yard
NANCY is only small, will she have the power if the leaders don't go hard? GOD'S IN HIM is an impressive looking type. NANCY looked a little warm.
In The Running
NEVAGOTAVOTE jumped best and was joined by GOD'S IN HIM which crossed from an outside gate, and these two set a STEADY TEMPO. SONG AND LAUGHTER and PAEDEROS enjoyed a nice trail in behind the speed, while the favourite NANCY raced wide without cover.
The Result
GOD'S IN HIM (1st) got the better of NEVAGOTAVOTE (2nd) over the concluding stages as they controlled the race from the front, clearing out from BERRIMILLA (3rd) who worked home nicely under the big weight.
The Interest
GOD'S IN HIM was suited on the Rosehill surface and saluted in yet another class record for the day. He appears to be on an upward spiral, putting together a strong winning strike rate. NEVAGOTAVOTE never gave in after leading, albeit controlling the race. NANCY did not have the power needed at the end after racing wide without cover and may be bettter suited to Randwick. TESTASHADOW was held up in the early part of the straight, then approaching the 250m was again disappointed for a run and could not be fully tested at any stage in the straight. Follow GOD'S IN HIM. Forgive TESTASHADOW.