Yard to the Post @ Epsom Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 03 October 2015
The sun shone and the crowd cheered as the favourites kept saluting; today wasn't the day to be a bookmaker at Royal Randwick.
Epsom winner WINX stamped herself as one of the most talented mares in the country with a dominant display, one of a series of short-priced winners that left the bagmen in trouble.
It was a trifecta of wins for Waller in the feature Spring Group One, following on from Boban and He's Your Man in previous years. A race that Waterhouse used to dominate, her brave gelding ECUADOR fought hard in second, but was no match for Waller's swooper when it mattered.
Third-placed SONS OF JOHN was the other horse to follow from the race, a galloper that is reaching new heights every time he starts.
In the other races, SPEAK FONDLY and COMPLACENT showed determination to score close wins in the Craven Plate and Flight Stakes, while two young stars debuted in style in the first two-year-old races of the season.
Godolphin, and James McDonald, made it five wins on the day as MAGIC HURRICANE broke clear of the pack to win the mile and a half Metropolitan.
A full yard to the post review is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | +3 metres |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR (slightly off rails) |
Race 1 NEWGATE BREEDERS' PLATE
The Snowden's inflict Capital punishment
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capitalist | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Detective | Peter & Paul Snowden | Hugh Bowman | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Prized Icon | Kris Lees | Tye Angland | 9 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
CAPITALIST is a neat, smaller type and looked relaxed in the yard. DETECTIVE was green in his trial, however seemed nice and relaxed.
In The Running
SAMADOUBT and ONE STRYKE showed early speed to lead at a FAIR TEMPO leaving COHESION stuck three wide without cover. CAPITALIST raced keenly in midfield. PRIZED ICON and DETECTIVE were both slow to begin.
The Result
CAPITALIST (1st) simply strode past when they let down getting the better of DETECTIVE (2nd) who fought on from midfield. PRIZED ICON (3rd) got home well to grab a place as COHESION (4th) tired.
The Interest
The two-year-old season has only just commenced, and already we may have a new superstar on our hands. CAPITALIST was simply dominant, and couple have won by a greater margin. The Snowden stable scored the quinella, with DETECTIVE showing fight to the line, however no match for the winner. PRIZED ICON (ran on well) from back in the field and COHESION (stuck wide) both ran well in a race where the form should stack up. Follow the first four over the line.
Race 2 KEENELAND GIMCRACK STAKES
Scary moments for favourite backers
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calliope | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 9 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Jeanneau | Robert Smerdon | Blake Shinn | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Slumber Party | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tommy Berry | 4 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
CALLIOPE, DIVAJEU and PANDEIA are nice types. RATHER SWEET is not a 1000m type. CANDELA and SLUMBER PARTY looked powerful and heavier set. PANDEIA is a nice type with good muscle.
In The Running
CANDELA crossed to lead RATHER SWEET and ANGHARAD at a FAIR to STRONG TEMPO. ALLUVION was pushed wide on the turn with no cover. The favourite CALLIOPE missed the start by a couple of lengths and overraced in the middle stages. ROYAL ANGEL and SLUMBER PARTY were slow to begin.
The Result
CALLIOPE (1st) got to the outside and swept past them to win impressively from JEANNEAU (2nd) and SLUMBER PARTY (3rd) who ran on nearer the inside. TWIST TOPS (4th) finished off well wider out, racing a touch greenly.
The Interest
Another big win! CALLIOPE showed class and professionalism after missing the start, having to switch course dramatically and pick up late. A couple of other good runs from ALLUVION (hampered at the start. ran out at the 600m, and inconvenienced close to the line) and TWIST TOPS (still learning). JEANNEAU was solid behind a high quality filly. The time wasn't as fast as the boys though. Follow CALLIOPE, ALLUVION, TWIST TOPS and JEANNEAU. Forgive DESIRABLE MISS (distressed and displaying a poor post-race recovery)
Race 3 TAB DULCIFY QUALITY
From a maiden to an impressive Randwick win
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ambience | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 8 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Wudang Mountain | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 10 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Land's End | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
WUDANG MOUNTAIN and AMBIENCE are quality types; they looked well and can't knock. LAUCALA and MORE THAN FABULOUS are genuine chasers, may lack a turn of foot AMBIENCE is a strong, athletic type, paraded well.
In The Running
AMBIENCE jumped best and ridden more forward as advised and controlled a STEADY TEMPO. WUDANG MOUNTAIN crossed easily to sit outside lead with MORE THAN FABULOUS and LAND’S END in behind at a Steady tempo. SCHOPENHAUER overraced in the early and middle stages.
The Result
AMBIENCE (1st) cruised up and sprinted past WUDANG MOUNTAIN (2nd) and LAND’S END (3rd) who fought on a couple of lengths behind.
The Interest
AMBIENCE won a maiden with arrogance and showed great progression to win with ease. She is a nice, scopey athletic type that can go on with it now. The win brought up an early training and riding double for Godolphin and James McDonald. Be a bit cautious of the form as this wasn't a great renewal of the Carbine Club. Follow AMBIENCE.
Race 4 CANTERBURY BMW ROMAN CONSUL STAKES
Godolphin's brute excels again
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exosphere | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 3 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Zoutenant | Gary Portelli | Blake Shinn | 9 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Japonisme | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 11 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
All fine with EXOSPHERE in the yard after arriving late. JAPONISME and ZOUTENANT both looked a touch hot in the yard, types that may struggle at the end of 1200m. EXOSPHERE and TAKEDOWN are both big high quality horses. SPILL THE BEANS and YABOROO looked well, strong sprinters. WICKED INTENT is small and ready to sprint
In The Running
JAPONISME rolled to a clear lead and set a STRONG tempo, from WICKED INTENT, LE CHEF and TAKEDOWN just behind. EXOSPHERE was patiently ridden at the back. WICKED INTENT knuckled over on jumping away.
The Result
EXOSPHERE (1st) swept past then for a big win, from ZOUTENANT (2nd), who ran on from midfield. JAPONISME (3rd) just held off TAKEDOWN (4th) in the run home.
The Interest
He was short in the market and simply too good. The strong speed helping EXOSPHERE exert dominance. Much better from ZOUTENANT, who was patiently ridden this time. He's a horse that could be putting it all together now. JAPONISME (maybe 1100m better) and TAKEDOWN (maybe needs further now) did well too. Follow EXOSPHERE, ZOUTENANT and TAKEDOWN. Forgive COUNTERATTACK.
Race 5 G1X.COM.AU PREMIERE STAKES
Power and speed is all you need
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terravista | Joseph Pride | Hugh Bowman | 9 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Rebel Dane | Gary Portelli | Brenton Avdulla | 1 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | That's a Good Idea | Peter & Paul Snowden | Glyn Schofield | 8 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
HOT SNITZEL is a more athletic sprinter. Might lack the power of others. TERRAVISTA has a great power/turn-of-foot, ready to go. The elegant REBEL DANE should relish the genuine tempo.
In The Running
THAT’S A GOOD IDEA crossed to set a FAIR TEMPO from HOT SNITZEL and TIGER TEES. GENERALIFE raced wide without cover.
The Result
TERRAVISTA (1st) showed his turn-of-foot to burst through the gap defeating REBEL DANE (2nd) who came home hard. Early leader THAT’S A GOOD IDEA (3rd) stuck on ok while FAMOUS SEAMUS (4th) ran on late in a bunched finish.
The Interest
Champion sprinter TERRAVISTA was wound up with three trials, and that was enough fitness wise as he showed his customary powerful sprint to put these away half-way up the straight. He peaked on his run somewhat in the dying stages. However the damage had been done. REBEL DANE ran home well yet again and got close near the line, however was beaten by a more powerful horse on the day. THAT’S A GOOD IDEA kept rolling and was solid to the line. Follow TERRAVISTA.
Race 6 APN OUTDOOR CRAVEN PLATE
Godolphin pair stage a titanic battle down the straight
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Complacent | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 4 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Hauraki | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Joao Moreira | 3 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | I'm Imposing | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 6 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
FORETELLER and I'M IMPOSING are robust types, not suited by possible STEADY Tempo. HAURAKI is a nice, elegant type. Could be a danger to the stablemate. All is fine with COMPLACENT, a deserving favourite.
In The Running
CELTIC PRINCE quickly joined COMPLACENT in the lead and opened up a large break from mid-race, setting a STRONG tempo. GALLANTE faced the breeze acing one off the rail.
The Result
COMPLACENT (1st) quickly beat off CELTIC PRINCE, and then lifted last late when challenged by stablemate HAURAKI (2nd) in a titanic two horse war up the straight. I’M IMPOSING (3rd) enjoyed the tempo and ran into a place
The Interest
The Godolphin pair were simply a class above these as COMPACENT, after being left as a sitting duck, showed strength and determination on the line after being headed by HAURAKI. They cleared out from a decent field and are both genuine weight-for-age contenders. Follow COMPLACENT and HAURAKI. Forgive RULING DYNASTY (displayed a poor post-race recovery).
Race 7 THE STAR 150TH EPSOM
Waller's superstar mare shines
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winx | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 13 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Ecuador | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Glen Boss | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Sons of John | Jason Attard & Lucy Keegan-Attard | Jeff Penza | 15 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
The leaner and lighter LUCIA VALENTINA would prefer it wet. SONS OF JOHN and ECUADOR are both tough types, will give this a shake. WINX has length to frame, long strider.
In The Running
HOOKED jumped best, but ENTIRELY PLATINUM took over and ECUADOR worked forward on the outside. SONS OF JOHN was wide with no cover on the pace. WINX settled three wide with cover in midfield. MESSENE was slow to begin and pulled hard in the middle stages. KIRRAMOSA started an early run, trying to put WINX in a pocket and they bumped.
The Result
WINX (1st) found space and surged clear of the field out wide. ECUADOR (2nd) fought on and SONS OF JOHN (3rd) was brave to the line. MESSENE (4th) made good ground out wide.
The Interest
She had the most scope in the race, a mare so impressive in recent wins that we don't know how good she is. Where to next? Waller has all the choices in the world, apart from maybe the Cox Plate. The Valley isn't ideal for the big-striding swooper. SONS OF JOHN was the other good run in the race after getting stuck wide. His sharp upward spiral continues. Follow WINX and SONS OF JOHN. Forgive SWEYNESSE (speedy cut to the near-hind fetlock)
Race 8 COOLMORE FLIGHT STAKES
This Waterhouse filly has a big heart
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Speak Fondly | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tommy Berry | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Honesta | John Thompson | Tye Angland | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Perignon | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Hugh Bowman | 6 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
SPEAK FONDLY is built more like a 1200m horse, will she get the mile? HONESTA and PEARLS are both nice, efficient types that enjoyed a STRONG TEMPO last start. Will they get that again?
In The Running
PEARLS jumped best to lead SPEAK FONDLY at a FAIR TEMPO with LAUREN’S MAGIC and SEMPRE LIBERA enjoying a nice sit in behind.
The Result
SPEAK FONDLY (1st) enjoyed a nice run outside the lead and dug deep late to hold off the challenges of HONESTA (2nd) to her outside, and PERIGNON (3rd) to her inside.
The Interest
There were many questions asked of SPEAK FONDLY over the testing Randwick mile, and although she may not have seen it out strongly, she had the will to win when it counted. She is a tough type, and it's now onto the Coolmore Classic. HONESTA loomed large at the top of the straight and fought right to the line, as did PERIGNON. KIMBERLEY STAR and PEARLS both hooked wide on straightening and ran on well. FLAMBOYANT LASS felt the pinch late over the mile after setting the pace. Follow: the first six over the line were all solid runs.
Race 9 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS METROPOLITAN
Godolphin and James McDonald make it five for the day
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Hurricane | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 1 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Beaten Up | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 2 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Havana Cooler | James Cummings | Joao Moreira | 11 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
ALMOONQUITH and MAGIC HURRICANE are both strong stayers suited to the conditions. MAURUS was sweating up after colic issues.
In The Running
ORBEC led BONFIRE at a FAIR TEMPO with MAURUS and CHANCE TO DANCE . ALMOONQUITH was restrained early. GHOST PROTOCOL was slow to begin. BEYOND THANKFUL raced keenly in the early stages.
The Result
James Mc Donald sliced his way through aboard MAGIC HURRICANE (1st) as he darted back towards the inside, streaking clear from BEATEN UP (2nd)and HAVANA COOLER (3rd) which got through hard against the rail.
The Interest
Another race, another Godolphin winner, another great James McDonald ride, making it five for the day. An inside barrier helped MAGIC HURRICANE settle, and he put the race away quickly once he burst through at the 200m. BEATEN UP ranged up but may have found the weight take it's toll late after having every chance on a favoured drier surface. HAVANA COOLER picked up late along the rail, making plenty of ground. ALMOONQUITH started a wide run from the 600m and was strong late. Follow MAGIC HURRICANE and ALMOONQUITH.