Yard to the Post @ Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 24 October 2015
Royal Randwick went through the motions today, a lesser meeting after the highlights of the Spring Carnival just a couple of weeks ago. Most race goers were glued to the screens watching all the action from Moonee Valley, including the stunning victory by Sydney trained WINX.
The highest rating race of the day, the Filante Hadnicap over 1,600 metres, was taken out by Waterhouse's FRESPANOL (picture). It was a much needed Sydney Saturday win for the Lady of racing, the first since her filly SPEAK FONDLY won the Group One Flight Stakes three weeks ago.
Jockey Thomas Huet put some early pressure on the favourite FOREIGN PRINCE and slogged it out best in the finish of a strongly run race. Jo Pride's ROCK STURDY carried a big weight and was brave to the line in second, a horse to follow in the future.
In other races, the Hawkes stable scored with two-year-old STAR TURN and improving three-year-old SECRET PROPHET, while MR MANHATTAN (Race 7), ZAYAM (Race 8) and ROCKOLICIOUS (Race 9) all made it back-to-back wins.
A full yard-to-the-post review is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | SOFT 5 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | OFF RAILS |
Race 1 MEN OF LEAGUE CORPORATE MEMBERS HANDICAP
The favourite only just bold enough
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bold Circle | David Payne | Jason Collett | 4 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Excited Prince | Jason Coyle | Ms Winona Costin | 5 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Figtree | Gwenda Markwell | Tommy Berry | 7 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
TIMELESS PRINCE looked leaner, much better SOFT track. BOLD CIRCLE is a neat type, looked well, but doesn't have a big turn-of-foot like most others in the race. FIGTREE is a big striding type, looked well, needs to prove Randwick is OK.
In The Running
LAMPEDUSA led from FIGTREE and TIMELESS PRINCE, setting a STEADY tempo early before quickening slightly towards the turn.
The Result
FIGTREE (3rd) balanced up and moved to the lead, but BOLD CIRCLE (1st) ran on best down the outside with EXCITED PRINCE (2nd).
The Interest
Not much of a race. Only five horses and the big-striding FIGTREE doesn't seem to love Randwick. BOLD CIRCLE and EXCITED PRINCE got to better ground and hit the line well. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 2 THE SIMPLICITY FUNERALS PIERRO PLATE
Hawkes and Berry star again
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Star Turn | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Medaille | James Cummings | Tim Clark | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Chipanda | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Sam Clipperton | 1 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
CHIPANDA is a nice type, keen, but OK out on the track. MEDAILLE is a solid filly, quite gross though, not 100% fit.
In The Running
CHIPANDA moved up on the inside with some pressure coming from STAR TURN mid-race. A FAIR tempo was set up. STAR TURN and CHIPANDA both edged off the rails coming into the straight.
The Result
STAR TURN (1st) cruised up and strode clear, putting a gap on MEDAILLE (2nd), who stuck on. CHIPANDA (3rd) peaked on her run.
The Interest
STAR TURN was much more GENUINE/PRO this time after making mistakes on debut. He's had one shaky trial, a good trial, a shaky race and now a good race too... What next!? Both MEDAILLE (can improve) and CHIPANDA (keen on the day) have talent, but were no match today. Follow STAR TURN.
Race 3 THE LAKEMBA CLUB FILANTE HANDICAP
Gai gets a much needed win
strong tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frespanol | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Thomas Huet | 7 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Rock Sturdy | Joseph Pride | Travis Wolfgram | 5 | 62.0 | |
| 3 | Casino Dancer | Mike Van Gestel | Ms Winona Costin | 4 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
Interesting race; FRESPANOL looked fit and tough, FOREIGN PRINCE looked well and WINE TALES has power/turn-of-foot. No knock ROCK STURDY (big and strong) and CASINO DANCER (always tries).
In The Running
FOREIGN PRINCE strode to the lead and had some pressure from FRESPANOL, setting a STRONG tempo overall. ROCK STURDY was stuck wide and WINE TALES went back. FOREIGN PRINCE never quite settled under the young apprentice rider.
The Result
FRESPANOL (1st) drove to the lead out wider, from ROCK STURDY (2nd), who maintained a solid effort. CASINO DANCER (3rd) was good to the line late to beat home the pack.
The Interest
Three horses were well backed and FRESPANOL simply proved too tough in ideal conditions. You could see FOREIGN PRINCE never found his rhythm under the riding of Jess Taylor, she has gone a touch keen on him before. As for WINE TALES, she doesn't stay an honest mile. Dry track 1400m to 1500m for her only. Follow FRESPANOL.
Race 4 ROAD TECH MARINE HANDICAP
Happy times for a horse on the rise
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Happy Clapper | Patrick Webster | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Ryker | Peter & Paul Snowden | Ms Winona Costin | 8 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Ziggy Willie | David Pfieffer | Thomas Huet | 2 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
HAPPY CLAPPER had only a small mark from an earlier fall, nice strong type, fitness not too bad. ZIGGY WILLIE's coat suggested he is ready to run a good first-up race. DREAM CHOICE looked strong and well again, the only genuine 1200m sprinter in the race.
In The Running
KASIANO LAD jumped nicely and despite not wanting to lead, easily came across and set a STEADY tempo, with RYKER on his outside. DREAM CHOICE was slowish out and got stuck wide.
The Result
RYKER (2nd) moved up and fought on, but HAPPY CLAPPER (1st) cruised up out wider and finished too well late. ZIGGY WILLIE (3rd) stuck on nearer the inside and unfortunately KASIANO LAD broke down in the run home.
The Interest
Such a shame that the tough KASIANO LAD broke down, a great horse that was only just starting to find his best. He was battling on for 3rd or 4th when it happened. Both RYKER (new trainer) and HAPPY CLAPPER are horses that can perform up to a good standard, especially HAPPY CLAPPER, who can become a serious miler. ZIGGY WILLIE did enough first-up. Follow HAPPY CLAPPER.
Race 5 TAB BILL RUTLEDGE TRIBUTE HIGHWAY HANDICAP
The Bull edges out young Joey
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bulls 'n' Bears | Cody Morgan | Ms Samantha Clenton | 5 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Noble Joey | Robert & Luke Price | Ms Winona Costin | 7 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | City Boots | Todd Smart | Brodie Loy | 10 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
BULLS 'N' BEARS had a nice shine to coat, first-upper URBAN KNIGHT looked ready/strong. LIGHTHOUSE looked fit and well, CITY BOOTS and UNKNOWN DESTINY ready, the latter not big power. The favourite NOBLE JOEY neat and no-frills, looked OK
In The Running
NOBLE JOEY sped to the lead from URBAN KNIGHT and BULLS 'N' BEARS had the drop on them, getting the perfect trail. CHARGE OF LIGHT and LUNAR DE HERO showed no speed. CITY BOOTS jumped well, but was restrained and got stuck wide in midfield.
The Result
NOBLE JOEY (2nd) was a touch wayward, but fought very bravely, just losing out to BULLS 'N' BEARS (1st), who chased well. CITY BOOTS (3rd) ran on down the outside.
The Interest
You'd have to say NOBLE JOEY was unlucky. He got softened up a touch and the winner had the gun run. All credit to Cody Morgan though down from Tamworth, getting his biggest ever win! CITY BOOTS also did a great job first-up after getting stuck wide, but that's often her best run in the campaign. Follow NOBLE JOEY.
Race 6 SYDNEY MARKETS HANDICAP
A Hawkes stable plunge hits the mark
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Secret Prophet | Darren Weir | Tommy Berry | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Cartier Rock | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Hand From Above | Kim Waugh | Ms Winona Costin | 3 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
CARTIER ROCK looked more powerful than the rest, but can she stay 1400m SOFT ground? Most others looked well, including the top weight WUDANG MOUNTAIN, who has had a longer prep.
In The Running
EAGLE STRYKE strode to the lead from SECRET PROPHET, HAND FROM ABOVE and CARTIER ROCK. A STEADY to FAIR tempo was set up, which resulted in WUDANG MOUNTAIN over-racing getting on heels and causing interference to most of the others. COCKLES whipped up wide mid-race after copping a bump.
The Result
SECRET PROPHET (1st) quickened best from on the pace, beating home CARTIER ROCK (2nd), who also sprinted up a couple of lengths behind. HAND FROM ABOVE (3rd) battled on nearer the inside.
The Interest
A messy race, WUDANG MOUNTAIN not himself today, he gave half the field a check mid-race. The STEADY tempo was perfect for SECRET PROPHET and CARTIER ROCK, but SECRET PROPHET did put a margin on them - some money in the ring suggested the Hawkes boys were keen. HAND FROM ABOVE is tough, consistent and didn't enjoy the tempo or bias (stuck to inside, better ground was wider). Follow SECRET PROPHET. Forgive HAND FROM ABOVE, WUDANG MOUNTAIN and MORE THAN FABULOUS.
Race 7 CANTERBURY LEAGUE CLUB HANDICAP
Pride power takes another sprint race
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mr Manhattan | Joseph Pride | Joshua Parr | 10 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Orujo | Shawn Mathrick | Sam Clipperton | 3 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Eminent Duke | Jan Bowen | Ms Winona Costin | 9 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
LONDEHERO travelled down ok, looked solid and can run on. HOT HIT is strong, athletic and looked well, but drawn the inside. EMINENT DUKE has good power and can sustain a wide run
In The Running
MR MANHATTAN jumped well, but was restrained back wider with cover. EMINENT DUKE pushed on out wide to take up the lead. FLORAL INSIGHT was a bit wide on the pace and QUIETLY BRILLIANT was right up there, but started to give ground on the turn. A STRONG tempo was set up.
The Result
MR MANHATTAN (1st) came wider and ran on best, from ORUJO (2nd) who fought on from in the pack. EMINENT DUKE (3rd) stuck on solidly after going fast. I CAN ROCK (4th) didn't find much room and hit the line late.
The Interest
The best four runs were from the first four across the line, but EMINENT DUKE (worked to lead, went quickly) and I CAN ROCK (blocked for run) could count themselves a touch unlucky. ORUJO can be unreliable so he's hard to follow. Maybe stick to the other three, the winner is a better horse ridden more quietly, another good sprinter for the Pride stable. Follow MR MANHATTAN, EMINENT DUKE and I CAN ROCK. Forgive EMINENT DUKE and I CAN ROCK.
Race 8 JAYCAR ELECTRONICS HANDICAP
Ford drives the leader home
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zayam | Matthew Smith | Jay Ford | 7 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Sabkhat | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Sam Clipperton | 9 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Scherzoso | Aaron Purcell | Tommy Berry | 5 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
SABKHAT and HERNE'S OAK both looked well, nice scope to frame. SABKHAT a touch one-paced. ZABOSS is neat and genuine, a consistent type. SCHERZOSO looked solid, robust, still nice and fit with a shine to his coat.
In The Running
ZAYAM took up the running at a STEADY tempo, with SABKHAT striding up on his outside. HERNE'S OAK (slightly keen) and ZABOSS were just behind them.
The Result
ZAYAM (1st) and SABKHAT (2nd) settled down to fight it out in the straight, breaking clear of SCHERZOSO (3rd), who made some ground, but was well beaten.
The Interest
ZAYAM is a lovely type of horse, he's just been a touch unreliable lately, but he's clearly got talent on his day. The big-striding (and slightly one-paced) SABKHAT missed by a nostril. HERNE'S OAK was disappointing back on the inside in the worst ground, he would have preferred drier ground and a more honest tempo too. Don't be too harsh on SCHERZOSO and SOVIET COURAGE, who chased home OK. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 9 ICAP HANDICAP
Waller magic strikes again
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rockolicious | Darren Weir | Rory Hutchings | 5 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Danish Twist | Kris Lees | Ms Samantha Clenton | 9 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Zin Zan Elsie | Matthew Smith | Jay Ford | 4 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
Big field of mares and lots suited to Randwick, including ROCKOLICIOUS, DANISH TWIST, SEBRINA, OXFORD HEART, THE SPECIAL TWO, LIKE XENA and HARLEM LADY. A lottery!
In The Running
ALL CERISE strode through and led, setting a FAIR to STEADY tempo. ROCKOLICIOUS moved up on her outside, while DANISH TWIST was a touch keen out wider. HARLEM LADY was also keen out wide. SEBRINA was a touch slow and racing keenly in-between horses.
The Result
ROCKOLICIOUS (1st) edged wider and maintained a strong run, beating home DANISH TWIST (2nd). ZIN ZAN ELSIE (3rd) fought on nearer the inside from the pack, who finished in a bunch. There was only 0.8 lengths between 4th and 11th.
The Interest
A good time was run here on the drying track so expect the form to stake up. ROCKOLICIOUS and DANISH TWIST are both mares to follow in the future. HARLEM LADY and SEBRINA did enough to suggest next start over 1600m would suit nicely, while the leggy and athletic ALL CERISE is in-form, but doesn't appreciate Randwick. Keep an eye on her at Rosehill soon. Follow ROCKOLICIOUS, DANISH TWIST, HARLEM LADY (up to 1600m) and SEBRINA (up to 1600m).