Yard to the Post @ Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 21 November 2015
The popular jockey Jimmy Cassidy was farewelled at Rosehill Gardens today, most races were named in his honour and a presentation gave the crowd a chance to cheer one of their favourite sons. Whether it was striding along out in-front on Might And Power or finding a cheeky run up on the rails, he was always right at the top of the riding ranks in a career that lasted decades.
On the track, the highest rating race (1400m Schweppes Farewells Jimmy Cassidy Handicap) was taken out by GAMBLESTOWN (picture), who strode clear from perennial place-getter WINE TALES. An honest tempo set by the speedy ELOPING and a track that wasn't too firm ensured that his strong finishing surge counted late.
Other impressive performances came from Waterhouse's mare FESTIVITY, who showed them a clean pair of heels in Race 7, and the improving stayer JIAYUGUAN, John Thompson's import defying a steady tempo and storming home from last to win Race 1.
Jason Collett started the day with two early wins on two-year-old YANKEE ROSE (Race 2) and Waller's swooper TORGERSEN (Race 3) before James McDonald ended the day in style with FIFTYSHADESOFGREY (Race 8) and CAUTHEN'S POWER (Race 9).
The track itself was not as you would expect after the 40 degree heat on Friday, a soft cushioning under the surface from last week's rain remained and all 'types' of horses performed on the day. A very FAIR surface overall.
A full review from the yard to the post is shown below.
Track Info
| Rail | +6 metres |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 (not a firm track, some give) |
| Weather | OVERCAST / FINE |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 KIWI HANDICAP
A stayer starts to come of age
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jiayuguan | John Thompson | Tye Angland | 1 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Hudson County | Joe Cleary | Ms Jess Taylor | 6 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Quick Strike | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 4 | 61.0 |
In The Yard
QUICK STRIKE and DANJEU are nice types. JIAYUGUAN is leaner, might need tempo on. Most stayers looked well in the yard. JIAGUYUAN had a nice shine to coat.
In The Running
HUDSON COUNTY was urged to the lead with ZATOPAZ on his back, he controlled a STEADY tempo through the middle sections. QUICK STRIKE settled on the rails, JIAGUYUAN was a touch keen at times at the back.
The Result
HUDSON COUNTY (2nd) got rolling on the turn, but JIAGUYUAN (1st) came to the outside and just got there from the back. QUICK STRIKE (3rd) battled on OK to just grab a place. Time: 2:31.55 Last 600m: 0:35.63.
The Interest
JIAGUYUAN has really come on leaps and bounds in recent starts, she is a leaner type, but proved here that she has a turn-of-foot. Winning from the back at Rosehill Gardens off a STEADY tempo is no easy feat!. HUDSON COUNTY continues to race well, he had every chance to win though. EIGHT CARAT was completely outsprinted, looking very dour at the back. Follow JIAGUYUAN.
Race 2 JIMMY "THE PUMPER" CASSIDY GOLDEN GIFT
One tough filly beats the boys
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yankee Rose | David Vandyke | Jason Collett | 6 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Good Standing | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Julius Caesar | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 7 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
Nice two-year-olds. BRAVISSIMO is a nice, neat professional looking type. JERICHO also looked neat. There wasn’t much between them. JULIUS CAESAR is a nice type. GOOD STANDING solid with some improvement to come.
In The Running
A nice even line, GOOD STANDING getting to the lead from PITTSBURGH, setting a FAIR tempo. YANKEE ROSE and TIME AND CHANCE got back. TIME AND CHANCE tracked up into the race on the turn before coming wider.
The Result
GOOD STANDING (2nd) kept going strongly, but was just a bit wayward late as YANKEE ROSE (1st) surged home. JULIUS CAESAR (3rd) stuck on strongly behind them. Time: 1:04.23 Last 600m: 0:34.19.
The Interest
She's got an irresistible finishing surge and the toughness of a horse twice her age, YANKEE ROSE is a filly 'straight out of the box'. Trainer David Vandyke has ear-marked the Slipper and/or Champagne Stakes for her in the Autumn. All others had their chance, one of the favourites BRAVISSIMO (beaten 17.3 lengths) displayed a poor post-race recovery after the event. GOOD STANDING was brave in the lead, there's no reason why he can't improve also. Follow YANKEE ROSE and GOOD STANDING.
Race 3 MIGHT AND POWER HANDICAP
A textbook Jimmy Cassidy ride
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Torgersen | Michael Jones | Jason Collett | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Perfect Dare | Matthew Dunn | Regan Bayliss | 2 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Feast for Eyes | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 1 | 60.0 |
In The Yard
WE’RE SURE is a compact type and looked good again. Lots of others looked well, including TORGERSEN, MOST EXALTED and PERFECT DARE. HAMISH LAD was a touch hot.
In The Running
FEAST FOR EYES and PERFECT DARE jumped to the lead together. HAMISH LAD was urged into a spot behind. The leader strode along and set an honest FAIR tempo, going for home early on the turn. MOST EXALTED was slow to begin and got well back.
The Result
PERFECT DARE (2nd) gradually wore down FEAST FOR EYES (3rd), but TORGERSEN (1st) found space up the inside and surged through late from the back. There was a big bunch of horses in the finish., 2.9 lengths between 1st and 6th. Time: 1:23.72 Last 600m: 0:35.18.
The Interest
On a day to tribute Jimmy Cassidy, Jason Collett won this race with a ride his fellow Kiwi would have been proud of. TORGERSEN never went around a runner carrying 59kg, which made the difference in a bunched finish. He's a horse that can progress over longer distances now too. The runner-up had 5.5 kg less than him after the claim so had his chance, although he was left with no cover chasing as FEAST FOR EYES put the pressure on. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 4 TAB ROSS CRIBB OBE TRIBUTE HIGHWAY HANDICAP
A country star makes it four from four
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bitburg | Matthew Dale | Jay Ford | 6 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Unknown Destiny | Stephen Jones | Kerrin McEvoy | 14 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Danish Lace | Peter Nestor | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 7 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
NIGHTS ON FIRE and DANISH LACE both looked very well in the yard with power to sprint. No knock OCEAN GRAND, BITBURG, ANDSOITISWRITTEN and NOBLE JOEY, all ready to go.
In The Running
CAPTAIN SHAZAM went to the lead from BUITBURG and set an honest FAIR tempo. DANISH LACE was on their back. NOBLE JOEY was stuck wide with no cover. NIGHTS ON FIRE was slow to begin. OCEAN GRAND was squeezed up near the back mid-race, interfering with NIGHTS ON FIRE (lost many lengths) in the process. ANDSOITISWRITTEN tracked up very wide.
The Result
BITBURG (1st) moved up and kept fighting on to hold off UNKOWN DESTINY (2nd) who swept down the outside and DANISH LACE (3rd). ANDSOITISWRITTEN (4th) ran on out widest on the track.
The Interest
He's still unbeaten, BITBURG is a horse to follow through the Championship series next Autumn. Of the others, NOBLE JOEY (5th) was brave once again, he's had excuses in both of his runs this preparation, they might have another crack at one of this Highway Handicaps again - he deserves one! ANDSOITISWRITTEN also impressed after taking a very wide course, she shone in the yard after a 6 week freshen-up, a 6yo mare still relishing her racing. NIGHTS ON FIRE and OCEAN GRAND had no luck. Follow BITBURG. Forgive NOBLE JOEY, ANDSOITISWRITTEN, NIGHTS ON FIRE and OCEAN GRAND.
Race 5 ASCEND SALES TROPHIES HANDICAP
A magic finishing burst to win
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sebrina | Bjorn Baker | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Gambler's Blues | Tim Martin | Ms Winona Costin | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Dance of Heroes | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 12 | 61.5 |
In The Yard
DANCE OF HEROES looked well again, as did BROGUE, both quite muscular. SEBRINA and SONG AND LAUGHTER are nice athletic types, no real knocks.
In The Running
SOND AND LAUGHTER pressed on from a wider barrier to lead, from DANCE OF HEROES, who came across with her. WHITE DOVE took the box seat and an honest rolling FAIR tempo was set-up.
The Result
DANCE OF HEROES (3rd) took the lead, but SEBRINA (1st) came down the outside and surged to the front with GAMBER'S BLUES (2nd), who just missed out.
The Interest
She's the one with scope to progress, SEBRINA enjoyed a track that wasn't too firm (despite the GOOD 3 rating) and the honest tempo set up front. She's also starting to find full fitness, so there could be more to come this preparation. GAMBER'S BLUES had been well-backed from massive odds and enjoyed the very light weight, getting 6.5kg off the winner, while DANCE OF HEROES was very brave with 61.5kg. AWARD SEASON produced an eye-catcher too, warming up for 5th after not racing since 9th March 2013! Follow SEBRINA (in the right conditions) and AWARD SEASON.
Race 6 SCHWEPPES FAREWELLS JIMMY CASSIDY HANDICAP
Jo Pride has this gelding flying
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gamblestown | Joseph Pride | Sam Clipperton | 1 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Wine Tales | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 4 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Better Not Blue | Michelle Ritchie | Ms Jess Taylor | 9 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
GOD’S IN HIM, MEDCAUT and WINE TALES looked powerful and well. BETTER NOT BLUE had a nice shine to coat and looked very fit – however, can over-race.
In The Running
ELOPING showed the most early speed to lead MEDCAUT with HIGH ESTEEM out wider and PERFECT WEAPON in the box seat. GAMBLESTOWN settled OK back on the rails, a horse that can resent being inside runners. BETTER NOT BLUE over-raced at times out the back. MEDCAUT started to tire in front of GOD’S IN HIM behind him.
The Result
GAMBLESTOWN (1st) surged up the inside to win by a big margin, from WINE TALES (2nd) who ran on up the inside and BETTER NOT BLUE (3rd), who made his dash down the outside. GOD'S IN HIM (4th) was close up.
The Interest
GAMBLESTOWN is racing in rare form for Jo Pride, a horse that can produce a strong finishing surge off an honest tempo, which he did here again. Pride was concerned about the inside barrier as he can struggle in tight spots, but there was no signs off issues there. WINE TALES did what she does, while GOD'S IN HIM got no favours from the very disappointing MEDCAUT (no vet issues found). BETTER NOT BLUE has huge talent if he can put it all together one day. Follow GAMBLESTOWN, GOD'S IN HIM and BETTER NOT BLUE.
Race 7 THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS NSW HANDICAP
Gai gets punters in the Festive spirit
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Festivity | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Koby Jennings | 14 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | La Speciale | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Sam Clipperton | 8 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Cat's Wish | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Mitchell Bell | 11 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
A big even mares race; most looked well, including MAGIC OF DREAMS, FESTIVITY, UNEQUIVOCAL and HARLEM LADY. ALL SALSA and HARLEM LADY ok, but only smaller types.
In The Running
FESTIVITY came across to lead, causing some slight interference to horses behind, controlling a FAIR tempo. WITHOUT A SHADOW as stuck wide with no cover. ALL CERISE was a touch slow.
The Result
FESTIVITY (1st) cruised into the straight and dashed clear for an easy win from LA SPECIALE (2nd) and CAT'S WISH (3rd) , who were just in-front of a pack. Time: 1:23.12 Last 600m: 0:34.71.
The Interest
She was too good, way too good! FESTIVITY had the scope to simply be better than these, a mare that can quicken to win her races from the lead. Koby received a three meeting suspension for his early (slight) interference to MAGIC OF DREAMS, ALL SALSA and RAFFINATO. There was a clump of mares in behind the winner, ALL CERISE (6th) not having much luck from the back, but it might pay to follow the more progressive types. LA SPECIALE clearly has talent and found the line well. Follow FESTIVITY and LA SPECIALE.
Race 8 CHRIS WALLER RACING FAREWELLS JIM CASSIDY HANDICAP
Race fitness pays dividends in a testing sprint
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fiftyshadesofgrey | Marc Conners | James McDonald | 6 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Palazzo Pubblico | Matthew Smith | Jay Ford | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Freeze the Charges | Jason Coyle | Ms Jess Taylor | 7 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
Classy first-uppers all looked ok – LORD LEOFRIC, LE CORDON BLEU, HUKA EAGLE and SPORTS EDITION. MR ENTERTAINER and PALAZZO PUBBLICO also in good shape at longer odds.
In The Running
FREEZE THE CHARGES burnt to the lead from SPORTS EDITION, setting a STRONG tempo. James McDonald managed to get FIFTYSHADESOFGREY closer to the pace in midfield.
The Result
FREEZE THE CHARGES (3rd) had a big break early in the straight, but the mares PALAZZO PUBLICO (2nd) and FIFTYSHADESOFGREY (1st) ran on to just grab her late in a close finish.
The Interest
The three mares too tough for the boys here. Some of the talented colts and geldings were fresh into their campaigns, the tactics from Jess Taylor on FREEZE THE CHARGES could have brought them unstuck without race fitness. James McDonald got the very best out of the winner, while PALAZZO PUBLICO relished a dry track. Don't be too harsh on HUKA EAGLE (10th), he'll be better dominating a 1400m race from up on the pace and didn't find much room in this. LE CORDON BLEU (4th) did enough first-up. Follow LE CORDON BLEU and HUKA EAGLE later in their campaigns.
Race 9 ATC FAREWELLS JIMMY CASSIDY HANDICAP
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cauthen's Power | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 16 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Heavens Above | Tim Martin | Ms Winona Costin | 8 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Mary Lou | Anthony Cummings | Joshua Parr | 5 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
SIEGFRIED, BINARY, HEAVENS ABOVE, CAUTHEN'S POWER and SURFIN' SAFARI all looked well, no knock MARY LOU either. CAPED CRUSADER looked ok, just a bit hot. THERMOGENIC 90% fit.
In The Running
No video replay available as at Sunday 9am.