Yard to the Post @ Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 28 November 2015
Rosehill Gardens backed up for the third week in a row and a perfect racing surface was presented, giving every horse their chance under overcast skies.
In the feature Listed Sky Thoroughbred Central Festival Stakes, Central Coast battler MIGHTY LUCKY finally put it all together to score a narrow victory. The Fred Cowell trained galloper is always ridden by provincial jockey Nathan Thomas, who diligently comes to town every time the horse runs.
The long drive down the highway for one ride all seemed worth it when he dived late to beat Godolphin's classy IT'S SOMEWHAT and the tough mare PEACE FORCE.
In other races, Godolphin filly GHISONI showed how good she is in Race 3, surging clear of the field late to make it two wins from as many starts. A very athletic daughter of Lonhro, she could have the scope to progress and become a Group level miler.
Other impressive performances came from TELEPATHIC and DUBLIN LASS, who won the other two Listed races over 2,000 metres and 1,100 metres respectively.
A full review from the yard to the post is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | OVERCAST |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH PLATE
Race experience pays dividends
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafha's Choice | Helen Burns | Blake Shinn | 4 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Attention | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tye Angland | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Taj Mahal | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
TAJ MAHAL looked the fittest and best in the yard. ATTENTION looked well, has strength. SINOPIA looked neat and speedy. No knock raced horses.
In The Running
RAFHA'S CHOICE came across to lead GENETEAU, who over-raced as he was crossed. LUCIENNE strode up outside the leader. TAJ MAHAL was slow out and a touch keen at the back. ATTENTION was pushed wider on the turn as the sprint went on. Overall it was a STEADY tempo.
The Result
RAFHA'S CHOICE (1st) was challenged by ATTENTION (2nd), who ran on well, but he kept lifting to win. TAJ MAHAL (3rd) ran on well down the outside.
The Interest
RAFHA'S CHOICE had one win from one start coming into the race, one of only two 2yos with experience and it paid off as he dug in for the fight over the closing stages. The margin the top three put on the rest off a STEADY tempo suggests they are clearly the class runners. SINOPIA didn't impress at all, shaping as a speedy short-course type that needs to develop, although a post-race veterinary examination revealed a wound to the near-fore cannon region. Follow RAFHA'S CHOICE, ATTENTION and TAJ MAHAL.
Race 2 TYREEL STUD ATC CUP
Waller's mare makes the punters cheer
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Telepathic | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Lucky Lucky Lucky | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Jason Collett | 7 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Vilanova | Simon Ryan | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
TELEPATHIC is muscular, looked well and best sprint. BRING LUCK looked neat and tough, no knock others, including big eight-year-old GRAND ALLOWANCE.
In The Running
GRAND ALLOWANCE jumped best and took the box seat as VILANOVA strode forward. LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY pushed forward to sit outside the leader, as per the riding announcement. TELEPATHIC settled nicely back in the field. BRING LUCK was slow out and missed the start a few lengths. The tempo was OK early, but steadied mid-race.
The Result
TELEPATHIC (1st) sprinted past VILANOVA (3rd) and LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY (2nd) for a soft win. BEST CASE (4th) just battled on out wider. Time: 2:03.48 (600 / 34.67).
The Interest
TELEPATHIC was simply too good, sprinting past the leaders who had an easy time up front. She didn't run right through the line though so a higher grade 2000m race might not be ideal. Not much else to mention apart from BRING LUCK's slow beginning, which along with the tempo gave him absolutely no chance. Follow TELEPATHIC.
Race 3 WATAGAN GRANGE HANDICAP
All class from Godolphin
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ghisoni | James Cummings | James McDonald | 2 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Stoker | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Tye Angland | 1 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Lady Sniper | Bjorn Baker | Jason Collett | 6 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
STRIKE FORCE is compact, looked well and stood out with GHISONI, a classy filly. SKYCLAD is a nice type, fit enough. No knock any though, a good race.
In The Running
One-pacer LADY SNIPER missed the start clearly, so SKYCLAD took advantage and strode to the lead. STRIKE FORCE worked up outside the leader with the favourite GHISONI on his back and STOKER in the box seat. MISS LIFFEY was trapped wide. SACRED SURFER was pushed along at the back. SKYCLAD cornered poorly and pushed the pack wider, leaving the inside for LADY SNIPER.
The Result
GHISONI (1st) surged clear late for a dominant win, beating home STOKER (2nd), who fought on, and LADY SNIPER (3rd) up the inside. Time: 1:10.86 (600 / 34.76).
The Interest
GHISONI has real athleticism about her and was always going to be too strong late once she was in touch on the turn. A classy galloper that will only get better over 1400m+. Some bad luck at the start for LADY SNIPER almost matched by the good luck she got when the pack went wider on the turn thanks to SKYCLAD's wayward ways. MISS LIFFEY knocked up after having no luck. Follow GHISONI.
Race 4 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
A late dart takes the Country Jackpot
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Jackpot | Matthew Dale | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Grand Proposal | Neville Layt | Ms Jess Taylor | 16 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Ashjata | Danny Williams | Thomas Huet | 6 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
VAN HALEN and THE BIG RIG looked strong and well. ROYAL JACKPOT, ASHJATA, AXION and ECCITARE (tall) looked very fit. HIGH OPINION is robust and solid, GRAND PROPOSAL and DASHIE DE LUXE are leaner, dry Rosehill not ideal unless there is a strong tempo.
In The Running
A good line out to begin. THE BIG RIG pushed forward to take up the running from AXION on his outside. GRAND PROPOSAL snuck across from a wide draw into the box seat. ECCITARE was stuck very wide with no cover. DASHIE DE LUXE restrained to the back. BANK ON HENRY and DASHIE DE LUXE were blocked for a run early in the straight out wide.
The Result
ROYAL JACKPOT (1st) surged through the middle of the pack late to beat ASHJATA and GRAND PROPOSAL, with a blanket finish just behind those.
The Interest
What a lottery! Just about any of these horses could win if they ran the race again. BANK ON HENRY had awful luck out wider, he should have been one of the ten horses in the finish. GRAND PROPOSAL is flying at the moment and could win a decent city benchmark race on a SOFT track, let alone these Country Class 3 races. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 5 THE HQ OF INSURANCE STARLIGHT STAKES
The mares out-speed the boys
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dublin Lass | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Freeze the Charges | Jason Coyle | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Howmuchdoyouloveme | Con Karakatsanis | Ms Samantha Clenton | 4 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
All horses looked well for the sprint. THAT'S A GOOD IDEA and HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME both looked big and strong. HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME looked a touch hot as always. DUBLIN LASS is classy, CRADLE ME looked fit enough, a nuggety type.
In The Running
FREEZE THE CHARGES sped to the lead and went quickly, setting a task for THAT'S A GOOD IDEA who was always under pressure chasing. DUBLIN LASS travelled nicely on the inside and FIFTTYSHADESOFGREY was hustled to midfield.
The Result
DUBLIN LASS (1st) snuck up the inside and ran on past the speedy leader FREEZE THE CHARGES (2nd). HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME (3rd) and FIFTYSHADESOFGREY (4th) both ran on.
The Interest
The fit mare on the back-up FREEZE THE CHARGES took THAT'S A GOOD IDEA way out of his comfort zone. He's a big roller that does find 1100m a touch sharp when it's run like this. Looking at DUBLIN LASS in Flemington (and over the Brisbane carnival), the key was that she settles so well off a strong tempo, which she did here again. There wasn't much between them at the finish though. FREEZE THE CHARGS and FIFTYSHADESOFGREY both ran way out of their Handicap, their benchmark ratings will pay for brave Listed placings. Follow DUBLIN LASS.
Race 6 GOLDNERS HORSE TRANSPORT HANDICAP
Zelady dominates the mares
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Am Zelady | Phillip Stokes | Tim Clark | 13 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Slots | Grant Marshall | Mr Lester Grace | 7 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Holy Delusions | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 10 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
Interesting race, a very even group of mares. Fresh horses SAVOUREUX and IN A WINK looked well, but most others did too. TYPHOON JOLIE perhaps wants 1400m? Touch more athletic.
In The Running
I AM ZELADY jumped well this time, but was restrained out wide with no cover. MISS TENPINS worked forward to lead from HEBDEN in the box seat and PALAZZO PUBLICO, who was inside I AM ZELADY. HOLY DELUSIONS got back. ELLE LOU and HOLY DELUSIONS went for the same run out wider. It was a STRONG tempo overall.
The Result
I AM ZELADY (1st) simply swept past them in a dominant display, from SLOTS (2nd), who ran on well. HOLY DELUSIONS (3rd) and ELLE LOU (4th) ran on too. Time: 1:10.50 (600 / 35.20)
The Interest
She was simply too good down on the low weight despite being ridden poorly (for the second time in a row!). At least this time it didn't cost her the race, I AM ZELADY's dominance suggests she could have won with 60kg. SLOTS, HOLY DELUSIONS (in season) and ELLE LOU were all solid, the latter a talented type that can improve up in distance this campaign, along with ABOHAR (5th). Follow I AM ZELADY, ELLE LOU and ABOHAR.
Race 7 BEDFORD CA HANDICAP
Happy all the way to the Villiers
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Happy Clapper | Patrick Webster | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Final Decision | Jason Coyle | Tim Clark | 4 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Role Model | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Jason Collett | 13 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
HAPPY CLAPPER is a nice type, just looked a bit hot. THE RUMOUR FILE is only small, needs further? ELECTRIFYIN' better for the Waller stable. ROLE MODEL and LOFIEL are tough mares, FIGTREE and FINAL DECISION also looked well, they have scope.
In The Running
THE NEW BOY went to the lead, but was soon challenged by LOFIEL on his outside and the two tore away from HIGH ESTEEM at a very STRONG tempo. RYKER led the pack chasing, with ROLE MODEL stuck wide on his outside. HAPPY CLAPPER moved up behind ROLE MODEL approaching the turn.
The Result
HAPPY CLAPPER (1st) peeled out wider and surged home to win, from FINAL DECISION (2nd) making a run up the inside from the back in a very close finish. They were clear of ROLE MODEL (3rd) and RYKER (4th).
The Interest
Lots of interest here, the odds started to drift quickly for HAPPY CLAPPER once he sweated up in the yard, but he did the job in style carrying 60.5kg to victory in the most testing of races. He's off to the Villiers now at Randwick. Jess Taylor was desperate to lead on LOFIEL (10th) and made it very hard for THE NEW BOY, who was brave sticking on in 5th. As for ROLE MODEL, you just don't find mares much tougher! She's like Sweet Idea, just a few lengths slower. RYKER surprised sticking on well for new trainer Snowden (more stamina this prep) and Tim Clark gave FINAL DECISION the perfect ride. Follow HAPPY CLAPPER. Forgive ROLE MODEL and THE NEW BOY.
Race 8 SKY THOROUGHBRED CENTRAL FESTIVAL STAKES
Some luck for the Central Coast battler
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mighty Lucky | Ken Parker | Nathan Thomas | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | It's Somewhat | James Cummings | James McDonald | 4 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Peace Force | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Kerrin McEvoy | 14 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
Nice horses, FRESPANOL looked fit and well, prefers tempo on. IT'S SOMEWHAT was ready to go. Mares TINTO and ZANBAGH both paraded nicely. I'M IMPOSING and TINTO one-paced and need tempo on upfront. RED EXCITEMENT looked a touch hot, ears back too.
In The Running
NEVAGOTAVOTE moved up to lead and PEACE FORCE worked up out wider to settle outside him. HEART TESTA, IT'S SOMEWHAT, NINTH LEGION and MIGHTY LUCKY were just behind them. A FAIR tempo was set up, without too much pressure.
The Result
PEACE FORCE (3rd) moved up, but was quickly joined by IT'S SOMEWHAT (2nd) and MIGHTY LUCKY (1st) who just got the better of them late. ZANBAGH (4th) made up many lengths late.
The Interest
Well, the money came for FRESPANOL, which was risky given he's a galloper that's only ever won at Rosehill off a STRONG tempo. They sprinted home in 34.88 in this and he was left grinding away. The same couldn't be said for ZANBAGH, who is absolutely flying for new trainer John Thompson. Don't rule her out of the Villiers or even Championships races on what we've see so far. The story of the race was MIGHTY LUCKY though, finally winning since May 2014 and almost 20 starts in between. He and PEACE FORCE enjoyed the minimum weight, while IT"S SOMEWHAT was good carrying 59kg. Follow ZANBAGH.
Race 9 RANVET HANDICAP
Blake Shinn makes his move late
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Got the Goss | Gratz Vella | Blake Shinn | 2 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Turbulent Jet | Lee & Cherie Curtis | Christian Reith | 1 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Mohave | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 7 | 59.5 |
In The Yard
Nice types in the last. GREAT ESTEEM (winds up from the back). RELIGIFY, MOHAVE and PUZZLING WONDER all impressed. GOT THE GOSS looked fit enough fresh. MAGICAL STANCE not quite there yet .
In The Running
BULLPIT and MOHAVE jumped well, but RELIGIFY and DREAM CHOICE (stuck wide) worked up out wider to put pressure on. BULLPIT was stuck in the speed battle, while MOHAVE took the trail. A STRONG tempo was set up. PUZZLING WONDER was tightened for room slightly making his run.
The Result
MOHAVE (3rd) moved up wider under riding, but he couldn't hold out the runs of GOT THE GOSS (1st by a nose) nearer the inside and TURBULENT JET (2nd) out wider. CROOKED BLAZE (4th) had loomed, but couldn't sustain his run.
The Interest
The pressure was on here and it looked like half the field could win at the 200m! GOT THE GOSS was guided through by Shinn, only asking for maximum effort late, which made all the difference in the narrowest of finishes. TURBULENT JET enjoyed the tempo, but still ran well fresh, a galloper that can take a run to find his best, while MOHAVE had his chance and just found the pressure too much first-up. Of the others, DREAM CHOICE (7th beaten 2.1 lengths) was enormous, much better than the weak favourite RELIGIFY, although a post-race veterinary examination revealed a small wound to the inside of RELIGIFY's near-hind cannon. Unfortunately SURE AND FAST bled and must now take a 3 month break from racing. Forgive DREAM CHOICE and SURE AND FAST.