Yard to the Post @ Villiers Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 12 December 2015
The emotion of horse racing was on show at Royal Randwick for Villiers Stakes Day, two of the smaller training operations bringing their stable stars to the track for exciting wins.
HAPPY CLAPPER started favourite in the Group 2 Villiers, a long range plan for the Webster family, who have so patiently guided the injury-plagued galloper through his grades.
By far the best horse in their stable, he delivered on his promise, surging home to beat Queenslander TINTO and Godolphin's IT'S SOMEWHAT after finding some room near the inside.
In a lesser race, but with just as much excitement, MR ENTERTAINER led all the way to win Race 4 over 1,400 metres for Central Coast trainer Grant Allard. The crowd's cheering started to dampen when they realised the well-supported favourite DISGRACEFUL wasn't going to catch him, but Grant's enthusiasm from the mounting yard made up for that.
The day's two Listed level races were taken out by SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD (Xmas Cup) and roughie CRADLE ME (Razor Sharp), who swept home to win at big odds.
In the sponsored Inglis sales events, $500,000 in prize-money coaxed Melbourne trainer Mick Price to town, his very speedy two-year-old EXTREME CHOICE showing the other youngsters a clean pair of heels in the Inglis Nursery, while Bjorn Baker took out the Inglis Sprint with LADY SNIPER.
A full yard to the post review is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | +3 metres |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | OFF RAILS |
Race 1 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS HANDICAP
A rapid sprint puts the race away
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rule the River | Anthony Cummings | Jason Collett | 1 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | In a Wink | Justin McIntosh | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Karakuchi | Matthew Dale | Ms Samantha Clenton | 8 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
All mares looking OK, SINGLE GAZE perhaps not as powerful as others, IN A WINK and RULE THE RIVER nice shine to coat.
In The Running
GOCUP BELLE went to the lead and controlled the race, from KARAKUCHI on her outside. RULE THE RIVER (box seat) and IN A WINK were in behind. HOLY DELUSIONS over-raced at the back and made an early run out wider. SINGLE GAZE never really settled at the back.
The Result
RULE THE RIVER (1st) sprinted through to win, from IN A WINK (2nd) who loomed up and dashed home well too. KARAKUCHI (3rd) kept chasing for a place in a sprint home. SINGLE GAZE (4th) made some ground down the outside.
The Interest
Too classy again from RULE THE RIVER, she's got the scope to go on to better races than this now. IN A WINK has a nice turn-of-foot and was suited by the expected slower speed, which probably wasn't ideal for KARAKUCHI, HOLY DELUSIONS and SINGLE GAZE. Great to see SINGLE GAZE back on the track racing well, she is such a little trier! Follow RULE THE RIVER.
Race 2 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
Talented country stars on the rise
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shutter Bug | Danny Williams | Jason Collett | 3 | 57.0 | |
| 1 | Pera Pera | Mack Griffith | Kerrin McEvoy | 15 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | King's Officer | Terry Robinson | Brenton Avdulla | 13 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
Most horses well. PERA PERA good scope to frame, VAN HALEN and ESTABELLE looked nice and fit. DASHIE DE LUXE smaller and tough. SWIVET 90% fit.
In The Running
MOSS MY NAME went to the front from RED HOT TANGO and PERA PERA out three wide no cover. AFTER ALL THAT got the box seat. ESTABELLE over-raced in midfield. BANK ON HENRY was slow early and got back, with BAYVIEW EMPEROR last. MOSS MY NAME hung out slightly as he led around he turn.
The Result
PERA PERA (1st) strode up and fought on, putting his nose down on the line to dead-heat with SHUTTER BUG (1st), who had ran on and just got past him. KING'S OFFICER (3rd) ran on down the outside and MOSS MY NAME (4th) stuck on OK.
The Interest
The money came for the Mudgee-trained PERA PERA, an ex-Cummings horse, and boy was he unlucky not to win this outright, travelling wide all the way and still staying on at the finish. He's a definite contender for the Autumn Country Championships. Decent runs from SHUTTER BUG, KING'S OFFICER and BAYVIEW EMPEROR from the back. Don't be too harsh on ESTABELLE, she wasn't in the mood today. Follow PERA PERA.
Race 3 INGLIS NURSERY
Extreme speed from start to finish
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Extreme Choice | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Glyn Schofield | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | So Serene | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Christian Reith | 7 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Rampage | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Luke Currie | 16 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
RAMPAGE and CREDIBLE WITNESS good power and JACKSON a nice type. EXTREME CHOICE a smaller speedy type. JEANNEAU looked fine, VEGAS STRIP was unsettled.
In The Running
SO SERENE showed early speed to sit outside EXTREME CHOICE, who wasn't the quickest to jump, but had plenty of early speed to lead. MIDNIGHT ROSE three wide and BOOM SHUCKA four wide with RAFHA'S CHOICE behind him. RAMPAGE a touch unsettled inside runners.
The Result
EXTREME CHOICE (1st) edged wider into the better ground and gave a big kick to fight off SO SERENE (2nd). There was a big gap back to RAMPAGE (3rd), who made some ground.
The Interest
A big margin is always a good sign, the top two streaking clear to put a space on the pack. The NOT A SINGLE DOUBT colt EXTREME CHOICE an on-pace sprinter right out of the box and the same can be said for SO SERENE (by EXCEED AND EXCEL). Mick Price will take the winner back to Melbourne now with an eye on the Blue Diamond. The other decent runs came from RAMPAGE and JEANNEAU, who laid in and only wound up late. JACKSON ran on fairly. Good to see a SO YOU THINK filly run well, TOO FAST FOR LOVE finishing 4th. Follow EXTREME CHOICE, SO SERENE, RAMPAGE and JEANNEAU (over further).
Race 4 SPORTSYEAR DIARY HANDICAP
Great value for a tough battler
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mr Entertainer | Grant Allard | Koby Jennings | 4 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Disgraceful | Dale Riley | Jason Collett | 6 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Alegria | Darren Beadman | James McDonald | 3 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
ALEGRIA fine first-up, scope to frame, FRANK WHO also OK fresh. DISGRACEFUL fit and STEAMIN' in good shape. SNIPER a neat type.
In The Running
MR ENTERTAINER moved forward to lead, from SNIPER in the trailing position and FRANK WHO. ALEGRIA slowish and urged into a spot just behind them. CONQUER got right back with STEAMIN'. KANJI was stuck wide in midfield and DISGRACEFUL back in the pack today after not jumping to the lead.
The Result
MR ENTERTAINER (1st) fought on bravely to win from DISGRACEFUL (2nd), who kept coming down the outside. ALEGRIA (3rd) ran on late after getting held up early in the straight, just pipping KANJI (4th) for a place. There wasn't much between a big pack of them.
The Interest
ALEGRIA was clearly a touch unlucky and the horse with the most promise, but be cautious in the future, this may not be the best form race. No knock on the winner, he is really tough and genuine and it proved a smart move to take him to the front. Trainer Grant Allard gave him a huge cheer as the rest of the crowd went quiet, realising well-backed fav' DISGRACEFUL wasn't quite going to get there. KANJI impressed first-up and don't be too harsh on SNIPER (back on the inside) and STEAMIN' (got well back) in their right grade. Follow ALEGRIA and KANJI.
Race 5 AVIJOHN CONTRACTING CHRISTMAS CUP
Vandyke targets the right race
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir John Hawkwood | John Thompson | Blake Spriggs | 5 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Jiayuguan | John Thompson | Sam Clipperton | 11 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Lucky Lucky Lucky | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD and JIAYUGUAN well, the latter a lovely shine to coat. PLANET PURPLE and LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY fit, but one-paced.
In The Running
ZATOPAZ went to the lead and rolled along, from INSTRUMENTALIST, who went forward as advised to stewards. SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD was patiently ridden in midfield with JIAYUGUAN out the back. BRING LUCK was slow again and got well back. VILANOVA was stuck out wide.
The Result
QUICK STRIKE (4th) loomed up early in the straight with LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY (3rd) sneaking up nearer the inside. SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD (1st) came wider and stayed on best late, from JIAYUGUAN (2nd), who ran on from the back in a close finish. ZATOPAZ (5th) wasn't far away.
The Interest
SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD usually only wins early in his campaigns and Vandyke smartly targeted this staying event third-up. A nice trial in the lead-up was all he needed, out-classing his rivals late. JIAYUGUAN reached her mark here after great recent form, unable to reel in the winner late. QUICK STRIKE and LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY are ticking along nicely. BRING LUCK didn't seem to finish off over the last 200m, he prefers 2000m and a wet track. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 6 INGLIS SPRINT
Baker's girl guns down the favourite
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lady Sniper | Bjorn Baker | Jason Collett | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Hellbent | Darren Weir | Blake Shinn | 8 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Stoker | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Tim Clark | 11 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
HELLBENT and LADY SNIPER looked good in the yard, LUCKY FISH an impressive type. BITBURG smaller and genuine. INVINCIBLE HEART OK, DINGHU MOUNTAIN needs further?
In The Running
BITBURG jumped best to lead and HELLBENT worked forward on his outside, just needing a slight squeeze to get himself on-pace. DINGHU MOUNTAIN a touch keen in-between horses near the pace. LADY SNIPER out very wide with STOKER on her back.
The Result
HELLBENT (2nd) wore down BITBURG (7th), but LADY SNIPER (1st) swept down the outside to win. STOKER (3rd) ran on well too.
The Interest
HELLBENT might have had to do a little bit too much work in the run, Blake Shinn rode him like the best horse in the race and the early effort told late. The form-line of LADY SNIPER and STOKER held up (makes Ghisoni, who beat them both, look good!), the winner a progressive type that is off to the paddock now. She's a $20,000 purchase on her way to the Autumn Carnival. LUCKY FISH (raw and talented), MOMENT OF MUSIC, DINGHU MOUNTAIN (needs further) and BITBURG (nearer inside) were all very close up, they can run well back in benchmark grade. Follow LUCKY FISH and DINGHU MOUNTAIN (over further) back in benchmark grade.
Race 7 INGLIS VILLIERS STAKES
Happy favourite backers in the feature
strong tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Happy Clapper | Patrick Webster | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Tinto | Rex Lipp | Tim Clark | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | It's Somewhat | James Cummings | James McDonald | 14 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
Classy horses in the yard, only knocks are RED EXCITEMENT just a touch hot, DREAM FOLK and TIMELESS PRINCE lack muscle and power in this class. PUCCINI travelled well from Melbourne, nice shine to coat. GOD'S IN HIM looks good as always. Lots looking well
In The Running
MORAL VICTORY worked forward and strode away at a STRONG tempo, from RHYTHM TO SPARE, FRESPANOL and RED EXCITEMENT, who was trapped wide. DREAM FOLK, TELEPATHIC and PUCCINI were all a touch slow and got back.
The Result
HAPPY CLAPPER (1st) stoked up and found room nearer the inside, surging past MORAL VICTORY (4th). IT'S SOMEWHAT (3rd) and TINTO (2nd) both loomed up to win, but couldn't match HAPPY CLAPPER late. MIGHTY LUCKY (5th) ran on well too.
The Interest
A great win and a canny ride, HAPPY CLAPPER is a highly talented galloper with a great finishing surge. Avdulla did well to keep the big-strider in his rhythm right to the line after getting into an awkward spot in-between horses. He never peaks on his run, which is a great sign for the future, stretching out to 2000m should be well within his reach. IT'S SOMEWHAT and MIGHTY LUCKY stamped their Festival Stakes form, while TINTO (enjoyed strong tempo), proved her Festival Stakes run was just a blip. Mares ZANBAGH and TELEPATHIC ran home steadily in midfield, the track was too quick for them. RED EXCITEMENT just had no luck. Follow HAPPY CLAPPER. Forgive RED EXCITEMENT.
Race 8 GREEN OPTIONS RAZOR SHARP HANDICAP
Punters bloused by another Collett winner
strong tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cradle Me | David Pfieffer | Jason Collett | 16 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Aussies Love Sport | Peter Robl | Glyn Schofield | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Boss Lane | Ron Quinton | Sam Clipperton | 13 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
DUBLIN LASS nice, PRIVATE SECRETARY powerful and ready to go, inside barrier a risk. TERRITORY and ECHO GAL in good shape fresh.
In The Running
SPORTS EDITION strode up on the inside to lead and was pressured by ECHO GAL, who worked forward after only jumping midfield. ELOPING was in the trailing spot and THAT'S A GOOD IDEA was wide no cover. BOSS LANE tracked up even wider. A STRONG tempo was set up.
The Result
In a very bunched finish, CRADLE ME (1st) swept down the outside late from AUSSIES LOVE SPORT (2nd), who kept lifting out wider next to the winner. BOSS LANE (3rd) was just inside them and had loomed up.
The Interest
Hard to line this form up, is CRADLE ME back or was it simply a case of the perfect scenario for the previously out-of-form mare? She usually doesn't enjoy Randwick, but this track today was as firm as Rosehill often is, a track she has good success at. The fav' DUBLIN LASS (5th) has a rapid sprint, however she can peak over 1200m+. Good runs came from ECHO GAL (4th), she worked hard to get onto the pace and fought on, BOSS LANE and PRIVATE SECRETARY down near the inside (worst ground). LUNAR RISE was on heels and blocked late, the strong tempo did suit him though. Follow ECHO GAL, AUSSIES LOVE SPORT, BOSS LANE and PRIVATE SECRETARY.
Race 9 TAB MORE THAN JUST WINNING HANDICAP
Gai toughness hard to beat
fair tempo
Bias:
off-rails
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caped Crusader | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 1 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Magical Stance | Ron Quinton | Sam Clipperton | 5 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Heavens Above | Tim Martin | Ms Winona Costin | 10 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
FINAL DECISION and HEAVEN'S ABOVE well, no knock CAPED CRUSADER or INVINZABEEL. SEBRINA and athletic swooper, she may need the tempo on.
In The Running
CAPED CRUSADER rolled to the lead from INVINZABEEL at a FAIR tempo. SCRATCH ME LUCKY and RYKER were in the trailing positions. BINARY was taken well back to the tail this time with HEAVEN'S ABOVE.
The Result
CAPED CRUSADER (1st) and INVINZABEEL (4th) drifted wider on the track and staged a war down the straight. MAGICAL STANCE (2nd) and HEAVEN'S ABOVE (3rd) ran on well late to split them.
The Interest
A tough on-pace Waterhouse horse in-form is very hard to toss, CAPED CRUSADER is flying this campaign winning two on the trot after an unlucky first-up run (taken on in the lead). MAGICAL STANCE (second-up) and HEAVEN'S ABOVE (third-up) have more to give this campaign and can be followed. INVINZABEEL had every chance, this is about his peak. Follow MAGICAL STANCE and HEAVEN'S ABOVE.