Yard to the Post @ Royal Randwick

Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 26 December 2015

Track Info

Race 1 HYLAND RACE COLOURS PLATE

A big final surge from one tough filly

fair tempo
Bias: Fair

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Jeanneau	Robert Smerdon	Thomas Huet	6	54.0
2		Highland Beat	David & B Hayes & T Dabernig	Brenton Avdulla	11	56.0
3		French Fern	David Payne	Ms Winona Costin	2	54.0

In The Yard

All very well overall. DETECTIVE ready to go (but scratched at barrier), HIGHLAND BEAT big strong leader, DIVINE PROPHET a nice type. JEANNEAU fit and up to 1200m is a big plus, hits the line hard.

In The Running

OVERREACTIVE drove through to take the lead from HIGHLAND BEAT, who had jumped well. DEMOLITION was keen and strode up three-wide, giving JEANNEAU a nice trail into the race. FRENCH FERN got the box seat.

The Result

JEANNEAU (1st) surged clear late to beat HIGHLAND BEAT (2nd), who maintained his run. FRENCH FERN (3rd) boxed on OK.

The Interest

She was given the dream run into the race, a swooper moving up three-wide with a trail is the stuff dreams are made of. JEANNEAU's final surge was evident over a shorter distance and it kicked in late again here. HIGHLAND BEAT was well backed and ran admirably. Forgive DEMOLITION, who did all the hard work for the winner and faded for 7th. HUTCHO in 6th warmed up to the line like a good 1600m type. Follow JEANNEAU & HUTCHO. Forgive DEMOLITION.

Race 2 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS HANDICAP

Another Waller 'pro' gets the job done

fair tempo
Bias: Fair

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Sir Bacchus	Joseph Pride	Rory Hutchings	2	59.5
2		Barood	Peter & Paul Snowden	Blake Shinn	1	59.5
3		Denmagic	David Pfieffer	Ms Kathy O'Hara	7	56.0

In The Yard

An even race in the yard, RIVER WILD scope for further than 1200m, DINGHU MOUNTAIN will appreciate step up in distance. No knock PALE ALE.

In The Running

RIVER WILD was aggressively ridden to take up the lead and set a FAIR tempo. YATTARNA moved up on the outside fresh with ENTRANCING three wide.

The Result

BAROOD (2nd) cruised into the race with SIR BACCHUS (1st) from just behind the leaders, with the latter proving too strong late. DENMAGIC (3rd) flew home late from the back. RIVER WILD (4th) simply couldn't hold them off, running slightly greenly in the straight.

The Interest

Supporters of RIVER WILD at least knew they'd get a run for their money. He's a bold on-pacer that showed good form over 1300m+ last prep. Starting off over the sharp 1200m may not have been ideal after a solid 1200m hit-out in a trial. He ran OK, but was no match for the very professional SIR BACCHUS. BAROOD has the scope to improve and impressive after drifting heavily in the market. They ran good time on the day (1:11.25) and there was a gap to 3rd, so follow the Quinella. Follow BAROOD and SIR BACCHUS.

Race 3 SUMMER CUP

No luck needed for the Central Coast battler

fair tempo
Bias:

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Mighty Lucky	Ken Parker	Ms Kathy O'Hara	2	56.0
2		Junoob	Chris Waller	Blake Shinn	6	61.0
3		I'm Imposing	Chris Waller	Tommy Berry	7	59.0

In The Yard

Interesting race. MIGHTY LUCKY athletic enough, but still a risk at 2000m. SEBRINA, JUNOOB nice shine to coat.

In The Running

MIGHTY LUCKY jumped well, but JUNOOB was urged forward to take up the running. He strode clear mid-race and set up a FAIR tempo

The Result

MIGHTY LUCKY (1st) tracked up behind the leader and strode clear. JUNOOB (2nd) stuck on OK and I'M IMPOSING (3rd) ran on from the back, there were big gaps between horses.

The Interest

Only three horses were 'fairly' weighted in this poor Group Three and they took out the Trifecta. MIGHTY LUCKY an in-form galloper that only had to see out the 2000m to be very hard to beat, a feat he achieved in style. JUNOOB was OK and I'M IMPOSING is probably is near the end of his career, a very gallant 10yo that has managed 7 wins and $679,665 in prize-money. SEBRINA was well in the market and maybe ran a touch below her rating in 5th. Follow MIGHTY LUCKY.

Race 4 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Music Man	Todd Howlett	Koby Jennings	2	59.5
2		Destined to Win	John Bateman	Sam Clipperton	11	54.0
3		Hot Mustard	Richard Collett	Ms Kathy O'Hara	1	54.5

Race 5 CELLARBRATIONS HANDICAP

Conditions ideal for this Cummings mare

strong tempo
Bias: Fair

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Tree of Jesse	James Cummings	Jason Collett	7	59.0
2		Thud	Peter & Paul Snowden	Blake Shinn	1	58.5
3		Il Mio Destino	Kim Waugh	Ms Kayla Nisbet	4	57.5

In The Yard

A very tricky race, AWASITA, HARD TO HOLD, BONETE well and speedy, last 50m the risk. KARAKUCHI and PROGRESSIVE scope to frame, will be strong late. THUD looks good, a tough girl.

In The Running

DIAMOND FEVER strode up on the outside of AWASITA and set an honest STRONG tempo. HARD TO HOLD was just behind them and BONETE took a trail, before moving up three-wide.

The Result

AWASITA (4th) gave a kick into the straight, but was run down by THUD (2nd), who loomed up very strongly and IL MIO DESTINO (3rd) up the inside. They were all bloused late by TREE OF JESSE (1st) down the outside.

The Interest

She had trialled well and found her ideal conditions again, a soft Randwick track and honest tempo was perfect for the compact Cummings galloper. Credit to AWASITA, who was hassled during the run and gave a good kick. She could win next start over 1100m to 1200m. BONETE also did well after racing near an honest speed. THUD was very solid as always and IL MIO DESTINO (vet: lame in the off foreleg after race) found the right run and enjoyed the light weight. PROGRESSIVE, KARAKUCHI (trainer used wet track as excused in Stewards' Report) and SKIPCHENKO seemed to have every chance. Follow TREE OF JESS (under these conditions), AWASITA and BONETE.

Race 6 TAB REWARDS DECEMBER HANDICAP

Godolphin strikes as Waller flounders

fair tempo
Bias: Fair

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Medcaut	John O'Shea & Tom Charlton	Blake Shinn	6	56.5
2		Monton	Ron Quinton	Andrew Adkins	2	62.0
3		Destiny's Kiss	Joseph Pride	Jason Collett	8	57.5

In The Yard

TELEPATHIC and MEDCAUT stand out, but the latter doesn't like the wet? TIMELESS PRINCE a smaller battler.

In The Running

PHEIDON rolled to the lead from MEDCAUT and set a FAIR tempo with MONTON in the box seat.

The Result

MONTON (2nd) and MEDCAUT (1st) cruised to the front together and fought gamely, the latter just coming out on top after a good battle (a protest was dismissed). DESTINY'S KISS (3rd) ran on well late to just miss.

The Interest

TELEPATHIC drifted in the market late and ran poorly, there was no comment in the Stewards' report to help us either. Running 6th in the Villiers followed by finishing alongside SLOW PACE is a big dip in form! MEDCAUT was the only other galloper left with good current form, just pipping a very brave MONTON (usually poor second-up) to the post. He isn't always at his best on wet tracks and did well to keep his rhythm going. DESTINY'S KISS was also good, but wary of the form-lines through this race after the favourite failed. No Follows or Forgives.

Race 7 CANTERBURY CLASSIC

A swooping sprinter gets a double

strong tempo
Bias:

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Cradle Me	David Pfieffer	Jason Collett	6	55.0
2		Dances On Stars	Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou	Adam Hyeronimus	13	55.5
3		I've Got the Looks	Peter & Paul Snowden	Blake Shinn	4	55.0

In The Yard

Good race; SEBRING SUN ready to go, but no knock most. STRAWBERRY BOY well and big-strider (needs further?). ECHO GAL holding condition.

In The Running

DECISION TIME jumped best and led from HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME and STRAWBERRY BOY in the box seat. ECHO GAL was slow and got back, along with SEBRING SUN. DANCES ON STARS was back and wide on the outside of CRADLE ME. A STRONG tempo was set up overall.

The Result

I'VE GOT THE LOOKS (1st) cruised up and went to the lead, but CRADLE ME (1st) surged through the pack late and darted up the inside. DANCES ON STARS (2nd) ran on down the outside.

The Interest

Another race with a STRONG tempo and CRADLE ME strikes, She wasn't the 40/1 she was last time, but 12/1 was still pretty good. If you put $10 down on an all-up you'd be sitting on a $5,330 collect right now! Looking for horses that raced well on the strong pace, DECISION TIME was gallant and BOSS LANE was solid. Very poor runs from ECHO GAL (too wet, too slow from barrier) and SEBRING SUN (a concerning effort). No Follows or Forgives.

Race 8 ATC CONGRATULATES & FAREWELLS ALAN THOMAS HANDICAP

More wins flow down the River

steady tempo
Bias: Fair

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Rule the River	Anthony Cummings	Adam Hyeronimus	3	56.5
2		Voilier	Gary Nickson	Andrew Banks	2	54.5
3		Husson Eagle	Patrick & Michelle Payne	Ms Michelle Payne	7	58.5

In The Yard

RULE THE RIVER and KINGS TROOP both very well, the latter compact/speedy, LOCKROY ready and FLORAL INSIGHT on his toes.

In The Running

KING'S TROOP moved up on the outside of VOILIER, but didn't put any pressure on. A STEADY tempo resulted. GRUNDERZEIT was slow and got back, while LOCKROY and PRINCE HARADA also drifted back.

The Result

KING'S TROOP (4th) was soon under pressure as the sprint went on and RULE THE RIVER (1st) came off his back and was much too strong late. VOILIER fought on very bravely up the inside. HUSSON EAGLE (3rd) had loomed up ominously and just couldn't finish as well as it looked he might.

The Interest

Only a small galloper, KING'S TROOP didn't show much here after getting a very easy lead, while RULE THE RIVER continued on her merry way. The ability to both quicken and finish off (sprint + surge) is a potent combination that suggests she may have even more to give. VOILIER returned well and BOLD CIRCLE was surprisingly good late from the back. GRUNDERZEIT didn't have much go his way and could show up over 1100m to 1200m next start. Follow RULE THE RIVER and BOLD CIRCLE.

Race 9 TAB MORE THAN JUST WINNING HANDICAP

Class rises to the top in the last

fair tempo
Bias:

Place	Silk	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Gate	Kgs
1		Testashadow	Gary Portelli	Ms Samantha Clenton	13	61.0
2		Disgraceful	Dale Riley	Rory Hutchings	5	60.5
3		Alegria	Darren Beadman	James Innes Jnr	7	61.0

In The Yard

No yard comments available

In The Running

FOOTY FAN strode forward and led at a FAIR tempo, from TESTASHADOW, who moved up on her outside. EYE THE WORLD was trapped wider and PERFECT WEAPON had the box seat.

The Result

TESTASHADOW (1st) moved up and held on from DISGRACEFUL (2nd), who ran on up the inside and ALEGRIA (3rd), who finished off well out wider. PERFECT WEAPON (4th) fought on OK.

The Interest

This race was a bit thin on the ground on paper and the class form-lines rose to the top. TESTASHADOW is a high rating 1400m galloper at his best and they rode him like the best horse to win. DISGRACEFUL and ALEGRIA both repeated their performance form last time, the latter getting into trouble while the former got a nice run. MYDREAM hit the line gamely and PERFECT WEAPON battled on, as they do. EMBLEY quickened then stopped, perhaps a drier track for him? Follow TESTASHADOW and ALEGRIA.