Yard to the Post @ Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 02 January 2016
A dry fast track made for exciting racing at Rosehill Gardens, many of the jockeys playing for an 'on-pace' bias that never quite eventuated.
MISS LIFFEY strode right away from the pack in the Schweppes Sprint over 1,100 metres (Race 2), but was swamped by the impressive KANGARILLA JOY and BITBURG (picture above). Waterhouse's LUCKY FISH tried similar tactics in Race 5 with slightly more success, setting up a big margin only to be run down by Godolphin's ASINARA in the final strides.
BONETE was another leader to only just get caught, Bjorn Baker's talented mare SELITA doing the job this time in Race 6. She still managed to hold off the 'plunge horse' MISS ROYALE for 2nd though. Waller's mare was heavily-backed with bookies and the exchanges and only managed 3rd.
Another well-backed Waller galloper START WONDERING was stuck wide on a testing tempo in Race 8 and couldn't muster a top three finish. High 'surge' horses GREAT ESTEEM, IDANCE and TIMELESS PRINCE relished the pressure and scored a trifecta that paid $7,715 with the NSW TAB.
The only leader to prevail all day was two-year-old SCARLET RAIN in the opening event.
A full review of the day can be found below (note: no yard notes this week).
Track Info
| Rail | +6 metres |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 HYLAND RACE COLOURS PLATE
Speed from start to finish
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scarlet Rain | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tommy Berry | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Cudabeen | Peter & Paul Snowden | Grant Buckley | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Ajani | Brad Widdup | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
No yard notes this week, available again on Twitter 9th January.
In The Running
SCARLET RAIN and ALPHA SON took up the running after an even line from the gates. NORTHERN FIRE was stuck wide outside the pack. AJANI was in the box seat and as he pushed wider SYRAH was slightly tightened and NORTHERN FIRE bumped, enough for NORTHERN FIRE to dump the jockey.
The Result
SCARLET RAIN (1st) kept speeding along to just hold off CUDABEEN (2nd), who stormed down the outside late. There was a gap back to AJANI (3rd).
The Interest
A well supported fav' proved too quick and CUDABEEN was strong too after a debut win at Kembla Grange. AJANI had every chance and there's no shame in running 3rd when they clock 1:04 flat as 2yos. SYRAH had some similarities to dad HELMET (big striding chestnut), but the talent may be lacking - more time needed for him to mature. K McEvoy copped a hefty suspension (10th January to 7 February) for an aggressive ride on AJANI. Follow SCARLET RAIN and CUDABEEN. Forgive NORTHERN FIRE.
Race 2 SCHWEPPES SPRINT
New Year Joy for favourite backers
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kangarilla Joy | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 5 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Bitburg | Matthew Dale | Koby Jennings | 4 | 61.0 | |
| 3 | Wide Acclaim | Gary Portelli | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 59.0 |
In The Running
BITBURG jumped well, but MISS LIFFEY was urged forward to a big lead, setting a STRONG tempo. KANGARILLA JOY had cover back on the inside behind BITBURG, while WIDE ACCLAIM moved up to 3rd without cover.
The Result
MISS LIFFEY (5th) was beaten off 150m from home. KANGARILLA JOY (1st) had a dream run through, quickened and only just held on, from BITBURG (2nd) who came wider and kept fighting. WIDE ACCLAIM (3rd) stuck on OK.
The Interest
Bold tactics from Richard Bensley on the leader, playing for an ON-PACE bias that never eventuated. Fitter horses WIDE ACCLAIM and BITBURG stuck on very admirably after chasing the STRONG tempo with less cover than the winner. However, a stronger speed did suit them more than the fresh horse KANGARILLA JOY. She has more to give this campaign. Follow KANGARILLA JOY.
Race 3 MORE THAN READY @ VINERY HANDICAP
An open and shut case again
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Book | Joseph Pride | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Wudang Mountain | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 1 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Got Unders | Jay Hopkins | Nick Heywood | 6 | 60.5 |
In The Running
GOT UNDERS strode to the lead and set a FAIR tempo, from MAKE A MARK on his outside, who raced a touch keenly. OPEN BOOK and WUDANG MOUNTAIN had the drop on them. PERFECT WEAPON went back this time.
The Result
OPEN BOOK (1st) came to the outside and sprinted clear, from WUDANG MOUNTAIN (2nd), who into space nearer the inside and wound up. GOT UNDERS (3rd) held on for a place.
The Interest
Very simple, the exact same thing happened in this race as when the top two last met! OPEN BOOK is racing very well, relishing Rosehill Gardens where he can really sprint into this races, while WUDANG MOUNTAIN takes a bit longer to wind up. Keep following them both in the right race. Follow OPEN BOOK and WUDANG MOUNTAIN.
Race 4 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Bella Rouge | Danny Williams | Jason Collett | 2 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Nights On Fire | Norm Gardner | Ms Jess Taylor | 11 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Angus Rock | Tim Donnelly | Ms Rebeka Prest | 1 | 56.0 |
Race 5 CELLARBRATIONS HANDICAP
A big future ahead for this Godolphin filly
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asinara | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 8 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Lucky Fish | Brent Stanley | Adam Hyeronimus | 1 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Chandana | Chris Waller | Sam Clipperton | 9 | 58.5 |
In The Running
LUCKY FISH was urged up the inside to lead, while ASINARA and CHANDANA got well back. BAGGIO was stuck wide in midfield.
The Result
LUCKY FISH (2nd) kicked early in the straight and looked home, but ASINARA (1st) weaved into the clear and flashed late to get up. CHANDANA (3rd) made solid ground from the back.
The Interest
If you backed LUCKY FISH, this was hard to watch. Waterhouse's impressive type was home for all money until Godolphin's equally impressive ASINARA got motoring. They put a gap another good horse in CHANDANA. Expect this form-line to hold up, the winner has 'Oaks Filly' written all over her. Follow ASINARA and LUCKY FISH.
Race 6 RYDGES PARRAMATTA HANDICAP
Baker's professional filly wins again
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Selita | Mark Newnham | Adam Hyeronimus | 7 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Bonete | Joseph Pride | Tommy Berry | 11 | 60.5 | |
| 3 | Miss Royale | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 1 | 60.0 |
In The Running
SELITA jumped best and found the box seat, from BONETE, who strode up to the lead after a slowish jump and set a FAIR tempo under a hold. CATSEYE SURPRISE was stuck wide in midfield.
The Result
SELITA (1st) struggled to get clear, grabbing BONETE (2nd) late once she finally found space. MISS ROYALE (3rd) wound up strongly and there was a gap to 4th.
The Interest
The top three spaced the rest, the other well-supported horse ABOHAR disappointing back in the pack (vet: small wound found near fetlock). SELITA does everything right in her races, jumps, settles and quickens when needed - a potent mix for the future. Expect MISS ROYALE to improve up in distance now, she could even be ready for a mile. TEARS IN HEAVEN (4th) bled for the first time and will be off the course for 3 months. Follow SELITA and MISS ROYALE.
Race 7 TAB MORE THAN JUST WINNING HANDICAP
Waller wins over a distance again
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loophole | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 8 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Magical Stance | Ron Quinton | Sam Clipperton | 6 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Dance of Heroes | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 3 | 58.5 |
In The Running
CAPED CRUSADER went to the lead and set a tempo that was 'stop start', on the side of FAIR overall. THERMOGENIC whipped up to 2nd when the tempo slackened early. MAGICAL STANCE was just in behind them.
The Result
MAGICAL STANCE (2nd) came 3W from the 600m mark, loomed up to win, but was no match for the swooping LOOPHOLE (1st) late. DANCE OF HEROES (3rd) fought on to just grab the place from EMERALD CITY (4th), who was tightened for room.
The Interest
Waller really does specialise in these races. LOOPHOLE was OK first-up (9th when bias against), trialled again after that and was primed for a big run here. Some money came suggesting it was a nice little set-up. MAGICAL STANCE was solid enough third-up, perhaps Clipperton could have held on for another 100m and committed to his run, he tended to float into the race and leave his horse exposed. EMERALD CITY was also good, another fresh horse in for a winning campaign. Follow MAGICAL STANCE, LOOPHOLE and EMERALD CITY.
Race 8 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS HANDICAP
Surging gallopers too strong when it counts
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Esteem | Stuart Webb | Kerrin McEvoy | 12 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Idance | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 1 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Timeless Prince | Tony Newing | Ms Winona Costin | 13 | 59.5 |
In The Running
GREAT ESTEEM moved up on the outside of SLATE ON EDGE and ensured the tempo remained solid, averaging out to be STRONG overall, with good mid-race pressure. START WONDERING was in an awkward spot out three wide striding up outside the leaders. GOT THE GOSS and TIMELESS PRINCE got way back. MORAL VICTORY was slower from the gates this time and was back too.
The Result
GREAT ESTEEM (1st) pushed on with it on the turn and took over, sustaining his run to win, from IDANCE (2nd) who surged through the pack late. TIMELESS PRINCE (3rd) swept home down the outside late to just grab the brave START WONDERING (4th).
The Interest
An interesting race to analyse. Constant pressure and a few horses suspect at 1400m left three horses with a high 'surge' (and lower sprint) to take the prize. GREAT ESTEEM, IDANCE and TIMELESS PRINCE relish races with solid tempos and arguably they need them to win, especially at a track like Rosehill Gardens where their collective record was 18 starts for just 1 win and 5 places between them before today. START WONDERING was very brave, a horse still worth following, while MORAL VICTORY could be worth a second chance back to 1600m. LUNAR RISE struggled out the back and the vet found nothing. Follow START WONDERING.
Race 9 TAB.COM.AU SPRINT
Swoopers reign supreme in the last
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richard the First | Max Crockett | Adam Hyeronimus | 2 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Supreme Effort | Kim Waugh | Brenton Avdulla | 8 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Star Shaft | Tim McIntosh | Brodie Loy | 7 | 54.0 |
In The Running
ADJECTIVE sped through to lead at a STRONG tempo with PACEMAN moving up on the outside. PRO CONSUL was stuck wide with no cover.
The Result
RICHARD THE FIRST (1st) surged through from midfield in a tight finish, just beating home SUPREME EFFORT (2nd), STAR SHAFT (3rd) and HIEROGLYPHICS (4th).
The Interest
The strong speed set it up for swoopers, well-backed PACEMAN couldn't handle the pressure up front. RICHARD THE FIRST was only average at the trials and showed big improvement under race conditions. A horse with much more 'surge' than most of these 1200m types, he is ready for further now. STAR SHAFT (low weight), SUPREME EFFORT and HIEROGLYPHICS were all in the right position in run. Forgive PRO CONSUL after getting stuck very wide. Follow RICHARD THE FIRST. Forgive PRO CONSUL.