Yard to the Post @ Royal Randwick
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 06 February 2016
Group racing returned to Royal Randwick under clearing skies on a testing track. The track was in the SOFT range and it was visibly hard work for the gallopers, many of the races won by big margins.
The feature race of the day was the Group Two Thoroughbred Breeders Classic. It was only a small field, but the finish was one of the most exciting, roughie PRESS REPORT just failing to hold out the classy mare AMICUS. The winner is yet another major Autumn Carnival player for Chris Waller as the big Group One features loom large on the calender.
Arrowfield's SPILL THE BEANS was the subject of a big, and very late, betting plunge in the Group Three Eskimo Prince Stakes later in the day. The son of Snitzel pushed forward and was never in doubt, leaving the disappointing PRIDE OF DUBAI in his wake. Worrying times ahead for Peter Snowden, who was trying to nurse the dual Group One winner PRIDE OF DUBAI back from injury.
Jockey James McDonald started the day with the first three winners, booting home ALLERGIC, ALL SUMMER LONG and FELINES, the latter one of the more impressive winners on the day.
The full yard to the post review will be on-line Sunday at 9am.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | SOFT 6 to SOFT 5 |
| Weather | OVERCAST then SUNNY |
| Bias | OFF RAILS |
Race 1 FRANK WILDING 70TH BIRTHDAY HANDICAP
A Godolphin gelding on the rise
Bias:
off-rails in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allergic | James Cummings | James McDonald | 6 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Testashadow | Gary Portelli | Ms Samantha Clenton | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Slow Pace | Kris Lees | Tommy Berry | 5 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
RIO PERDIDO will benefit from run. Others all well behaved in the yard. LOOPHOLE genuine, SLOW PACE fit.
In The Running
ARCHEAN worked forward after being wide early to sit outside TESTASHADOW with little change in the run.
The Result
Jockey James McDonald got going around the turn on ALLERGIC (1st) to easily run away from TESTASHADOW (2nd) who kicked at the top of the straight. SLOW PACE (3rd) finished the race off well running on late. There were big margins.
The Interest
It was a very soft win to ALLERGIC who cantered away in the straight gapping them by 3 lengths. James McDonald judged the speed of the race on the turn and got going at the right time and the horse did the rest, he's got serious stamina! TESTASHADOW (did OK first go at distance) and SLOW PACE were both gallant in defeat, however found one much better as they spaced the rest of the field. Follow ALLERGIC.
Race 2 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
Greg Bennett gets another one on the highway to Scone
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | All Summer Long | Kris Lees | James McDonald | 4 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Lord Von Costa | Donna Scott | Jason Collett | 14 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Rose of Man | Terry Robinson | Tommy Berry | 3 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
LORD VON COSTA fit and well. GRAND PROPOSAL coat shining. ROSE OF MAN a powerful type. No knock fav's.
In The Running
GUNNAZA pushed on from ROSE OF MAN who in turn kept LORD VON COSTA wide without cover.
The Result
ALL SUMMER LONG (1st) peeled out at the top of the straight to chase down LORD VON COSTA (2nd) who stuck on after a wide run kicking back to pass ROSE OF MAN (3rd) on the line.
The Interest
ALL SUMMER LONG has been racing in good form, hitting a peak as a fitter horse today. The rating increase should get him into the Scone highway heat. A bigger type, he responded well when James McDonald asked him to go, giving the jockey an early running double. LORD VON COSTA can be forgiven after racing wide throughout and showed fight right to the line. ROSE OF MAN was also good near the fence, the form-line was stamped by FELINES in the following race too. Of the others, HILL SPY made up many lengths in the straight, while THREE SHEETS was doing his best work late. Forgive LORD VON COSTA.
Race 3 RANVET HANDICAP
James Mac does the job again
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Felines | Kris Lees | James McDonald | 7 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Craftiness | Joseph Pride | Hugh Bowman | 11 | 62.5 | |
| 3 | Got the Goss | Gratz Vella | Koby Jennings | 4 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
CRAFTINESS has the class and is fit. FELINES holding condition well. PRINCE HARADA a little warm.
In The Running
FELINES jumped best and James McDonald had no hesitation to lead EMINENT DUKE who held CRAFTINESS wide without cover.
The Result
FELINES (1st) kicked clear in the straight and put the race away with CRAFTINESS (2nd) giving chase under the big weight. GOT THE GOSS (3rd) ran on from in the pack.
The Interest
FELINES isn’t used to leading, a mare that can over-race, however the brilliance of James McDonald got the flying sprinter to stack them up and sprint for home. A nice turn-of-foot on a wet track. CRAFTINESS was well beaten with the 7kg extra not making it easy, especially when most expected he would be leading the winner easily. GOT THE GOSS ran on best from the chasing pack. Follow FELINES.
Race 4 THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS NSW BREEDERS CLASSIC
Waller's class rises to the top at odds
Bias:
off-rails in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amicus | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Press Report | Kris Lees | Ms Winona Costin | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | I've Got the Looks | Peter & Paul Snowden | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
All mares well in the yard, AMICUS ok, 95% fit, Snowden's pair well, PRESS REPORT only lean
In The Running
PRESS REPORT drove through to an early lead from MISS COVER GIRL with AMICUS in the box seat. The favourite DUBLIN LASS stuck wide without cover. QUEEN OF KARIBA missed the start slightly.
The Result
PRESS REPORT (2nd) gave a kick in the straight and was only caught right on the line by AMICUS (1st) who dived late along the inside to win by the nearest of margins. I’VE GOT THE LOOKS (3rd) challenged wider in a close three-way finish.
The Interest
AMICUS seemed the forgotten horse in the race, with the classy mare drifting in the market only to land the decisive blow right on the line. Bowman did a great job to get her into the gun, a mare with more upside to come this preparation up in distance. PRESS REPORT is a mare that can put some good performances in at her best, and she did that today, but there's no guarantees that will happen again! I’VE GOT THE LOOKS was game in defeat, maybe she needed DUBLIN LASS to give her more of a lead into the race. The fav' DUBLIN LASS was very week and it may be the end of her prep.. Follow AMICUS
Race 5 INGLIS CLASSIC
A real test for the two-year-olds
Bias:
off-rails in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Twist Tops | Kris Lees | Tommy Berry | 10 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Soviet Secret | Sam Pritchard-Gordon | James McDonald | 12 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Can't Find Snippy | Michelle Ritchie | Andrew Adkins | 8 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
FLASH FIBIAN well along with RAMPAGE, RAFHA'S CHOICE & WONDERFUL STORY. No knock MAN TO LOVE, CHIMBORAA and CHINA PLATE.
In The Running
FLASH FIBIAN drove through to lead OUR BELISA with RAMPAGE and CAN’T FIND SNIPPY in behind. WALK RIGHT IN copped an early bump, while CHIMBORRA got pushed wide and raced without cover.
The Result
CAN’T FIND SNIPPY (3rd) moved up to issue a challenge, but it was those wider in TWIST TOPS (1st) and SOVIET SECRET (2nd) who fought out the finish in the end.
The Interest
TWIST TOPS has been racing consistently and got the lion’s share of the $250k prize money for the owners. Race experience told over the concluding stages in what was a stern test under the conditions for the 2yos, with the first five over the line all performing well. COGLIERE stormed home to finish on the heels of the place-getters, while the big, powerful RAMPAGE loomed briefly back on the inside before raising aserious questions over the 1,200m. WONDERFUL STORY travelled well to the turn however didn’t pick up after drifting heavily in the market. Of the others, WALK RIGHT IN and CHIMBORRA can be forgiven after not getting much luck in the run. Forgive WALK RIGHT IN and CHIMBORRA.
Race 6 TAB.COM.AU GARDENIA HANDICAP
David Van Dyke works a miracle
Bias:
off-rails in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bull Point | David Vandyke | Jason Collett | 7 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Medcaut | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 1 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Libran | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 8 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
RULING DYNASTY and LIBRAN both appear well first up. ZIN ZAN EDDIE well but mile a risk
In The Running
BULL POINT led from MEDCAUT with the favourite HASSELHOOF sitting one off the rails in behind. ARAB DAWN missed the start.
The Result
BULL POINT (1st) and MEDCAUT (2nd) staged a two horse war down the straight, with the former holding strongest. They cleared away from the fast finishing LIBRAN (3rd) and HASSELHOOF (4th).
The Interest
Trainer Van dyke worked a miracle in getting BULL POINT to recapture his early promise. The much maligned entire has had a chequered career and all credit must go to the team in getting this galloper back to winning ways. Jockey Jason Collett took him forward and he was strongest to the line after being challenged strongly by MEDCAUT. LIBRAN finished off the race well at only his second start in Australia and will only get better as the distances increase. The short-priced favourite HASSELHOOF was felt for before the home turn, and ground away to the line a little one paced not showing a liking to the sticky conditions. He's only a lean type that may not be up to Aussie standards. You can’t be too harsh on ZIN ZAN EDDIE over an unsuitable testing mile. Follow LIBRAN (over further).
Race 7 ESKIMO PRINCE STAKES
This colt is on the improve
Bias:
off-rails in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spill the Beans | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Tim Clark | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Le Romain | Kris Lees | Christian Reith | 10 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Counterattack | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 2 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
PRIDE OF DUBAI and COUNTERATTACK a little warm. TARQUIN parades poorly. Cannot fault CANNYESCENT, ZOUTENANT and SPILL THE BEANS.
In The Running
VOILIER was joined out in front by SPILL THE BEANS with ZOUTENANT holding the rail in behind. PRIDE OF DUBAI raced keenly just off the pace.
The Result
SPILL THE BEANS (1st) edged wider and broke right away and kept going to the line from LE ROMAINE (2nd) who tracked into the race nicely but was no match late. COUNTERATTACK (3rd) had to go back to the inside and made good ground.
The Interest
SPILL THE BEANS and COUNTERATTACK had both rated well over the 1,200m in the wet at Randwick previously, and that was the key to the race. The former raced well on the speed, while the latter had to make his run along the inside. LA ROMAIN showed he is right up there too in terms of quality. Of the others, WOLF CRY and SHARDS both made some ground, and no knock TORGERSEN who is ready for 1,400m and further now. PRIDE OF DUBAI raced keenly, however a few big questions for the Snowden camp as to how he has come back. No follows or forgives.
Race 8 ATC REMEMBERS AB "BANJO" PATERSON HANDICAP
A level above the rest
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heavens Above | Tim Martin | Tye Angland | 16 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Roaring to Win | Peter & Paul Snowden | Ms Winona Costin | 13 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Alpha Beat | Anthony Cummings | Blake Shinn | 1 | 61.5 |
In The Yard
SELITA an impressive type, MURT THE FLIRT, HIMALAYA DREAM, ROARING TO WIN, HEAVENS ABOVE and SHADOW LORD all very fit and well.
In The Running
NEVER BACK DOWN crossed to lead alongside SPORTS EDITION and applied some early pressure with SELITA sitting just off them. The tempo backed off mid race and HIMALAYA DREAM and HE’S A GIVEN over-raced.
The Result
ALPHA BEAT (3rd) snuck up the inside and got a couple of lengths clear before ROARING TO WIN (2nd) and HEAVENS ABOVE (1st) chimed in out wider. BALMAIN BOY (4th) was strong late from the back. The margins were good.
The Interest
A talented mare that had only managed one win until today, HEAVENS ABOVE fully deserved the victory. She can quicken into the race and finish off, a combination that should see her win more races. Good margins should equal good form to follow in the future. A cunning ride on ALPHA BEAT by jockey Blake Shinn almost stole the race, coming from the back with the big weight, only to be run down by those out wider. BALMAIN BOY is definitely one to follow after an eye-catching first-up run. Follow HEAVENS ABOVE, ROARING TO WIN and BALMAIN BOY.
Race 9 COLIN TIDY TRIBUTE HANDICAP
Derby quality to close the day
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montaigne | Anthony Cummings | Jason Collett | 12 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Kellyville Flyer | Jason Attard & Lucy Keegan-Attard | Ms Samantha Clenton | 10 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Egyptian Ruler | Ken Lantry | Mr Lester Grace | 8 | 59.5 |
In The Yard
FABRIZIO getting a little warm in the yard. CHESTNUT ROAD, KELLYVILLE FLYER and ZIGGY WILLIE all looked well, but there were no big knocks.
In The Running
MADE TO ORDER pushed forward aggressively and set an honest tempo.
The Result
MONTAIGNE (1st) stormed down the outside, while KELLYVILLE FLYER (2nd) fought on a few lengths behind. EGYPTIAN RULER (3rd) made some solid ground.
The Interest
He's looming as one serious stayer, MONTAIGNE a classy and athletic galloper that always looked like the mile and further would be ideal. A win over 1400m last start was a surprise, this obviously wasn't as he was heavily backed in the final stages before the race. There's no reason why he can't be back here for the Derby KELLYVILLE FLYER honest as always! SOROS (4th) could be back on track now after a couple of flat runs. Follow MONTAIGNE.