Yard to the Post | Rosehill Gardens
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 21 May 2022
The rain came down overnight and we were left with another HEAVY track at Rosehill Gardens today. It was clear many trainers were disappointed we didn't get a reprieve from the weather, an incredible 63 scratchings were posted before the races got underway at 11am.
Tough winter wet track types were the horses that prevailed and the European stayer HOPEFUL (picture) skipped through the conditions late to win the feature Lord Mayor's Cup over 2000 metres. His closing sectionals were very strong and he's a horse that should only improve up in distance.
The most impressive win of the day came from ARAPAHO though, the Bjorn Baker gelding finally putting it together for a 7.6 length romp in Race 6 over 1,800 metres after a faultless parade pre-race. And the day finished with a boilover in the last as the Mitch Beer-trained sprinter MNEMETH dashed clear in Race 10 to win at $31.
A full review of the day from Mike Wood and Adrian Sciglitano is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | HEAVY 9 |
| Weather | OVERCAST |
| Bias | OFF RAILS IN RUN / OFF RAILS IN STRAIGHT |
Race 1 PRECISE FIRE HANDICAP
steady tempo
Bias:
4w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madame Pommery | Chris Waller | Jay Ford | 5 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Dark Harmony | Aaron Purcell | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 11 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Northern Beaches | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 14 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
Most 2YOs parading well. NORTHERN BEACHES showing good improvement between the runs, more to come as he continues into his preparation. O'TYCOON and MADAME POMMERY best types in yard, focused and doing everything right. O'TYCOON a more athletic type typical of his sire. Most others fine, DARK HARMONY just a touch anxious pre-race and getting warm after coming down from Queensland.
The Interest
A well presented Waller galloper proved too strong in the end. She's a nice type and quite robust, you could expect her to improve again up in distance next start, possibly up in the Queensland carnival. DARK HARMONY also improved up in distance and found the line well late. The horses on the inside in run were O’TYCOON, KANDOS COSMOS, GENDARMERIE and VALSPAR, which wasn't the place to be on the day. (VET: O'TYCOON lost plate; VALSPAR superficial wound).
Race 2 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
slow tempo
Bias:
4w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boom Boom Basil | Brett Robb | Sam Clipperton | 18 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Overextend | Rodney Northam | Reece Jones | 19 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Pure Fuego | Cameron Crockett | Tom Sherry | 3 | 59.5 |
In The Yard
Most horses parading well in the highway. HARDWARE LANE rock solid in the yard, professional and walking out well. MARKWELL DREAMER well behaved today (for him), very alert. No knocks on BOOM BOOM BASIL and ALL FORMIDABLE who parade at peak. KING’S TRUST and PURE FUEGO not quite at full fitness yet. OVEREXTEND a touch anxious in the yard.
The Interest
Not much tempo in this race and BOOM BOOM BASIL was in the right spot to pounce from on-pace, settling on-pace and off the rails. Strong runs from PURE FUEGO (not quite fit) weaving through, MARKWELL DREAMER down the outside and ALL FORMIDABLE running on strongly from the back, the best of those that settled on the rails. WHO BUT ROO, WILFUL SPIRIT, CHARLEMAGNE, TIGERTUDE and ALL FORMIDABLE were the horses on the rails in run, which wasn't the place to be. (VET: HARDWARE LANE slow to recover).
Race 3 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
4w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philipsburg | James Ponsonby | Tyler Schiller | 2 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Elusive Jewel | John Thompson | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Rangi Toa | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 60.5 |
In The Yard
Most parading well. The favourite RANGI TOA focused in the yard and fit. ELUSIVE JEWEL an improver in the yard, not as anxious as she can be - walking out well. No knocks across the field
The Interest
It looked like RANGI TOA would get control of this race, but some race day announcements changed that and FRENCH BONNET rolled along to ensure it was a FAIR tempo. That set it up for the pair with the strongest recent wet tack form ratings, ELUSIVE JEWEL brave again and PHILIPSBURG much better suited back in grade after getting too far back in The Coast at Gosford. HOLLYWOOD NORTH closest to the rails mid-race, which wasn't the place to be today. (VET: RANGI TOA nasal discharge; HOLLYWOOD NORTH slow to recover).
Race 4 MIDWAY HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
4w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Momack | Blake Ryan | Keagan Latham | 3 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Anagain | Joseph Pride | Hugh Bowman | 9 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Marnix | Garry Kirkup | Tom Sherry | 8 | 61.0 |
In The Yard
Most parading well. SON OF SAMPSON, MEDIA STARGUEST and MARNIX the best presented, holding good condition, focused and walking well. HIGHLY DESIRED and MOMACK a touch anxious as they both can be pre race. ANAGAIN not far off peak fitness, wet track type.
The Interest
A tough win from MOMACK, who has been mixing his form lately and produced one of his best efforts to win. ANAGAIN and MARNIX both very good fighting on, MARNIX perhaps better on slightly better ground. HIGHLY DESIRED brave on-pace after rolling along near the rails. HIGHLY DESIRED, BAZOOKA, BLUFF 'N' BLUSTER, ANAGAIN and MEDIA STARGUEST the horses on the rails in run, which wasn't the place to be on the day. (VET: STARBORETA 1/5 lame).
Race 5 CANADIAN CLUB HANDICAP
steady tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
4w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aravene | Tom Dabernig | Sam Clipperton | 13 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Ting Tong | Kris Lees | Jason Collett | 6 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Sea Treasures | Tony Sergi | Ms Rachel King | 3 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
A lot of these 3YOs still need some time to mature, especially AWESOME WONDER, VANDELAY STYLE and QUEENMAKER, who were anxious and not fully developed yet. TING TONG and SEA TREASURES the best of those in the yard, focused, at peak condition and striding out well. Victorians ARAVENE and SAUCEY HORSEY looked fine, both well presented in the yard and just a little on their toes. ARNAQUEUR fresh and on toes too.
The Interest
A stop start tempo over the 2000m, some early pressure before a STEADY mid section and a LONG SPRINT home. Sam Clipperton made sure he kept the most progressive horse in the race ARAVENE out of any traffic out the back before getting on the back of the right horses as the runs came out wider. A lovely athletic type with lots of upside to come. TING TONG and SEA TREASURES both rock solid, which is how they paraded pre-race. MUM'S THE BOSS the unlucky runner in the race after getting shuffled back on the turn and blocked late as she made ground. (VET: CLASSIC DIVA slow to recover; MUM'S THE BOSS lost plate).
Race 6 FUJITSU GENERAL HANDICAP
steady tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
4w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arapaho | Bjorn Baker | Dylan Gibbons | 17 | 61.0 | |
| 2 | Perfect Radiance | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Ms Rachel King | 6 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Rebel Rama | Marc Conners | Ms Ellen Hennessy | 9 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
Most looking well in the yard, ARAPAHO very settled today and walking out well. DYNASTIES has made good improvement between the runs, focused and a nice big strong filly. DREAM RUNNER, PERFECT RADIANCE and TRAVELLING KATE also looking well into the prep. REBEL RAMA not far off full fitness, maybe half a run short.
The Interest
ARAPAHO is a galloper that showed some talent early on before mixing his form over the last couple of preps. He put in a better performance at Hawkesbury last time and returned to his best fourth-up with a massive 7.6 length win. PEFECT RADIANCE got control early and kicked strongly into the straight, but was no match. TRAVELLING KATE, DYNASTIES and WHODAT the horses back on the inside, which didn't suit on the day. (VET: SHIBLI heart irregularity; REBEL RAMA lost plate).
Race 7 CITY OF PARRAMATTA LORD MAYORS CUP
steady tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
4w+ in straight
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hopeful | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Ms Rachel King | 8 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | The Frontman | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Rock | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tom Sherry | 12 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
Most parading well with no clear knocks. Much better parade from HOPEFUL, looking fit and more settled in the yard compared to first-up when he was very hot at Hawkesbury. ALEAS and IRISH SEQUEL both parading well, IRISH SEQUEL more athletic while ALEAS has plenty of depth to his frame. MIRANN holding it together in the yard, a horse that can get anxious at times.
The Interest
BETHENCOURT went a little bit slow early and got attacked mid-race by MARRONI and then the runs came on the turn. HOPEFUL just a touch awkwardly placed as the sprint went on, but he knuckled down late to produce a big final surge. He's an impressive stayer on the rise. THE FRONTMAN much better here after a forgive run at Randwick and a plain effort at Hawkesbury. Perhaps be a bit kind on the horses stuck on the inside BETHENCOURT, IRISH SEQUEL and ALEAS, who all struggled from their positions on the rails. (VET: ALEAS slow to recover; MARRONI cardiac arrhythmia; BETHENCOURT poor recovery).
Race 8 FURPHY HANDICAP
steady tempo
Bias:
4w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mariamia | Joseph Pride | Sam Clipperton | 10 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Calgary Queen | Brad Widdup | Jay Ford | 15 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Lady Of Luxury | Bjorn Baker | Dylan Gibbons | 4 | 61.0 |
In The Yard
No obvious knocks in the yard. LADY OF LUXURY forward first-up and close to full fitness, a mare that continues to strengthen up as she matures. BITCOIN BABY and IRISH ANGEL not bad first-up too, there were no real knocks in the yard.
The Interest
After a cheap early section CALGARY QUEEN booted for home early and looked to have the race wrapped up, but MARIAMIA was in the right spot to pounce. LADY OF LUXURY clearly the run of the race though coming from back off a STEADY tempo, producing an 11.33 from the 400m to the 200m as she sprinted out widest. MOSHT UP (weakened badly), SUNBORN and IRISH ANGEL (ran OK) the three mares closest to the rails mid-race and they finished at the back.
Race 9 KIA HANDICAP
steady tempo
Bias:
4w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Night Of Power | Bjorn Baker | Tyler Schiller | 9 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Quintello | Ciaron Maher | Tommy Berry | 14 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Surf Dancer | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Ms Rachel King | 10 | 60.0 |
In The Yard
The favourite QUINTELLO similar to last start, no oil painting - wet track type and very focused in the yard. NIGHT OF POWER and SOLAR APEX both with some improvement off their first-up runs. BARTHOLOMEU DIAS noticeably needs the run and will improve as the distances increase.
The Interest
SURF DANCER got control of a STEADY tempo and Tommy Berry pushed QUINTELLO into an on-pace spot. They both controlled the race and kicked hard in the straight, but NIGHT OF POWER threaded through to just grab them late. A big effort considering he settled on the inside mid-race. It looked like Berry could have been a bit smoother on the favourite QUINTELLO, he can sometimes be a bit slow to react and found himself scrambling as they move up quickly on the turn. SOLAR APEX sprinted and peaked as he tends to do on the bigger tracks. LUVOIR (keen, very weak late) and ZING the other horses on the inside mid-race.
Race 10 BOWERMANS HANDICAP
steady tempo
Bias:
4w+
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mnementh | Mitchell Beer | Jason Lyon | 11 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | El Buena | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 12 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Lancaster Bomber | Richard Litt | Dylan Gibbons | 7 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
Most looking fine in the yard to end the day. EL BUENA fit enough first-up and SKYWOLF on his toes up from Melbourne looking well in the yard.
The Interest
SPACEBOY didn't roll along like he usually does and only set a STEADY tempo. With the pattern of the day it was all about which horse could quicken into the fast lanes wider and country sprinter MNEMETH did it best, a horse hitting career peak form at start number 24. EL BUENA was very good first-up from the back and TITANIUM POWER could be one to follow third-up with the blinkers on next start after getting out-kicked on-pace. RAINBOW CONNECTION (laid in, injured?) was on the inside along with SKYWOLF (missed start), who was poor despite having the bias against.