Yard to the Post @ Apollo Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 13 February 2016
Smiles of admiration filled the mounting yard as WINX entered the parade ring today at Royal Randwick, Australia's champion galloper back on track for her Autumn campaign.
Since Black Caviar entered retirement we've been looking for a new racing superstar and many hoped that Chris Waller's daughter of Street Cry was the one.
Despite a cautious attitude from the Sydney's leading trainer ahead of the race and a late betting plunge on second-favourite SOLICIT, WINX showed her trademark final surge to overcome the leader and added to the hype surrounding her.
It's all systems go for the biggest of all The Championship races now, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Earlier in the day, PERIGNON got a well deserved victory in the Group Two Light Fingers Stakes as she flashed late to defeat KANGARILLA JOY. It was yet another black-type Snitzel winner for Gerald Ryan, who has such an affinity for the breed.
SULTRY FEELING took advantage of a lighter weight to overcome PEEPING in the Group Three Triscay Stakes and Godolphin produced another impressive two-year old TELPERION, who firmed in early Golden Slipper markets.
The full yard to the post review will be on-line Sunday at 9am.
photo: Brad Gray (@BradJGray)
Track Info
| Rail | +3 metres |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR (some jockeys scouting off rails) |
Race 1 HUAWEI LONHRO PLATE
Another Slipper contender pops up
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Telperion | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 6 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Prized Icon | Kris Lees | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Spright | Garry Frazer | Jason Collett | 1 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
The favourites looked well in the first, TELPERION perhaps the best. Only negative was SUGARPARMA, looked fizzy and keen.
In The Running
VIENNA WALTZ was pushed along to lead from PRIZED ICON who sat outside SPRIGHT. TELPERION was restrained at the tail.
The Result
TELPERION (1st) was always travelling and quickened best down the outside to draw clear from PRIZED ICON (2nd) and SPRIGHT (3rd) who battled it out for the placings along the inside.
The Interest
TELPERION was ridden patiently and quickly put these away as James McDonald came to the outside at the top of the straight. The money was spot on for the colt and he was simply too good, a big scopey galloper that should have Group level potential. PRIZED ICON and SPRIGHT fought on along the inside after enjoying good runs behind the speed. Follow TELPERION
Race 2 ADAPTRA HANDICAP
Waller stamina kicks in again
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Springbok Flyer | Eric Musgrove | Tommy Berry | 8 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Defrost My Heart | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 10 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Mr Steal | Brian Lawlor | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
Tough grinder MR STEAL looked fit, also DEFROST MY HEART. MAGICAL STANCE is a thick-set type. Stayers were well behaved.
In The Running
SPRINGBOK FLYER had the speed to hold off MR STEAL, and together they ensured an honest tempo. MAGICAL STANCE was a bit keen early in the box seat.
The Result
SPRINGBOK FLYER (1st) was challenged strongly by DEFROST MY HEART (2nd) in the straight, however the former fought back well along the inside. MR STEAL (3rd) stuck on well after racing on the speed.
The Interest
It was a tough win to SPRINGBOK FLYER, who is yet another Waller stayer that just keeps improving. Tommy Berry rode him aggressively early and showed too much stamina late for stable-mate DEFROST MY HEART. MR STEAL does what he does, grind away on-pace! He needs a wet track to take the sprint out of the others. LORD DISICK was OK out wide. No follows or forgives.
Race 3 LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITERS LIGHT FINGERS STAKES
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perignon | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Tim Clark | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Kangarilla Joy | Peter & Paul Snowden | Hugh Bowman | 6 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Tempt Me Not | James Cummings | Jason Collett | 3 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
KANGARILLA JOY looked fit from recent racing. STAY WITH ME appears ready first-up
In The Running
HARLEM RIVER crossed to lead from TEMPT ME NOT, with KANGARILLA JOY taking the sit. STAY WITH ME was restrained and raced keenly at the rear.
The Result
HARLEM RIVER (4th) drifted off the rail as TEMPT ME NOT (3rd) swept past, however it was PERIGNON (1ST) that sprinted best defeating KANGARILLA JOY (2nd) in a bunched finish.
The Interest
PERIGNON deserved a win at this level, and got the job done well fresh, being saved for one run by Tim Clark. He took a sit off KANGARILLA JOY who took the winner into the race, and she lost no admirers stepping up in grade and distance. It was hard to say STAY WITH ME was unlucky, and her sprint was only fair in the straight. No follows or forgives
Race 4 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swivet | Wendy Roche | Ms Samantha Clenton | 14 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Sirius Spy | Todd Howlett | Kerrin McEvoy | 5 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | King's Officer | Terry Robinson | Tommy Berry | 10 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
SCRUFF is a tall type. BAZZA’S BOY looked a little fizzy in the yard. KING’S OFFICER looked fit and well. No knock others.
In The Running
SIRIUS SPY kicked up to lead AKIKO GOLD, who crossed from an outside gate. LADY LOBBAN was pushed very wide without cover mid-race.
The Result
SIRIUS SPY (2nd) led until the final stride as SWIVET (1st) arrived in the final bound to stick the neck out on the line. KING’S OFFICER (3rd) made up good ground out wide coming from well back on the turn.
The Interest
Another bunched TAB Highway finish, and another tale with 5yo SWIVET diving late to beat a wall of horses. He is a gelding that does not possess much power and needs things to go his way, however it was his turn today. SIRIUS SPY stuck on well after leading, while KING’S OFFICER was the run of the race making up ground after being pushed very wide down the straight. There was not a lot between the first seven over the line and tread warily with the form going forward. No follows or forgives.
Race 5 DX SOLUTIONS SOUTHERN CROSS STAKES
The Money arrives late
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Money | Rodney Northam | Robert Thompson | 3 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Decision Time | Clarry Conners | Jason Collett | 8 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Rich Enuff | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
RICH ENUFF paraded well. GENERALIFE looked relaxed. BIG MONEY is a smaller type
In The Running
AUSSIES LOVE SPORT crossed to lead RICH ENUFF who kicked up along the rail. DECISION TIME was eased in behind. GENERALIFE was slow to begin.
The Result
RICH ENUFF (2nd) strode up while DECISION TIME (3rd) poked through along the rail, only for BIG MONEY (1st) to lunge right on the line.
The Interest
Once RICH ENUFF loomed in the straight, many thought the well-backed Snowden runner would run away with it. However it was BIG MONEY who had the last crack, and got the bob in on the line. He showed his tendency to fight like a bulldog and was a deserved winner. Backers of RICH ENUFF would have expected the strapping type to run straight past, and still a few queries remain on where he is at, while old boy DECISION TIME relished the 1,200m on a dry track GENERALIFE was always well back and did his best work late running on.
Race 6 GIFTS.COM.AU HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Testashadow | Gary Portelli | Ms Samantha Clenton | 9 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Alegria | Darren Beadman | James McDonald | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Dee I Cee | Ciaron Maher | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
All runners paraded well. ALEGRIA and TESTASHADOW looked very relaxed. MURAQABA has done some work 2nd up and looked fit enough.
In The Running
TESTASHADOW jumped best and then took a sit letting VITELLO stride forward to sit outside MORAL VICTORY who did not want to give up the fence.
The Result
TESTASHADOW (1st) took over on the turn and sprinted clear in the straight to hold off the challenge of ALEGRIA (2nd) who tried hard. They cleared out from DEE I CEE (3rd).
The Interest
TESTASHADOW was the fit horse on the back-up, and that fitness showed over the concluding stages. Samantha Clenton brought up a winning double as she steadied the gelding after easing out of the early charge for the lead. ALEGRIA wound up nicely after looking a big threat topping the rise, while DEE I CEE chased gamely down the straight and is looking for further now. The well fancied DUIBIO never got into the race. No follows or forgives.
Race 7 OPTUS BUSINESS APOLLO STAKES
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winx | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Solicit | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Hauraki | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Sam Clipperton | 2 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
WINX looked the ultimate professional in the yard. SOLICIT looked fit. Stayers HAURAKI, WHO SHOT THEBARMAN, GRAND MARSHAL, GUST OF WIND all need the run.
In The Running
SOLICIT was urged forward to lead LEEBAZ . DIBAYANI again pulled mid race and raced wide throughout.
The Result
SOLICIT (2nd) fanned well off the rail turning which left plenty of room for WINX (1st) who showed her class running away to the line. HAURAKI (3rd) was the best of the closers running home well.
The Interest
She is the best Australian horse running around, and WINX had these beaten in a flash. Hugh Bowman rode a patient race along the fence and simply had to push her along the inside of SOLICIT and her class did the rest. SOLICIT was fit and brave on pace, while DIBAYANI again did himself no favours racing keenly. HAURAKI showed he is in for a good preparation as he ran on strongly. Follow WINX and HAURAKI.
Race 8 ROBRICK LODGE TRISCAY STAKES
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sultry Feeling | James Cummings | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Peeping | Ron Quinton | Sam Clipperton | 11 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Savoureux | Kris Lees | Tommy Berry | 6 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
PEEPING, VERGARA, SULTRY FEELING all looked relaxed and well. SLIGHTLY SWEET hoping for an honest tempo.
In The Running
VERGARA crossed and led SULTRY FEELING with PEEPING racing wider in behind.
The Result
VERGARA (4th) pushed SULTRY FEELING (1st) wider straightening, however she balanced up well to hold off PEEPING (2ND) over the concluding stages. SAVOUREAUX (3rd) ran on well and was the best of the closers.
The Interest
The leaders came home quickly and gave the backmarkers no chance as SULTRY FEELING was strongest to the line. Kerrin McEvoy had the mare a little closer than usual on the pace, and together with PEEPING, they showed their class. VERGARA weakened to the line and was passed by SAVOUREAUX who stepped up in grade. SLIGHTLY SWEET was back along the rails and was always going to find it tough to run down the leaders from there. Follow PEEPING and SULTRY FEELING.
Race 9 THE NEXT GALAXY HANDICAP
Avdulla delivers extra effort
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Supreme Effort | Kim Waugh | Brenton Avdulla | 13 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Meursault | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 5 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Crooked Blaze | Melissa Dennett | James Innes Jnr | 14 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
RELIGIFY and WAR JET fit. MY FAVOURITE may need time.
In The Running
MEURSAULT jumped best and led from RELIGIFY. METALLIC CROWN enjoyed a nice sit in behind, while BRUSTAR and OPEN BOOK were kept wide without cover.
The Result
MEURSAULT (2nd) gave a kick in the straight only to be beaten right on the line in a diving finish by SUPREME EFFORT (1st). CROOKED BLAZE (3rd) was next, then a margin back to fourth.
The Interest
SUPREME EFFORT raced very wide throughout (with cover) and was strongest to the line over the concluding stages. It was the gelding’s first win at Randwick, and was well deserved. MEURSAULT is a tough, on-pace type that went down fighting. The well supported CROOKED BLAZE came with SUPREME EFFORT out wide and finished on the heels of the winner, and they gapped the rest of the field. No follows or forgives.