Yard to the Post | Country Classic Raceday
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 26 November 2022
A week of dry weather produced a firm fast Rosehill Gardens track and as a result most winners came from near the pace.
Waterhouse and Bott are skilled at producing a first-up feature winner and they did that today with DAJAAN kicking home best to win the 1,500 metre Group Three Festival Stakes from a very game MIRRA VISION. A rematch looms in the Ingham Handicap in two weeks' time, a race that might include Hong Kong import SUNSHINE RISING after he ran on for an impressive fourth following a 92-week spell due to injury.
The Country Classic was won by yet another import in MARSABIT, trainer Danny Williams placing him well down in the weights with the 2.5kg claim for apprentice Amy McLucas. It was the second year running that favourite DREAM RUNNER has been unlucky in this race though. He was held up until the 200 metre mark before charging into 2nd up the inside.
A full review from Mike Wood and Adrian Sciglitano is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 to GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR, near pace and nearer rails preferred on dry ground |
Race 1 ELITEGROUP.SYDNEY HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Disneck | Bjorn Baker | Ms Rachel King | 13 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Kimochi | Gary Portelli | Sam Clipperton | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Diabelli | James Cummings | James McDonald | 3 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
Most parading well in the yard. Adrian Sciglatino noticing SENSE OF HUMOUR was "warm, unsettled and had improvement". KIMOCHI with a "nice frame and upside".
In The Running
A FAIR to STRONG tempo. WILD BEAU and ZOUKERETTE keen on-pace with SENSE OF HUMOUR unsettled just behind them. KIMOCHI (4th rails WC) and DISNECK (6th 2W) trailed up nicely. KIMOCHI had to work off heels 200m out as DISNECK started to warm up out wider.
The Result
DISNECK (1st) ran on strongly from KIMOCHI (2nd) and DIABELLI (3rd).
The Interest
DISNECK much better with running room compared to his debut effort and KIMOCHI was very impressive based on the sectionals. She just copped interference at the wrong time and posted a final 200m faster than her 400m to 200m. ZOUKERETTE the best of the three on-pacers that all went a bit too keenly in the run.
Race 2 MIDWAY HANDICAP
slow tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whanga Wonder | Kim Waugh | Tyler Schiller | 4 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Colour Sergeant | Matthew Smith | James McDonald | 8 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Loving Cilla | Gregory Hickman | Brock Ryan | 5 | 53.0 |
In The Yard
Most looking well with no clear negatives.
In The Running
JACK DUGGAN got control at a SLOW tempo from WOLVES. WHANGA WONDER (3rd rails WC) in the box seat with COLOUR SERGEANT (4th 2W) just outside him. The tempo quickened sharply from the 600m mark just as COLOUR SERGEANT eased out 3W NC.
The Result
WHANGA WONDER stayed to the inside and powered through to win from COLOUR SERGEANT (2nd), LOVING CILLA (3rd) and REAL PEACE (4th) all crossing the line together.
The Interest
A SLOW tempo with a fairly LONG SPRINT here and Kiwi import WHANGA WONDER got the perfect run. She clearly relished the step to 2000m and turned the tables on JACK DUGGAN, who was run down easily late. COLOUR SERGEANT was OK, probably not suited by the slow race and coming wider just as the sprint went on. Stewards questioned Brock Ryan who made the wrong move coming wider to follow COLOUR SERGEANT rather than staying up the inside on LOVING CILLA, who was strong through the line once again. JUST BUSINESS produced some rapid closing sectionals and is worth following next start in a race with more tempo.
Race 3 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sussu | Stephen Jones | James McDonald | 10 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | I'm Not Slew | Scott Singleton | Reece Jones | 12 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Extra Flash | Brett Thompson | Tim Clark | 11 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
SOUTHERN APPEAL "soft first-up" Adrian Sciglitano.
In The Running
KORA MAGIC sped along at a FAIR to STRONG tempo with I'M NOT SLEW (2nd 2W) on her outside. MISS KIRRIBILLI (3rd 2W WC) and SUSSU (4th 2W WC) trailed just behind the leaders. EXTRA FLASH (6th 3W NC) out wider.
The Result
SUSSU (1st) quickened up into the straight and fought on from a brave I'M NOT SLEW (2nd) and strong EXTRA FLASH (3rd).
The Interest
The skills of James McDonald made the difference getting SUSSU home for a narrow win. Good runs from EXTRA FLASH (wide) and TAI LUNG (bit keen, off heels 150m) too. Only 2.6L from 1st to SAMMIBALLERINA in 8th.
Race 4 ELITE TURF PROJECTS HANDICAP
steady tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mission Phoenix | David Noonan | Tyler Schiller | 5 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Worthily | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Bacio Del Mist | Lee & Cherie Curtis | Tim Clark | 2 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
GLOBAL AUSBRED in good shape with Corey Brown suggesting he was a "lovely horse". Most of them parading well in the yard. SINDICATO unsettled in the yard and a touch warm. FLOATING more settled this time. OCEANIC FLASH "fit" first-up according to Corey Brown. WORTHILY a "nice horse horse with a little bit of improvement" Adrian Sciglitano.
In The Running
MISSION PHOENIX (led) got control of a STEADY tempo early before Tyler Schiller made a LONG SPRINT for home from the 800m, running closing sectionals of 11.45, 11.22, 11.56 and 11.70. WORTHILY (4th 2W WC) stalked the leading pair.
The Result
MISSION PHOENIX (1st) and WORTHILY (2nd) both very game in a battle to the line, the tough on-pacer MISSION PHEONIX proving too strong late. BACIO DEL MIST (3rd) finished off stylishly over the final furlong.
The Interest
The top three all very good here and can be followed, all credit has to go to Tyler Schiller for making sure he used the strength of MISSION PHOENIX by not going too slow mid-race. TONY BE (lame) and GLOBAL AUSBRED (poor recovery) not quite up to their best.
Race 5 ELITE HAULAGE HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dehorned Unicorn | Mark Minervini | Sam Clipperton | 3 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Authentic Jewel | Brad Widdup | Brenton Avdulla | 8 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Rupertaar | Bjorn Baker | Ms Rachel King | 2 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
HIGH COURT "looks like he's going to take a bit of improvement from the run" Corey Brown. PER INAWAY a "lighter framed type that would have preferred softer ground" Mike Wood and she also had "improvement to come" according to Adrian Sciglitano. RUPERTAAR a "lighter type of sprinter" Adrian Sciglitano. TWICE AS SPECIAL "looked good fist-up with some improvement" Adrian Sciglitano.
In The Running
WINNING VERSE jumped brilliantly to lead and she fired along at a FAIR to STRONG tempo from AUTHENTIC JEWEL (2nd 2W some cover) trailing up behind. DEHORNED UNICORN (5th 2W WC) jumped into midfield. MONTE DITTO and PROVERBIAL wide no cover at the back.
The Result
Avdulla did his best to keep AUTHENTIC JEWEL (2nd) going straight (laid in slightly) and she edged to the lead before DEHORNED UNICORN (1st) ran on late from midfield to get the photo.
The Interest
DEHORNED UNICORN has come back in great form and AUTHENTIC JEWEL is ready to win now, especially if she finds a race she can lead hard against the rails. Nice efforts from most of the horses though and PER INAWAY simply wasn't suited by the firm Rosehill turf.
Race 6 TAB COUNTRY CLASSIC
slow tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marsabit | Danny Williams | Ms Amy McLucas | 17 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Dream Runner | Keith Dryden | Tyler Schiller | 8 | 61.0 | |
| 3 | Beckford | Stephen Lee | Serg Lisnyy | 7 | 60.0 |
In The Yard
DREAM RUNNER "looking well and holding good condition" Adrian Sciglitano, with DEEL STREET "really bright and walking through the enclosure well" according to Corey Brown. Some negatives spotted by Mike Wood were FROM THE BUSH "quite muscular so he could be a risk at the distance", PEPPER'S GHOST "a bit warm on the quick back-up." PROOST "a lighter-framed type deep in her campaign that may not be suited to Rosehill" Adrian Sciglitano.
In The Running
CAREERING AWAY worked to the lead then controlled a SLOW tempo before picking up 800m out for a LONG SPRINT home. MARSABIT was held together in midfield (12th 2W WC) and DREAM RUNNER got a nice spot near pace (7th 3W WC).
The Result
MARSABIT (1st) worked clear and ran on best down the outside, racing greenly once he hit the front. DREAM RUNNER (2nd) very good up the inside after getting held up.
The Interest
DREAM RUNNER unlucky held up 'til the 200m before challenging gamely, but hard to take much away from the winner who ran on strongly and was a touch green in the lead late. He's an import that won four times in the UK and he was well weighted at the Set Weights (plus the claim). The lack of tempo didn't help the real staying types, including DEEL STREET who ran on strongly late from an impossible position.
Race 7 ELITE SAND AND SOIL CUP
steady tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bonny Ezra | Rachael Frost | Robbie Dolan | 16 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Dr Drill | Ciaron Maher | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Aleas | Chris Waller | Sam Clipperton | 8 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
ALCYONE looked well, "a beautiful looking horse, a big lump of a thing" Corey Brown. SPLENDIFEROUS "not ready first-up" according to Adrian Sciglitano and CRIMINAL CODE "half a run short". STEELY "bit clammy and plain" on the back-up.
In The Running
REBEL RAMA crossed to lead, set a STEADY tempo mid-race and kicked for home early for a LONG SPRINT home. DR DRILL midfield (7th 2W) and BONNY EZRA was snagged back to last (14th rails WC) from a wide barrier.
The Result
BONNY EZRA (1st) weaved through from the back to arrive late and beat DR DRILL (2nd) and ALEAS (3rd), who had run on well from midfield.
The Interest
Not much between the top few over the line, BONNY EZRA showing that he is one of the more promising stayers for Waller working through the grades. RONDINO (blocked late) is another on the rise. ALYCONE and STEELY (keen early, blocked 350m) ran well on a track that may have been a touch too firm for them.
Race 8 FURPHY FESTIVAL STAKES
steady tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dajraan | Robbie Griffiths | Tim Clark | 15 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Mirra Vision | Peter & Paul Snowden | Joshua Parr | 12 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Kirwan's Lane | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Brenton Avdulla | 11 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
MIRRA VISION "looks terrific in the yard, very bright and forward" Corey Brown. KUBRICK "quite fit, just a bit of a winter coat still first-up" Mike Wood. DAJRAAN "just getting a little bit hot, quite agitated" Corey Brown. SKYMAN "still half a run short" Adrian Sciglitano, who noted JOJO WAS A MAN wasn't quite fit yet too.
In The Running
COAL CRUSHER found the lead and set a STEADY to FAIR tempo with DAJRAAN (2nd 2W NC) moving up on his outside after jumping well. MIRRA VISION (3rd 2W WC) slotted in behind them after Brenton Avdulla on KIRWAN'S LANE (5th 2W WC) let them in. SUNSHINE RISING stuck wide no cover in midfield.
The Result
DAJRAAN (1st) moved up at the 200m and kicked strongly from MIRRA VISION (2nd) and KIRWAN'S LANE (3rd) chasing hard.
The Interest
The money came for DAJRAAN ($18 to $11) and he produced a strong effort first-up after the leader COAL CRUSHER didn't charge along at the stronger tempo many thought he would. MIRRA VISION, KIRWAN'S LANE and SUNSHINE RISING (stuck wide) all very good too. SKYMAN and LOCH EALGLE couldn't have done much more from the back, both running good closing sectionals.
Race 9 DRINKWISE STARLIGHT STAKES
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zethus | Stephen Brown | Tim Clark | 9 | 53.5 | |
| 2 | Sky Command | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Regan Bayliss | 2 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Fox Fighter | David Payne | Brock Ryan | 7 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
"She's been in work quite a while so her fitness should be fine" Peter Snowden commented on NAJMATY. "Looks very forward" Corey Brown confirmed from the yard. MR MOSAIC "warm and not quite fully fit" Adrian Sciglitano. ENCHANTED HEART "90% fit" too. ZETHUS "a nice type and quite strong." DRAGONSTONE a "tough smaller sprinter that may not be suited to Rosehill" Mike Wood.
In The Running
SNEAKY PAIGE was urged to cross to the lead with ZETHUS (2nd 2W NC) moving up on her outside. They crossed SKY COMMAND (3rd rails WC) and MR MOSAIC (4th 2W WC) with surprising ease and set a FAIR tempo. FOX FIGHTER wide no cover midfield.
The Result
ZETHUS (1st) fought on well and held off a strong challenge from SKY COMMAND (2nd) up the inside. FOX FIGHTER (3rd) sprinted well out wider after a wide run, but peaked on his effort late.
The Interest
The surprise in this race came early with the Ryan and Alexiou gallopers SKY COMMMAND and MR MOSAIC expected to get control in the lead easily, but a midfield jump from MR MOSAIC left the door open and Tim Clark took the invitation with ZETHUS on-pace. THROUGH THE CRACKS impressed charging through the pack late and DRAGONSTONE might be better back to Randwick next start.
Race 10 ELITE QUARRY PRODUCTS HANDICAP
steady tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mensa Missile | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Joshua Parr | 2 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Democracy Manifest | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 18 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | I Am Lethal | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Brenton Avdulla | 13 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
DEMOCRACY MANIFEST "looking very well with shine to coat" Mike Wood. FESTIVAL DANCER fit enough, but "still not there yet in the coat" according to Corey Brown. BANJU "half a run short" Adrian Sciglitano. MACH SCHNELL "not improving as quickly as I had hoped." Adrian Sciglitano.
In The Running
MENSA MISSILE (led) jumped to the lead and got control while DEMOCRACY MANIFEST (11th 2W WC) was taken back to last. A STEADY tempo with a LONG SPRINT home set up as Josh Parr got them chasing on the turn.
The Result
MENSA MISSILE (1st) kicked clear and held on from a fast-finishing DEMOCRACY MANIFEST (2nd) with I AM LETHAL (3rd) running on OK too.
The Interest
A good ride from Josh Parr got MENSA MISSILE home here. DEMOCRACY MANIFEST (way back mid-race), BANJU (stuck wide) and SHORT SHORTS (did things wrong) all ran OK too. MACH SCHNELL and FESTIVAL DANCER looked a bit one-paced and may be better suited in a more testing 1600m race next time out.