Yard to the Post | Eskimo Prince Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 04 February 2023
A hot summer afternoon and dry track for stakes-level racing ahead of the Autumn Carnival. All eyes were on the three-year-olds returning on a Guineas path and AFT CABIN put down a marker as the horse to beat with a clear 1.7 length win in the Group Three Eskimo Prince Stakes. James McDonald produced a perfect ride and AFT CABIN's acceleration was far too good for the chasing pack.
REMARQUE continued his impressive form as a gelding by winning over 1,000 metres first-up and BANJU snuck home from a fast-finishing NO COMPROMISE to post his third win in a row over a mile.
A full review by Mike Wood and Adrian Sciglitano is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | +8m 1600m-W/Post, +5m Remainder |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 DARLEY LONHRO PLATE
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madeira Sunrise | Michael Freedman | James McDonald | 3 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Sicilian | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Portorosa | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Regan Bayliss | 2 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
Most parading well with the experienced youngsters more settled in the yard. Race favourite SICILIAN very well and a professional filly in the yard. MEXICO strong and well, while MISS BELGIUM looked fit and relaxed, but lacked the muscle of others. MADEIRA SUNRISE in good condition, just a little new in the yard on debut. PORTOROSA and TAWFIQ STAR both new and edgy for their first time at the races.
In The Running
SICILIAN led early before TAWFIQ STAR took her on and led from mid-race with MADEIRA SUNRISE racing a touch keenly behind them. They steadied the tempo a touch mid-race.
The Result
MADEIRA SUNRISE (1st) moved up on the turn and ran home better than SICILIAN (2nd) with PORTOROSA (3rd) chasing hard not far away.
The Interest
MADEIRA SUNRISE got the job dine nicely despite not quite being settled in the yard and in the run. Her trials looked slightly better than SICILIAN and that's the way it worked out on race day. PORTOROSA strong to the line late as she was in her trials. MEXICO paraded in good order, but was scratched at the barriers after playing up.
Race 2 ACY SECURITIES HANDICAP
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lekvarte | Joseph Pride | Jay Ford | 7 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Banana Queen | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Brenton Avdulla | 9 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | African Daisy | Jason Deamer | Chad Schofield | 3 | 55.0 |
In The Yard
Most parading at their top, BANANA QUEEN a scopey mare, focused in the yard and walking well. LEKVARTE holding good condition deep into her preparation, as is WATEGOS who parades well. COSMIC MINERVA a touch plain and quiet in the yard with the blinkers on first time.
In The Running
WATEGOS pushed to lead and rolled at a STRONG tempo. Stablemate COSMIC MINERVA clumsily wondered straight into the rail at the 800m mark and lost ground before getting very unbalanced after being tightened on the turn and e. The mares BANANA QUEEN and LEKVARTE out the back benefiting from the early speed.
The Result
BANANA QUEEN (2nd) swept to the lead before LEKVARTE (1st) knuckled down and ran on best late.
The Interest
The testing tempo and favourite running below his best left the two swooping mares to fight it out. LEKVARTE a robust type with staying bloodlines that was too strong late after BANANA QUEEN had sprinted to the lead. Favourite COSMIC MINERVA looked a little plain in the yard and was very clumsy in the blinkers, beaten before they reached the home straight and eased down. Bjorn Baker confirmed post-race that he had been a difficult horse to train at times and the blinkers would come off next start.
Race 3 MIDWAY HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr Evil | John Steinmetz | James McDonald | 4 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Real Peace | Clarry Conners | Tom Sherry | 12 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Carolina Fire | Lee & Cherie Curtis | Jay Ford | 1 | 52.0 |
In The Yard
Even parade in the midway, CAROLINA FIRE parading well, a strong mare deep into her preparation. No knocks on DR EVIL and LOVETHEINVASION who both parade well. MISS LENORR and OH GOLLY GOSH (short shuffling walk) slighter types in the yard, with LUVOIR calmer than he usually is and parading fine.
In The Running
CAROLINA FIRE led at a FAIR tempo from LOVETHEINVASION.
The Result
DR EVIL (1st) edged wider into the clear and ran on for a good win. REAL PEACE (2nd) ran on from the back with MISS LENORR (4th). CAROLINA FIRE (3rd) kicked on OK in the lead.
The Interest
DR EVIL has been consistent this campaign and deserved the win. His record suggests wet ground may have been better, but recent performances on dry tracks have been fine and he is always strong to the line over this distance range. The time only fair so expect this form out of this race to be below genuine Saturday grade as Midways often are.
Race 4 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Super Extreme | Cameron Crockett | James McDonald | 11 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Running Bear | Jan Bowen | Ashley Morgan | 6 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Clever Art | Mitchell Beer | Ms Rachel King | 2 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
A busy highway yard, PREEMPTORY looking very well deep into the preparation, as does CLEVER ART. Favourite IRON WILL a touch anxious and edgy in the yard, similar to ZARU. AMULET STREET, HIT THE RIM and STEPLEE will all improve with the run as they progress into the preparation.
Race 5 CONGRATULATIONS SAM AND DAVID HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sonora | Ciaron Maher | Brenton Avdulla | 9 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Grande Rumore | Kris Lees | Dylan Gibbons | 2 | 60.5 | |
| 3 | Anagain | Joseph Pride | Jason Collett | 6 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
ANAGAIN, PRETTY WILD and SONORA all parading well, focused in the yard. No knock on RUPERTAAR (lighter frame) SUPER BRIGHT (muscular). I SIYOU BABY and ARAVENE first-up with fitness improvement to come, both slightly dull in the coat.
In The Running
MOSHT UP sped to the lead and just eased the tempo a bit mid-race letting SONORA move up outside the lead mid-race, pushing SUPER BRIGHT a bit wide on the turn. ANAGAIN back in a tricky spot. PRETTY WILD back and stuck 3W NC.
The Result
SONORA (1st) sprinted clear for an easy win with Avdulla easing her down late. GRANDE RUMORE (2nd) ran on well with ANAGAIN (3rd), who was held up 'til about the 125m.
The Interest
SONORA was given a lovely on-pace run by Avdulla while her main threats were out the back in poor positions and she took full advantage dashing clear for an impressive 1.7L win. Her form-lines from midweek races in Victoria didn't look up to this, but she wasn't out of place in the yard and the market kept her firm as a leading chance throughout betting ($5.5 to $6 to $5.5). ANAGAIN ran very well too and would have gone close with even luck after getting held up. GRANDE RUMORE better fresh again and PRETTY WILD was out the back (beaten 5L) after a wide run.
Race 6 DRINKWISE MILE
steady tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Banju | Lyle Chandler | Reece Jones | 1 | 52.0 | |
| 2 | No Compromise | Chris Waller | Dylan Gibbons | 5 | 61.5 | |
| 3 | Love Tap | Richard & Will Freedman | Brett Prebble | 4 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
BANJU parades very well, a strong type holding condition deep into his preparation. LOVE TAP parading bright and in good shape after coming back from a Queensland trip. NO COMPROMISE perhaps the most forward of the first-up runners, while stablemate SOULCOMBE had clear improvement to come and was a touch warm, similar to fellow stayers SACRAMENTO and YOUTH SPIRIT.
In The Running
LOVE TAP took up the running and set a couple of STEADY early sectionals, but he was keen under a hold so Prebble let him stride early for a LONG SPRINT home. BANJU got a nice run in the box seat and found room when he needed to on the turn. The final 200m sectional was significantly slower as the leaders tired.
The Result
BANJU (1st) hit the lead and hung on as NO COMPROMISE (2nd) flashed up the inside late and LOVE TAP (3rd) wasn't far away. NIGHT OF POWER (4th) ran on solidly too.
The Interest
Everything worked out well for BANJU and he got the job done. Arguably LOVE TAP was just as good as the winner after going a touch keenly and giving BANJU the perfect trail behind. SOULCOMBE plain and one-paced (pulled up 2/5 lame), his disappointing effort not helping stablemate NO COMPROMISE either, who was held up on the turn before charging up the inside late to just miss.
Race 7 YARRAMAN PARK HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Remarque | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tim Clark | 5 | 62.0 | |
| 2 | Dragonstone | Joseph Pride | Joshua Parr | 4 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Sebonack | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Brock Ryan | 3 | 52.0 |
In The Yard
REMARQUE very well first-up from a spell, strong and focussed in the yard. QUICK TEMPO parades well deep into his preparation, as does DRAGONSTONE. KOTE very unsettled and on his toes (as he can be) with some fitness improvement to come. SEBONACK and KEY LARGO carrying a little bit of condition and just a little bit off full fitness first-up.
In The Running
KOTE sped to the lead from FORZANINI on his outside with REMARQUE (4th 2W) in a nice trailing spot behind the leaders.
The Result
REMARQUE quickened up and got the job done nicely from a closing DRAGONSTONE (2nd) and SEBONACK (3rd). KEY LARGO (7th) and QUICK TEMPO (8th) badly held up back in the pack.
The Interest
REMARQUE looked very good in the parade and produced a professional win to continue his strong form as a gelding. He may have been a bit lucky though with KEY LARGO and QUICK TEMPO both finding trouble as they made their runs. SEBONACK and KOTE did enough and should improve with the run over the next couple of starts. Interestingly DRAGONSTONE pulled up 2/5 lame despite running well on the day, perhaps feeling his off-fore after the winning post.
Race 8 FUJITSU GENERAL ESKIMO PRINCE STAKES
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aft Cabin | James Cummings | James McDonald | 8 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Zou Tiger | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Tom Marquand | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Communist | Michael Freedman | Jason Collett | 5 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
AFT CABIN close to the mark fitness wise with some improvement in his coat to come. ZOU TIGER and OSIPENKO both nice horses, but seemed clearly below full fitness first-up. COMMUNIST the most tuned up fresh, very forward in the yard. TORONOMICA strong and looking well deep into his preparation.
In The Running
CAPITOL QUEEN led from TORONOMICA at a rolling FAIR tempo with AFT CABIN (3rd 2W in the ideal trailing spot keeping ZOU TIGER (4th rails WC) to his inside. OSIPENKO was back and pushed wide NC on the turn.
The Result
AFT CABIN (1st) dashed to the lead and was much too good for ZOU TIGER (2nd), COMMUNIST (3rd) and BROSNAN (4th) all running on OK.
The Interest
He's a professional, uncomplicated colt and he's clearly very good. AFT CABIN strolled around the yard without a care in the world, not standing out to anyone who didn't know him given a slightly dull coat and mid-strength frame. James McDonald put him in the right spot and his Astern x Lonhro-bred engine did the rest. ZOU TIGER and OSIPENKO will improve for the run, but they have some ground to make up. BROSNAN the surprise packet of the race running home well late at $61.
Race 9 TAB HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claim The Crown | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Chad Schofield | 13 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Wineglass Bay | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 8 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | High Court | Rodney Northam | Reece Jones | 18 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
Waterhouse Bott pair STAR SPARKS and NOTHINSWEETABOUTME both parade very well and hold good condition. WINEGLASS BAY has improved with every run, at peak. KETTLE HILL, CLAIM THE CROWN and HIGH COURT well. YUKON noticeably warm in the yard.
In The Running
STAR SPARKS went to the lead and set an honest FAIR tempo. WINEGLASS BAY midfield (6th 2W WC) with CLAIM THE CROWN (9th 2W WC) behind him. HIGH COURT left 3W NC when CHANNON BURJ moved up on-pace. KETTLE HILL tied up on the inside getting held up.
The Result
WINEGLASS BAY (2nd) had to work clear before charging to lead and looking home, but CLAIM THE CROWN (1st) kept coming out wider to win. HIGH COURT (3rd) very brave not far away and MONFELICITY (4th) not far away too.
The Interest
A few solid runs in what looked like an even race on paper. HIGH COURT perhaps the best of them out wide and KETTLE HILL was a bit unlucky on the inside. Take nothing away from the imports CLAIM THE CROWN and WINEGLASS BAY though, two Irish-breds improving into their first campaigns in Australia with more to come. WINEGLASS BAY looked home for all money at the 100 metre mark before Chad Schofield got CLAIM THE CROWN surging late. STAR SPARKS pulled up 3/5 lame.
Race 10 PETALUMA HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Munitions | Richard Litt | Dylan Gibbons | 12 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Sacrimony | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 6 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Gusonic | Donna Scott | Tim Clark | 14 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
SACRIMONY a picture of health, very well in the yard. MUNTIONS holding condition, shining in the yard same with AMERICAN PRESIDENT who is very well. LINDERMANN with small improvement to come but forward enough to be effective. HALO WARRIOR a little warm and POKERJACK lightly framed, perhaps suited with more edge off the track.
In The Running
POKERJACK set an honest FAIR tempo with MUNITIONS outside the lead, SACRIMONY in the box seat and GUSONIC 'one out, one back'.
The Result
The on-pacers dominated with MUNITIONS (1st) scrambling in from SACRIMONY (2nd) and GUSONIC (3rd) closing off solidly.
The Interest
Not much of a sprint race on paper and there wasn't much between them in the finish. LINDERMANN perhaps the one to follow from this up in distance with some fitness to come into the campaign.