Yard to the Post @ Hobartville Stakes Day
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 20 February 2016
Chris Waller made another Autumn Carnival statement today, his Group One winning colt PRESS STATEMENT following in the footsteps of WINX to win impressively first-up.
While WINX took the length of the straight to catch the leader SOLICIT in her race, PRESS STATEMENT made much easier work of it. Hugh Bowman found the perfect position near the pace and simply strode by Eskimo Prince winner SPILL THE BEANS at his leisure.
Improving galloper LE ROMAIN was good again in 2nd and Anthony Cummings' exciting stayer MONTAIGNE stormed home late for 3rd, catching SPILL THE BEANS on the line. He's a big chance in the upcoming Rosehill Guineas and Derby.
In other races, FIRST SEAL won for the same connections as PRESS STATEMENT in a pleasing return to the track, before later in the day the bookies cheered as ARAB DAWN and COOLRING upset the favourites.
A full yard to the post review is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | +3 metres |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 SPARK OF LIFE HANDICAP
Big power gets this guy home
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Strindberg | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 3 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Redzel | Peter & Paul Snowden | Hugh Bowman | 4 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Yattarna | James Cummings | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
TO BE SURE looked muscular and fit, purposeful walk, ZOUTENANT and REDZEL no knock. Can CAN BE BOSSY stay the 1100m?
In The Running
REDZEL scooted to the lead from TO BE SURE and rolled along with CAN BE BOSSY wider early on. ZOUTENANT was slow and got back. STRINDBERG travelled well in the back half.
The Result
REDZEL (2nd) broke clear, but STRINDBERG (1st) stormed home to get there. YATTARNA (3rd) stuck on from the box seat.
The Interest
Well STRINDBERG doesn't shape as a world beater, but some improvement and a suitable track helped. Keep an eye on his development. TO BE SURE and YATTARNA could just be better on wet tracks. REDZEL solid, but another just looking for the right race. No Folllows or Forgives.
Race 2 RANVET HANDICAP
A dream return to form for Hawkes
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Himalaya Dream | Todd Balfour | Tommy Berry | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Maurus | John Thompson | Jason Collett | 5 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Marenostro | Gayna Williams | Hugh Bowman | 2 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
Impossible race in the yard, all fit/lean, who has the sprint to win? Both MAURUS and ORIENTAL LADY fit enough, fresh. Perhaps HIMALAYA DREAM was best the in yard, but is he best in the head!?
In The Running
HIMALAYA DREAM led from GREAT ESTEEM and controlled the race. MARENOSTRO was in the box seat and MAURUS got back.
The Result
HIMALAYA DREAM (1st) gave a kick in the straight and held off MAURUS (2nd), who made good ground. MARENOSTRO (3rd) battled away ok.
The Interest
A really horrible race to analyse, they all seemed one-paced and hard to pick between, with only HIMALAYA DREAM having shown a decent sprint before. But his form was horrible! He took advantage of the right race today after being well backed. It will be interesting to see if he can do it again. The horses to follow, if any, were stayers MAURUS and ORIENTAL LADY, who can progress after good efforts. Follow MAURUS and ORIENTAL LADY.
Race 3 TAB HIGHWAY PLATE
A driving finish in the highway
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose of Man | Terry Robinson | Tommy Berry | 8 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Royal Engineer | Mark Mason | Ms Samantha Clenton | 1 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Bowie's Babe | Leon Davies | Blake Shinn | 7 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
Not a bad bunch of sprinters in the yard, ROSE OF MAN looked strong/well, BEAU TIRAGE dappled ready to go. SUPA VISION and BOWIE’S BABE also looked well.
In The Running
BEAU TIRAGE pushed up in this inside with some pressure from DESERT MARSHAL. ROSE OF MAN was slow and got right back.
The Result
ROSE OF MAN (1st) came to the outside and stormed at them late, just grabbing ROYAL ENGINEER (2nd), who ran on well too. BOWIE’S BABE (3rd) fought on too, just in front of the leaders.
The Interest
ROSE OF MAN is a powerful mare and this looked a good race for her, perhaps backers weren't so confident when she drifted right out the back though! An honest tempo from BEAU TIRAGE (wants 1000m?) gave her the chance to shine. And that she did! With form around Felines it could be worth following up again. Follow ROSE OF MAN.
Race 4 UVEX SILVER SLIPPER STAKES
Silver Slipper fits the king of the yard
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Astern | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Hugh Bowman | 5 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Defcon | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 7 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Mount Panorama | Gary Moore | Tommy Berry | 1 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
ASTERN King of the yard, does the Slipper fit? PITTSBURGH and MOUNT PANORAMA both looked good in the yard, DEFCON keen unsettled but strong, similar for KING OF WAR, just a touch hot. RATHER SWEET looked very hot in the yard.
In The Running
ASTERN took up the running and DEFCON was stuck wide on the pace. MOUNT PANORAMA got well back after missing the start.
The Result
ASTERN (1st) edged wider and kept lifting, holding off DEFCON (2nd), who had cruised up before his run ended. MOUNT PANORAMA (3rd) ran on well.
The Interest
Maybe a touch soft in the yard, but clearly the class, ASTERN shone and showed his typical Medaglia D'oro strength to stick on late. It was déjà vu for followers of DEFCON, looming up before his run ended, although he was wide. MOUNT PANORAMA looked stronger and is clearly a dry tracker. Follow ASTERN and MOUNT PANORAMA.
Race 5 GALMET MILLIE FOX STAKES
First class ride for Shinn
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First Seal | John Thompson | Blake Shinn | 3 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Telepathic | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 5 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | I've Got the Looks | Peter & Paul Snowden | Brenton Avdulla | 1 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
CATKINS calm, still a solid build, is the 1300m ok? IVE GOT THE LOOKS well and fit. FIRST SEAL looks like the class she is, will be closing late, can she sprint with them?
In The Running
SKYLINE BLUSH took up the running in a surprise move, CATKINS was midfield and FIRST SEAL got a long way back.
The Result
FIRST SEAL (1st) picked up and stormed down the outside, beating home I’VE GOT THE LOOKS and TELEPATHIC who fought on along the rails.
The Interest
She's had a long preparation after injury to get her ready and ready she was, FIRST SEAL flying down the outside for a big win. Very interesting that SKYLINE BLUSH rolled forward and ensured some tempo, a move that made all the difference for the fellow Randwick trained winner. Poor old CATKINS was only OK in the yard, she may be reaching the end of a glamorous career, although one more low pressure 1200m set weights event could be worth a go. Follow FIRST SEAL.
Race 6 HYLAND SPORTSWEAR HANDICAP
One-paced chasers no match for Waller
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Religify | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 12 | 59.5 | |
| 2 | Spy Decoder | Anthony Cummings | Jason Collett | 7 | 59.5 | |
| 3 | Hollywood Bound | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 60.0 |
In The Yard
MAN OF CHOICE the biggest man in the yard, looked good. Both FAROLITOS and BOLD CIRCLE paraded well and will be sticking on, but can they sprint? HOLLYWOOD BOUND maybe not 100% and CAT’S WISH getting hot, a smaller mate.
In The Running
RELIGIFY was taken to the lead and SPY DECODER was ridden aggressively to near the pace. MAN OF CHOICE was stuck wide with no cover.
The Result
RELIGIFY (1st) quickened up and held a game SPY DECODER (2nd) at bay. HOLLYWOOD BOUND (3rd) ran on solidly near the inside.
The Interest
Another race today with not many gallopers that have power or a sprint. Like HIMALAYAN DREAM earlier RELIGIFY was left with an easy lead and was always going to sprint best. His stamina was the question, but he's an athletic type and Waller is better at training them over 1200m+. A good run from SPY DECODER and you can forgive MAN OF CHOICE (wide) and CAT’S WISH (hot in the yard). Follow SPY DECODER. Forgive MAN OF CHOICE and CAT’S WISH.
Race 7 CRC HOBARTVILLE STAKES
Another statement from Sydney's leading trainer
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Press Statement | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 8 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Le Romain | Kris Lees | Christian Reith | 11 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Montaigne | Anthony Cummings | Jason Collett | 4 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
PRESS STATEMENT paraded very well, a classy type. DAL CIELO was a touch keen, no knock SPILL THE BEANS, strong on-pacer. TOO GOOD TO REFUSE looked very well too, along with LE ROMAIN.
In The Running
SPILL THE BEANS took up the running and WOLF CRY moved up on his outside. PRESS STATEMENT was urged forward and found the perfect spot one out and one back.
The Result
PRESS STATEMENT (1st) simply strode up wider and surged clear of his rivals, led by a game LE ROMAIN (2nd) and MONTAIGNE (3rd), who wound up hard late to catch SPILL THE BEANS (4th).
The Interest
Simply a one act affair! PRESS STATEMENT was ready to go in the yard and made a mess of them. Credit to LE ROMAIN, but MONTAIGNE is clearly the other horse to follow. Anthony Cummings can prepare a Rosehill Guineas and Derby winner and this guy is shaping as a big contender. Follow PRESS STATEMENT and MONTAIGNE.
Race 8 PACIFIC HOISTS PARRAMATTA CUP
Dry ground brings about a big turnaround
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arab Dawn | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Christian Reith | 10 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Allergic | James Cummings | Tim Clark | 9 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Hasselhoof | Donna Logan & Chris Gibbs | Matthew Cameron | 7 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
LIBRAN on his toes and looked well. LOOPHOLE, ALPHA BEAT and ALLERGIC also looked good. HASSELHOOF is a big strider, hoping for a nice trail off honest tempo.
In The Running
HIPPOPUS went to the lead and HASSELHOOF strode up on his outside. LOOPHOLE, ARAB DAWN and LIBRAN went back.
The Result
ARAB DAWN (1st) got a nice run through and picked up, striding to the lead. He held on from ALLERGIC (2nd) who close gamely once he found space and LIBRAN (4th) hit the line well too late. HASSELHOOF (3rd) stuck on from near the pace.
The Interest
A big improvement back to a dry track, ARAB DAWN is an import with the scope to get to a high level in Australia and he won a good quality race here after floundering behind a couple of these last start. ALLERGIC and LIBRAN were both very good too and will be hard to hold out over 2000m+. Even HIPPOPUS and LOOPHOLE could be worth following given the depth of this race. As for HASSELHOOF, he's a horse that needs the right race to show his best. Being one-paced, a soft track could help (although connections say he prefers dry?). ALPHA BEAT worth another go back to 1600m on soft ground too. And BEYOND THANKFUL didn't lose any admirers and will be ready for next time. Follow most of them!
Race 9 GET WELL KERRIE WILSON SPRINT
Blake Shinn delivers a gem for the bookies
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coolring | Joe Cleary | Blake Shinn | 12 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Brook Road | Kris Lees | Ms Samantha Clenton | 13 | 61.0 | |
| 3 | Tahitian Black | David Pfieffer | Tye Angland | 8 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
Nice sprinters in the yard, BROOK ROAD very well first-up. EMINENT DUKE, TAHITIAN BLACK and ESGRIMIDOR muscular and powered. ONEMOREZETA quite a unique type, rigid stride and not a natural spreedster?
In The Running
ESGRIMIDOR got to the lead from STRATURBO with COOLRING finding the box seat from a wide barrier after jumping well. EMINENT DUKE was slow to begin. ONEMOREZETA was stuck wide and BROOK ROAD got a nice trail in the back half.
The Result
COOLRING (1st) moved up on the inside and fought hard, holding off BROOK ROAD (2nd), who ran on very gamely. TAHITIAN BLACK (3rd) ran on up the inside.
The Interest
Bjorn Baker with the blinkers on! COOLRING can sometimes take a run to find his best, but not this time after a beautiful Blake Shinn ride. He drifted in the market and the bookies cheered as he held off fav' BROOK ROAD, who stormed home and they ran good time. A gap back to the field from TAHITIAN BLACK (simply out-sped over 1000m start before this) suggests they could all be worth following. ONEMOREZETA is worth another chance up to 1200m on a softish track and EMINENT DUKE simply got too far back. Follow COOLRING, BROOK ROAD and TAHITIAN BLACK. Forgive ONEMOREZETA and EMINENT DUKE.